FAQs • How do I get a certified copy of my birth certificate

How do I get a certified copy of my birth certificate?: Contact the County Recorder’s Office of the county in which you were born or the State Vital Statistics Office of the state in which you were born.
San Bernardino County Recorder Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk Ph: (909) 387-8306
Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Ph: (800) 201-8999, option 1
Orange County Clerk-Recorder Ph: (714) 834-2500
Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder Ph: (800) 746-1544
California Dept. of Public Health-Vital Records Ph: (833) 422-4255

Passports

1. How do I make an appointment to process my passport application?: To schedule an appointment to process your U.S. Passport application with the City of Chino Hills, please visit our appointment site at:
www.chinohills.org/appointment.

2. Where do I get a passport application?: Applications and information are available on the 2nd floor lobby of the City Clerk's office, Chino Hills City Hall, 14000 City Center Drive, in Chino Hills.

3. What is the difference between a passport book and a passport card?: U.S. passport cards began being issued in 2008 to meet the needs of U.S. citizens who travel from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and Caribbean countries by land or sea. U.S. passport book can be used for Interantion travel by air, sea, or land. The U.S. passport card is valid for land and sea entry from Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, and Bermuda. NOT valid for international travel by air. The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book. Passport books and cards are alternatives to a state-issued ID.

Standard processing is currently taking 4 - 6 weeks.
Expedited processing is currently taking 2 - 3 weeks.

5. How do I renew my passport?: For those eligible to renew, passport renewals are processed by mail or online. To renew your passport by mail, Form DS-82 will need to be filled out and mailed in along with the most recently issued passport, a recent passport photo, and a check for the passport fee payable to the U.S. Department of State. To renew your passport online, visit travel.state.gov and select "Get a U.S. Passport"

6. My passport was lost or stolen. How do I get a new one?: Please report any lost or stolen passport immediately. A lost or stolen passport may be reported online with the U.S. Department of State or by contacting the U.S. Department of State at 1-877-487-2778. A Statement Regarding Lost or Stolen Passport, Form DS-64 may also be submitted along with an application for a new passport, Form DS-11.

7. How long is a passport valid and when should I renew my passport?: Applicants 16 or older when the passport is issued, will be issued a passport valid for 10 years and will be eligible to renew the passport by mail within 15 years from the date of issue. Applicants that are 15 or younger when the passport is issued, will be issued a passport valid for 5 years and will not be eligible to renew the passport by mail, but must reapply as a new applicant.

8. How do I get a certified copy of my birth certificate?: Contact the County Recorder’s Office of the county in which you were born or the State Vital Statistics Office of the state in which you were born.
San Bernardino County Recorder Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk Ph: (909) 387-8306
Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Ph: (800) 201-8999, option 1
Orange County Clerk-Recorder Ph: (714) 834-2500
Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder Ph: (800) 746-1544
California Dept. of Public Health-Vital Records Ph: (833) 422-4255

9. My child, who is under 18 yrs old, needs a passport. How do they get it?: All applicants using Form DS-11 must apply in person. Both parents or legal guardians, must be present with minor children 15 yrs. old and under. Children 16 and 17 yrs. old must appear in person with one parent’s consent. Parent(s) or legal guardian(s) must show valid I.D. AND proof of relationship to the minor applicant (e.g. birth certificate, adoption decree, or court documentation, etc.)

10. Do I have to provide my Social Security Number on my Passport application?: Section 6039E of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C.6039E) requires you to provide your Social Security Number (SSN), if you have one, when you apply for a U.S. passport or renewal of U.S. passport.

11. How do I find out about the status of my passport application?: To check the status of your passport application visit www.travel.state.gov.

12. I was recently married/divorced. How do I change my name on my passport?: To make any data corrections within one year of the issuance date of the current valid passport complete form DS-5504 and submit along with the following: the passport that needs to be amended, certified documentation of name change (e.g., marriage certificate, divorce decree with new name,) and a recent passport photo.