How to Obtain a Birth Certificate

If you need a birth certificate for a child born this year or last year contact Public Health Vital Records and Statistics 826 Main Street, Martinez, California 925-646-2517.

For all other birth certificates visit the County Recorders Office, 555 Escobar St., Martinez, CA. 94553, 925-335-7900

California state law¹ permits only authorized individuals to receive certified copies of birth records. Those who are not authorized by law to receive a certified copy will receive a certified copy marked "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY".

The new law describes an authorized person as:

The registrant, or parent or legal guardian of the registrant.
A party entitled to receive the record as a result of a court order, or 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 or the registrant's estate, or any person or agency empowered by statute or appointed by a court to act on behalf of the registrant or the registrant's estate.

In order to obtain a Certified copy in person, on or after July 1,2003, you MUST complete the sworn statement included with the birth certificate application form and sign the statement, in our office, under penalty of perjury.

If you mail your request, your sworn statement must be notarized.

If your mailed request indicates that you want a Certified copy but does not include a notarized statement, sworn under penalty of perjury, it will be rejected as incomplete and returned to you without processing.

¹ California Health and Safety Code, Section 103526.

Contact Us

826 Main Street
Martinez CA, 94553
925-646-2517

Content provided by the Public Health Division of Contra Costa Health Services.