Doing research at the Butte County Clerk’s office

November 2, 8:06 AMChico Genealogy ExaminerJennifer Regan

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Butte County Clerk-Recorder's Office
J.Regan

The Butte County Clerk-Recorder’s office holds the vital records for the county. Birth and death certificates are available from 1859 to present, and marriage records date from 1851. You can either order online or mail in your request (each record type has a different mail-in form, accessible at their website). There are fees involved ($13-$15 depending on the type of record). VitalCheck Network processes all online orders for Butte county vital records, and there is usually a small fee added to the order to cover shipping. This office does not do research, so you will want to have as much information for the application as possible.

You should be aware that in California, certain types of vital records are only released to the individuals named in the document or their immediate family. Only these people can get a “certified copy” of the document (they must sign a sworn statement attesting to their identity and relationship). Almost anyone, however, can get a “certified information copy” of a vital record. This copy is stamped as an informational copy and not valid as proof of identity. Fortunately, it is still accepted by historical and genealogical societies as a valid source. When filling out the application for a vital record, always check the “certified informational copy” box or your request will be denied. (For more information on California’s vital record privacy policies, please see California’s Office of Vital Records website).


The county Clerk’s office also has deed indices, plat maps, and other land records. These records are not available online through this office. You must go in person to access these records.

Location:
County Administration Building
County Clerk-Recorder, Lower Level
25 County Center Drive, Suite 105
Oroville, CA 95965-3375
Phone: 530-538-7691

Hours:
Monday-Friday 9am – 5pm

Every effort has been made to make sure these hours are valid, but you may want to call or check their website before your visit to make sure.