In-person Requirements
To obtain a birth or death certificate with same-day service*, and to avoid a notary fee, come to our office and fill out an application for a birth or death record. Your certificate will be prepared within 15 minutes. Follow the steps below:
1. Bring cash, check, or money order to cover your total purchase (credit or debit cards are not accepted).
2. Bring valid identification.
3. (Optional) Come prepared by filling out the In-person application now. Download and print the application in your language of choice. Just remember not to sign the sworn statement until you are in the presence of Vital Records staff.
*If the certificate has been registered.
Mail-In Requirements
To obtain a birth or death certificate through the mail within
1-2 weeks, follow the steps below:
1. Fill out an application for a birth or death record. Download and print the application in your language of choice.
2. Notarize the sworn statement with a certificate of acknowledgement in the presence of a Notary Public (page 2 of the application). Just remember not to sign the sworn statement until you are in the presence of a Notary Public.
3. Send in the application, sworn statement/certificate of acknowledgement, and payment to: Vital Records Office 976 Lenzen Avenue, Suite 1300, San Jose, CA 95126.
Online-Ordering Requirements
Santa Clara County Public Health Department does not accept credit cards or online orders directly. However, for your convenience, you can process online requests through an independent company that we have partnered with to provide you this service. You may order a certified copy of a birth, death, fetal death, or stillbirth record online using your credit card through our only approved Internet ordering service—VitalChek Network, Inc. An additional fee is charged by VitalChek for using this service as well as a shipping fee. All major credit cards are accepted, including American Express®, Discover®, MasterCard®, or Visa®. No credit card orders will be accepted by telephone. Order now at VitalChek.
Fee Schedule
| Birth Certificate or Search |
$21 |
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| Death Certificate or Search |
$14 |
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| Death Certificate--Veteran's Copy (1) |
Free |
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| Still Birth Certificate (what is this?) |
$9 |
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| Fetal Death Certificate |
$11 |
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| Burial Permit/Re-file |
$11 |
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