Monterey County Birth Records
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Monterey County Birth Records (1905-1995)
CaliforniaBirthIndex.org provides free access to Monterey 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 Monterey County Birth Records
Each birth record in our Monterey County database includes:
— Full name (first, middle, last)
— Date of birth
— Sex
— Mother's maiden name
— County of birth (Monterey 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 Monterey County Birth Records
Use the search bar at the top of any page to find Monterey 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 Monterey County.
About Monterey County
Monterey County is one of California's original 27 counties, created in 1850 at statehood. The town of Monterey served as the capital of Alta California under Spanish and Mexican rule, making it one of the most historically significant regions in the state. The county seat moved from Monterey to Salinas in 1873 as the Salinas Valley's agricultural economy boomed. By 1990, the county had grown to about 356,000 residents, driven by agriculture in the Salinas Valley — "the salad bowl of the world" — and tourism along the Monterey Peninsula and Big Sur coastline.
How to Get a Certified Monterey 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.
Monterey County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder
— Address: 168 West Alisal Street, 1st Floor, Salinas, CA 93901
— Phone: (831) 755-5041
— Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (closed for lunch noon - 1:00 PM; copy orders 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM)
— Website: Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder
Fee: $31 per certified copy. As of January 1, 2026 (AB 64 $2 increase). VitalChek adds a $12.95 processing fee per transaction.
Ways to Order
In Person: Visit the Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder at 168 West Alisal Street, 1st Floor, Salinas, CA 93901. Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (closed for lunch noon - 1:00 PM; copy orders 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM). 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: Monterey County Recorder, P.O. Box 29, Salinas, CA 93902. 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 within the last year plus the current year, contact the Monterey County Vital Records office at 1270 Natividad Road, Salinas, CA 93906 — phone (831) 755-4504. Older records are handled by the Recorder's office.
Monterey County Specifics
The Recorder's office and the Vital Records office are at different locations — the Recorder is at 168 West Alisal Street in downtown Salinas, while Vital Records (for recent births) is at 1270 Natividad Road near the county hospital. The office closes for lunch from noon to 1:00 PM. Online identity verification is required for authorized copies; applicants who fail or opt out must submit a notarized sworn statement before the order is processed.
Authorized vs. Informational Copies
Monterey 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 Monterey 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 Monterey County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder directly at (831) 755-5041
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