California ranks 49th out of 51 (the 50 states and D.C.) for how easy, fast and affordable it is to get certified birth, marriage, divorce and death records.
Cost#41of 51
Speed#39of 51
Ease of ordering#47of 51
Birth certificates #49 of 51
Cost
$31 first copy, $31 each extra copy
Processing time
Mail: about 4–6 weeks; in person: no walk-in at the state office; local offices may offer walk-in service
Time until the copy is in hand
About 5–8 weeks by mail (estimate)
Where to order
State office (mail only) or the county recorder in the county of the event
Order online
No
Records available
State records from July 1905
Marriage records #35 of 51
Cost
$19 first copy, $19 each extra copy
Processing time
Mail: about 4–6 weeks; in person: no walk-in at the state office; local offices may offer walk-in service
Time until the copy is in hand
About 5–8 weeks by mail (estimate)
Where to order
State office (mail only) or the county recorder in the county of the event
Order online
No
Records available
The state holds 1905–1999, 2001 and 2008–2025; other years from the County Recorder
Divorce records #24 of 51
Cost
$18 per certificate of record from the state; decree copies from the county Superior Court
Processing time
Mail: may take more than 6 months; in person: no walk-in at the state office
Time until the copy is in hand
Six months or more by mail (estimate)
Where to order
State office (certificate of record only) or the Superior Court in the county where the divorce was granted (decree)
Order online
No
Records available
The state issues only a certificate of record, for 1962 to June 1984; full decrees from the county Superior Court
Death certificates #49 of 51
Cost
$26 first copy, $26 each extra copy
Processing time
Mail: about 4–6 weeks; in person: no walk-in at the state office; local offices may offer walk-in service
Time until the copy is in hand
About 5–8 weeks by mail (estimate)
Where to order
State office (mail only) or the county recorder in the county of the event
Order online
No
Records available
State records from July 1905
Note: These rankings were done on . Prices, processing times and ordering rules may have changed since then, so check with the issuing office before you order. Times marked “estimate” add typical mail delivery to the office’s posted processing time. “Not published” means the office does not post that detail.
How to order California birth, death, marriage and divorce records
How do I get a California birth certificate?
A certified California birth certificate costs $31 per copy from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Vital Records, which takes requests by mail only. For faster service or in-person requests, go to the county recorder or registrar in the county of birth, which can only issue records for births in that county.
California birth records: ordering details
Who can order
There are two kinds of certified copy. An authorized copy can be used to prove identity and is limited to eligible people: the person named on the record, or their parent, legal guardian, child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse or domestic partner; someone entitled by court order; law enforcement or another government agency on official business; someone empowered by statute or appointed by a court to act for the person or their estate; or an attorney for the person or their estate. Anyone can get a certified informational copy, which is marked “Informational, not a valid document to establish identity.”
Fee
$31 for each certified copy (each extra copy is also $31), as of January 1, 2026. If CDPH can’t find the record, it keeps the fee as a search fee and sends a Certificate of No Public Record. County offices may charge different fees, so check with the county first.
How to order
By mail to CDPH: the Application for Certified Copy of Birth Record (VS 111), the notarized sworn statement if you want an authorized copy, and $31 per copy to California Department of Public Health, Vital Records – MS 5103, P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento, CA 95899-7410. Pay by check or money order in U.S. dollars, payable to “CDPH Vital Records”. No cash. To ask for a copy showing confidential information, write “Confidential Copy” on the VS 111. In person or for faster service: the county recorder or registrar in the county where the birth was registered. Online: Since July 1, 2026, CDPH Vital Records no longer accepts applications sent through online third-party vendors and processes mail applications only. A vendor may mail your application to CDPH or send it to the county instead; CDPH can’t help with vendor fees or refunds.
ID needed
For an authorized copy, you must include the notarized Sworn Statement on the application, declaring under penalty of perjury that you’re eligible. CDPH won’t process an authorized-copy request without it. One sworn statement can cover several records requested together if it names each person and your relationship. A foreign notarization needs an apostille. No sworn statement is needed for an informational copy.
