Born in Fontana, Ontario, Upland, Victorville, or anywhere else in San Bernardino County, and need your birth certificate accepted in another country? You need an apostille from the California Secretary of State. The process is simple once you know which copy to order, and the most common mistake happens before the apostille step even starts.
Want us to handle the whole apostille?
We notarize your sworn statement, help you get the right certified copy, and submit it to the Secretary of State. Apostille service starts at $225 within 20 miles of Upland.
Step 1: Order the right certified copy
The Secretary of State can only apostille a birth certificate signed by an official whose signature it recognizes: a county recorder or county clerk (or their deputy), or the State Registrar at the California Department of Public Health. A copy signed only by a city or county health officer usually has to be replaced or certified by the county first.
For births in San Bernardino County, order a certified copy from the San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-Clerk. The county only has records for births that happened in San Bernardino County. If you were born in another county, order from that county or from the California Department of Public Health.
Do not order an “informational” copy. It cannot be used to establish identity and will not work for most foreign governments.
Step 2: Get your sworn statement notarized (mail orders)
To order a certified copy by mail, San Bernardino County requires an application with a sworn statement that you sign in front of a notary public. This is where we come in. We come to your home or office, check your ID, and notarize the sworn statement so the county accepts your order.
You can also order in person by appointment at the Hall of Records in San Bernardino or the High Desert Government Center in Hesperia, or online through the county’s ordering portal, which adds a service fee and can take a few weeks.
Step 3: Submit for the apostille
Once you have the certified copy, it goes to the California Secretary of State. The state charges $20 per apostille, plus a $6 special handling fee for in-person requests. Mail requests are processed in the order they are received.
Costs at a glance
- San Bernardino County certified birth certificate: $34, plus card surcharge or postage if applicable
- Notarized sworn statement for a mail order: $15 per signature plus travel
- California Secretary of State apostille: $20 per document
- Wet Ink Notary full apostille service: from $225 within 20 miles, $250 up to 35 miles
Common mistakes
- Ordering an informational copy instead of a certified copy
- Sending a hospital or health officer copy instead of a county recorder copy
- Using an old certified copy when the receiving country requires a recently issued one. Check with the country or consulate first.
Need it done for a different county or state? See out-of-state birth certificate apostilles or apostillar un acta de nacimiento para México.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apostille a San Bernardino County birth certificate in California?
Yes. A certified copy issued by the San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-Clerk can be apostilled by the California Secretary of State.
Does the birth certificate itself need to be notarized?
No. The birth certificate is not notarized. For mail orders, the sworn statement on your application is what gets notarized.
How much does a California apostille cost?
The Secretary of State charges $20 per apostille, plus a $6 handling fee for in-person requests. Our full service starts at $225 within 20 miles of Upland.
Where do I order a San Bernardino County birth certificate?
From the San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-Clerk by mail, by appointment at the Hall of Records in San Bernardino or the High Desert Government Center in Hesperia, or online.
Last updated November 2026. This article is general information, not legal advice. Fees and county procedures can change, so confirm current details with the county and the Secretary of State. Wet Ink Notary LLC is not a law firm. Brent Hernandez, California Notary Public #2446864 and Registered Process Server #2006 (San Bernardino County).