Santa Cruz County Birth Records
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Santa Cruz County Birth Records (1905-1995)
CaliforniaBirthIndex.org provides free access to Santa Cruz 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 Cruz County Birth Records
Each birth record in our Santa Cruz County database includes:
— Full name (first, middle, last)
— Date of birth
— Sex
— Mother's maiden name
— County of birth (Santa Cruz 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 Cruz County Birth Records
Use the search bar at the top of any page to find Santa Cruz 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 Cruz County.
About Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz County is one of California's original 27 counties, created in 1850. Originally named "Branciforte" after the Spanish pueblo, it was renamed Santa Cruz ("Holy Cross") just two months later. The county is the second-smallest in California by land area and sits on the northern shore of Monterey Bay. Its population grew from about 66,000 in 1950 to nearly 230,000 by 1990, driven by the establishment of UC Santa Cruz in 1965 and the county's appeal as a coastal community within commuting distance of Silicon Valley.
How to Get a Certified Santa Cruz 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 Cruz County County Clerk-Recorder
— Address: 701 Ocean Street, Room 230, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
— Phone: (831) 454-2800
— Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
— Website: County Clerk-Recorder
Fee: $34 per certified copy. As of January 1, 2026 (AB 64 $2 increase). Online orders via the county portal add a $4 portal fee, $5 ID verification fee, and 3.5% credit card fee.
Ways to Order
In Person: Visit the County Clerk-Recorder at 701 Ocean Street, Room 230, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 3:00 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 Cruz County Recorder's Office, 701 Ocean Street, Room 230, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. 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, certificates are also available through the Office of Vital Records in Watsonville. Mail to: County of Santa Cruz Vital Records, P.O. Box 962, Santa Cruz, CA 95061.
Santa Cruz County Specifics
Santa Cruz County has its own online ordering portal at santacruzcountyca-web.tylerhost.net rather than VitalChek. The office has a midday closure from noon to 1:00 PM and closes early at 3:00 PM — plan your visit accordingly. There is also a satellite office in Watsonville at 500 Westridge Drive, open Mondays and Fridays only. Birth records are available from 1905 to present.
Authorized vs. Informational Copies
Santa Cruz 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 Cruz 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 Cruz County County Clerk-Recorder directly at (831) 454-2800
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