California Department of Public Health phone, records, WIC, CAIR, facility complaints and county office help
The California Department of Public Health, also called CDPH, is the statewide public-health agency for California. It is not the same as your county health department, a hospital, a local vaccine clinic, Medi-Cal customer service, or a county recorder office.
Use this guide to find the correct CDPH phone route, official link, county office path, vital-record form, CAIR vaccine-record help, WIC route, Cal Health Find complaint path, food-safety contact, and emergency guidance before you call, visit, mail documents, or pay a fee.
Choose the California public-health service you need
Select your task. This tool does not book appointments or collect personal data. It points you to the safest official starting place.
Call (916) 558-1784 for CDPH general public information. Name the exact program if you know it: Vital Records, CAIR, WIC, Cal Health Find, Food and Drug Branch, Licensing and Certification, or local county health department routing.
California Department of Public Health quick answer for residents
The main CDPH general information phone number is (916) 558-1784. CDPH is the state public-health agency, but many practical services move faster through your county health department, county recorder, healthcare provider, WIC local agency, or Cal Health Find complaint route.
Use CDPH for state-level public health programs, California Vital Records, CAIR immunization registry help, WIC statewide program information, food and drug safety, statewide health alerts, emergency preparedness, and licensed health-facility lookup or complaint routing.
Use your county public health department for local outbreaks, local vaccine clinics, restaurant concerns handled locally, local emergency notices, local clinic schedules, TB follow-up, and county-level service questions.
Official verification before using this California guide
Updated for publication on June 26, 2026.
This refreshed page uses official CDPH pages for contact, local health services/offices, Vital Records, 2026 Vital Records fees, Vital Records processing times, CAIR, WIC, Food and Drug Branch, Cal Health Find, health-facility complaint routing, Licensing and Certification, California Health Alerts, and emergency preparedness.
Phone numbers, forms, fees, processing times, office routes, facility complaint procedures, and local health department services can change. Always verify final details on official CDPH or county pages before visiting, mailing forms, filing complaints, paying fees, or relying on a deadline.
What this CDPH guide covers
CDPH vs county health department: where should you start?
California is large, and public-health services are split between the state and local health jurisdictions. The wrong starting point can delay records, complaints, clinic appointments, and emergency help.
For a broader office-finder path, see our health department near me guide.
California Department of Public Health phone number directory
Use the direct program route when possible. A specific call is faster than asking the general line to guess whether you need CDPH, a county, a recorder office, or another state agency.
| Need | Official route | Use it for | Prepare before calling |
|---|---|---|---|
| General CDPH information | (916) 558-1784 | State-level program routing and general public information. | Program name, county, city, deadline, and callback number. |
| Medical emergency | 911 | Life-threatening symptoms, immediate danger, ambulance, fire, or police. | Location, danger, symptoms, and whether the person is breathing/conscious. |
| Urgent local public-health need | Local county public health department | Local outbreaks, exposures, local emergency notices, and local clinic guidance. | County, city, ZIP code, exposure date, location, and people affected. |
| Vital records | CDPH Vital Records or county recorder/clerk | Birth, death, fetal death, still birth, marriage, dissolution, and amendments. | Record type, event date, county, relationship, ID, sworn statement, form, and fee. |
| CAIR immunization registry | 800-578-7889 CAIRHelpDesk@cdph.ca.gov | Vaccine record and registry help. | Patient name, date of birth, provider, county, record issue, and school/work deadline. |
| School vaccine questions | shotsforschool@cdph.ca.gov | School and child-care immunization requirement questions. | Student grade, school type, county, vaccine record issue, and deadline. |
| WIC family help | 1-800-852-5770 | Finding local WIC help and family program questions. | County, ZIP code, pregnancy/child status, benefit status, and appointment need. |
| WIC vendor help | 855-942-7867 WICVendorInfo@cdph.ca.gov | California WIC vendor questions. | Store name, vendor number, county, contact person, and issue. |
| Food Safety Program | 800-495-3232 FDBfood@cdph.ca.gov | State food product, packaged food, and Food and Drug Branch questions. | Product name, company, lot number, store, photos, complaint details, and illness timeline. |
| Health facility complaint | Cal Health Find or Licensing and Certification district office | Hospital, nursing facility, home health, hospice, and regulated facility complaints. | Facility name, address, dates, patient/resident details, staff names if known, and timeline. |
Find your county public health department in California
CDPH encourages people to contact local health services departments for programs and information related to their region. This matters because local public-health response depends on county, city, ZIP code, exposure location, facility address, restaurant location, or clinic availability.
Open the official CDPH local health services page
Use the A-Z county and city listing to find the correct local public health department.
Pick the county where the issue happened
For exposure, restaurant, mosquito, TB, local outbreak, or environmental health issues, use the county where the problem occurred.
Use the local website or phone number
County pages often show clinic schedules, restaurant complaint forms, local disease reporting, vaccination events, and emergency guidance.
Return to CDPH for state-level issues
Use CDPH for Vital Records, CAIR, state WIC, statewide guidance, Cal Health Find, Food and Drug Branch, and statewide alerts.
Related California local guides: Los Angeles County health department, Orange County health department, and San Francisco Department of Public Health.
