Frequently Asked Questions
Birth & Death Registration

1. Is my child's or family member's certificate registered?

A Deputy Registrar will search to determine if a child or family member's certificate is registered.
 

2. What is the price of a certified copy of birth or death?
   
   Birth Certificates are $17.00 each and Death Certificates are $12.00 each.
   
    

3. How can I obtain a copy of a birth or death certificate?

Birth and Death Registration provides certified copies of birth and death certificates for events occurring from 1994 to the present.

Birth and death certificates can be purchased in person or by mail.

 

4. What information do I need to send in to get a copy of my child's or family member's certificate?

Click here to print the application form (PDF file).  You must notarize the form for mail orders and return it to our office with your check or money order.

 

5. What are your hours and where are you located?

We are open 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Monday through Friday. We are located at 1200 N. Main Street, Suite 100-A, Santa Ana, CA 92701. Our mailing address is P.O. Box 234, Santa Ana, CA 92702-0234.  Same day service is available from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

 

6. How do I change my son or daughter's name?

You must go to court to get a name changed.

 

7. How do I correct information on my child's or family member's certificate?

Information can be changed through an affidavit submitted to the State Office of Vital Records. Our office, the hospital or funeral director can provide assistance.  A Superior Court Order is required to change some items.

 

8. How do I register the birth of my child who was born at home?

State law mandates that births are to be registered with the Local Registrar within 10 days of delivery.  Parents must call our office to set up an appointment. Our staff will advise you what documents you will need to bring with you.  Documents that prove pregnancy and residence are required.  Births not registered within one year of delivery date must be filed on a delayed registration of birth form with the State Registrar's Office.

 

9. How do I add the baby's father's name to the birth certificate when the baby's parents are not married at the time the baby is born?

Both parents must sign a state form entitled "Acknowledgement of Paternity."  This form is available at no charge from:

• Offices of local registrars of births and deaths

• State Registrar in Sacramento

• County Clerk-Recorder's offices

Instructions for completing the form are on the reverse side of the form.  There is a $20.00 filing fee required for the State Registrar to process the form.  Send the completed form and filing fee to:

Office Vital Records – M.S. 5103
P.O. Box 997410
Sacramento, Ca  95899-7410

A "Declaration of Paternity" form must accompany all "Acknowledgment of Paternity" forms for births that occurred since 1997.  This form is available at no charge from the hospital where the baby was born and at:

• Orange County Department of Child Support Services
  1055 North Main Street, 1st Floor
  Santa Ana, CA 92701
  Telephone: (714) 541-7600

• All district attorney offices

• Courts

• County Departments of Social Services

• Offices of local registrars of births and deaths

• County Clerk-Recorder offices

If both parents are not available to sign both forms, you must obtain a court order to add the father's name to the certificate.

 

10. Why haven't I received my corrected copy of my child's or family member's certificate?

Affidavits must be sent to the State Office of Vital Records in Sacramento for processing. The processing time can take as long as 8 months.   After the State Office of Vital Records has applied the affidavit to the original record, you can purchase corrected copies from Birth and Death Registration in person or by mail.

 

11. Why isn't my child's or family member's corrected certificate on one page?

Once the certificate is registered at the local health department and accepted by the Office of Vital Records in Sacramento, it becomes the original document. Any required corrections to the original document must be made on another form which is then attached to the original document.