Form VS 111 is the Spanish-language application that the Office of Vital Statistics of the Sonoma County Department of Health Services uses to issue a certified copy, or a certified informational copy, of the birth certificate of a child born in 2025 or 2026. It is a vital records form, not a tax document. People who need the certificate for themselves or for a relative use it, and a sworn statement on page 2 backs up the request for a certified copy. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the form and its instructions are published by the county.
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What is VS 111?
Form VS 111 is the Spanish-language application, published by the Office of Vital Statistics of the Sonoma County Department of Health Services, for ordering a certified copy or a certified informational copy of the birth certificate of a child born in 2025 or 2026.
The form has two parts for the applicant. Section 1 identifies the child: first, middle and last names, date of birth, sex, hospital, and the full names of the legal guardian and the mother. Section 2 identifies the person buying the record: name, address and ZIP code, telephone, the number of copies and, if different, the address where the copies are to be sent. You also choose whether the certificate will be mailed or picked up at the office. Page 2 holds the sworn statement (declaración jurada), with a notary's certificate of acknowledgment for requests sent by mail or fax.
The form offers two products:
- Certified copy: establishes the child's identity. California law (Health and Safety Code 103526) limits it to authorized persons, who must state their relationship to the child and sign the sworn statement.
- Certified informational copy: stamped "Informational, Not A Valid Document To Establish Identity." It needs only Sections 1 and 2 and no sworn statement.
The printed instructions say this office holds only births from 2025 and 2026. Earlier birth records are handled by the Sonoma County Clerk. Changes to an existing birth certificate use amendment forms kept by the California Department of Public Health, not Form VS 111.
Who needs to file VS 111?
Persons authorized by California law use Form VS 111 to get a certified copy of the birth certificate of a child born in 2025 or 2026. The boxes on the form list these groups:
- a parent or legal guardian of the child (a legal guardian must show documentation);
- the child, a grandparent or a sibling of the person named on the certificate;
- a person authorized by a court order, an attorney or an adoption agency seeking the record to meet Family Code Section 3140 or 7603 (include the court order);
- a member of a law enforcement or other government agency authorized by law to conduct official business (agencies represented by another party must present written authorization from the agency);
- an attorney representing the child, or another agency or person authorized by court order to represent the child or the child's property;
- a person named in a power of attorney, or the executor of the registrant's estate (include the power of attorney or enough documentation to identify the executor).
The county's birth certificate page also lists the registrant, a grandchild, a spouse and a domestic partner among authorized persons.
Anyone else may request the certified informational copy, which cannot establish identity. Do not use this form for births before 2025: those records are at the Sonoma County Clerk.
When to file VS 111
The form has no deadline: you complete it whenever you need a copy of the birth certificate of a child born in 2025 or 2026. This office holds only those two birth years; for earlier years the form directs you to the County Clerk at 585 Fiscal Drive, Suite 103, Santa Rosa, CA 95403, tel. 565-3800, www.SonomaCounty.gov/clerk.
The Office of Vital Statistics is open Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and the form's header says it is closed from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. If the certificate is not available when you apply and you plan to pick it up, write a legible phone number so the office can call you when it is ready. For fax requests, staff are available Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pacific time.
Documents you need
- Photo identification, shown in person when you buy a certified copy at the Office of Vital Statistics.
- Sworn statement (declaración jurada) on page 2, signed in front of office staff for in-person requests, or before a notary public for mail or fax requests. Not needed for the informational copy.
- Documentation showing guardianship, if you apply as the child's legal guardian.
- A court order, if you apply as a party authorized by a court order, or as an attorney or adoption agency acting under Family Code Section 3140 or 7603.
- Written authorization from the government agency, if you represent a law enforcement or other government agency as a company or intermediary.
- A power of attorney, or enough documentation to identify you as the executor of the registrant's estate, if you apply under that authority.
- Payment for each copy by an accepted method; for mail, a check or money order.
How to fill out VS 111
Choose certified or informational copy
Mark Copia Certificada if you need a document that establishes the child's identity, or Copia Certificada Informativa if you do not. The informational copy needs only Sections 1 and 2.
Enter the child's information
In Seccion 1, print the child's first name, middle name, last name(s), date of birth, sex and the hospital name. Print letters clearly.
Enter guardian and mother names
Write the full name of the legal guardian (Nombre Completo del Tutor Legal) and of the mother (Nombre Completo de la Madre) in the spaces provided.
Choose mail or pickup
Under the line for when the certificate is ready, mark Envíela por correo or La recogeré en la oficina. For pickup, write a legible phone number so the office can call you.
