Missing Important Documents? Here's How to Get Them

How To Apply For or Renew a California Identification (ID) Card

To apply for an ID Card, you will need to do the following: 

• Visit a DMV office (make an Appointment(s) for faster service) 
• Complete application form DL 44 (An original DL form must be submitted. Copies will not be accepted). 
• Give a thumb print. 
• Have your picture taken. 
• Provide your social security number. It will be verified with the Social Security Administration while you are in the office. 
• Verify your birth date and legal presence (a birth certificate will provide this verification).
• Pay the application fee: $28 

Make sure to check your address before you leave the DMV and tell the DMV representative if your address is incorrect. 

Your new ID will be mailed to you within 60 days. If you have not received your ID after 60 days, call 1-800-777-0133 to check the status. Have your receipt and/or old ID card with you to provide information when requested. 

Your identification card is valid for six years. 

To renew your ID card, you will need to: 

• Visit a DMV office (make an Appointment(s) for faster service)
• Complete application form DL 44 (An original DL form must be submitted. Copies will not be accepted). 
• Give a thumb print. 
• Have your picture taken. 
• Pay the application fee: $28

How to Obtain a Certified Copy of Your Birth Certificate 

A birth record contains information about the birth of an individual. On a birth record, you can usually find the mother's full maiden name and the father's full name, the name of the baby, the date of the birth, and county where the birth took place. Many birth records include other information, such as the birthplaces of the baby's parents, the addresses of the parents, the number of children that the parents have, and the race of the parents, and the parents' occupations. 

Obtain a Certified Copy in Person

You can purchase a certified copy of a birth certificate by going to the office located below. Application can be downloaded here and completed prior to coming into the office.

• $28.00 per copy in any one of our three (3) offices (see below) * 
  • Please fill out the sworn statement and be prepared to show government issued photo ID. 
  • All records from 1965 to the present can immediately be obtained over the counter. 
  • All previous records may have a wait time of between 15 minutes to one day. 

Certified Copies Requested by Mail

Mail the completed application to P.O. Box 159, Santa Barbara, CA 93102-0159. Make the check or money order payable to Santa Barbara County Clerk-Recorder.

1. The sworn statement on the application, signed under penalty of perjury by the requestor, and the certificate of acknowledgment, also on the application, notarized before a Notary Public MUST be completed and properly filled out.
2. The certificate will be returned in 5-10 working days inside the U.S if all requirements are met. It will be returned in 5-14 working days if outside the U.S. If you prefer U.S.P.S. Express delivery return to you, please include appropriate fees as indicated on fee schedule; the certificate will be returned in 1-3 working days. We will automatically require you to sign for your Express delivery envelope. Additional fees may apply if you are not there to sign for your envelope
3. You do not need to include a stamped self addressed envelope as the 1st class mail handling fee or expedited mail handling fee eliminates the need for it..

• $30.00 First Class Mail or $51.50 U.S. Post Office express delivery mail. 
  • Note: Add $28.00 per additional copy.

Mailing Address: 
Santa Barbara County Recorder 
P. O. Box 159 
Santa Barbara, CA 93102-0159 

Certified Copies Requested by Fax (credit card required)

Fax the completed application to the Santa Barbara County Clerk-Recorder at (805) 568-2266.

1. The sworn statement on the application, signed under penalty of perjury by the requestor, and the certificate of acknowledgment, also on the application, notarized before a Notary Public MUST be completed and filled out properly.
2. Fax the credit card authorization form with your application.
   • $58.50 and delivered U.S. Post Office express delivery mail.
     • Note: Add $28.00 per additional copy. 
3. The certificate will be returned in 1-3 working days via U.S.P.S. Express delivery mail if all requriements are met.
4. We will automatically require you to sign for your Express delivery envelope. Additional fees may apply if you are not there to sign for your envelope.

FAX NUMBER: (805) 568-2266 

Application for Certified Copy of Birth Certificate 

For more information, please visit the website www.sbcrecorder.com

Obtaining Your Social Security Card

Step 1: Fill out the application online at www.socialsecurity.gov or the one provided to you by ILP 

Step 2: Provide at least two documents that prove age, identity, and U.S. citizenship, or current lawful, work-authorized immigration status. Acceptable documents are listed below:

• Evidence of Age:
  • U.S. hospital record of your birth (original birth certificate)
  • Religious record established before age five showing your age or date of birth
  • Passport
  • Final Adoption Decree (birth information taken from original birth certificate)
• Evidence of Identity:
  • U.S. driver’s license
  • U.S. state-issued non-driver identity card (CA ID Card)
  • U.S. passport
• Evidence of Citizenship:
  • U.S. birth certificate
  • U.S. passport
  • Other documents: Consular Report of Birth, Certificate of Citizenship, or Certificate of 
  • Naturalization

Step 3: Mail or hand in the application and required documents to the social security office either in SB or SM:

Important notes: 

• Applying for a new or replacement card is FREE
• Applying for a new original social security card will require two documents to prove your 
• identity
• Applying for a replacement social security card will require only one document to prove your 
• identity
• Any documents mailed to the social security office will be returned to you once your application 
• has been processed
• If you have any further questions, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov or call 1-800-772-1213