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California Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records

See Also Researching in Vital Records

California Vital Records - California vital records include death records, birth records and marriage records. Any of these can be crucial to gaining data to complete your research. Vital records can be public or closed, and this is determined by the individual state. You can search in person or online to locate and request these California vital records. Keep in mind, any of the California vital records mentioned above can make your California genealogy records complete enough to put together your family history.

California Cemetery Records and Death Records -As with any California vital records searches, it helps a lot if you know certain details, such as location down to the county within California. It also helps if you have an approximate date for the records, at least the year to search within. California cemetery records will tell you the names and dates of death within each individual cemetery. This is why it is a good idea to know which county you need to look in.

California death records list the name, age, location and cause of death for an individual. If the deceased is a married female, you can often also get the maiden name. Searching through library databases or microfilms is often a successful way to accomplish this particular task. Some death records also include the occupation of the deceased. California death records or cemetery records can be a crucial key to finding information.

California Birth Records - California birth records can also help a great deal with your genealogy records. Birth records are a type of vital record that records documentation of a child's birth. California birth records often include vital details aside from just the name and birth date of the baby. They often list the full legal name of one or both birth parents. For the mother, you may even be able to obtain the original maiden name. Also, California birth records can list details such as the name of the delivering physician or midwife, along with the address of the family.

California Vital Records - California vital records include death records, birth records and marriage records. Any of these can be crucial to gaining data to complete your research. Vital records can be public or closed, and this is determined by the individual state. You can search in person or online to locate and request these California vital records. Keep in mind, any of the California vital records mentioned above can make your California genealogy records complete enough to put together your family history.

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How to Order California Birth, Death, Divorce and Marriage Certificates

 

California Department of Public Health, Office of Vital Records, MS 5103, P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento, CA 95899-7410; (916) 445-2684. They have the following records:

  • Birth & Death Certificates: The state of California began issuing certificates for births and Deaths in July 1905. Birth and death records for current year events and one year prior are available from the county health department; records for all years are maintained by the county recorder. If not, you should submit your request to the County Recorder’s Office in the county where the birth or death took place or order the birth / death certificate online through VitalChek.
    • Cost: $14.00 per birth certificate & $12.00 per death certificate.
    • Processing Time: 12-14 weeks when ordered by mail (Application for Birth or Death Certificate) or 2-5 Days when you Order Online.
  • Marriage Certificates: The state of California began issuing certificates for marriages since July 1905, except for 1987 to 1995 (The state does not have indexes for the years 1987-1995 so you must request these from the county). Certified copies of public marriage records are available from both the California Office of Vital Records and the County Recorder’s Office in the county where the public marriage license was issued. However, the Office of Vital Records is limited in its ability to search the records, and it can take up to 2-3 years to obtain a certified copy from thier office. Therefore, we recommend that certified copies of public marriage records be requested directly from the County Recorder’s Office or online.
    • Cost: $13.00 per certificate.
    • Processing Time: 2-3 years when ordered by MAIL or 2-5 Days when you Order Online.
  • Divorce Certificates: Certified copies are not available from State Health Department. Certified copies of actual divorce decrees are only available from the Superior Court in the county where the divorce was filed. The Office of Vital Records issues a Certificate of Record that includes only the names of the parties to the divorce, the county where the divorce was filed, and the court case number – it is not a certified copy of the divorce decree and does not indicate whether the divorce was ever finalized in court. The Office of Vital Records only has information for divorces that were filed with the court between 1962 and June 1984, and our processing times can take up to 2-3 years or Online with VitalChek.
    • Cost: $12.00 per certificate. Fee is for search and identification of county where certified copy can be obtained.
    • Processing Time: 2-3 years when ordered by MAIL or 2-5 Days when you Order Online.

California Cemetery Records and Death Records

As with any California vital records searches, it helps a lot if you know certain details, such as location down to the county within California. It also helps if you have an approximate date for the records, at least the year to search within. California cemetery records will tell you the names and dates of death within each individual cemetery. This is why it is a good idea to know which county you need to look in.

California death records list the name, age, location and cause of death for an individual. If the deceased is a married female, you can often also get the maiden name. Searching through library databases or microfilms is often a successful way to accomplish this particular task. Some death records also include the occupation of the deceased. California death records or cemetery records can be a crucial key to finding information.

California Birth Records

California birth records can also help a great deal with your genealogy records. Birth records are a type of vital record that records documentation of a child's birth. California birth records often include vital details aside from just the name and birth date of the baby. They often list the full legal name of one or both birth parents. For the mother, you may even be able to obtain the original maiden name. Also, California birth records can list details such as the name of the delivering physician or midwife, along with the address of the family.

California Vital Records

California vital records include death records, birth records and marriage records. Any of these can be crucial to gaining data to complete your research. Vital records can be public or closed, and this is determined by the individual state. You can search in person or online to locate and request these California vital records. Keep in mind, any of the California vital records mentioned above can make your California genealogy records complete enough to put together your family history.

Links For Birth Records

Links For Marriage Records

Links For Death Records

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