Office of Vital Records, Department of Health

Arrived at 8:20 Am — about 3 people in the office, all being attended to by clerks. I brought my form filled out. Remember not to sign it — they will have you sign it with a clerk! They were nice enough to excuse my error & crossed it out & had me resign.
You’re given a number — and told to proceed to room 162 to meet with the clerk who is going to perform the search and issue you you’re birth certificate.
Death certificate — $ 21.00
Birth certificate — $ 25.00
You can pay Cash, Debit or Money order.
Cash must be exact change.
The clerk verifies your ID, request payment & completes the search. If your record isn’t found — they keep the $ 25.00 as a search fee
It’s signed, sealed and boom, YOUR DONE!
It took about 15 – 20 minutes.
In & out, I’d even say that you would have some luck if you came during your lunch hour (unsure what there lunch hour is)

It was shockingly easy to get my daughter’s birth certificate today — all told it took me about 5 minutes to go up to the window (no line!), hand the very cordial gentleman behind the window my completed form, pay the fee, and receive the birth certificate. This was around 10am, for reference. I was also able to park relatively close by, and as luck would have it, the meter had already been fed! Five stars.

Impressive turn around time! Vital Records is in Rm 162, 1^st Flr @ City Hall. Birth /​Death certificates processed while you wait! We were in and out in under 15 minutes, with a certified copy in hand.
Clerk 1 was friendly, she welcomed us with a genuine smile, validated the application that I completed at home, and provided me with a number in queue.
We took a seat in the corridor where beautiful brides & grooms awaited their turn to exchange vows and in less than 5 minutes our number appeared on the screen.
The next clerk who assisted us was monotone and stone-​faced but she was expeditious and efficient, which we greatly appreciated. Clerk 2 verified my identity on the Sworn Statement and I paid the $ 25 Record Search Fee.
Having completed paperwork in hand saved lots of time. She took all of 3 minutes to locate a digitized copy of our youngest’s birth certificate in the SF County database, printed said copy onto official watermarked paper containing the City & County seal, and we were able to enjoy the rest of the gorgeous afternoon in the City.
PRO TIPS:
1.) DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FOR CERTIFIED COPY: Limit your wait time — download the form online, complete it, and print prior to coming to City Hall. However, do NOT complete part II of the Sworn Statement (page 2), the remaining information must be notarized or completed in the presence of SF County Clerk Vital Records Staff;
2.) BRING VALID GOVT ISSUED PHOTO ID, without this, you will be granted nothing but frustration for wasting your time;
3.) METHODS OF PAYMENT: check payable to «SF County Clerk», or debit card (pin required), or cash («exact change» only);
4.) TIMING IS EVERYTHING: Last fully completed application accepted no later than 3:50pm, Monday through Friday (closed federal holidays).
5.) CONTACTS
* Additional info
* Email questions to:
My visit to City Hall was 15 minutes well spent.
I’m so glad I came in person vs mailing in my request which would’ve taken an estimated 10 business days to process
+ a notarized application
+ a self addressed stamped return envelope
+ a $ 30 expedite fee
IN ADDITION TO the $ 25 Record Search Fee to produce a certified copy of the Birth Certificate.
THANKS VITAL RECORDS! Hope I don’t have to come back again but if I do, I will no longer be hesitant.

Quick service for death and birth certificates. Minus one star for cranky employees. They stop taking applications at 3:55 so arrive early. It is also much easier to print your application at home and bring it with you already filled out. That will save you about 10 – 15 minutes in the office!