Jordan Z. Marks

ASSESSOR | RECORDER | COUNTY CLERK

County of San Diego

Signature Authentication of Public Health Officer and Notary Publics

The County Clerk’s Office certifies the authenticity of the signature of the current County Public Health Officer/Registrar of Vital Records and notary publics. 

The County Clerk’s Office certifies the authenticity of the signature of the current County Public Health Officer/Registrar of Vital Records on birth and death certificates to allow customers to submit the certificate directly to the Secretary of State for an Apostille. Public Health Officer signature authentications can also be applied to the “Application for Disposition of Human Remains” and the “Certificate of No Communicable Disease."

The County Public Health Officer’s signature appears on birth and death certificates that are issued by the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA). Prior to requesting an Apostille, customers may either request a signature authentication on the certificate issued by HHSA; or if the certificate is on file with the County Recorder, purchase the certificate from our office. 

For more information regarding Apostilles, visit the Secretary of State’s Apostille web page.

Request Signature Authentication in person: 

Bring the original document that contains the current County Public Health Officer/Registrar of Vital Records' signature to any of our available office locations linked below. Appointments are not necessary.

Find a Location

Request Signature Authentication by mail: 

Send a letter of your request that includes your phone number and return address, the original document that contains the current County Public Health Officer/Registrar of Vital Records’ signature, and check or money order to the following address:

San Diego Recorder/County Clerk
P.O. Box 121750
San Diego, CA 92112-1750

Fees:

  • $21 per signature

The fee is payable by cash or credit/debit card (in person only), check or money order.

An additional $2.50 surcharge is applicable for card payments.

Check or money order payable to: San Diego Recorder/County Clerk.

Notary authentications are needed to verify that the notary has filed a bond in the county where they conduct business and has a current commission at the time of the notarization of the document.

Notary authentications are most often used to verify the signatures of notaries on various documents that are leaving the country and are required before requesting an Apostille from the Secretary of State (visit the Secretary of State’s Apostille webpage for more information).

The County Clerk’s Office certifies the authenticity of the signature of the notary who signed the document; and, when appropriate, the identity of the seal or stamp which the document bears. The certification does not certify the contents of the document.

Request Signature Authentication in person:

Bring the original notarized acknowledgment/jurat containing the notary public’s signature and seal to any of our available office locations linked below. Appointments are not necessary.

Find a Location

Request Signature Authentication by mail: 

Send a letter of your request that includes your phone number and return address, the original notarized acknowledgement/jurat containing the notary public's signature and seal, and check or money order to the following address:

San Diego Recorder/County Clerk
P.O. Box 121750
San Diego, CA 92112-1750

Fees: 

  • $21 per signature

The fee is payable by cash or credit/debit card (in person only), or check or money order.

An additional $2.50 surcharge is applicable for card payments.

Check or money order payable to: San Diego Recorder/County Clerk.

Appointments are not necessary. See our available office locations for hours of operation.