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How to Obtain a Birth or Death Certificate

ATTENTION:

Allow 10 business days after the birth or death event for the record to be registered and available for purchase. We do not verify whether records are registered or ready for purchase by telephone or email.  If no record is found, Health and Safety Code 103650 requires our office to retain the fee and issue a Certificate of No Public Record. 

 

IN-PERSON ORDERING - No appointment needed
  1. Visit our office Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (excluding holidays)
    1. Address: 200 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Suite 100-B, Santa Ana, CA 92701
  2. Complete the electronic Application for a Vital Record at one of the computer stations in our lobby. We do not accept paper applications for in-person service.
  3. Once you have completed the electronic application, you can take a seat in our lobby and wait for a cashier to call your name.
  4. Bring your valid (not expired) government-issued photo ID and payment. We accept credit or debit cards, cash, checks, or money orders.
     
ONLINE ORDERING
  1. Visit VitalChek, a third-party website at www.vitalchek.com.
  2. Select Birth or Death Certificate and complete the online application
  3. Pass electronic identity proofing
    1. If identity cannot be verified electronically, a Notarized Sworn Statement will be required
  4. Pay fees by credit/debit card or electronic check to include:
    1. Certificate fee of $34 for each birth, $26 for each death, and $23 for each fetal death certificate.
    2. VitalChek online processing fee $12.95
    3. Shipping fee ($1 for regular mail or $21 for UPS priority shipping)

 

MAIL-IN ORDERING
  1. Print the Application for a Vital Record (English | Spanish)
  2. Notarize the Sworn Statement (page 2 of the application) at a Public Notary
  3. Include payment by check or money order
    1. Payable to: Orange County Health Care Agency or OCHCA
  4. Include a postage-paid, self-addressed envelope
  5. Mail all items to:
    Office of Vital Records 
    200 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Suite 100-B
    Santa Ana, CA 92701

 

Page Last Updated: 5/8/2026