Processing time
CDPH Vital Records’ average processing time for certified copies is 4 to 6 weeks, counted from the day your request arrives; it can rise when volume is high. CDPH says you can often get a certificate faster from the county office. Estimate: about 5 to 8 weeks by mail to CDPH, including mail time both ways.
Older and local records
CDPH has a record of every California birth since July 1905. Birth records are available from 21 days after the birth. For earlier records, contact the County Recorder in the county of birth. County offices only hold records for births in their county.
Tip: Need it quickly? CDPH itself points people to the county office where the birth was registered, which is often faster than the state’s 4- to 6-week average.
A certified California death certificate costs $26 per copy from CDPH Vital Records, by mail only, or from the county recorder or registrar in the county where the death was registered. Counties also handle in-person requests and are often faster.
California death records: ordering details
Who can order
There are two kinds of certified copy. An authorized copy can be used to prove identity and is limited to eligible people: the person named on the record, or their parent, legal guardian, child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse or domestic partner; someone entitled by court order; law enforcement or another government agency on official business; someone empowered by statute or appointed by a court to act for the person or their estate; or an attorney for the person or their estate. Anyone can get a certified informational copy, which is marked “Informational, not a valid document to establish identity.” For death records, an agent or employee of a funeral establishment acting for the family, and surviving next of kin, can also get an authorized copy.
Fee
$26 for each certified copy (each extra copy is also $26), as of January 1, 2026. If CDPH can’t find the record, it keeps the fee as a search fee and sends a Certificate of No Public Record. County fees may differ.
How to order
By mail to CDPH: the Application for Certified Copy of Death Record (VS 112), the notarized sworn statement if you want an authorized copy, and $26 per copy to California Department of Public Health, Vital Records – MS 5103, P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento, CA 95899-7410. Pay by check or money order in U.S. dollars, payable to “CDPH Vital Records”. No cash. In person or for faster service: the county recorder or registrar in the county where the death was registered. Online: Since July 1, 2026, CDPH Vital Records no longer accepts applications sent through online third-party vendors and processes mail applications only. A vendor may mail your application to CDPH or send it to the county instead; CDPH can’t help with vendor fees or refunds.
ID needed
For an authorized copy, you must include the notarized Sworn Statement on the application, declaring under penalty of perjury that you’re eligible. CDPH won’t process an authorized-copy request without it. One sworn statement can cover several records requested together if it names each person and your relationship. A foreign notarization needs an apostille. No sworn statement is needed for an informational copy. Funeral establishments (for death records), law enforcement and government agencies don’t need a notary but must still sign the sworn statement.
Processing time
CDPH Vital Records’ average processing time for certified copies is 4 to 6 weeks, counted from the day your request arrives; it can rise when volume is high. CDPH says you can often get a certificate faster from the county office. Estimate: about 5 to 8 weeks by mail to CDPH, including mail time both ways.
Older and local records
CDPH has a record of every California death since July 1905. Death records are available from two weeks after the death. For earlier records, contact the County Recorder in the county where the death occurred.
Tip: Settling an estate? Ask for authorized copies, since banks and agencies usually won’t accept an informational copy. Order them together with one sworn statement that lists each record.
A certified copy of a California public marriage certificate costs $19 per copy from CDPH Vital Records by mail, but only for marriages in 1905–1999, 2001 and 2008–2025. For other years, faster service, or a confidential marriage, go to the county office where the license was issued.
California marriage records: ordering details
Who can order
There are two kinds of certified copy. An authorized copy can be used to prove identity and is limited to eligible people: the person named on the record, or their parent, legal guardian, child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse or domestic partner; someone entitled by court order; law enforcement or another government agency on official business; someone empowered by statute or appointed by a court to act for the person or their estate; or an attorney for the person or their estate. Anyone can get a certified informational copy, which is marked “Informational, not a valid document to establish identity.” A confidential marriage record is available only to the two spouses (or by court order), and only from the County Clerk where the license was issued.
