California Vital Records Directory — Complete Edition
Need a certified birth, marriage, or death certificate — but you’re not sure which California county issued the record? This verified directory helps you find the correct county office, the official website, and what you need to request a certified copy.
- All 58 California counties
- Official county links (avoid look-alike third-party pages)
- Certified copy fees + request options (online / mail / in-person)
- Notes when counties use combined forms or VitalChek-only paths
- Human-verified and updated
Spanish edition (Directorio Completo – ES): https://apostille8.gumroad.com/l/liaez
Tip: If you’re doing an apostille, you usually need the certified copy first.
Why people get stuck (and lose time)
- County websites don’t all look the same — and many pages are buried.
- Google results can be outdated or lead to third-party pages.
- Fees and request methods vary by county and by record type.
- Some counties use one combined application; others split forms by certificate type.
- Marriage records sometimes route through VitalChek depending on the county.
What this Directory does
This directory is built to help you quickly find the correct issuing county and the official steps to request certified copies — especially when you’re preparing documents for international use.
- County name + official website link
- Fee for certified copies (per county)
- Request methods (online / mail / in-person), where available
- Notes about forms and special county setups
- Practical guidance to reduce wrong-link / wrong-form mistakes
Who this is for
- People who don’t know the issuing county
- Anyone trying to avoid rejected or delayed requests
- Users outside California helping family, clients, or relatives
- Dual citizenship / immigration / international paperwork situations
- People under time pressure who want a clean “start here” map
Choose the right option (fast)
Last updated: December 2025. County pages change — this directory is maintained to reflect updates in fees, links, and request routes when they shift.
FAQ
Do I need a certified copy before an apostille?
In most cases, yes. The apostille is applied to a certified copy issued by the correct county/agency.
Does every county use the same form?
No. Some counties provide one combined application for multiple certificate types; others split forms or route requests through VitalChek.
Is this bilingual?
This directory is designed for English and Spanish-speaking users and includes practical notes to help navigate county request pages and common pitfalls.
Where to Go Next
Start here:
https://apostillehelp.blogspot.com/p/start-here-apostille-help.html
View the California Vital Records Directory:
https://apostillehelp.blogspot.com/2026/01/california-vital-records-directory_9.html
Full Service Apostille:
https://CaliforniaApostille.US
Certified Notarized Translation:
https://thespanishgroup.org/?affiliate_code=sergiomusetti
How the California Vital Records Directory Is Maintained:
https://apostillehelp.blogspot.com/p/how-california-vital-records-directory.html
Disclaimer & Disclosure (EN): The information provided on this site is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Apostille Help is not a government agency or a law firm. Some links may be affiliate links; if you make a purchase through them, we may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. This does not influence our content or recommendations.
Aviso legal y divulgación (ES): La información proporcionada en este sitio es solo para fines educativos e informativos y no constituye asesoría legal. Apostille Help no es una agencia gubernamental ni un bufete de abogados. Algunos enlaces pueden ser enlaces de afiliado; si realizas una compra a través de ellos, podemos recibir una comisión sin costo adicional para ti. Esto no afecta nuestro contenido ni nuestras recomendaciones.