Vital records in California — birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce records — can be obtained from County Recorder (local) / CDPH (state). Marriage licenses are issued by the County Clerk.
What this page covers: California vital record ordering, eligibility requirements, and related databases. What it does not cover: Genealogy records older than the state vital records system (check the Genealogy Resources page for historical records).
Where to start: For certified copies of birth or death certificates, contact County Recorder (local) / CDPH (state). For marriage licenses, contact the County Clerk in the county where the ceremony will occur. For divorce records, contact the court that granted the decree.
Common mistake: Birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees come from different offices. Do not assume one office handles all vital records.
California Vital Records — Key Facts (2026)
What Changed in 2026 — California Vital Records
The 4-Step California Vital Records Pathway
Five Things People Get Wrong About California Vital Records
Primary Sources (All .gov / Official)
- www.cdph.ca.gov — Official California Vital Records — State portal for California vital records
- CDC National Vital Statistics System — National Vital Statistics System
- CDC — Where to Write for Records — CDC state-by-state directory
- National Archives — Vital Records — Federal genealogy & vital guide
- Social Security Death Master File — Social Security death records
- Census — Births and Deaths — Census Bureau vital statistics
- VA — Veterans Records — Veterans Administration records
Related Vital Records Resources
- California Court Records →
- California Criminal Records →
- California Property Records →
- California Voter Records →
- California Wants & Warrants →
- California Licenses →
- California Recorded Documents →
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Vital Records Databases
67 official California vital records sources.
Vital Records
California Counties
58 California counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net — top 28 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I order a California birth certificate?▼
Certified birth certificates for events in California are issued by the Official California Vital Records at www.cdph.ca.gov. Requests can be made by mail, in person, or (in most cases) online through the state's authorized vendor. The county of registration may also be able to issue certified copies for recent local events.
How do I get a California death certificate?▼
California death certificates are issued by the Official California Vital Records; eligibility (next of kin, executor, legal representative) and ID documentation requirements are listed at www.cdph.ca.gov. For deaths within the last year, the county clerk or local registrar where the death occurred can often issue a copy more quickly.
Can I look up a California marriage or divorce record online?▼
California marriage and divorce records are not generally available in a free, name-searchable online index. The Official California Vital Records (www.cdph.ca.gov) handles certified copies; the underlying license/decree is filed with the county clerk or court that issued it, which is also a primary search point.
How long does it take to get a California vital record?▼
Standard California vital-record processing times vary from a few business days (in-person same-day at some county clerks) to several weeks for mailed requests. The Official California Vital Records publishes current turnaround times at www.cdph.ca.gov. Expedited processing is usually available for an additional fee.
What ID do I need to order a California certified vital record?▼
The Official California Vital Records requires government-issued photo identification (driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID) and proof of your relationship to the record holder, if applicable. The full list of acceptable ID and supporting documents is published at www.cdph.ca.gov.