Fee
$19 for each certified copy (each extra copy is also $19), as of January 1, 2026. If CDPH can’t find the record, it keeps the fee as a search fee and sends a Certificate of No Public Record. County fees may differ.
How to order
By mail to CDPH: the Application for Certified Copy of Marriage Certificate (VS 113A), the notarized sworn statement if you want an authorized copy, and $19 per copy to California Department of Public Health, Vital Records – MS 5103, P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento, CA 95899-7410. Pay by check or money order in U.S. dollars, payable to “CDPH Vital Records”. No cash. In person or for other years: the County Recorder in the county where the license was issued (County Clerk for confidential marriages). Online: Since July 1, 2026, CDPH Vital Records no longer accepts applications sent through online third-party vendors and processes mail applications only. A vendor may mail your application to CDPH or send it to the county instead; CDPH can’t help with vendor fees or refunds.
ID needed
For an authorized copy, you must include the notarized Sworn Statement on the application, declaring under penalty of perjury that you’re eligible. CDPH won’t process an authorized-copy request without it. One sworn statement can cover several records requested together if it names each person and your relationship. A foreign notarization needs an apostille. No sworn statement is needed for an informational copy.
Processing time
CDPH Vital Records’ average processing time for certified copies is 4 to 6 weeks, counted from the day your request arrives; it can rise when volume is high. CDPH says you can often get a certificate faster from the county office. Estimate: about 5 to 8 weeks by mail to CDPH, including mail time both ways.
Older and local records
CDPH can only issue public marriage certificates for 1905–1999, 2001 and 2008–2025, and it is adding more years as it indexes them. Records become available about six months after the wedding. For 2000, 2002–2007 and earlier years, contact the County Recorder in the county where the license was issued.
Tip: Check the year first. If the marriage was in 2000 or 2002–2007, or it was a confidential marriage, CDPH can’t help, so go straight to the county.
A copy of a California divorce decree comes only from the Superior Court in the county where the divorce took place. CDPH Vital Records can issue only a $18 Certificate of Record, and only for divorces filed from 1962 through June 1984.
California divorce records: ordering details
Certified copy vs. certificate of record
The CDPH Certificate of Record shows only the names of the two people, the filing date, the county and the case number. It is not a copy of the decree. For the decree itself, contact the county Superior Court.
Who can order
CDPH’s application has no eligibility restriction or sworn statement for the Certificate of Record. For the decree, ask the county Superior Court.
Fee
Certificate of Record from CDPH: $18 per copy. Decree copies: set by the county Superior Court.
How to order
Decree: contact the Superior Court in the county where the divorce was filed (find it through the California Courts site). Certificate of Record (1962–June 1984 only): mail the Application for Certificate of Record for a Divorce (VS 113B), one per record, with $18 to California Department of Public Health, Vital Records – MS 5103, P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento, CA 95899-7410. Pay by check or money order in U.S. dollars, payable to “CDPH Vital Records”. No cash.
ID needed
None is listed on the CDPH Certificate of Record application. For the decree, ask the Superior Court.
Processing time
CDPH warns that processing for divorce records may exceed six months. Superior Court times vary by county.
Older records
CDPH holds divorce information only for 1962 through June 1984. For all other years, and for every decree, contact the Superior Court in the county where the divorce was filed.
Tip: Most people need the decree, not the state certificate. CDPH itself encourages you to ask the county Superior Court first.
Note: Fees, processing times and rules are set by the issuing offices and can change. Times are estimates. Check with the office before you order. PublicLibraries.com is not a government agency.
Other records
Other California records people search for
Official California sites for other common lookups. Some records are kept by counties or carry fees; the note on each line says so.
Official California sites for other records
Court case lookup
Find My Court Each county superior court runs its own case index; this finds the right one.
Note: Links go to official state sites or services the state designates. Access rules, fees and coverage are set by each office and can change. PublicLibraries.com is not a government agency.
