Santa Clara County Birth Records
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Santa Clara County Birth Records (1905-1995)
CaliforniaBirthIndex.org provides free access to Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara County Birth Records
Each birth record in our Santa Clara County database includes:
— Full name (first, middle, last)
— Date of birth
— Sex
— Mother's maiden name
— County of birth (Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara County Birth Records
Use the search bar at the top of any page to find Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara County.
About Santa Clara County
Santa Clara County, one of California's original 27 counties, is now the heart of Silicon Valley. Named after Mission Santa Clara de Asís, the county transformed from an agricultural region known as the "Valley of Heart's Delight" into the technology capital of the world. Its population grew from about 175,000 in 1940 to over 1.5 million by 1990, driven by the tech industry boom.
How to Get a Certified Santa Clara 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.
Santa Clara County County Clerk-Recorder
— Address: 70 W. Hedding Street, 1st Floor, San Jose, CA 95110
— Phone: (408) 299-5688
— Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
— Website: County Clerk-Recorder
Fee: $34 per certified copy. As of January 1, 2026 (verify at county website for latest)
Ways to Order
In Person: Visit the County Clerk-Recorder at 70 W. Hedding Street, 1st Floor, San Jose, CA 95110. 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: Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder, 70 W. Hedding Street, East Wing, 1st Floor, San Jose, CA 95110. 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 4 weeks, contact the county directly — the record may not yet be uploaded into their system.
Santa Clara County Specifics
Santa Clara County maintains birth records going back to 1873 — earlier than most California counties and predating the state's 1905 systematic registration. Most in-person requests are processed same day. Mail-in requests require a notarized sworn statement and typically take 4-6 weeks. The county also has a direct online ordering system in addition to VitalChek.
Authorized vs. Informational Copies
Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara County County Clerk-Recorder directly at (408) 299-5688
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