Why Do I Need a Birth Certificate?

You’ll need an authorized birth certificate to apply for a driver’s license, passport, or social security card.

Certificates Available Four to Six Weeks after Birth

Birth certificates start at medical facilities, pass through the Health Department, and arrive at the Clerk-Recorder’s Office. This process takes time—in most cases, the Office can issue a certificate four weeks after the birth of a child.

Information You'll Need

For the person listed on the certificate, you'll need to know:

• first and last names
• date of birth
• city of birth
• gender
• father and mother's birth names

Make sure you have accurate information for the person listed on the birth certificate and be certain that the person was born in the County of Santa Clara.

The certificate fee pays for the record search and you’ll be charged the fee even if no record is found.

You'll need to provide your:

• name
• address
• phone number
• relationship to the person listed on the certificate
• government-issued id (driver's license, passport, permanent resident card)

You may designate another person to purchase a certified copy of your Authorized birth certificate. If that person is not an authorized party, please complete the mail-in application form, have it notarized, and add the name of the person picking up the certificate to the form under “Name of Person Receiving Copies.”