About California public records
Have you ever needed to get an official copy of your birth certificate? Or have you ever wanted to look into statistics to evaluate the safety of a neighborhood? Finding out that type of stuff (along with other kinds of information) can be quite simple as long as one knows where to look, as it is all available in public records. The fact of the matter is that state and city governments are required to make some information available to any citizen that requests it. Public records originated at a federal level, but almost all states have refashioned their own government information laws according to what the state legislature believes should be made public. In the state of California government data is governed by the California Public Records Act (CPRA) which legally obligates the state to provide you with the information you request.
Vital Records
California birth, death, marriage and divorce records are maintained by the California Department of Public Health Vital Records (CDPH). While certified certificates are only available to family members, informational copies are available to anyone. Statewide recording of vital records began in 1905. For records prior to 1905, write to the clerk of the county in question.
Birth & Death Records
Birth and death records are available from the County Recorder's Office or the California Department of Public Health, Vital Records. Records for current year events and one year prior are available from the county health department in the jurisdiction where the event occurred, while records from all years are available from the proper county recorder.
Marriage Records
Public marriage records are available from the county recorder in the county where the license was issued. Confidential marriage records are available only through the county clerk in the county where the license was issued. CDPH only has marriage records for 1949-1986 and 1998-1999; records for all other dates must be obtained from the County Recorder's office in the appropriate county.
Divorce Records
Certified copies of divorce decrees are available from the Superior Court in the county where the decree was granted. CDPH only has divorce records from 1962-1984, while records for other dates must be obtained from the County Recorder's office in the appropriate county.
Criminal Records
Access to criminal history summary records maintained by the California Department of Justice (DOJ) is restricted by law to legitimate law enforcement purposes and authorized applicant agencies. That said, individuals have the right to request a copy of their own criminal history record from the Department to ensure accuracy and completeness. To receive their own criminal history record, individuals must submit fingerprint images in addition to paying an administrative fee to the DOJ along with following standard application instructions.
California law authorizes certain governmental and private organizations to conduct criminal record background checks to help determine the suitability of a person applying for a license, employment, or a volunteer position for an administrative fee that can be either paid for by the agency requesting the background check or by the applicant the agency is requesting the background check on.
Court Records
To obtain a transcript of a California Local or Superior Court Record, contact the court with jurisdiction over the specific case. These records can be especially challenging to find as there are many different jurisdictions in the state.
Sex Offenders
Since 2004, the public has been able to view information on sex offenders that are required to register with local law enforcement under California's Megan's Law. This information was previously available only by personally visiting police stations and sheriff offices or by calling a 900 toll-free number. California has required sex offenders to register with their local law enforcement agencies since 1947. Signed by the Governor on September 24, 2004, Megan's Law provides the public with certain information on the whereabouts of sex offenders so that members of local communities can protect themselves and their children. All states now have some form of Megan's Law.
Government Records and Information
In 1968, the California Public Records Act was passed by the State Legislature and signed by the Governor, requiring the disclosure of governmental records to the public upon request, unless otherwise exempted by the law. Under this policy and the California Constitution, Californians have the right to access public information maintained by local and state government agencies, including the Department of Justice. Within this Act, public records are broadly defined to include "any writing containing information relating to the conduct of a public's business prepared, owned, used or retained by any state or local agency regardless of physical form or characteristic." Due to this broadly encompassing definition of what counts as a part of the public record, only purely personal information unrelated to the conduct of a publicly retained business' could be considered exempt from this definition. There is quite a bit of information and intelligence that can be discovered via public records; the only thing necessary is to simply inquire or search for it in the right place.
On November 2, 2004, California voters approved Proposition 59, commonly called the Sunshine Amendment, to the California Constitution. This amendment read in part that "the people have the right of access to information concerning the conduct of the people's business, and, therefore, the meetings of public bodies and the writings of public officials and agencies shall be open to public scrutiny."
So if you want information on how any governmental body operates in the state of California you can simply request it under the CPRA. This includes stuff like budgets, bidding processes for contracts, salaries of government employees and even government records on UFO sightings.
