Orange County Birth Records
Search Birth Records:
Orange County Birth Records (1905-1995)
CaliforniaBirthIndex.org provides free access to Orange 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 Orange County Birth Records
Each birth record in our Orange County database includes:
— Full name (first, middle, last)
— Date of birth
— Sex
— Mother's maiden name
— County of birth (Orange 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 Orange County Birth Records
Use the search bar at the top of any page to find Orange 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 Orange County.
About Orange County
Orange County was carved out of the southern portion of Los Angeles County in 1889. Originally an agricultural area famous for its citrus groves (hence the name), the county transformed into one of California's most densely populated suburbs during the postwar boom. Its population grew from about 130,000 in 1940 to over 2.4 million by 1990.
How to Get a Certified Orange 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.
Orange County Clerk-Recorder
— Address: 200 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Suite 100-B, Santa Ana, CA 92701
— Phone: (714) 834-2500
— Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
— Website: Clerk-Recorder
Fee: $34 per certified copy. As of January 1, 2026 (AB 64 increase)
Ways to Order
In Person: Visit the Clerk-Recorder at 200 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Suite 100-B, Santa Ana, CA 92701. Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 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: Orange County Clerk-Recorder, P.O. Box 238, Santa Ana, CA 92702. 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 30 days, contact the Orange County Health Care Agency Office of Vital Records at (714) 834-4481.
Orange County Specifics
Orange County has its own direct online ordering system at cr.occlerkrecorder.gov in addition to VitalChek. Make checks payable to "Orange County Health Care Agency" or "OCHCA" for mail orders.
Authorized vs. Informational Copies
Orange 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 Orange 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 Orange County Clerk-Recorder directly at (714) 834-2500
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