California Department of Public Health Sacramento office map
A state office address commonly associated with CDPH is 1615 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95814. Do not use this map to assume walk-in service for birth certificates, complaints, WIC, or county clinic needs.
Many CDPH services require mail, online forms, a district office, county office, or program-specific route. Confirm the service before traveling.
California Vital Records: birth, death, marriage, divorce and 2026 fees
CDPH Vital Records maintains California birth, death, fetal death, still birth, marriage, dissolution, and amendment records as allowed by law. But the state route is not always the fastest route for a recent or local certificate.
CDPH says certified copy processing averages 5 to 7 weeks, and many users can often obtain a certificate more quickly from the county office. Check the county recorder or clerk where the event occurred if you have a school, passport, Real ID, estate, insurance, or court deadline.
| Record or service | New CDPH fee effective Jan. 1, 2026 | Practical warning |
|---|---|---|
| Birth certified copy | $31 | County offices may be faster for recent or local records. |
| Death certified copy | $26 | Use the state or county route depending on timing and need. |
| Marriage certified copy | $19 | Confidential marriage records may require county clerk routing. |
| Dissolution certificate | $18 | This is not the same as a full divorce decree from court. |
| Fetal death certified copy | $23 | Use the correct CDPH form and instructions. |
| Still birth certified copy | $28 | CDPH says this fee remains $28. |
| Amendment fee | $26 in many amendment situations | Often includes one certified copy of the newly amended record; follow exact form instructions. |
Vital records step-by-step
- Choose the exact record type: birth, death, fetal death, still birth, marriage, dissolution, amendment, or adoption-related record.
- Check whether CDPH or the county recorder/clerk is faster for your deadline.
- Choose authorized certified copy or informational copy correctly.
- Complete the current CDPH form for that record type.
- Include a notarized sworn statement if required.
- Use the correct fee and payment method. Do not send cash by mail.
- Mail to the exact address listed on the current form.
For general certificate planning, see our health department birth certificate guide.
Immunizations, CAIR records and California school vaccine rules
CDPH runs statewide immunization policy and supports the California Immunization Registry, also called CAIR. Parents often need two different things: proof of vaccine history and an answer about school or child-care requirements.
How parents should handle missing vaccine records
- Ask your child’s doctor, clinic, or pharmacy first.
- Check whether the record exists in CAIR.
- Use Shots for School for current California school and child-care rules.
- Do not wait until the first week of school. Some vaccines need spacing between doses.
- Keep both a printed copy and digital copy after the record is corrected.
California WIC: state program, local agencies and vendor help
CDPH/WIC administers California’s Women, Infants and Children program. WIC helps eligible pregnant people, postpartum parents, breastfeeding parents, infants, and young children through nutrition education, breastfeeding support, healthy foods, and referrals.
Most participants work with a local WIC agency, not only the state office. Call 1-800-852-5770 if you need help finding the right WIC route or family assistance.
| WIC user type | Official route | Prepare first |
|---|---|---|
| Family or participant | 1-800-852-5770 or local WIC agency | County, ZIP code, pregnancy/postpartum/breastfeeding/infant/child status, benefit information, and appointment need. |
| Vendor or store | 855-942-7867 or WICVendorInfo@cdph.ca.gov | Store name, vendor number, location, contact person, and issue details. |
| Outreach or partner | Use official WIC outreach resources | Agency name, county, audience, language needs, and material request. |
Health facilities, Cal Health Find and complaint routing
CDPH’s Cal Health Find database helps users find and compare licensed healthcare facilities and file complaints electronically. It covers many facilities regulated by CDPH, including hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, hospices, and other licensed or certified facility types.
Complaint details that help
- Facility name and address.
- Patient or resident information if relevant and lawful to share.
- Date, time, unit, room, or department.
- What happened, who was affected, and whether it is ongoing.
- Staff names or roles if known.
- Photos, documents, discharge papers, care-plan details, or written notices when appropriate.
- Whether someone is in immediate danger.
Food and Drug Branch, food safety and consumer complaints
CDPH’s Food and Drug Branch handles state food and drug safety programs. The Food Safety Program contact route lists 800-495-3232 and FDBfood@cdph.ca.gov.
For restaurant complaints, start with your county environmental health or local health department. For packaged food, manufacturer, product, lot, contamination, or statewide food-safety concerns, the CDPH Food and Drug Branch may be more relevant.
| Food concern | Better starting route | What to save |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant complaint in your city | County environmental health or local health department | Restaurant name, address, date, time, meal, symptoms, photos if safe, and receipt. |
| Packaged food product issue | CDPH Food Safety Program / Food and Drug Branch | Package, lot number, expiration date, store, product photos, receipt, and illness timeline. |
| Food business license or certificate | Food and Drug Branch certificates and licenses or local county depending on business type | Business name, product type, facility address, application type, and timeline. |
Certificates, licenses, permits, registrations and application status
CDPH issues or supports many certificates, licenses, permits, and registrations for facilities, laboratories, food and drug programs, radiation and nuclear programs, medical waste, and selected healthcare workforce credentials.
