# Travel >> Travel Preparation >> Passports

How to Get an Original California Birth Certificate

To obtain one's original (authorized) birth certificate in the Golden State, contact the Office of Vital Records in the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). The average processing time ranges between four to 14 weeks. The timing is dependent on the applicant's date of birth; the older the applicant is, the longer the processing time will be. All the necessary paperwork is available online. A sworn statement regarding identification of the applicant needs to be notarized. All contact with the CDPH has to be handled through the U.S. mail.

Government issued ID such as driver's license
Completed "Application for Certified Birth Record"
Signed and notarized "Sworn Statement"
Fee payment in form of personal or certified check
First-class postage

Instructions

California Department of Public Health
- 1
  Establish that the person applying for an authorized (original) birth certificate is allowed by the State of California to receive one.
  
  Only the person whose name appears on the record, parents of the person named on the record or other individuals such as a legal guardian, domestic partner, a child, grandchild, grandparents or a sibling can apply.
  
  Exceptions to this rule include someone with a court order, a law enforcement agency or an employee from a funeral parlor.
- 2
  Download the Application for Certified Copy Birth Record brochure from the CDPH website. The two-page document contains information such as fee costs. Also included are sections for a writing a reason why an authorized birth certificate as opposed to an informational one is required. Applying for a U.S. passport is one common reason.
- 3
  Complete the Application for Certified Copy of Birth Record's Sworn Statement except for signature. The form must be signed in person and witnessed by a notary public. To find a notary public, contact a banking institution. Bring government issued ID such as a driver license. A fee might be charged by the notary.
- 4
  Mail completed and notarized form and the fee to:
  
  California Office of Vital Records
  
  MS 5103
  
  P.O. Box 997410
  
  Sacramento, CA 95899-7410
  
  If sending via courier service the street address is:
  
  California Office of Vital Records
  
  MS 5103
  
  1501 Capitol Avenue
  
  Sacramento, CA 95814