Need a Birth or Death
Certificate?
EFECTIVE JULY 1, 2003
The occurrence
of identity theft is on the rise and the legislature has
identified the release of birth and death records as a vulnerable
point in this regard. Legislation was enacted to help protect
the records from misuse. Effective July 1, 2003 there will
be a new process for ordering birth or death certificates.
Pursuant
to California Health and Safety Code Section 103526 only
specific individuals are allowed to receive an AUTHORIZED
CERTIFIED COPY of a birth or death record. An AUTHORIZED
CERTIFIED COPY of a birth record is required to obtain a
driver's license, passport, social security card and other
services related to an individual's identity. An AUTHORIZED
CERTIFIED COPY of a death record may be required to obtain
death benefits, claim insurance proceeds, notify social
security and obtain other services related to an individual's
identity. Please see below for list of authorized individuals.
Those who
are not authorized may receive an INFORMATIONAL CERTIFIED
COPY with the words "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT
TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY" imprinted across the face of
the copy.
When
ordering in person an authorized individual must complete
an approved application including a sworn statement under
penalty of perjury to receive an AUTHORIZED CERTIFIED COPY.
A notarized Certificate of Identity and a completed application
form signed under penalty of penury by the authorized requestor
are required for all orders sent by mail. Applications
and Certificate of Identity forms will be available on our
website www.lavote.net
starting July 1, 2003.
Individuals
permitted to receive an AUTHORIZED CERTIFIED COPY:
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
estate
Any funeral
director that orders certified copies of a death certificate
on behalf of any individual specified in paragraphs (1)
to (5), inclusive, of subdivision (a) of Section 7100 of
the Health and Safety Code
As the custodian of the vital records maintained in the
department of the Registrar Recorder/County Clerk, we have
a responsibility to safeguard the records from misuse on
behalf of the citizens of Los Angeles County. We appreciate
your understanding and cooperation.
If you have
any further questions you may contact the Registrar-Recorder/County
Clerk at (562) 462-2137 or at www.lavote.net.
Office
Locations:
RR/CC Headquarters/Norwalk
12400 Imperial
Hwy./3rd Floor
Norwalk, CA 90650
Recorder/County Clerk (800) 201-8999
(562)
462-2137
Elections
(800) 815-2666
LAX Airport
11701 S. La Cienega Blvd./6th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90045
(310) 727-6142
Beverly Hills
3955 Burton Way/1st Floor
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 288-1261
East Los Angles
4716 East Cesar Chavez Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90022
(323) 260-2991
Florence/Firestone
7807 S. Compote Ave./Rm 215
Los Angeles, CA 90001
(323) 586-6192
Lancaster
355 East Avenue K-6
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 723-4494
Van Nuys
14340 W. Sylvan Street
Van Nuys, CA 91401
(818) 374-7176
Departments