San Diego County Birth Records
Search Birth Records:
San Diego County Birth Records (1905-1995)
CaliforniaBirthIndex.org provides free access to San Diego 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 San Diego County Birth Records
Each birth record in our San Diego County database includes:
— Full name (first, middle, last)
— Date of birth
— Sex
— Mother's maiden name
— County of birth (San Diego 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 San Diego County Birth Records
Use the search bar at the top of any page to find San Diego 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 San Diego County.
About San Diego County
San Diego County is one of California's original 27 counties, established in 1850. While it started as a relatively quiet border county, the military presence during World War II transformed San Diego into a major population center. The county grew from about 150,000 residents in 1930 to over 2.5 million by 1990, making it one of the most birth-record-rich counties in our database.
How to Get a Certified San Diego 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.
San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk
— Address: 1600 Pacific Highway, Suite 260, San Diego, CA 92101
— Phone: (619) 237-0502
— Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
— Website: Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk
Fee: $34 per certified copy. As of January 1, 2026 (AB 64 $2 increase). An additional $2.50 surcharge applies to card payments.
Ways to Order
In Person: Visit the Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk at 1600 Pacific Highway, Suite 260, San Diego, CA 92101. Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 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: San Diego Recorder/County Clerk, ATTN: Vital Records, P.O. Box 121750, San Diego, CA 92112-1750. 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 2 years, contact the Office of Vital Records and Statistics (OVRS) at 5530 Overland Avenue, Suite 170, San Diego, CA 92123 — phone (619) 692-5733.
San Diego County Specifics
San Diego County has multiple in-person locations including downtown San Diego, Chula Vista, Santee, and San Marcos. No appointment is needed. The Kearny Mesa office does not handle vital records. For mail-in requests, only check or money order is accepted — no cash or cards by mail.
Authorized vs. Informational Copies
San Diego 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 San Diego 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 San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk directly at (619) 237-0502
Related Resources
