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California birth certificates

Change detected, under review. An official source this page relies on changed recently. Part of this page may be out of date until we review it.

  • Page changed: Vital records processing times (2026-09-28) · #18
  • Page changed: Vital records fees (effective January 1, 2026) (2026-09-28) · #17
  • Page changed: Amending vital records to reflect a change of gender (AB 218) (2026-09-28) · #15
  • Page changed: Amending a California birth record (2026-09-28) · #14
Update your name
Limited
Gender markerThe sex or gender field (M, F, or X) printed on an ID document or stored in an agency's record.
YesM, F, or X with your own signed form

If you were born in California you can get a new birth certificate showing female, male, or nonbinary by mailing CDPH an application and a sworn affidavit. No court order and no medical documentation are required. The fee is $26 and includes one certified copy. Changing the name on the certificate requires a court order.

Main cost
$26
Apply
By mail
Typical wait
7 to 9 weeks

Draft from official sources, September 23, 2026. Not yet checked by a person. How we verify

This applies only if you were born here. Birth certificates follow your birth state, not where you live now. Choose your birth state

On this page
  1. How it works
  2. Steps
  3. Costs and fee waivers
  4. Forms
  5. Requirements
  6. After you finish
  7. Tips
  8. Laws and other guides
  9. Sources

How it works

California Health and Safety Code § 103426 requires the State Registrar to issue a new birth certificate reflecting a change of gender to female, male, or nonbinary without a court order when you submit an application and an affidavit swearing, under penalty of perjury, that the change is to conform your legal gender to your gender identity and is not for a fraudulent purpose.

Two routes:

  • Affidavit route (most people): form VS 24B plus the fee. No decree needed.
  • Court order route: if you already have an NC-330 order (see the name change guide), send a certified copy with VS 24B. This is the only way to change the name on the certificate at the same time.

CDPH Vital Records handles amendments centrally in Sacramento; county recorders cannot do this one.

Steps

  1. Download VS 24B (English or Spanish)[2]

    Both language versions are official and accepted. Print single-sided.

    Form
    VS 24B

  2. Fill in the application and sign the affidavit[1]

    State that the change is to conform your legal gender to your gender identity and is not for any fraudulent purpose. Choose female, male, or nonbinary. Attach a certified court order only if you are also changing your name.

    Form
    VS 24B

  3. Mail the packet with payment and a copy of your ID[4]

    Check or money order for $26 payable to CDPH Vital Records, drawn on a US bank. Requests without the correct fee are returned. Keep a copy of everything.

    Cost
    $26 amendment fee (includes one certified copy of the new certificate); $31 each additional certified copy

  4. Wait for the new certificate[5]

    CDPH's average processing time for amendments is 7 to 9 weeks. If anything is missing they mail you a letter; once you reply it takes another 6 to 8 weeks. Your one included certified copy arrives with the completion notice.

    Time
    7 to 9 weeks

Costs and fee waivers

No fee waiver is available for this step.[4]

CDPH does not waive vital-records fees. If cost is a barrier, some LGBTQ centers and funds (see local help in the name change guide) help cover document fees.

WhatCostNotes
Amendment fee (includes one certified copy of the new certificate)[4]$26Applies regardless of when the request is submitted for gender / sex-field changes.
Each additional certified copy[4]$31

More detail

Forms1 form: VS 24B

Open a form for tips on filling it out.

VS 24BApplication to Amend a Birth RecordRequired

How to fill it out

  • Part 1: the information exactly as it appears on the current certificate (name at birth, date and place of birth, parents' names).
  • Amendment section: check "change of gender / sex identifier" and write the new designation (female, male, or nonbinary). If you are also changing your name under a court order, list the new name and attach a certified copy of the order.
  • Affidavit: sign in front of a notary if the form requires it for your request type (read the instructions page; the gender-identity affidavit is signed under penalty of perjury).
  • Include a copy of your government photo ID and payment ($26, check or money order payable to CDPH Vital Records; no cash).
  • Mail to the CDPH Vital Records address printed on the form.

Open VS 24BOfficial Spanish version[2][3]

RequirementsWhere you live, age, timeline
Where you live
You must have been born in California. Where you live now does not matter.[1][2]
Age
Adults apply for themselves. For a minor, a parent or guardian signs; the statute allows the change for a minor child with the same affidavit.
How long it takes

About 2 to 3 months door to door, mostly CDPH processing time.

After you finishThe new certificate is your strongest proof of legal sex for other agencies that still accept amended birth certificates.

The new certificate is your strongest proof of legal sex for other agencies that still accept amended birth certificates. Note that as of September 2026 the Social Security Administration and the State Department will not update the sex field based on it. If you were born in another state, that state's rules control your birth certificate, not California's.

Tips1 tip from people who have done this
  • Order two or three extra copies ($31 each) with the same request; ordering later means a new application and another wait.
Laws and other guides1 law, 2 other guides

Laws and rules

Other trusted guides

Sources

5 sources. Numbers in the text, like [1], point here.Show all
  1. Health and Safety Code § 103426California Legislative Information, Law. accessed
    “The State Registrar shall issue a new birth certificate reflecting a change of gender and sex identifier to female, male, or nonbinary without a court order for any person who has a birth certificate issued by this state who submits directly to the State Registrar an application to change the gender and sex identifier on the birth certificate and an affidavit attesting under penalty of perjury...”
  2. Amending a California birth recordCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Records, Official page. accessed
    “VS 24B - Application to Amend a Birth Record ... Change child's sex field to reflect gender identity”
  3. Amending vital records to reflect a change of gender (AB 218)California Department of Public Health, Vital Records, Official page. accessed
    “This process does not require a court order if the person submits specific supporting documentation.”
  4. Vital records fees (effective January 1, 2026)California Department of Public Health, Vital Records, Official page. accessed
    “The fee to change/correct the sex field or parent designation on child's birth certificate is $26, regardless of when the request is submitted. ... includes one free copy of newly amended record. $31 per additional copy.”
  5. Vital records processing timesCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Records, Official page. accessed
    “CDPH-VR's average time to process an amendment request is 7 to 9 weeks.”