ByHow to Get a Merced County Birth Certificate Hassle-Free
Merced is the county seat for the centrally located Merced County. The county has strong agribusiness roots, and was home to Castle Air Force base until its closing in 1995. Today, the county is the location of a University of California campus and has diversified its economic base. Considered the "Gateway to Yosemite," Merced welcomes visitors on their way to the national park.
Given its diversity, Merced County has been the birthplace of agricultural workers, military families, and faculty members. Whether you are or were a resident of Merced county, you may find you need a .
If you're planning a trip overseas, you need a birth certificate to apply for a passport. Maybe, you need to know your official place of birth since you were born outside of a hospital. If you think you can apply for a birth certificate with a simple phone call or ordering online, you may be surprised to learn that the county does not accept online orders.
Do You Need an Authorized or an Informational Birth Certificate?
All California counties, including Merced, offer two types of birth certificates.
- Informational birth certificates do not qualify as proof-of-identity documents. The certificate will carry a notification indicating that the record cannot be used to establish identity. In some instances, information may be redacted.
- Authorized birth certificates are documents that can be used to establish a person's identity. They are duplicates of county records and carry the state seal.
Given the rise in identity theft, the county only releases authorized to authorized qualified individuals, such as the registrant, their parents, or legally authorized representatives. There are no restrictions on requesting an informational birth certificate.
Where Do You Get a Merced County Birth Certificate?
The Recorder's Office maintains copies of starting in 1870 through to the present. You may request a birth certificate in person or by mail. The Office does not accept phone, email, or fax requests. Online requests are handled through a third-party website. For questions, you can contact the office at (209) 381-1015 during normal business hours.
In-Person
You will need the following information when requesting a birth certificate in person:
- Registrant's full name and date of birth
- Mother's full maiden name
- Father's full name
You will complete a form at the clerk's office and pay a $29.00 fee. The fee is non-refundable; however, the county will issue a Certificate of No Record if there is no birth record. The office accepts cash, money order, and debit or credit cards. Its physical address is 260 E 15th St #114, Merced, CA 95341.
By Mail
The first step in requesting a birth certificate by mail is downloading the website's application form. The application requires a sworn and notarized statement of authority if an authorized copy is needed. The mailing address for Merced County is:
Recorder's Office
2222 M St., Main Floor
Merced, CA 95340
In addition to a signed and notarized application, you must include the following:
- Self-Addressed stamped envelope
- $29.00 fee by check or money order
Although there is no statement regarding response time, most birth certificates arrive within two weeks.
Third-Party
Like many California counties, Merced uses VitalChek Network for processing online orders. From the company's website, you can request a Merced County birth certificate. VitalChek charges a $12.95 fee for their service. Both the county and VitalChek's fees are paid through the website, which accepts credit and debit cards.
Let DoNotPay Request a Birth Certificate for You
If you have better things to do with your time, let DoNotPay request a Merced County birth certificate for you using the following steps:
- Go to the Birth Certificates product on DoNotPay.
- Select who the certificate is for (you or a loved one). If you are requesting a copy of someone else's certificate, enter their personal details, and upload evidence that proves your relationship.
- Enter the location you or your loved one was born in, so we can complete the form specific to your state.
- Enter the name(s) of the parent(s) as displayed on the certificate.
- Indicate what you will be using this certificate for, and choose whether you need an authorized or certified copy.
- Enter your contact information and shipping address. Upload copies of your government-issued identification, such as a driver's license.
- Choose whether you would like to electronically sign this form or not. Once we generate the form, verify that all of the information is correct.
- If you need the document to be notarized, schedule a notarization appointment using our Notary product. Otherwise, proceed to our Mail Checks product and let DoNotPay mail-in your request form with a check on your behalf.
DoNotPay's online service can do more than request a birth certificate. The service can help with the following:
| Locating a birth certificate | Although Merced County maintains records from as far back as 1870, there are times when a birth certificate cannot be found. DoNotPay can work with agencies to assist in locating a certificate. |
| Replacing a birth certificate | Given the rise in identity theft, everyone should have an official copy of their birth certificate to help establish their identities. |
| Getting a certificate quickly | Life is full of surprises. Let DoNotPay help you get a birth certificate quickly. |
| Requesting a newborn's birth certificate | Although newborn birth certificates should be used automatically, that doesn't always go as planned. DoNotPay can request for you. |
The reasons for needing a birth certificate are not as important as getting one when you need one. With DoNotPay, you are assured of fast and reliable service.
With so much to learn about requesting and receiving birth certificates, you can save time and lower stress with DoNotPay.