Birth Certificate

After your baby is born, a birth clerk will visit your hospital room to help complete the necessary paperwork for your baby’s birth certificate and Social Security registration. Preparing ahead of time can help make this process smoother.

Before Your Hospital Stay

Select your baby’s name in advance.
Complete the Birth Certificate Worksheet (see below) and bring it with you to the hospital. This worksheet ensures accurate information is recorded on your baby’s legal documents.

Completing the Birth Certificate

If the parents are not legally married, the hospital staff will explain paternity law and how to add the father’s name to the birth certificate.
Both parents must sign a declaration of paternity in front of the nurse or birth clerk.
You will have the opportunity to review the birth certificate before it is submitted to the state. Please check all information carefully and request any necessary changes at that time.

After the Hospital Stay

The completed birth certificate is issued by the State of California and mailed to you.

Birth Certificate Work Sheet

Please complete the birth certificate worksheet and bring with you to the hospital. After your delivery, you will give the worksheet to the Birth Certificate Clerk that will visit your hospital room. Birth certificates are legal documents issued by the state. Download the Birth Certificate Work Sheet by clicking on the PDF below.

Birth Certificate Work Sheet

Hoja de trabajo de certificado de nacimiento

出生证明工作表 - Chūshēng zhèngmíng gōngzuò biǎo

Why It Matters

Your baby’s birth certificate is an important legal document that serves as proof of identity, citizenship, and eligibility for benefits such as Social Security. Ensuring that it is accurate is a critical step in protecting your child’s rights.

How to Obtain Copies or Make Changes

After your baby’s birth, you may need additional certified copies or need to make corrections. Here’s how:

For questions during your hospital stay or paternity questions, call our Hospital Birth Clerks at 909.865.9865. PVHMC does not provide copies of birth certificates.
For certified copies or to request changes after discharge, contact the LA County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk:
- Phone: (800) 201‑8999
You can also request certified copies or submit corrections through the California Department of Public Health: