You can obtain a birth certificate for anyone born within the County of San Diego.
If the registrant was born in another county, contact that County Recorder’s office.
Please allow 3 weeks after the date of birth to request a birth certificate. If no record is found based on the information provided on the application, a "Letter of No Record" will be issued. The Recorder's Office will retain the non-refundable fee for processing the application.
Those who are authorized by law to receive a Certified Copy of a birth certificate are:
A Certified Copy of a birth certificate is required to obtain a driver’s license, passport, social security card, and other services related to an individual’s identity.
Those who are not authorized by law to request a Certified Copy will receive a certified Informational Copy. A certified Informational Copy is marked "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY".
Visit one of our available office locations and complete the birth certificate application, which must be signed in the presence of a County Clerk. You will be asked to present valid government-issued photo ID when you arrive.
The fee is not refundable even if the record is not found.
The fee is payable by cash, check or money order, or credit/debit card.
An additional $2.50 surcharge is applicable for card payments.
Check or money order payable to: San Diego Recorder/County Clerk.
This service is not available at our Kearny Mesa Office. Instead, you can request birth certificates at any of our office locations including; downtown San Diego, Chula Vista, Santee, and San Marcos. An appointment is not required.
Visit VitalChek.com and complete the ordering process.
For a Certified Copy, select “Authorized Copy” on VitalChek’s website.
Select “San Diego County Recorder” as the government agency.
The fee is not refundable even if the record is not found.
If requesting a Certified Copy:
You must be an authorized individual. Complete the Sworn Statement on the application and have it notarized. The Certificate of Acknowledgement must be completed by a Notary Public. If outside of California, the Notary may cross out California and enter the correct state.
If requesting a certified Informational Copy:
You do not have to be an authorized individual. The Sworn Statement, Certificate of Acknowledgment, and notarization are not required.