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Vital Records
Below you will find information on who may receive a certified copy of a vital record, as well as options to order vital certificates. To the right you will find more information about specific topics.
Who May Obtain an Authorized Certified Copy of a Vital Certificate
Only authorized individuals may receive a certified copy of a vital certificate. The law describes authorized individuals as:
- The registrant or a parent or legal guardian of the registrant.
- A party entitled to receive the record as a result of a court order, or an attorney or a licensed adoption agency seeking the birth record in order to comply with the requirements of Section 3140 or 7603 of the Family Code.
- A member of a law enforcement agency or a representative of another governmental agency, as provided by law, who is conducting official business.
- A child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or domestic partner of the registrant.
- An attorney representing the registrant or the registrant's estate, or any person or agency empowered by statute or appointed by a court to act on behalf of the registrant or the registrant's estate.
- Any agent or employee of a funeral establishment acting within the scope of employment who orders certified copies of a death certificate on behalf of any individual specific in paragraphs (1) to (5), inclusive, of subdivision (a) of Family Code Section 7100.
Non-Authorized Persons May Request an "Informational Only" Copy
Those persons who are NOT authorized by law may request a certificate marked "Informational, Not a Valid Document to Establish Identity".
Options to Obtain a Vital Certificate (Authorized Certified Copy or Informational Only Copy)
Option 1: Order Online
- Order Online. Orders are processed within 24 hours with multiple shipping options. You will receive email updates throughout the process so you can track your records. NOT FOR INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS. PLEASE USE OPTION 3 OR OPTION 4 BELOW.
- If you need assistance placing an order using the link above, please click here for a PowerPoint slide deck that will help walk you through the process.
Option 2: In-Person
- In-Person Application, your order will remain in our service queue until you come into our office.
- In our office you will sign the application electronically, pay the fee, and the certificate is handed to you at the service counter.
Option 3: By Mail
- Print the application, which can be found in the tabs to the right.
- Sign before a Notary Public (Authorized Certified Copy requests).
- Enclose a check, money order, or Credit Card Charge Form (PDF), with your notarized application to Yolo County Clerk-Recorder.
- Processing time is 1 to 2 business days upon receipt.
Option 4: By Fax (This service is currently non-operational). Please send your application request by Email Clerk-Recorder.
- Print application, which can be found in the tabs to the right.
- Sign before a Notary Public
- Fax your notarized application to 530-666-8109.
- Call 530-666-8130 to confirm we have received your application and to provide us your credit card information.
- Processing time is 1 to 2 business days upon receipt.
If a birth, death or marriage occurred in another California county, you should get your copies directly from that county or from the State Office of Vital Records
***NOTE: Please ensure your delivery location is secure and accessible as once an order is processed and handed to the shipping carrier responsibility transfers to the customer. The County is not liable for lost, stolen, delayed, or misdelivered packages. If a package does not arrive within the expected timeframe, we cannot offer replacements or refunds; a new order must be placed.
- Fees for Birth Certificates can be found here.
- Birth certificates are available three weeks after date of birth.
- Only birth records that have been registered in Yolo County are available. Please contact the county where the birth occurred to obtain the record.
- The birth records held in Yolo County Clerk-Recorder's office begin in the year 1878.
- Forms for mail-in or fax requests (fax requests currently unavailable):
- (English) Birth Certificate Request Form (pdf)
- (Espanol) Certificada de Nacimiento Request Form (pdf)
- (English) Foster Care No Fee Birth Certificate Request Form (pdf)
- (English) Homeless Persons Birth Certificate Request Form (pdf)
- (English) Wildfire Victims Birth Certificate Request Form (pdf)
- (Spanish) Wildfire Victims Certificada de Nacimiento Request Form (pdf)
- Fees for Death Certificates can be found here.
- Only birth records that have been registered in Yolo County are available. Please contact the county where the birth occurred to obtain the record.
- Forms for mail-in or fax requests (fax requests currently unavailable):
- Fees for Marriage Certificates can be found here.
- Forms for mail-in or fax requests (fax requests currently unavailable):
- Name Equality Act of 2007 (pdf)
You can register a child that was born outside of a licensed hospital birthing facility within one year of the birth date at your local County Vital Records office. We register out-of-hospital births by appointment only. To register a child that was born in Yolo County, but outside of a licensed birthing facility, you need to contact the Yolo County Vital Records at 530-666-8680 or at yolo-edrs@yolocounty.gov.
You will be informed of the required documentation needed to register an out-of-hospital birth, and we will send you a packet with a worksheet to be filled out. Once you have completed the worksheet and have all required documents, call the Vital Records Office to schedule an appointment for registration of the child's birth. If your birth was attended by a physician or licensed midwife, they should fill out this worksheet for you.
We need for you to be present with the child and have the required documentation at the time of registration. Documentation you need will include, but may not be limited to:
- Proof of Identity with photo (California drivers license or California ID Card)
- Proof of Pregnancy (certification from a physician or licensed nurse-midwife)
- Proof of Birthplace (utility bill showing name of parent, with home address for the month of birth)
- Child must be present with mother during appointment
- Other Documentation may be Required
After one calendar year from the birth date, the birth must be registered with the State of California Office of Vital Records, or through the courts.
Per California Health & Safety Code 103060, a disposition permit (often referred to as a burial permit) is required when remains are being moved from one location to another.
To learn more about this process, or to set up an appointment to obtain a new disposition permit, please call 530-666-8680 or email us at yolo-edrs@yolocounty.gov.
- For Funeral Home/Establishment employees: click here for information about EDRS hours, Disposition Permits, and to view our Emergency/Weekend Registration Policy.
- Looking for Death Certificate Request Forms? You can find them in the "Death Certificates" tab above.