What is an Apostille?
An apostille or an authentication is a document that certifies the authenticity of the signature, seal and position of the official who has executed, issued or certified a copy of a public document. It allows a public document issued in one country to be recognized as valid in another country. Apostilles and authentications are often needed in adoptions, extraditions and certain business transactions. An apostille is a certification form set out in a treaty called The Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents (1961).
Order a certified copy of you birth, death, Marriage certificates
You can purchase a certified copy of a birth certificate in person at the County Clerk-Recorder's office at 555 County Center, First Floor, Redwood City, CA 94063-1665.
SAN MATEO COUNTY BIRTH CERTIFICATES
San Mateo County Vital Records issues Authorized and Informational copies of San Mateo County birth certificates; authorized copies are typically acceptable for passport, social security, employment and personal identification purposes.
Who Can Order?
Authorized Copies - All applicants must submit a Sworn Statement and notarized Certificate of Acknowledgment, in addition to a government issued photo ID, before the order will be processed, forms and instructions will be provided upon completion of your online order. Individuals permitted to receive authorized, certified copies of San Mateo County birth certificates are listed below:
The certificate holder, a parent or legal guardian of the certificate holder.
A child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse or domestic partner of the certificate holder.
A member of a law enforcement agency or a representative of another governmental agency, as provided by law, who is conducting official business.
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.
An attorney representing the certificate holder or the certificate holder's estate, or any person or agency empowered by statute or appointed by a court to act on behalf of the certificate holder or the certificate holder's estate.
Informational Copies - no documentation is required.
If you want us to help you request a certified copy of your birth, marriage or a death certificate please contact us.
How do I get an Apostille?
Refer to our Apostille section for more information
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Note: Fee change January 1, 2013.
Effective January 1, 2013, the fee for certified copies of birth certificates will be $23 in accordance with Assembly Bill 1053, which was chaptered on Oct. 2, 2011. This fee will effect all requests processed in 2013. Therefore, if you mail your request the last part of December 2012 please submit the new fee.
