Births

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Our office is open to the public.  You may come in at any time during normal business hours to request a certificate.   

The Inyo County Recorder's office keeps a record of birth certificates for all citizens born in Inyo County since 1900. 

How do I order a copy of a Birth Certificate?

To protect the privacy of individuals, only certain people are authorized to receive a certified copy of a Birth Certificate. An authorized certified copy of a birth certificate can typically be used for travel, passport, proof of citizenship, social security, driver's license, school registration, personal identification and other legal purposes. The fee for each copy is $29.00. You can order an authorized certified copy of a birth certificate, in the following ways:

  • In person.  You can come into our office at 168 N. Edwards Street, Independence, CA 93526 during business hours. No appointment needed. 

                                   -or-

                                   -or-

  • Through the mail. You can order a copy through the mail by following the steps outlined below.
  1. Download the application for an authorized certified copy of a Birth Certificate
  2. Complete the form
  3. Have your signature notarized
  4. Include a check or money order for $29.00 per copy
  5. Mail the form to:
  • Inyo County Recorder
  • PO Box F
  • Independence, CA 93526

Important! Your request form must have the following specific disclaimer as a part of the acknowledgement "A notary public or other officer completing this certificate verifies only the identity of the individual who signed the document to which this certificate is attached, and not the truthfulness, accuracy, or validity of that document."  The disclaimer must be legible and in an enclosed box. Click here to view the new California acknowledgement form. 

What if I am not eligible to receive an authorized copy?

If you are not eligible to receive an authorized copy of the birth certificate, you can still apply for and receive a certified informational copy with the words "Informational, not a valid document to establish identity" printed on the front of the certificate. This document is primarily used for genealogy and cannot be used for identification purposes. The fee for each copy is $29.00. You can order an informational certified copy of a birth certificate, in the following ways.

 

                                   -or-

  • Through the mail. You can order a copy through the mail by following the steps outlined below.
  1. Download the application for an INFORMATIONAL certified copy of a Birth Certificate
  2. Complete the form
  3. Include a check or money order for $29.00 per copy
  4. Mail the form to:
           Inyo County Recorder
           PO Box F
           Independence, CA 93526

 A free copy may only be received for the below circumstances:

  • To a person who can verify his or her status as a homeless person or a homeless child or youth. (HS 103577)
  • To a person who demonstrates that he or she is a youth who has been placed in foster care, as defined in subdivision (f) of Section 11400 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. (HS 103578)
  • To victims of natural disasters per an Executive Order by a state agency.
  • To any member of the Armed Forces of the United States that is required by the Veterans Administration to be used in determining the eligibility of any person to participate in benefits made available by the Veterans Administration.  (GC 6107)

What if I need to amend or correct a Birth Certificate?

Information about how to amend or correct a Birth Certificate, including name changes and adding a parent's name, is available on the California Department of Public Health website.