Enter your buyer information
In Seccion 2, print your first and last name, address with ZIP code, telephone and the number of copies you want. Add the mailing address only if it differs.
Mark your relationship to the child
For a certified copy, mark the box that describes you, such as parent or legal guardian, or child, grandparent or sibling, and include the court order, authorization or power of attorney that box requires.
Complete the sworn statement
On page 2, print your full name, the child's name and your relationship, then the date, city and state, and sign. Sign in front of office staff in person, or before a notary for mail or fax; the notary completes the acknowledgment.
Leave the office-use box blank
Do not write in FOR OFFICE USE ONLY (date received, number, date prepared, issued by, card authorization). Office staff complete it.
Review, download and sign
Check names, dates and ZIP code, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF. Sign page 2 in front of the right witness and assemble the package described under How to submit.
How to submit VS 111
The Office of Vital Statistics accepts Form VS 111 in person, by mail and by fax.
- In person: 463 Aviation Blvd, Santa Rosa, CA 95403. For a certified copy, sign the sworn statement in front of office staff, show photo identification and pay for each copy. The form lists cash, check, money order and Visa, MasterCard or Discover as payment methods.
- By mail: send the application to Office of Vital Statistics, 463 Aviation Blvd, Santa Rosa, CA 95403. For a certified copy, the sworn statement must be signed before a notary public. Pay by check or money order; the form says to make it payable to Sonoma County Health Department, while the county's web page says Sonoma County Department of Health Services, so confirm by calling (707) 565-4407. To pay by card, call that number.
- By fax: fax a notarized application to 707-565-4413, then call 707-565-4407 with your Visa, MasterCard or Discover number. The office mails the certificate once the transaction is complete.
A fee applies for each certified copy, and the informational copy costs the same; ask the office for the current amount. California law lets the office keep the payment if the birth is not registered there. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Requesting a birth certificate for a child born before 2025 from this office; it holds only 2025 and 2026 births, and earlier records are at the County Clerk.
- Mailing or faxing a certified-copy request with a sworn statement that is not notarized; the notary must complete the certificate of acknowledgment.
- Signing the sworn statement ahead of time for an in-person request, when the form requires it to be signed in front of office staff.
- Ordering the informational copy and expecting it to establish identity; it is stamped "Informational, Not A Valid Document To Establish Identity."
- Listing several children on one notarized sworn statement without each child's name and relationship to the child.
- Applying as a legal guardian, as a court-authorized party or under a power of attorney without the documentation each box asks for.
- Faxing the application without calling 707-565-4407 with the card number; the office completes the transaction before mailing the certificate.
- Writing in the FOR OFFICE USE ONLY box, or leaving a pickup phone number illegible when you plan to collect the certificate later.
Frequently asked questions
Is Form VS 111 a Sonoma County property tax form?
No. Form VS 111 is a birth certificate application issued by the Sonoma County Office of Vital Statistics. It has nothing to do with Sonoma County property tax; it covers only certified and informational copies of birth certificates for births in 2025 and 2026.
Who can get a certified copy of a birth certificate in Sonoma County?
Only persons authorized by California law, such as a parent or legal guardian, the child, a grandparent or sibling, a court-authorized party, a government agency or an attorney. Others can request the informational copy, which cannot establish identity.
Can I order a birth certificate from before 2025 with this form?
No. The form says the Office of Vital Statistics holds only births from 2025 and 2026. For earlier years, go to the Sonoma County Clerk at 585 Fiscal Drive, Suite 103, Santa Rosa, CA 95403, tel. 565-3800.
Does the sworn statement have to be notarized?
Only if you send the request by mail or fax. In person, you sign it in front of office staff. The notarization requirement does not apply when a law enforcement agency or a local or state agency makes the request.
What is the difference between a certified copy and an informational copy?
A certified copy establishes the child's identity and is limited to authorized persons. An informational copy is stamped as not valid to establish identity, needs no sworn statement, and the county says it is not accepted for legal purposes such as school enrollment, a driver's license or a passport.
Can I send Form VS 111 by fax?
Yes, if the application is notarized. Fax it to 707-565-4413, then call 707-565-4407 with your Visa, MasterCard or Discover number. After the transaction is complete, the office mails the certified copy.
Is there a fee, and who do I make the check out to?
Yes, a fee applies for each copy; call the office for the current amount. The form says to make the check or money order payable to Sonoma County Health Department, but the county's web page names Sonoma County Department of Health Services, so confirm by phone.
Can I fill out Form VS 111 online on FillingPDF?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of Sonoma County and does not submit the form or the sworn statement; you deliver it to the Office of Vital Statistics yourself, in person, by mail or by fax.
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