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Birth Certificates
Did you know that the guidelines for ordering
birth records are changing?
Due to the increased
occurrence of identity theft, new laws were passed to protect birth and
death records from misuse.
These laws go into effect July 1, 2003. At this time, the steps necessary to obtain a birth or
death record will change significantly.
Effective July 1, 2003,
the California Health and Safety Code, Sections 103526, will permit only
authorized individuals to receive certified copies of birth and death
records. Those who are not
authorized by law to receive certified copies will receive certified copies
marked “INFORMATION, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY.”
In the case of birth records, the new law describes an
authorized person as:
·
The
registrant, parent or legal guardian of the registrant.
·
A
party entitled to receive the record as a result of a court order, 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, the registrant’s estate, and person
or agency empowered by statute or appointed by a court to act on behalf of
the registrant or the registrant’s estate.
Important Details about Birth
Certificates
·
If
the person was born in Contra Costa County, you may obtain a certified copy
from this office; otherwise, contact the Recorder's office in the county of
their birth. If the county is not known, or the person was adopted
prior to 1994 or had a legal name change prior to 1994, please contact the State Office of
Vital Statistics in Sacramento.
·
We
maintain birth certificates from 1905 to present.
·
All
fees are payable by check or money order to the County Recorder’s Office.
·
The
cost for a certified copy of a birth certificate is $20.00 /ea.
Copies of birth records maybe obtained at the:
Contra Costa County
Recorder’s Office
555 Escobar St.
Martinez, CA 94553
For
directions to our office click here.
OR
You
can order copies of birth records using the following methods:
1) Via
mail by downloading the “Application for Certified Copy of Birth Record”
2)
Internet/Fax Ordering
Program
To apply for
birth records on or after July 1, 2003, you must complete the sworn statement included
with the Application for Certified Copy of Birth Record and you must
sign the sworn statement under penalty of perjury. If you mail your application,
your sworn statement must be notarized and included with your application. If you mail your application and do
no include a notarized statement sworn to under penalty of perjury, your
application will be rejected as incomplete and it will be returned to you
without being processed.
Birth
Certificate Mail- in Application (PDF format)
Internet/Fax Ordering
Program
La
información de actas de nacimento en Espanõl estará aquí muy pronto.
Please Note: Should our staff need to contact you regarding
your order we will call you collect.
Need
more information regarding birth certificates?
You may call the office at: (925) 335-7900
or
Visit our office Monday through Friday 8AM – 4PM
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