Certified Copy Eligibility
The California Health and Safety code, Section 103526, permits only authorized persons to receive a certified copy of a vital record. Those who are not authorized will receive a certified informational copy marked “INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY.” In order to receive a certified copy you must fill out an application and indicate your relationship and sign a sworn statement.
The Department of Public Health’s Vital Statistics Office may provide a certified copy of a birth or death record to an authorized person only. If a requestor does not meet the requirement of an authorized person the Vital Statistics Office can only issue an informational certified copy of the record with a legend stating “INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY.”
Authorized Persons As Described In Health & Safety Code Section 103526
- The registrant or a parent or legal guardian of the registrant.
- A party entitled to receive the record as a result of a court order, or an attorney or a licensed adoption agency seeking the birth record in order to comply with the requirements of Section 3140 or 7603 of the Family Code.
- A member of a law enforcement agency or a representative of another governmental agency, as provided by law, who is conducting official business.
- A child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or domestic partner of the registrant.
- An attorney representing the registrant or the registrant’s estate, or any person or agency empowered by statute or appointed by a court to act on behalf of the registrant or the registrant’s estate.
- Any funeral director who orders certified copies of a death certificate on behalf of any individual specified in paragraphs (1) to (5), inclusive, of subdivision (a) of Health and Safety Code Section 7100. (Notary acknowledgment not required).
Certified Copy – Walk In Customers
The Vital Statistics Office must receive a written request (sworn statement) signed under penalty of perjury that the individual requesting the certificate is an authorized person, as described above, for each certificate.
Certified Copy – By Mail
The Vital Statistics Office must receive a written request (sworn statement) signed under penalty of perjury that the individual requesting the certificate is an authorized person, as described above. The sworn statement must also be notarized.
Informational Copy Requested By Mail Or Walk In
The Vital Statistics Office must receive a written request. The Vital Statistics Office shall provide an informational copy and shall display a legend that states “INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY.” The statement shall be placed on the certificate in a manner that will not conceal information. Note: Informational copies should not be purchased in order to obtain a driver’s license, social security card, state I.D. card, passport, or for insurance claims or coverage.