How to Find California Birth Records

Statewide registration of births began in 1905 in California with general compliance by 1920.

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Next Step: When did the birth occur?

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 * Choose a time period to search for your ancestor's birth record:


 * Births before 1905
 * Births after 1905
 * I don't know when the birth is


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Births before 1905
Before 1905, no birth records were maintained by the state, but some were recorded by counties.

Try: California, County Birth and Death Records, 1800-1994

You may need to search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s birth date and place. You can also try contacting the county directly.

Return to top: Choose another birth year

Births after 1905
In 1905, statewide registration of births began in California. If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for birth information in other records.

For births that exist during this time period, try the following databases:

Obtain the Certificate
With full names, exact dates and places (from your records or the index above) of an event, you can order a copy of the birth certificate for a fee from the local county offices, Office of Vital Records, or VitalChek.

Restrictions for ordering California birth certificates: To obtain a certified copy of the birth certificate, you must be:


 * The person on the certificate
 * The parent or grandparent of the person on the certificate
 * The spouse of the person on the certificate
 * The child of the person on the certificate
 * The sibling of the person on the certificate
 * The legal guardian of the person on the certificate
 * Anyone who has legal interest in the certificat

Anyone may obtain an informational copy of a birth certificate. The certificate will include the same information as a certified copy, but can not be used to establish identity.

'''If you do not want to order the birth record, there are other records with birth information you can search. ''' Return to top: Choose another birth year

Related Wiki Articles

 * Learn more about U.S. Birth Records
 * United States Record Finder
 * U.S. Vital Records Overview
 * United States Vital Records
 * Locating United States Vital Records
 * United States Death Records
 * United States Marriage Records


 * California, Select Births and Christenings, 1812-1988 ($)
 * Index and images
 * California, County Birth and Death Records, 1849-1994, ($). Images.
 * California, Birth Records from Select Counties, 1872-1987, ($). Images.