Expedited birth certificates upon adoption

Adopted people and families will have a defined timeline for receiving an updated California birth certificate. The law also sets a process for resolving incomplete adoption paperwork.

What the law does ​

• Requires the State Registrar to establish a new birth certificate within 11 weeks after receiving an adoption report or readoption order.
• Requires the State Registrar to request missing documents within 14 weeks when an adoption report or order is incomplete.
• Requires issuance within 11 weeks after the missing documents are received.
• Allows the State Registrar to return incomplete materials for resubmission if required documents are not provided within 90 calendar days after notice.

Who it affects ​

• Children born in California who are adopted or readopted.
• Adoptive families and applicants seeking updated birth certificates.
• Courts submitting adoption reports or readoption orders.