What the LA County Registrar-Recorder does and where Norwalk fits in
The LA County Registrar-Recorder is the office that keeps official records for Los Angeles County — birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and property documents. The Norwalk office is one of several locations across the county where you can request copies of these records in person, or get information about how to request them by mail or online.
Norwalk is in southeast Los Angeles County, and the office there serves residents in that area as well as anyone willing to travel there. If you live closer to downtown LA, Long Beach, or another part of the county, there may be a more convenient location, but Norwalk is a full-service office with the same records and services as the main office.
Key Takeaways
- The Norwalk Registrar-Recorder office issues certified copies of birth, death, and marriage records, and handles property document requests for Los Angeles County.
- You can request records in person at the Norwalk location, by mail, or through the county's online system — each method has different wait times and fees.
- Bring a photo ID and know the full name and approximate date of the event (birth, death, or marriage) you are requesting a record for.
- The office is located at 12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk, CA 90650, and you can call ahead to confirm hours or ask about current wait times.
How to reach the Norwalk office and what to expect when you visit
The Norwalk Registrar-Recorder office is at 12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk, CA 90650. You can call the main LA County Registrar-Recorder line to reach staff who can answer questions about the Norwalk location, confirm current hours, or tell you how long the wait is on a given day. The phone number for the LA County Registrar-Recorder is (562) 462-2137.
When you visit in person, bring a photo ID and be ready to provide the full name of the person whose record you need, plus the approximate year or date of the event. If you are requesting a record for someone else (a child's birth certificate, for example), you may need to show your relationship to that person or provide additional paperwork — calling ahead can tell you exactly what to bring.
In-person requests are usually processed the same day or within a few days, though wait times vary depending on how busy the office is. The staff can tell you over the phone whether it is a good time to come in.
Requesting records by mail or online instead of visiting in person
If you cannot visit Norwalk in person, you have two other options: mail your request to the county, or use the online system. The online system is often faster — you can request a certified copy through the LA County Registrar-Recorder website and have it mailed to you, usually within one to two weeks. This method requires you to pay a fee and provide the same information (full name, date of event) that you would provide in person.
Mailing a request takes longer — typically two to four weeks — because your letter has to arrive at the office, be processed, and then mailed back to you. You will need to include a check or money order for the fee, plus a self-addressed stamped envelope. The office website lists the current fees for each type of record and the mailing address.
The online option is usually the fastest and most convenient if you have a credit card and do not need the record urgently. The mail option works if you prefer not to use the online system, but plan for the extra time.
What records the Norwalk office can provide
The Norwalk Registrar-Recorder office issues certified copies of vital records — birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses — for anyone born, married, or deceased in Los Angeles County. These are the official documents you need for things like getting a passport, changing your name legally, or proving your identity to a government agency.
The office also handles requests for property records and documents related to property transfers, though some of these requests may take longer or require you to work with a specific department within the Registrar-Recorder's office. If you are looking for a property record, it is worth calling ahead to ask which office or department handles that type of request.
If you need a record from a different county in California, or from outside California, the Norwalk office cannot provide it — you would need to contact the vital records office in the county or state where the event happened.
Fees and what affects how much you pay
The cost of a certified copy of a vital record varies depending on the type of record and how you request it. In-person requests, mail requests, and online requests may have different fees. The LA County Registrar-Recorder website lists the current fees for each type of record and each method of request.
Most certified copies cost between $15 and $30, though the exact amount depends on whether you need one copy or multiple copies, and whether you need it rushed. If you are requesting the record by mail, you also need to include payment (check or money order) and a self-addressed stamped envelope, which adds to your cost.
Some people are may have access to to free or reduced-fee copies — for example, if you are requesting your own birth certificate for the first time, or if you are low-income and requesting a record for a specific purpose. Call the office to ask whether you might be may have access to to a reduced fee.
When you might need to contact a different office or department
If you are requesting a record for legal purposes — like a name change, adoption, or court case — you may need to work with a specific department or provide additional paperwork. The Norwalk office staff can tell you what you need, but it is often faster to call ahead and explain your situation so they can direct you to the right person or department.
If you need a record from outside Los Angeles County, you will need to contact the vital records office in that county or state. The LA County Registrar-Recorder website has links to other California counties' vital records offices, which can help you find the right place to contact.
If you are requesting a record that is sealed or restricted (for example, an adoption record), the process is different and may require a court order or other legal paperwork. Call the office to ask about the specific process for your situation.
How to prepare before you visit or submit a request
Before you contact the Norwalk office or submit a request, gather the information you will need: the full name of the person whose record you are requesting, the approximate date or year of the event (birth, death, or marriage), and the reason you need the record. Having this information ready will make your request faster and more likely to be processed correctly.
If you are requesting a record for someone else, know your relationship to that person and be ready to explain why you need the record. Some records require proof of relationship or a court order, so knowing this ahead of time can save you a trip or a delayed request.
If you plan to visit in person, check the office hours on the LA County Registrar-Recorder website before you go, and consider calling ahead to ask about wait times. This small step can save you time and frustration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a certified copy of my birth certificate the same day if I visit the Norwalk office?
Usually yes, if you visit in person with a photo ID and the correct information. The office processes most in-person requests within a few hours, though wait times vary. Call (562) 462-2137 to ask about current wait times before you go.
What if I do not know the exact date of the event I am requesting a record for?
You can provide an approximate year or date range, and the office will search for the record. The search may take longer if the date is very far off, but staff can usually find records with just a name and approximate year. Call ahead to ask about the search process for your specific situation.
Do I need to go to the Norwalk office, or can I use a different LA County Registrar-Recorder location?
You can use any LA County Registrar-Recorder office — they all have access to the same records. If another location is closer to you, you can visit there instead. The online and mail options work the same way regardless of which office you would visit.
What if the record I need is from before I was born or from a long time ago?
The LA County Registrar-Recorder keeps records going back many decades. If the event happened in Los Angeles County, the office should be able to find it, though older records may take longer to locate. Call to ask about the timeline for searching older records.
Can I request a record for someone who is still alive but does not want me to have it?
Some records are restricted or sealed, and access depends on your relationship to the person and the reason you need the record. Call the office to explain your situation — they can tell you whether you can request the record and what paperwork you may need to provide.