Los Angeles County Vital Records

Los Angeles County genealogy records provide the largest collection of birth certificates, death records, and marriage licenses in California. The county maintains vital records for over ten million residents and countless historical events dating back to 1850. Researchers can access genealogy records through the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk office online portal, by visiting locations in Norwalk and downtown Los Angeles, or through mail requests. Los Angeles County formed in 1850 as one of California's original counties. The recorder's office holds birth, death, and marriage records for events across the sprawling county including all eighty eight incorporated cities. Start your family history research with Los Angeles County's vast genealogy database covering generations of California families.

Registrar-Recorder County Clerk Office

The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk operates the largest vital records system in California. This office processes thousands of genealogy record requests each week. Two main locations serve the public. The Norwalk office handles most walk-in service. The downtown Los Angeles Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration also provides in-person assistance.

The Los Angeles County Recorder website offers comprehensive information about available services. You can search for records, download applications, and learn about fees. The office maintains records from county formation in 1850 through present day. Digital records and online searching have made Los Angeles County genealogy research more accessible than ever.

Online ordering is available through the LA County vitals record application system. This portal allows you to request birth, death, and marriage certificates from your computer. The system verifies identity and processes payments electronically. Most online orders are filled within five to seven business days and mailed to the address you provide.

Walk-in service at the Norwalk office provides same day copies for many records. The facility is at 12400 Imperial Highway in Norwalk. Ample parking is available. Bring photo ID and exact event details. Staff can search files by name if you provide approximate dates. The office gets crowded during peak times. Arrive early for shortest wait. Online appointments may be required. Check the website before visiting.

Birth Certificates in Los Angeles County

Birth certificates cost thirty one dollars per copy from Los Angeles County. The county has millions of birth records on file. Any birth that occurred within county boundaries is recorded here. This includes births at all LA County hospitals, homes, and other locations. The county keeps records from 1850 forward, though early years have gaps.

California did not require birth registration until 1915. Compliance was poor in the early years. Many births before 1920 were never officially recorded. The Spanish and Mexican periods before California statehood relied on Catholic mission records for baptisms. These church records sometimes provide the only evidence of early births in the Los Angeles area.

Los Angeles experienced massive population growth in the twentieth century. Millions of people were born here. The birth index is extensive. Search online before ordering to confirm which county holds a record. Some people think their ancestor was born in LA County when it actually occurred in neighboring Orange, Ventura, or San Bernardino counties.

Newborn certificates take three to four weeks to file and become available. Request informational copies for genealogy research. These do not require notarized forms. The copy includes all birth details but has a legend stating it cannot establish identity. That limitation does not matter for family history purposes. Informational copies cost the same as certified copies but are easier to obtain.

Birth certificates list parents' names, ages, birthplaces, occupations, and residence addresses. Mother's maiden name appears on the record. Hospital or location of birth is noted. These details help trace immigrant origins and link multiple generations. Los Angeles County birth records are among the most detailed in California.

Death Records from Los Angeles County

Death certificates in Los Angeles County cost twenty six dollars. The county maintains death records for anyone who died within its extensive borders. Los Angeles County death records are a major genealogy resource because so many people lived and died here. The records date from 1850 forward with increasing completeness over time.

Death certificates provide birthplace, parents' names, spouse, occupation, residence, cause of death, and burial location. This wealth of information makes death records invaluable for genealogy. One certificate can answer multiple research questions and point to records in other states or countries. Los Angeles County death records often list birthplaces in other states or nations, helping trace migration patterns.

California law makes death records over fifty years old public. Recent deaths require authorized person status for certified copies. Genealogy researchers can obtain informational copies for any death regardless of date or relationship. These copies contain identical data as certified copies but include the identity limitation legend.

Los Angeles County cemeteries are numerous and varied. Death certificates list burial locations. Use this information to find grave sites and cemetery records. Major cemeteries like Forest Lawn, Hollywood Forever, Evergreen, and Calvary have extensive burial registers. Small cemetery associations and church cemeteries also hold records. Cemetery offices can provide burial cards with additional family information not on death certificates.

Marriage Licenses and Certificates

Marriage certificates cost nineteen dollars from Los Angeles County. The county has marriage records from 1850 when it was established. Los Angeles County issued more marriage licenses than any other California county. Millions of couples obtained licenses here. The marriage index is vast and well maintained.

Marriage licenses are filed in the county where issued, not where ceremonies occurred. Many couples got licenses in LA County and married elsewhere. The license is what matters for records. If your ancestors obtained a license from the Los Angeles County Clerk, that license is on file regardless of where they actually held the wedding ceremony.

Los Angeles County marriage records list names, ages, birthplaces, parents' names, occupations, and residence addresses for both parties. Some older licenses note prior marriages and children. This makes marriage records extremely valuable. One document can provide detailed information about six people across three generations when both sets of parents are named.

Confidential marriages have been available in California since 1971. These are sealed and only accessible to the spouses or by court order. All other marriage licenses are public records. Search the online marriage index before ordering copies. The index confirms records exist and provides filing dates. This saves money by ensuring you order the correct record.

Note: Movie stars and celebrities often obtained marriage licenses in Los Angeles County, making the records of interest for both genealogy and Hollywood history research.

Major Genealogy Resources in LA County

Los Angeles County offers unparalleled genealogy resources beyond vital records. The Los Angeles Public Library Central Library houses extensive genealogy and local history collections. Their History and Genealogy Department holds city directories, old newspapers, cemetery indexes, compiled genealogies, and thousands of reference books.