Do not assume one CDPH permit page covers every business. Facility licensing, Food and Drug Branch certificates, lab licenses, radiation registrations, CNA/HHA/CHT certification, and medical waste requirements may use different branches.
Before you submit a California CDPH application
- Identify the exact license, permit, certificate, or registration type.
- Use the current official form, not an old saved PDF.
- Check current fee, payment, invoice, and submission rules.
- Prepare facility name, owner/operator details, address, contact person, legal documents, plans, and application reference number.
- Do not open, operate, remodel, or advertise a regulated activity until you understand approval and inspection requirements.
California health alerts, CAHAN and emergency preparedness
CDPH operates statewide public-health alert and preparedness systems. CAHAN is used for public-health alerting, treatment and prevention guidance, disease investigation coordination, and preparedness planning.
For local exposure notices, local clinics, local shelter guidance, heat response, smoke response, or county-specific emergency response, your county public health department may still be the faster first step.
What CDPH does not handle directly
Many searches include the words “California Department of Public Health,” but the user actually needs another office. Use this section before submitting forms or waiting on the wrong agency.
| If you need | Do not assume | Use this route instead |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency medical help | CDPH phone line will respond fast enough | Call 911 immediately. |
| Local outbreak or exposure guidance | State office is the first call | Contact your county public health department. |
| Local vaccine appointment | CDPH is a walk-in clinic | Use your provider, pharmacy, county health department, or local clinic. |
| County birth certificate quickly | CDPH-VR is always fastest | Check the county recorder or clerk where the event occurred. |
| Medi-Cal eligibility or benefits | CDPH handles benefits enrollment | Use Medi-Cal / Covered California / county social services route. |
| Private medical records | CDPH has your doctor or hospital chart | Contact the provider, hospital, clinic, or health system. |
| Full divorce decree | CDPH dissolution certificate is the same | Contact the superior court where the divorce was filed. |
For state-vs-federal health agency context, see our Department of Health and Human Services guide.
Helpful California Department of Public Health video reference
This video is included as a general public-health education reference. Always use the official links in this guide for current phone numbers, fees, forms, complaint routes, local office routing, and live service rules.
Official CDPH links used for this guide
Use these official pages before visiting, paying, mailing forms, filing a complaint, relying on fees, or planning around a deadline.
CDPH official websiteMain California Department of Public Health website for statewide public-health programs and updates. Contact CDPHGeneral information phone, emergency guidance, county routing, and inquiry form warning. Local Health Services and OfficesA-Z county and city listing for local public health departments in California. CDPH Vital RecordsBirth, death, fetal death, still birth, marriage, dissolution, forms, and amendment routes. Vital Records feesOfficial CDPH Vital Records fee table, including 2026 fee changes. CAIR contactCalifornia Immunization Registry help desk phone, fax, and email. CDPH WIC DivisionCalifornia WIC program information and statewide WIC program context. Cal Health FindFind, compare, and file complaints about CDPH-regulated healthcare facilities. Food Safety ProgramFood and Drug Branch food-safety phone, email, and state program information. Center for Preparedness and ResponseStatewide public-health emergency preparedness, CAHAN, MHCC, and disaster planning.California Department of Public Health FAQ
What is the California Department of Public Health phone number?
The main CDPH general public information phone number is (916) 558-1784. For faster help, use the direct program route for Vital Records, CAIR, WIC, Cal Health Find, Food and Drug Branch, or your county public health department.
Is CDPH the same as my county health department?
No. CDPH is the state public-health agency. County and city health departments handle many local services such as local outbreaks, local clinics, restaurant complaints, local emergency notices, and county-specific public-health programs.
How do I find my county public health department in California?
Use the official CDPH Local Health Services and Offices page. Search by county or city and use the local website or phone number for local clinic, outbreak, restaurant, vector, emergency, or public-health service questions.
How much is a California birth certificate through CDPH in 2026?
CDPH lists the new birth certified copy fee effective January 1, 2026 as $31. County offices may charge different fees, so check the county office if you order locally.
How long does CDPH Vital Records take?
CDPH says the average processing time for a certified copy request is 5 to 7 weeks. The county recorder or clerk where the event occurred may be faster for some records.
What is the CAIR immunization record phone number?
The CAIR Help Desk phone number is 800-578-7889. The email route is CAIRHelpDesk@cdph.ca.gov. For school requirement questions, use Shots for School resources.
What is the California WIC phone number?
For California WIC family help, use 1-800-852-5770 or your local WIC agency. WIC vendors can use 855-942-7867 or WICVendorInfo@cdph.ca.gov.
How do I file a complaint about a California hospital or nursing home?
Use Cal Health Find or the appropriate CDPH Licensing and Certification district office. Prepare the facility name, address, dates, patient or resident details if relevant, and a clear timeline.
Does CDPH handle restaurant complaints?
Many restaurant complaints are handled by county environmental health departments. CDPH Food and Drug Branch may be more relevant for packaged food products, manufacturers, contamination, and statewide product safety issues.
Should I call CDPH for a medical emergency?
No. For immediate medical danger, call 911. For urgent local public-health needs, contact the local county public health department instead of waiting for a state agency phone or web-form response.