Lost Your California Birth Certificate? Get a Certified Replacement Copy
There's no separate "replacement" process — you simply request a new certified copy of the same record. We help you prepare and submit that request online.
Private third-party service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or operated by the State of California or any government agency.
What "replacing" a birth certificate actually means
A birth certificate isn't reissued or reprinted from your old copy — every certified copy is a fresh print of the same record on file with the state. So if yours was lost, damaged, or you simply never had one, the process is the same: request a new certified copy.
You don't need your old certificate number or a copy of the original to start — the request form asks for identifying information about the person on the record, not about a prior certificate.
How Our Service Works
California Birth Certificates is a private company. We are not the authority that issues vital records and we cannot guarantee approval, issuance or a delivery date.
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STEP 1
Submit Your Request
You provide the required information through our secure online form. No paperwork to print or mail to us.
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STEP 2
Information Review
Our team reviews the information you provided to check that the request is complete, and contacts you if something is missing.
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STEP 3
Processing & Assistance
California Birth Certificates provides the processing and administrative assistance related to your request, and answers your questions along the way.
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STEP 4
Government Record Processing
When applicable, the certificate is issued by the competent government authority, according to its own requirements, criteria and timelines.
Transparent Pricing
Our service fee covers the online processing, administrative assistance and customer support provided by our company.
Government fees, when applicable, are separate and are determined by the applicable government authority.
Shipping or delivery charges may also apply depending on the selected delivery method.
| Fee | Charged by | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate priceThe per-copy price for this certificate. | Charged by the State of California | $32.00 |
| Service feeCovers online processing, review of the information you submit, administrative assistance and customer support provided by our company. | Charged by California Birth Certificates (private company) | $69.50 |
| Shipping / delivery (optional)Only charged if you choose expedited delivery at checkout. Standard mail delivery has no additional charge from us. | Depends on the delivery method selected — charged by UPS when applicable | $21.00 |
| Apostille (optional)Only charged if you select apostille service at checkout. This is the California Secretary of State's own by-mail fee — we don't add a markup. | Charged by the State of California | $20.00 |
| Total, standard delivery | Charged by California Birth Certificates at checkout | $101.50 |
| Total, expedited delivery | Charged by California Birth Certificates at checkout | $122.50 |
Government fees and requirements may change. Please verify current government requirements through the appropriate government authority.
Frequently asked questions
I lost my birth certificate — what do I do?
Request a new certified copy — that's the only way to replace one, since it's reissued from the government's record on file, not reprinted from your old copy. We can help you prepare and submit that request.
Do I need my old certificate number to request a replacement?
No. The request form asks for identifying details about the person on the record (name, date and place of birth, parents' names), not a certificate or file number.
Can I replace a birth certificate that's damaged or hard to read?
Yes — a damaged, faded, or illegible certificate is requested the same way as a lost one: as a new certified copy of the record on file.
How many certified copies can I order at once?
You can request more than one copy in the same order — useful if you need copies for multiple purposes (passport, DMV, etc.) at the same time.
Will the new copy look different from my original?
It may look slightly different if the state has updated its certificate format since your original was issued, but it's the same official record and carries the same legal validity.
What if I never had a copy of my birth certificate to begin with?
That's fine — the process is identical. You're always requesting a certified copy of the record on file with the state, whether or not you previously had one.
More California birth certificate resources
Important Information
- This website is operated by California Birth Certificates, a private company, and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or operated by the State of California or any federal, state, county, or local government agency.
- Our service provides online assistance and processing support for eligible requests. Government agencies may provide similar services directly.
- Any government-issued certificate is issued by the applicable government authority, not by our company.
- Any service fee charged by California Birth Certificates is separate from applicable government fees.
Ready to start your request?
Complete the online form. Fees are shown in full before any payment is taken.
Private third-party service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or operated by the State of California or any government agency.
Our services
One document, one simple process
We help you prepare and submit your California birth certificate request correctly the first time.