Vital Records

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Birth, Marriage, and Death Certificates

Because of the increased occurrence of identity theft, new laws were passed to protect birth and death records from misuse. Beginning July 1, 2003, the California Health and Safety Code Section 103526 permits only specific individuals to receive an authorized certified copy of a birth or death record. An authorized certified copy of a birth record is required to obtain a driver's license, passport, social security card and other services related to an individual's identity. An authorized certified copy of a death record may be required to obtain death benefits, claim insurance proceeds, notify social security and obtain other services related to an individual's identity. Those who do not meet the criteria for an authorized certified copy may receive an "informational" certified copy with the words "Informational, not a valid document to establish identity" imprinted across the face of the copy.

***IMPORTANT***

CERTIFIED COPIES OF BIRTH, DEATH, AND MARRIAGE RECORDS ISSUED BY THE COUNTY RECORDER MAY NOT HAVE THE "STATE FILE NUMBER" ON THE CERTIFICATE. IF THIS INFORMATION IS REQUIRED BY THE AGENCY REQUESTING THE RECORD, YOU MUST OBTAIN YOUR CERTIFIED COPY FROM CDPH.

PLEASE CONFIRM IF THIS WILL BE NEEDED BEFORE PURCHASING COPIES FROM THE COUNTY RECORDER.

Divorce records are not maintained by the County Clerk-Recorder. To obtain these records you must contact the court in which the divorce was filed. For more information contact Madera Superior Court at (559) 416-5599.

The following persons are authorized by law to receive a certified copy of a birth, death, or non-confidential marriage record:

The registrant or a parent or legal guardian of the registrant.
A party entitled to receive the record as a result of a court order, or an attorney or a licensed adoption agency seeking the birth record in order to comply with the requirements of Section 3140 or 7603 of the Family Code
A member of a law enforcement agency or a representative of another governmental agency, as provided by law, who is conducting official business.
A child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse or domestic partner of the registrant.
An attorney representing the registrant or the registrant’s estate, or any person or agency empowered by statute or appointed by a court to act on behalf of the registrant or the registrant estate.
An agent or employee of a funeral establishment ordering certified copies of a death certificate on behalf of any authorized individual specified above or in Health and Safety Code Section 7100. Reference: Health and Safety Code Section 103526 (c).

Effective January 1, 2019, an authorized person for DEATH records also includes:

a. An individual described in paragraphs (1) to (8), inclusive, of subdivision (a) of Section 7100 of the Health and Safety Code: agent under power of attorney for health care, competent surviving spouse, surviving competent adult child, surviving competent parent, surviving competent adult sibling, surviving competent adult person in the next degree of kinship, or conservator.

NOTE: Applicants that are authorized by court order or power of attorney are required to submit a copy of all supporting documents.

Ordering in Person

An authorized individual must complete the county's approved application, including a sworn statement under penalty of perjury, to receive an authorized certified copy. Applications must be received in person no later than 4:30 pm.

Ordering by Mail

An authorized individual must complete the county's approved application and have it notarized, including a sworn statement under penalty of perjury by the authorized requestor. Please include any required supporting documents.

Ordering Online

IMPORTANT NOTICE: If there is any question whether the record is registered in Madera County, contact the office of the Recorder for a check of the records before ordering on-line. Also, be aware that VitalChek assumes that the customer will require "UPS Next Day" delivery. Be careful to change the "default" setting if regular mailing is desired.

Madera County Recorder does not accept credit cards or online orders; however, for your convenience, you can process online requests through an independent company that we have partnered with to provide you this service; VitalChek Network, Inc. VitalChek can be reached through its website, www.vitalchek.com. An additional fee is charged by VitalChek for using this service, and all major credit cards are accepted, including American Express®, Discover®, MasterCard®or Visa®.

Fees For Certified Copies

Birth: $29.00 effective 01/01/2022
- Foster Youth Fee Waive r: For youths currently in foster care. This Affidavit must be completed and submitted with the birth certificate application.
- Homeless Status Fee Waiver: For a homeless person, child or youth who can verify status as homeless. This Affidavit must be completed and submitted with the birth certificate application.
Death: $24.00 effective 01/01/2022
Fetal Death: $21.00 effective 01/01/2022
Marriage: $17.00 effective 01/01/2022

All fee increases are mandated by Assembly Bill (AB) 128 (Chapter 21, Statutes 2021). 2022 rates revised as of November 24, 2021.

VICTIMS OF WILDFIRES OR OTHER NATURAL DISASTERS THAT HAVE BEEN DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY BY THE GOVERNOR MAY OBTAIN CERTIFIED COPIES OF THESE RECORDS AT NO COST. PLEASE CONTACT THE COUNTY RECORDER FOR THE REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTAL SWORN STATEMENT AT (559) 675-7724 OR RECORDERINFO@MADERACOUNTY.COM.

Download an Application

Birth Certificate Application
Death Certificate Application
Fetal Death Certificate Application
Marriage Certificate Application (Public or Confidential)

The Madera County Clerk-Recorder does not maintain any records of divorce. You must contact the Superior Court in which the divorce was filed for any information.

Confidential Marriage Certificate

Certified copies of confidential marriage certificates are only available to the parties of that confidential marriage and identification must be presented at the time of the request. Informational copies are not available for confidential marriage certificates.

Fetal Death Certificate

Certified copies of fetal death certificates may be issued to any party upon request and payment of fee that can supply sufficient information to locate the record.

A Certificate of Still Birth may only be issued to the parents listed on the record. This certificate may only be issued by the Madera County Public Health Department or the CDPH upon request and payment of fees.

Vital Record Amendments

To amend a vital record, please visit the California Department of Public Health website for more information.

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