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Legal documents and considerations

Notice to Unmarried Parents

For those parents who aren't legally married, the father's name will not be added to the birth certificate unless you:

  • Sign a declaration of paternity (the legal process of determining the biological father of a child) at the hospital
  • Or sign the form later
  • Or legally establish paternity through the courts and pay a fee to amend the birth certificate. You will receive information about signing a POP (Parent Opportunity Program)declaration during your hospital stay, or you can get a form at the Family Support Services offices at 752 La Guardia Street in Salinas . Both parents need to visit Family Support Services together and each needs a photo ID.

Birth Certificate Notification

The Monterey County Health Department will mail a notification (an application for a certified copy of the birth certificate) to you. If you have not received this notification within four weeks, you may request your child's birth certificate by sending a check or money order for $12 per copy to:

Monterey County Health Department
Attention: Birth Certificates
1270 Natividad Road
Salinas , CA 93906

Please state your child's full name and date of birth. To contact the Monterey County Health Department, call (831) 755-4504.

You may also obtain certified copies of your child's birth certificate through the state by faxing your request to 800-858-5553 or visiting the web site at www.dhs.ca.gov.

Social Security number for your baby. During the birth certificate registration process, you will be given information about obtaining your baby's Social Security number.