To obtain a copy of a birth certificate by coming to the County Recorder’s office in person:

• Only “authorized persons” will be able to purchase a Certified Copy of their own or family Birth or Death Certificate.
• You must fill out a form prior to purchase, and indicate whether or not you are an authorized person by signing “under penalty of perjury” statement.
• Click here to download the form. Fill in the information and print it out.
• If you are not an authorized person, you will receive a certified copy with the statement INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY across the face of the document, and you will also have to fill out a form.
• Call us at 831-454-2800.

You will also need to have the following information available when you arrive:

• The child’s full name as stated on the birth certificate.
• The mother’s full MAIDEN name.
• The father’s full name.
• The child’s date of birth.
• The child’s place of birth.

The cost for a certified copy of a birth certificate is $28.00. Payment may be cash, check or money order payable to the Santa Cruz County Recorder.

You may obtain a certified copy at the County Recorder's Office. We are located at: 701 Ocean St., Room 230. Santa Cruz, CA 95060. To obtain a birth certificate by mail, click by mail.