California birth certificate fees are the charges the state requires to issue a certified copy of your birth record. Effective January 1, 2026, those fees went up across the board, driven by Assembly Bill 64 signed into California law in 2025.
If you ordered a birth certificate before that date, or if you are planning to order one now, the cost has changed, and the amount you pay depends on how and where you order.
This post breaks down the current fees, explains why they increased, and covers who may qualify for a waiver. CaliforniaBirthCertificate.org, California's dedicated birth certificate resource, offers a full fee breakdown and ordering options on its California birth certificate fees page.
What Are the Current California Birth Certificate Fees in 2026?
As of January 1, 2026, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) charges $31 per certified copy of a birth record. According to the CDPH Vital Records Fees page, this is an increase of $2 from the previous fee of $29, authorized under Assembly Bill 64 (Chapter 662, Statutes of 2025).
The $31 figure is the state-set fee and applies regardless of how you order. What changes is any additional fee layered on top by the county or by a third-party ordering service.
| Ordering Method | State Fee | Additional Fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| In person at a county recorder's office | $31 | Varies by county | $31+ |
| By mail through CDPH | $31 | — | $31 |
| Online through californiabirthcertificate.org | $31 | $14 agency fee | $45 |
Some counties set their own fees above the state minimum. Orange County, San Diego, and Shasta County, for example, charge $34 per copy rather than $31. Always confirm the current fee with your specific county recorder before submitting payment.
Why Did California Birth Certificate Fees Increase in 2026?
The increase took effect under Assembly Bill 64, which authorized the California Department of Public Health to raise vital records fees by $2 per certified copy. AB 64 was chaptered as part of the Statutes of 2025 and applied to birth, death, and marriage records.
Fee adjustments of this kind fund the ongoing maintenance of the state's vital records system, including storage, processing infrastructure, and the staff who fulfill requests. The CDPH has not issued a fee adjustment of this type in several years, making the 2026 change notable for anyone who had not ordered a certificate recently.
Does the Fee Differ Depending on How You Order?
Yes. The $31 state fee is constant, but your total cost depends on your ordering method.
Ordering in person at your county recorder's office costs $31 at the state minimum, though some counties charge slightly more. You must appear with a valid government-issued photo ID and a completed application form.
Ordering by mail also costs $31 per copy, but requires you to print and complete the correct form, prepare a notarized statement of identity in most cases, and mail your application with a check or money order. Standard mail processing by CDPH averages five to seven weeks for a response.
Ordering online through a service like californiabirthcertificate.org adds a $14 agency fee, bringing the total to $45 per copy. That fee covers a fully guided application process, online order tracking, and 24/7 customer support. For many applicants, the time saved and the reduced risk of errors on the form make the additional fee practical. You can review the full cost breakdown before completing your order on the fees page.
If you are ordering for passport purposes, timing matters. Review what document requirements apply on the California birth certificate for a passport guide before selecting your ordering method.
Are There Fee Waivers Available for California Birth Certificates?
Yes. California law provides fee waivers for specific groups. According to the California Department of Public Health's AB 1733 page, the following individuals may receive a certified copy of a birth record at no charge:
- People experiencing homelessness
- Children and youth experiencing homelessness
- Youth currently in foster care
These waivers were established through Assembly Bills 1733, 2490, and 2967. To request a waiver, contact your local county human services office or emergency shelter and ask for an affidavit of homeless status. Once completed, the affidavit is submitted in place of payment when ordering your certificate.
Outside of these categories, no general hardship waiver exists for birth certificate fees. If a record cannot be located, the state retains the $31 as a search fee even if no certificate is issued.
What Does the $31 State Fee Cover?
The $31 fee covers one certified copy of your California birth record, issued by the CDPH or by your county recorder. A certified copy carries a raised seal and is accepted as a legal document for purposes including passport applications, Social Security enrollment, school registration, driver's license applications, and estate proceedings.
If you need multiple copies — which is common when applying for a passport for the whole family or managing a loved one's estate — each additional copy costs $31. Ordering multiple copies at once through the same request is typically more efficient than filing separate applications. The how to get a California birth certificate guide walks through the full ordering process step by step.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a California birth certificate cost in 2026?
A certified California birth certificate costs $31 per copy through CDPH or most county recorders, as of January 1, 2026. Online ordering services may charge an additional agency fee on top of that state fee.
Why did California birth certificate fees go up in 2026?
Assembly Bill 64, signed into California law in 2025, authorized a $2 increase per certified copy of a vital record. The increase applies to birth, death, and marriage certificates statewide.
Can I get a free California birth certificate?
Yes, if you qualify. California provides no-fee certified copies to people experiencing homelessness and youth in foster care under Assembly Bills 1733, 2490, and 2967. Contact your county human services office to request an affidavit of homeless status and begin the process.
How long does it take to get a California birth certificate?
Standard processing by mail through CDPH averages five to seven weeks. In-person requests at a county recorder's office are often fulfilled the same day. Online orders processed through a third-party service are typically submitted faster and may reduce the overall turnaround time.
Does every California county charge the same fee?
No. The $31 CDPH fee is the state minimum, but individual counties may set higher fees. Orange County, San Diego County, and Shasta County, among others, charge $34 per copy. Confirm the current fee with your specific county recorder before submitting payment.
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Ready to Order?
You can order an official certified California birth certificate through our secure order form. Your certificate will be processed and mailed directly to you.
Related Guides
- How to Get a California Birth Certificate
- How to Get a California Birth Certificate for a Passport
- How to Order a Replacement California Birth Certificate
This post was written by the CaliforniaBirthCertificate.org editorial team.