“How-To” Guide for Homeless Service Providers
In 2014, Housing CA sponsored Assembly Bill 1733 which was signed into law. The law allows individuals experiencing homelessness to secure a free copy of their California birth certificate and/or free California photo ID card. Specifically, an unhoused person can:
- Receive a certified copy of his/her birth certificate from the County Registrar’s Office (in the county in which the person was born).
- Receive a state-issued photo ID from the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Learn more about free copies of state-issued photo IDs.
Please note that Housing California does not issue birth certificates or IDs.
Documents for Accessing Birth Records
This law only applies to people born in California.The individual must know the county in which s/he was born. (See FAQ #9 below for those who need assistance finding the correct county.)
Through a letter issued to California’s 58 counties, the State Registrar provided each county recorder/assessor with affidavit forms and instructions for how to issue fee waivers to people experiencing homelessness in compliance with AB 1733. County recorders also received copies of the federal definitions of homelessness and an FAQ to help guide them in administering birth certificate fee waivers.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can the State Registrar issue fee exempt copies of birth certificates?
No, AB 1733 states only the local registrar or county recorder can issue, without a fee, a certified record of live birth.
2. Who is eligible to request a fee-exempt birth certificate pursuant to AB 1733?
Those born in California who are experiencing homelessness or a homeless child or youth on behalf of themselves can make a request for a birth certificate, or any person lawfully entitled to request a birth certificate on behalf of a child, if the child has been verified as a homeless person or a homeless child or youth.
3. What is a “homeless service provider?”
v.) A law enforcement officer designated as a liaison to the homeless population by a local police department or sheriff’s department within the state.
This information is included on the affidavit instruction page. No person or entity should verify homelessness unless they are specifically permitted to do so under AB 1733.
4. How does a county recorder verify if a provider is legitimate? Are the counties responsible for verifying this information?
Completed affidavits should be accepted at face value and processed the same as sworn statements, when applicants sign under penalty of perjury. In this case, the requestor and homeless service providers are swearing or affirming as to the knowledge of the facts on the affidavit.
5. Can the providers charge a fee for verifying the status of a homeless person or homeless child or youth?
No. AB 1733 states that providers may not charge a fee for verification of eligibility.
6. If a homeless person was not born in the county of search can counties charge a search fee?
No, counties may assist in searching for the record before the applicant makes a request.
HSC Section 103575 provides that the state or local registrar or county recorder may, without a fee, verify date and place of birth, when the applicant presents sufficient information to identify the birth record. The homeless applicant should then contact the appropriate county to obtain the birth record.
7. Can someone make a request on behalf of another homeless person?
Yes, as long as the person is considered a homeless child or youth. A person (i.e., parent, guardian, legal guardian, grandparent, brother, sister, or government agency) other than the registrant may request a copy of a birth certificate on behalf of a homeless child or youth as long as they are lawfully entitled.
8. Can county vital records’ staff order a birth certificate on behalf of an applicant?
No, the requestor must be the homeless person or homeless child or youth, or someone lawfully entitled to request on behalf of a homeless child or youth. However, counties may assist in providing information about the process.
9. How may an applicant submit a request for processing?
The best method would be to submit in-person at a local county office and a county official may take a statement sworn under penalty of perjury (HSC Section 103526).
10. Can an applicant order multiple certificates?
11. How may a homeless individual obtain notarization for the required sworn statement if he or she cannot afford the notarization fee?
The notarization is a statutory requirement, homeless services providers will need to assist applicants with this requirement. County offices will not be able to assist, unless the applicant makes an in-person request in the same county as they were born. A homeless applicant may appear in-person at a local county and a county official may take a statement sworn under penalty of perjury.
12. Should county offices stamp birth certificates, “For Government Use Only?”
No, typically a homeless person, or homeless child or youth applicant would need to request a certified record of live birth for use in obtaining benefits and identification. Stamping “For Government Use Only” will limit the use of the certificate and will not be beneficial to the requestor or for the purpose of this legislation.
13. Is there a timeframe limit for an applicant to apply for a birth certificate after receiving the verification from the provider?
A timeframe limit is not addressed in the bill and the counties should not enforce one.
14. Is the original signature required for the affidavit?
15. What are the guidelines for out of state requests?
The guidelines are the same as in California requests, but they must be born in California to benefit from AB 1733.