California vital records are available through the California Department of Public Health – Vital Records (CDPH-VR) and, in many cases, the county where the event occurred.
Authorized vs. informational copies
An authorized certified copy can be used to establish identity. An informational certified copy cannot. CDPH requires a notarized sworn statement for an authorized copy when applicable.
Birth and death records
CDPH-VR maintains statewide birth and death records from July 1905 forward. Current fees and processing rules should be checked before ordering.
Marriage records
State availability varies by year, and confidential marriage certificates come from the County Clerk in the county where the confidential license was issued.
Important 2026 change
CDPH states that beginning July 1, 2026 it no longer accepts applications submitted to CDPH-VR through online third-party vendors. Direct CDPH requests are handled by mail, while county options may differ.