County Clerk-Recorder

Authorized Individuals to Receive a Certified Copy of Birth Record

By law, only authorized individuals may receive a certified copy of a birth, death, or public marriage record (H&S Code 103526). The law describes an authorized person as:

• The registrant, a parent or legal guardian of the registrant.
• A party entitled to receive the record by court order, or an attorney or a licensed adoption agency seeking the birth record 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's estate.
• Any funeral director ordering 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.

Those who do not qualify as authorized individuals may receive an Informational certified copy. An Informational certified copy shows the words "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY" printed across the record.

Ways to Order a Birth Certificate

Our office maintains birth records that occurred only in Stanislaus County.

If the birth occurred outside of Stanislaus but within California, click here to find the counties information.

If the birth occurred in another state, click here.

In-Person

• Visit our office.
  • Location: 1021 I Street, Suite 101, Modesto, CA 95354
  • Business Hours: Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Walk-ins only.
• Complete the application in advance. Click Here. A kiosk is also available in the lobby.
• Fee: $32 per copy. Fees must be paid in our office to receive the record(s). Only cash, check or money order is accepted. We do not accept debit or credit cards. An ATM machine is available in the lobby but it’s best to come prepared.

Online

For your convenience, you can process online requests through an independent company that we have partnered with to provide this service:

VitalChek Network, Inc.
www.vitalchek.com

An additional fee is charged by VitalChek for using this service. All major credit and debit cards.

When ordering an authorized certified copy through VitalChek, you must return your notarized Sworn Statement by:

• Mail:

  Stanislaus County Clerk-Recorder
  P.O. Box 1670 Modesto, CA 95353-1670

• Fax: (209) 525-5804
• Email: stanclerk@stancounty.com

Authorized certified copies cannot be issued without a notarized Sworn Statement. California Civil Code 1189(b) states: "Any certificate of acknowledgment taken in another place shall be sufficient in this state if it is taken in accordance with the laws of the place where the acknowledgment is made."

By Mail

1. Complete the Birth Certificate Application. English Spanish
2. Return the completed application with payment and notarized Sworn Statement to:

   • Stanislaus County Clerk-Recorder
     P.O. Box 1670 Modesto, CA 95353-1670

Authorized certified copies cannot be issued without a notarized Sworn Statement. California Civil Code 1189(b) states: "Any certificate of acknowledgment taken in another place shall be sufficient in this state if it is taken in accordance with the laws of the place where the acknowledgment is made."

Amending a Birth Record

Please note: Amendments or corrections to a birth record are not handled by the County Clerk-Recorder's Office.

How do I legally change my name?

A court order is required to change a name on a birth record. For assistance, contact:

How do I add or change a parent on a birth record?

Click here for information from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). For further assistance, seek legal advice or contact CDPH directly:

Birth Record Keepsakes

Individuals authorized to receive a certified copy of a birth record can purchase a decorative birth keepsake for individuals who were born in Stanislaus County.

• Fee: $10 per copy
• Visit our office to purchase a copy.