The Southern California Genealogical Society operates the largest independent genealogy library in the region. Located at 417 Irving Drive in Burbank, the SCGS library holds over forty thousand volumes. The collection includes family histories, local histories, county records, and genealogy periodicals. Membership provides borrowing privileges. Non-members can visit the library for research during operating hours.

The Huntington Library in San Marino maintains significant genealogy collections. Their holdings include early California manuscripts, land grant records, business records, and family papers. Research appointments are required. The Huntington charges admission but the rare materials justify the cost for serious genealogy researchers.

California State University Northridge houses the Urban Archives with Los Angeles area records. Their collections include photographs, maps, business records, and organizational files. These materials supplement official vital records. Contact the archives to arrange research visits.

Los Angeles County History

Los Angeles County was one of California's original twenty seven counties when the state formed in 1850. The county originally covered a much larger area. Orange County split off in 1889. The city of Los Angeles was a small pueblo of a few thousand people in 1850. The county grew slowly until the railroads arrived in the 1870s and 1880s.

The real estate boom of the 1880s brought tens of thousands of new residents. Towns were platted across the county. Many failed but some like Pasadena, Long Beach, and Santa Monica thrived. Oil discovery in the 1890s transformed the economy. The motion picture industry arrived after 1910. These industries attracted workers from across America and around the world.

The 1906 San Francisco earthquake drove refugees south to Los Angeles. World War II brought massive military and defense industry growth. Post-war suburbanization filled the San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Valley, and South Bay. Freeways connected distant communities. Los Angeles County became the most populous county in America by 1960.

This explosive growth created enormous genealogy records. Millions of people passed through Los Angeles County. Some stayed. Some moved on. The vital records reflect this constant movement. Cross-referencing Los Angeles records with other states often reveals migration patterns.

Ethnic and Cultural Genealogy Sources

Los Angeles County's diverse population created specialized genealogy resources. Chinese immigrants built communities in Los Angeles and surrounding areas. Chinese Historical Society of Southern California maintains records and assists with Chinese genealogy research. Their archives include immigration papers, business records, and family association files.

Japanese American families have extensive records despite World War II internment disruptions. Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo holds internment records, photographs, and community organization files. These materials supplement official vital records. The museum library assists researchers by appointment.

Mexican and Latino families have deep roots in Los Angeles County predating American rule. Catholic parish records from missions and churches provide baptism, marriage, and burial records going back to the 1700s. San Gabriel Mission, San Fernando Mission, and La Plaza Church have significant genealogy records for early California families.

Armenian, Jewish, and African American communities each developed institutions that keep genealogy materials. Check synagogue records, Armenian church records, and African American church and organization records. These ethnic sources often provide details missing from official county records, especially for periods when discrimination affected record keeping.

How to Order Los Angeles County Records

Three main options exist for obtaining Los Angeles County genealogy records. Order online through the county portal. Visit an office in person. Mail a completed application with payment. Each method has different processing times and requirements.

Online ordering through the county website is convenient. The system operates twenty four hours a day. You can order birth, death, and marriage certificates. The site requires identity verification. You can verify electronically or upload notarized forms. Payment is by credit card. Processing takes five to seven business days. Records are mailed first class to your address.

In person service provides fastest results. The Norwalk office at 12400 Imperial Highway processes most walk-in requests. Bring government issued photo ID and exact event details. Staff search the index and can provide same day copies for many records. The office gets very busy. Arrive early in the day for shortest waits. Some services require appointments. Check the website for current procedures.

Mail requests need completed application forms available on the county website. Download the correct form for birth, death, or marriage. Fill out all sections. Include payment by check or money order made payable to Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail to the address on the form. Do not send cash. Processing takes two to three weeks plus mail transit time.

Notarization is required for certified copies but not informational copies. Genealogy researchers should request informational copies to avoid notary requirements. These copies contain all the same data as certified copies but are marked as not valid for establishing identity. This marking has no effect on their value for family history research.

State Level Genealogy Resources

The California Department of Public Health Vital Records office has statewide birth and death records from July 1905 forward. Order from the state if you are unsure whether LA County or another county holds a record. State indexes cover all counties. Processing takes fifteen business days for recent records. State fees are the same as county fees.

FamilySearch provides free access to California vital record indexes including Los Angeles County. The California Birth Index 1905-1995 includes millions of LA County births. Search these indexes before ordering certificates to confirm records exist. The index is searchable by name, date, and location. This free resource saves money by preventing orders for nonexistent records.

The California State Archives in Sacramento holds broader genealogy collections. Their materials include census records, court cases, military files, and government documents mentioning Los Angeles County residents. The archives reading room is open weekdays for public research. Call ahead to discuss collections relevant to your research needs.

Major Cities in Los Angeles County

Los Angeles County includes eighty eight incorporated cities. Vital records for all cities are maintained by the county recorder in Norwalk. Some of the largest cities with additional genealogy resources include Los Angeles, Long Beach, Glendale, Santa Clarita, Lancaster, Palmdale, Pomona, Torrance, Pasadena, and El Monte. City libraries and historical societies supplement county records.

City pages: Los Angeles, Long Beach, Glendale, Santa Clarita, Lancaster, Palmdale, Pomona, Torrance, Pasadena, El Monte

Neighboring Counties

Los Angeles County borders Ventura, Kern, San Bernardino, Orange, and Riverside counties. Families frequently moved between these areas. County lines shifted over time. Orange County was part of Los Angeles County until 1889. Check neighboring county records if your ancestors lived near borders or if dates suggest they may have crossed county lines.

Adjacent counties: Ventura County, Kern County, San Bernardino County, Orange County, Riverside County