Vital Records (Birth and Death Records) FAQ

Is there a charge for returned checks?

• Yes, there is a $35.00 fee for each returned check.

What if the birth or death occurred outside the city of Pasadena?

• The Pasadena Vital Records Office does not maintain records for births or deaths occurring outside the City of Pasadena.
• Records for events that did not occur in the City of Pasadena but took place in Los Angeles County may be obtained from the Los Angeles County Registrar. The Los Angeles County Registrar can be reached at (562) 462-2137 or visit their website. For other California cities, call 411 and ask for the County Registrar for the city where the birth or death occurred.

How do I make changes to a birth record?

• An amendment can be submitted directly to the State Office of Vital Records to correct spelling errors, add information to blank items, correct the spelling of parents’ names or correct statistical information (i.e., birth date error).
• Amendments CANNOT be used to completely change a first, middle or last name without a court order. More information can be obtained by going to the State Office of Vital Records website.  Forms for amending a birth record are available at our office.

How do I add the father’s name to a birth record?

• Unmarried parents need to complete a Declaration of Paternity to add the father’s name to a birth record. To obtain a Declaration of Paternity, you must go to the Vital Records Office in person, and our staff will assist you. There is no charge for completing a Declaration of Paternity.
• Married parents need to complete an Acknowledgement of Paternity to add the father’s name to a birth record. To obtain an Acknowledgement of Paternity, you must go to the Vital Records Office in person, and our staff will assist you. There is a $20.00 fee for this service.

What if I was born at St. Luke’s Hospital before 1950?

• We do not have records for births that occurred at St. Luke’s Hospital before May 1, 1950. To obtain copies of these records, contact the Los Angeles County Registrar at (562) 462-2137 or visit their website.

What if I need an Apostille Seal (special seal certifying a document is a true copy of the original)?

• The California Secretary of State provides authentication of public official signatures on documents to be used outside the United States of America. Once the signature on your document is confirmed, an Apostille is placed on the document verifying that the signature has been authenticated.
• The California Secretary of State only authenticates records for use outside of the United States that are signed by a County Clerk/Recorder. Records from the Pasadena Office of Vital Records CANNOT be authenticated. You must purchase the birth or death record from the county where the birth or death occurred. For more Apostille and/or authentication information, please visit the State Office of Vital Records website.

What if I was adopted?

• If you were adopted, your record is sealed and is available only from the Sacramento Office of Vital Records at (916) 875-5345.

How far back do the birth and death records go?

• The Pasadena Office of Vital Records has records as far back as 1893 for birth records and 1897 for death records; however, these records must be requested from our archives. There is no same day or next day service for any application for a birth or death record prior to 1930.