Kern County Birth Records
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Kern County Birth Records (1905-1995)
CaliforniaBirthIndex.org provides free access to Kern County birth records from 1905 to 1995. Search by name to find birth dates, parents' names, and county of birth — completely free, no registration required.
What You'll Find in Kern County Birth Records
Each birth record in our Kern County database includes:
— Full name (first, middle, last)
— Date of birth
— Sex
— Mother's maiden name
— County of birth (Kern County)
The California Birth Index does not include time of birth, hospital name, or parents' first names. For those details, you'll need a certified birth certificate (see below).
How to Search Kern County Birth Records
Use the search bar at the top of any page to find Kern County birth records by first and last name. You can also search by parents' names to find siblings or children born to specific parents in Kern County.
About Kern County
Kern County was carved from Tulare, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino counties in 1866, named after Edward Kern, cartographer of John C. Fremont's expeditions. The county became a major oil-producing region in the early 1900s and remains one of the most productive oil fields in the United States. Agriculture — particularly cotton, grapes, and citrus — also drove population growth. Kern County grew from about 135,000 residents in 1940 to over 540,000 by 1990, fueled by both the oil industry and the expansion of irrigated farming in the southern San Joaquin Valley.
How to Get a Certified Kern County Birth Certificate
While CaliforniaBirthIndex.org provides free index information, you'll need a certified birth certificate for official purposes like passports, driver's licenses, or proving identity.
Kern County Assessor-Recorder
— Address: 1655 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301
— Phone: (661) 868-6400
— Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM (Recorder office)
— Website: Assessor-Recorder
Fee: $31 per certified copy. As of January 1, 2026 (AB 64 $2 increase). The Recorder does not accept credit cards — cash, check, or money order only.
Ways to Order
In Person: Visit the Assessor-Recorder at 1655 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301. Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM (Recorder office). Most in-person requests are processed the same day or within a few business days.
By Mail: Send a completed application with payment (check or money order) to: Kern County Recorder, 1655 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301. Allow 2-4 weeks for processing and delivery.
Through the State: You can also order from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) for $31 per copy. See our guide: How to Get a Certified Birth Certificate.
Recent Births
For births after 1964, contact Kern County Public Health Vital Records at 1800 Mt. Vernon Avenue, 1st Floor, Bakersfield, CA 93306 — phone (661) 321-3000. For births before 1965, contact the Recorder's Office.
Kern County Specifics
Kern County has a unique split between two offices: births before 1965 are handled by the Recorder's Office at 1655 Chester Avenue, while births after 1964 are handled by Public Health Vital Records at 1800 Mt. Vernon Avenue. Make sure you contact the right office. The Recorder's office does not accept credit cards, and mail-in requests require a notarized sworn statement.
Authorized vs. Informational Copies
Kern County issues two types of certified birth certificates:
— Authorized copy: Can be used to establish identity (for passports, driver's licenses, etc.). Only available to the person named on the certificate, their parents, legal guardians, or other authorized individuals.
— Informational copy: Marked "Informational, Not a Valid Document to Establish Identity." Available to anyone but cannot be used for identification purposes.
What If I Can't Find a Record?
If you can't find a Kern County birth record in our database, consider:
— Trying alternate name spellings or maiden names
— The birth may have occurred in a neighboring county
— Pre-1905 births are not included in the California Birth Index
— Contact the Kern County Assessor-Recorder directly at (661) 868-6400
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