Effective July 1, 2003, the laws regarding who may obtain copies of Birth and/or Death certificates will change.

Click here to view the law

 Birth Certificates

Unrestricted Birth Certificates

The California Health and Safety Code, Section 103526, permits only authorized persons to receive certified copies of birth records. If a child is born in Kern County and has not been adopted or had a name change prior to 1995 (other than marriage), you may obtain a certified copy of his/her birth certificate from this office if you qualify as the authorized person. The new law describes an "authorized person" as the registrant, parent, children, siblings, grandparent, guardian, spouses, domestic partner, attorney of record, law enforcement and government agencies. If an individual applies in person, they must complete the application and attest under penalty and perjury that they are authorize to obtain the unrestricted birth certificate. If the request is mailed, the customer must have the sworn statement notarized. The unrestricted certificates may be used to obtain death benefits, claim insurance proceeds, notify social security, and obtain other services related to an individual's identity. The fee is $15 per copy.

Click here for the unrestricted application

Restricted Birth Certificates

The California Health and Safety Code, Section 103526, permits only authorized persons to receive certified copies of birth records. Those who are not authorized by law to received a certified copy will receive a certified copy marked 'INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY". The statement will be placed on the certificate in a manner that will not conceal information. The restricted birth certificate cannot be used to purchase a driver's license, passport, social security card, state I.D. card, insurance claims or coverage or for other services related to an individual's identity. The main purpose of this "Informational Copy" is for historical use only. The fee is $15 per copy.

Click here for the restricted application

 Death Certificates

Unrestricted Death Certificates

The California Health and Safety Code, Section 103526, permits only authorized persons to receive certified copies of death records. If a death occurs in Kern County, a certified copy of the death certificate may be obtained from this office if you qualify as an authorized person. The new law describes an "authorized person" as a parent, legal guardian, attorney of record, law enforcement, government agencies, children, siblings, grandparent, guardian, spouses, domestic partner and funeral directors ordering on the behalf of an individual specified above. If an individual applies in person, they must complete the application and attest under penalty and perjury that they are authorized to obtain the unrestricted death certificate. If the request is mailed, the customer must have the sworn statement notarized. The unrestricted certificates my be used to obtain death benefits, claim insurance proceeds, notify social security, and obtain other services related to an individual's identity. The fee is $13 per copy.

Click here for the unrestricted application

Restricted Death Certificates

The California Health and Safety Code, Section 103526, permits only authorized persons to receive certified copies of death records. Those who are not authorized by law to receive a certified copy will receive a certified copy marked "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY. The restricted death certificate cannot be used for services related to the descendants identity. The main purpose of this "Informational Copy" is for historical use only. The fee is $13 per copy.

Click here for the restricted application

 Marriage Certificates

If a marriage license is issued in Kern County and it is a public license (as opposed to a confidential license), the license should be recorded in Kern County. Recordation is the responsibility of the person who certifies the marriage. A certified copy of a marriage is available from this office for a fee of $13 per copy.

Click here for application for a marriage certificate

 To Request Certificates by Mail

If you are mailing your request, indicate the number of certificates you wish and include sufficient money with your application, in the form of a personal check, postal or bank money order (International Money Order for out-of-country requests), made payable to the Kern County Recorder. Mail the application with the fee(s) and self-addressed stamped envelope to the address listed below. It will take 10 days to two weeks to receive the certified copy. A funeral director is not required to complete the notarized statement if he or she is ordering copies on behalf of an individual who is an authorized person specified in paragraphs (1) to (5), inclusive, of Subdivision (a) of Section 7100 of Health and Safety Code.

Please mail applications and fee(s) to:

Kern County Assessor-Recorder
Attn: Vital Statistics
1655 Chester Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93301
For information call (661) 868-6449

If you would like to order a certified copy from Kern County over the internet using a major credit card, visit www.vitalchek.com.