Since the work I used to do entailed helping people get birth records, I would generally say always avoid going to the state record level if at all possible. Sacramento has always been particularly poor. New York State was particularly obnoxious, cashing checks and letting requests age for months. Vital records are cash cows no matter what jurisdiction. Historically the Santa Cruz County Recorder's office, for example, has had an income in excess of $1.5 million. Fees not only fully (under)fund the deparment but provide services for battered women and children, and the general fund.