California Department of Public Health - Vital Records · California state form
VS 20 SP Vital Records Sworn Statement
VS 20 SP is a sworn statement for authorized people requesting certified copies of California birth, death, or marriage certificates. It includes a notary acknowledgment.
- What this form is
- The California Department of Public Health’s VS 20 SP provides a sworn statement for people requesting certified copies of birth, death, or marriage certificates. Applicants state that they are authorized to receive the record and identify their relationship to the registrant. The form includes a notary acknowledgment, and the instructions explain who may request records and when notarization is required.
- Who needs it
- Authorized people requesting certified copies of birth, death, or marriage certificates use this statement to declare their eligibility.
- Why it needs a notary
- The statement must be notarized for authorized-copy requests, with listed exceptions. You can have the signature notarized online with a commissioned online notary.
- How to submit it
- Submit it to the California agency named on the form.
Questions
Who can use the VS 20 SP sworn statement?
An authorized person requesting a certified copy of a birth, death, or marriage certificate can use the statement to declare eligibility and identify their relationship to the registrant.
Does the VS 20 SP need to be notarized?
Yes, notarization is required for requests for authorized copies, with stated exceptions for law enforcement, government agencies, and funeral establishments requesting death records. Online notarization is available with a commissioned online notary.
What information does the statement ask for?
The form asks for the applicant’s printed name and relationship to the registrant, the registrant’s name, and a sworn declaration of eligibility. The remaining information is completed in the presence of a notary.