​On September 11, 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties in response to the Bridge Fire and in Orange and Riverside counties in response to the Airport Fire. The fast-moving Bridge Fire in San Bernardino County has burned over 47,000 acres while the Airport Fire in Orange County has since burned into Riverside County and has destroyed more than 22,000 acres.​

Pursuant to this Proclamation of a State of Emergency, fees for certified copies of birth, death, marriage, and dissolution of marriage records are suspended for any individual who lost such records because of the fires. This Proclamation will remain in effect until the Governor terminates the State of Emergency. This Proclamation is available for viewing at:

When requesting free copies of a vital record, survivors should state on the application, “Bridge Fire” or “Airport Fire” and complete the enclosed sworn statement declaring under penalty of perjury that they are a survivor. The sworn statement for wildfire survivors is a combined sworn statement which also includes the sworn statement required by Health and Safety Code Section 103526. For requests sent to the California Department of Public Health – Vital Records (CDPH-VR), survivors should additionally make the notation “Bridge Fire” or “Airport Fire” on the front of the mailing envelope, for faster processing.

If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact the CDPH-VR, Issuance Section at (916) 552-8116.

Sincerely,

Original Signed by:

Tomás Aragón, MD, DrPH​

Director & State Public Health Officer

California Department of Public Health

Enclosures

CDPH Vital Records, MS 5103 ● P.O. Box 997410 ● Sacramento, CA 95899-7410

(916) 552-8116 ● (916) 552-8170 FAX