Supervisors | History | Fast Facts | County Departments:
Friday, July 04, 2008

Recorder Home Page
   
   
Request Vital Records
   
Legislative Changes


BIRTH, DEATH AND MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES

Did you know that the guidelines for ordering birth and death certificates are changing?

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.

When 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. When ordering by mail, a properly completed and notarized application form, signed under penalty of perjury by the authorized requestor, is required.

The following persons are authorized by law to receive a certified copy of a birth or death record:

1. The registrant or a parent or legal guardian of the registrant.
2. 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.
3. A member of a law enforcement agency or a representative of another governmental agency, as provided by law, who is conducting official business.
4. A child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse or domestic partner of the registrant.
5. 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.
6. Any funeral director 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).


Fees:

Birth - $14
Death - $12

Please provide a money order if ordering by mail, payable to Madera County Recorder. If ordering in person, pay in cash, by money order, or personal check
(on a California checking account), with appropriate identification.

Download an application:

ORDERING A CERTIFIED COPY OF A MARRIAGE RECORD

The Recorder’s office can provide certified copies of public marriage records if the bride and groom obtained their marriage license in Madera County. A certified copy may be purchased in person or by mail. A certified copy may not be faxed, e-mailed, or purchased over the internet.

No special application form is required to place an order. When ordering a certified copy, please provide the following information:

Name of the bride (provide surname at the time the license was purchased, prior
to the wedding)
Name of groom
Date of the marriage ceremony

The fee is $13 for each certified copy. Please provide a money order if ordering by mail, payable to Madera County Recorder. If ordering in person, pay in cash, by money order, or personal check (on a California checking account), with appropriate identification.


Contacting Us Arrow The Recorder division is open Monday through Friday,
with the exception of holidays. Business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Documents are accepted for recording from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. only.


We are located at:
200 West 4th Street
Madera, CA 93637
Map this location for me


County Logo
Main Page

County of Madera
200 West 4th Street
Madera, CA 93637
USA
Map this location for me
General Information:
559-675-7703
Board of Supervisors:
559-675-7700
Fax:
559-673-3302
Address All General Email To:

For Emergencies
Dial 911
CA Flex Logo

©2001 Madera County. All Rights Reserved. Please review our terms of use and privacy policy. This site meets or exceeds The Federal Information Technology Accessibility Initiative. This page was last updated: Tuesday, April 01, 2008.