Birth Certificates
Congratulations! Either during labor or shortly after delivery, you will be provided with a worksheet to record the information we are required to submit to the county and state Vital Records Department for a birth certificate to be issued.
Important Guidelines
Accurate Information
All of the information you provide should be true and accurate. Falsifying any information will interfere with your child’s ability to obtain a birth certificate, passport or social security number.
Including a Secondary Parent on Birth Certificate
If you are not married to the biological father, or if you are not in a registered domestic partnership with a secondary parent and wish for the biological father or a secondary parent to be listed on the birth certificate, both of you will need to provide identification with a picture on it and sign a Voluntary Declaration of Parentage (VDOP) form. Unless a VDOP is signed, the biological father or secondary parent’s information will not be included in our data used to initiate the birth certificate.
For more information on establishing parentage, please visit California Parentage Opportunity Program (POP) program website at [link]. The secondary parent must be available in person to sign all required documents or we will not be able to include the secondary parent. The Birth Registry Coordinator will be able to provide you with a timeframe of when forms will be ready for signature. This does not mean you cannot add a secondary parent. It just means you will need to work with County and State Vital Statistics to make the necessary modifications.
Adoptions and Surrogates
An original certified copy of the court order is required for all adoption and surrogate births. Please be sure the document is free from markings, hole punches, or anything that would invalidate the court order. We are required to submit the court order to Vital Statistics, and we will not be able to return the document to you. Please be sure to obtain an extra certified copy for yourself, if needed.
Baby Name
Print, very clearly, your baby’s name on the worksheet exactly the way you want it to appear on the birth certificate. (We cannot use symbols, accent marks, apostrophes, or other punctuation in your baby’s name)
Baby Social Security Number
A social security number for your baby can be requested by checking the designated box on the worksheet. If you have questions or need additional information about social security numbers, please contact the Social Security Administration.
Submission of Birth Data
We are required by law to submit your baby’s information to Vital Statistics. Our team will work with you to complete the required documents prior to discharge. If you are not able or not willing to complete the required forms, we are required to submit the data based on information available to us. You will then have an opportunity to work directly with the county or state vital statistics to complete the process. Please make sure all your information is accurate. As mentioned previously, please make sure the biological father or secondary parent is available to sign required forms.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need to register my baby’s birth?
You must register your baby’s birth to comply with state law. Registering the birth is the only way to create a permanent legal record of the birth and obtain an official birth certificate.
During your child’s life, he or she will need an official birth certificate for common legal needs:
• Obtaining a social security number and benefits
• Enrolling in school
• Applying for a driver’s license
• Obtaining a passport to travel internationally
What if there is an error on the birth certificate?
Be sure to check the birth certificate worksheet for accuracy. If your date of birth or name is incorrect, you will not be able to secure your child’s passport or social security number. After your baby’s birth certificate has been registered, the original certificate (with the exception of gender error) cannot be changed. Errors can only be corrected by filing an Affidavit to Amend a Record with the county or state vital statistics. For more information, visit the California Department of Public Health Vital Records.
How long does it take to get a newborn birth certificate?
Birth certificates are registered and issued in the county where the event occurred. The hospital initiates the process, but does not issue the final birth certificate. Birth certificates are generally available in approximately 30 to 45 days. Please contact the Riverside County Department of Vital Records for more information on how to obtain the birth certificate.
How do I obtain a birth certificate if my baby is born before I arrive at Eisenhower?
If your baby is born prior to arrival at Eisenhower, you will be provided with a copy of the California Department of Public Health packet “How to Register an Out-of-Hospital Birth.” This will help you work directly with the Department of Vital Statistics to obtain a birth certificate.
Is there a list of frequently needed resources?
We have compiled a list of agencies that may be helpful to you.
- California Department of Public Health
- www.cdph.ca.gov
- 916-445-2684
- California Department of Public Health, Vital Records
- https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/Vital-Records.aspx
- 916-445-8494
- Parentage Opportunity Program (POP)
- https://childsupport.ca.gov/establishing-legal-parentage
- 866-249-0773 (option 3, option 5)
- askpop@dcss.ca.gov
- Riverside County Office of Vital Records
- https://www.rivcovitalrecords.org/Records-by-Mail/Birth-Certificates-by-Mail
- 4065 County Circle Drive, Suite 102, Riverside, CA 92503
- 951-358-5068
- accrmail@asrclkrec.com
- Social Security Administration
- www.ssa.gov
- 800-772-1213
- Scholarshare – California college savings program
- https://www.treasurer.ca.gov/scholarshare/index.asp
- 800-544-5248
