Important Advisory: California Birth/Death Records State Authentication

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While most certified vital records issued in California can be authenticated by the Secretary of State without County certification. There may be instances that County certification will be required if the health officer/registrar is not listed as an official with the Secretary of State. Most of these cases can occur if the health officer is an M.D.. If this situation occurs, you must bring the document to the County Clerk’s office for acknowledgement/certification of the officer’s signature before you can submit to the Secretary of State office.