California Birth Index

The CABI is considered a valuable genealogy tool but is also criticized for privacy issues.

California began statewide civil registration of births on July 1, 1905.

[2] Several public record websites have purchased copies of the index from the California Department of Health Services.

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 violations.

To reduce the risk of identity theft, only certain persons[3] may obtain an authorized copy of a birth record.