Santa Clara County to Implement Vital Records Service Changes Starting July 1, 2016

From the Santa Clara County Public Affairs:

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF.— The County of Santa Clara is streamlining Vital Records services. Beginning July 1, 2016, there will be a one-stop location for birth certificates and death certificates through the Santa Clara County Clerk Recorder’s Office four weeks after the event. The Santa Clara County Public Health Department will no longer provide a public service counter for Vital Records services.

“The Clerk-Recorder's Office has the ability to fill requests quickly, take all forms of payment, and offers online ordering of birth and death certificates,” said Gina Alcomendras, Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder, whose office serves nearly 500 walk-in visitors per day for various services. “We are making these changes to provide a single point of access for residents purchasing or reordering birth and death certificates.”

The Clerk-Recorder's Office also issues marriage licenses, performs marriage ceremonies, and registers confidential marriages. The office performs services related to filing of Fictitious Business Name statements, filing of Notary Bonds, registration of professional agents and similar services.

“The Public Health Department worked with the Clerk Recorder’s Office to determine the most effective way to provide vital records to the community,” said County Health Officer, Sara Cody, M.D., Director of the Public Health Department. “With a well-managed customer service program in place, the Clerk Recorder’s Office is the best place to go to get birth and death certificates.”

Also beginning July 1, the Public Health Department will no longer witness Declaration of Paternity forms. This service will be provided by the Santa Clara County Department of Child Support Services.

Birth and Death Certificates

When the public service counter at the Public Health Department closes on June 30, 2016, the public may purchase birth and death certificates in three ways:

· In-person at the Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder’s Office at 70 W. Hedding St., San Jose, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.;

· Order online here;

· Order by mail

Visit www.clerkrecorder.org to view the list of required materials for purchasing vital records, or for more information on how to obtain records in person or by mail. For more information or questions, call (408) 299-5669 or email ClerkRecorder@rec.sccgov.org.

Please note that birth or death certificates will be available for purchase by the public four weeks after the birth or death event at the Clerk-Recorder’s Office. Birth certificates cost $28 per copy, while death certificates cost $21 per copy.

Death certificates will still be available to funeral homes through the Public Health Department for the first three months after a death is registered. After that time, certificates must be purchased or reordered through the Clerk-Recorder’s Office.

Declaration of Paternity Forms

The Public Health Department will no longer witness Declaration of Paternity forms, beginning July 1, 2016.

If unmarried parents do not add a father’s name to the form at the hospital, parents should contact the Santa Clara County Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) for any issues related to establishing paternity and specifically signing or completing the Declaration of Paternity form. DCSS accepts walk-ins without an appointment at 880 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, CA 95131, or they can call (408) 503-5311 or (866) 901-3212 for more information.

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