Birth Certificates
Last updated 11/5/2025.
Request a birth certificate for anyone born in San Diego County. Here’s how:
-
For those born within the last 2 years, contact the Office of
Vital Records and Statistics (OVRS) at (619) 692-5733 or see
below.
- Steps to request a birth certificate in-person, online, or by
mail.
- Birth certificates cannot be sent by email or fax.
- Register an Out of Hospital Birth.
- Steps to request a birth certificate in-person, online, or by
mail.
- For those born more than 2 years ago, contact the San Diego County Clerk.
Types of birth certificates:
- Authorized Certified Copy – only given to authorized Individuals with a notarized Sworn Statement.
- Informational Certified Copy – given to all other individuals. A Sworn Statement is not needed.
A certified copy of a birth certificate costs $32.00. This fee is set by the State.
- Fee Waivers for Persons Experiencing Homelessness or Foster Youth
By law, each live birth in San Diego must be registered with OVRS within 21 days of the child's birth. See Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
1. OVRS is open Monday through Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.
We are located at:
5530
Overland Avenue, Suite 170,
San
Diego, CA 92123
2. Be ready to complete an application and provide the following information:
- Child's full name as it listed on the birth certificate,
- Mother's full maiden name,
- Child's date of birth, and
- A valid government issued picture ID.
3. A payment of $32.00 per copy is required. Pay by:
- Cash,
- Debit, credit, tap to pay, or
- Check or money order, payable to County of San Diego.
Online
VitalChek is a third-party website that processes Certificate requests online for OVRS.
1. Visit VitalChek.com.
2. Go to "Order Certificate", then choose "Birth Certificates."
3. Fill out the application.
4. Complete payment with credit card, debit card, or electronic check.
- Certificate fee is $32.00 per copy.
- VitalChek processing fee is $12.95.
- Shipping fee is no cost for regular mail, or $19.00 for Express UPS.
For more information, visit VitalChek online, or call 1-877-459-1061.
1. Fill out the Application for a Birth Certificate.
2. Provide a payment of $32.00 per copy with a completed check or money order, payable to County of San Diego.
- Cash is NOT accepted.
3. Mail completed Application for a Birth Certificate and payment to:
County of San Diego Vital Records
5530 Overland Avenue,
Suite 170
San Diego, CA 92123
If your baby was born outside of a hospital, such as at a birthing center, at home, or another location this is considered an Out of Hospital Birth.
If a Licensed Midwife Was Present
- The midwife is responsible for registering the birth within 21 days.
- To register a birth, email homebirth.hhsa@sdcounty.ca.gov.
If No Midwife or Doctor was Present (Unattended Birth)
- The parents must register the birth.
- This process is
done by appointment only,
after the baby is born.
- Please bring proof to your
appointment to show these five things:
- Who the parent or parents are,
- That the person gave birth and was pregnant,
- That the baby was born alive,
- That the birth happened in California, and
- Who the witness is (if there was one).
- Please bring proof to your
appointment to show these five things:
Contact us at (619) 692-5733, or send an email to homebirth.hhsa@sdcounty.ca.gov, for more information or to begin the registration process.
Fee Waivers
Per Assembly Bills 1733/2490 and 2967, the following can get a copy of a birth record without a fee:
- A person experiencing homelessness, or a child or youth experiencing homelessness.
- Youth in foster care.
Requests can be made by visiting our office at 5530 Overland Avenue, Suite 170, San Diego, CA 92123. Applicants must fulfill the requirements listed in the:
Call the Office of Vital Records at (619) 692-5733, or send an email, for more information.
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