Effective July 1, 2019, eligible youth in foster care are entitled to a copy of their birth certificate at no cost. The local registrar or county recorder in the county where the youth was born is required to provide a birth certificate at no cost upon presentation of verification that the youth is in foster care. Verification that the youth is in foster care must be from the county child welfare agency or probation department that has jurisdiction over the child or youth. The California Department of Social Services cannot verify foster care status for this purpose.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has developed an affidavit for certification of foster care status. The county child welfare agency or probation department is required to provide verification of foster care status. CDPH also has Frequently Asked Questions about no cost birth certificates for youth in foster care. (ACL 19-103, December 2, 2019.)