by The internet is great tool when it comes to dissenting information. This has made it an invaluable tool in our lifetime. This is one of the reasons you are on this page. Here are ways on how to find birth records in California that you can try. There are a number of ways on how to find birth records.
California is found in the western part of the US and borders with Mexico. With a population of 39.51 million from 58 counties, it is possible to find birth records on anyone born in California. In order to do that, you will need to be familiar with the places and methods on how to go about such a lookup. You also need to be aware of all the laws that govern the availability of such records. This article will assist you do just that.
Public records in California are accessible to the public, except for certified or authorized documents. They may be restricted but they can be accessed as there are steps towards that.
Public records include vital records (birth, death, marriage, adoption, divorce and death records). Our focus will be on the vital records known as birth records in California. We will look at how and where to find them in California.
According to the California Public Records Act (CPRA), anyone can access public records by getting in touch with the official custodian of that particular record. They can also use third party sites or organizations that offer such services.
Requesters who are looking to find authorized copies of a particular record may need to produce an ID. Certified copies are a legal document utilized for official identification. This makes them to be issued to people who only have a legal and authentic interest in them.
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California Birth Records
The state of California did not keep any birth records before 1905, but some counties did. The recording of birth records started state wide in California in 1905. Certified birth records or birth certificates access is strictly restricted. People who are allowed to access these birth records are the birth record owner, siblings, legal spouse, parents, the person’s children, guardian and legal representatives.
An informal copy of a birth certificate can be issued to anyone. It will have the same information as the certified copy but cannot serve as a legal document. They are recognizable by the stamp and big print across the document that states that it’s an informational document.
How to Obtain Birth Records in California
You can get hold of birth certificates from the California Department of Health, Vital Records. You can also get them from the county recorder’s office where the birth happened.
It is possible to order certified copies of these records from VitalChek, the authorized third party that offers vital records in California.
In order for you to be able to access birth records in California, you will need to provide:
- The full name of the owner of the birth certificate.
- The reason for requesting that birth certificate.
- The date the birth occurred.
- The place where the birth happened.
- Legal proof (ID) that links you to the owner of the birth records.
Requesting Birth Records in California
You can use the following methods to request birth records in California:
- Online – you can request birth records from VitalChek. This is the official site tasked with offering vital records in California. You can try other too such as Public Libraries and Ancestry.
- Mail – to be able to get birth records by mail, requesters must first an application for certified birth records. This is to be send with a cheque or money order with a copy of your valid ID.
- Phone – you can phone in and order the birth certificate. You will need to make payment through credit or debit card.
- Walk in – you can also pay a visit to the county recorder’s office. The office opens on Mondays to Fridays. The office is not operational on state holidays. Same day service is not a guarantee on walk ins.
Other Reliable Sources
Birth records can also be sourced from other types of records in California. These include marriage records, divorce records, cemetery records and church records. These are some of the record types that have birth information on them. If you can access them, you might stand a chance of finding birth information from there.
These are some of the choices there is on how to find birth records in California. They show you can get the birth records online and offline. Searches like these need that you have patience as they can take time to return an outcome. The records are also sensitive in nature which makes it a must that you are ready to provide some sort of identification or prove of citizenship at any moment its needed. The results come at a cost too.
