California Birth Index

==Controversy==
Critics of the index claim that the index's information aids in [[identity theft]].<ref name="cnet">{{cite web
| url=http://news.cnet.com/Identity-crisis-Birth-records-online/2100-1023_3-276533.html
| title=Identity crisis: Birth records online
| first=Stefanie
| last=Olsen
| date=December 3, 2001
| publisher=[[CNET News]]
| access-date=January 15, 2014}}</ref> Several public record websites have purchased copies of the index from the California Department of Health Services. In 2001, the ''[[San Jose Mercury News]]'' printed a story about the index, then accessible on genealogical website [[Rootsweb]], causing numerous complaints and requests for removal from the index, and ultimately leading to the index being removed from the site.<ref name="cnet" />

The California Birth Index, along with the [[California Death Index]], was at one time available free at [[Rootsweb]]. When Rootsweb was purchased by [[Ancestry.com]], the index remained available for a time, but then was removed by Ancestry because of complaints concerning [[privacy violation]]s. The index was then only available through VitalSearch and later through Family Tree Legends and [[FamilySearch]]. Ancestry has restored the index to its content, but has not restored the notes by users posted in the index when it was available on [[Rootsweb]]. Ancestry will remove individual listings upon request. California Birth Index listings on the Family Tree Legends website do not include the mother's maiden name, but listings at [[Ancestry.com]], [[FamilySearch]], and VitalSearch websites do.

Despite the controversy, birth records in California are public record. Any person can request and receive a copy of the birth certificate of any other person born in California.  To reduce the risk of identity theft, only certain persons<ref name="cdph">{{cite web
| url=http://www.cdph.ca.gov/certlic/birthdeathmar/Pages/AthorizedCopyvsInformationalCopy.aspx
| title=Authorized Copy vs. Informational Copy
| date=August 1, 2013
| publisher=[[California Department of Public Health]]
| access-date=January 15, 2014
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091112184127/http://www.cdph.ca.gov/certlic/birthdeathmar/Pages/AthorizedCopyvsInformationalCopy.aspx
| archive-date=November 12, 2009
| url-status=dead
}}</ref> may obtain an authorized copy of a birth record. All others may obtain an informational copy.  The informational copy will have the same information on it as an authorized copy, but will be stamped "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY."<ref name="cdph"/>

[[File:CABI California Birth Index.png|thumb|Microfiche CABI – 1950 example]]