Search Alpine County Birth Records

Alpine County birth records are managed by the County Clerk office in Markleeville. This is the smallest county in California by population, with about 1,100 residents. The county sits high in the Sierra Nevada mountains along the Nevada border. Despite its small size, the Clerk office maintains complete vital records going back many decades. Requesting a birth certificate here is a straightforward process. The office is small but handles requests with personal attention. You can order online through their portal or contact them directly by phone or mail.

Alpine County Clerk Birth Certificate Services

The Alpine County Clerk handles all vital records for the county. This includes birth certificates, death records, and marriage licenses. The office is located in Markleeville, which serves as the county seat. Due to the remote location, many people choose to order by mail or online rather than visit in person.

Contact details for the Alpine County Clerk:

• Phone: (530) 694-2283
• Address: 99 Water Street, Markleeville, CA 96120
• Website: alpinecountyca.gov

The office has limited hours due to the small staff. Call ahead before making the drive to Markleeville. The mountain roads can be difficult in winter months. Snow closes Highway 89 for parts of the year. Plan your visit for summer or early fall if you want to go in person.

The county website has info about vital records services. You can find forms and fee schedules there. The site also explains who can request copies and what ID you need.

Order Alpine County Birth Records Online

Alpine County uses the Permitium system for online vital records orders. This makes it easy to request birth certificates from anywhere. You do not need to travel to the remote county office. The online portal accepts credit card payments.

To use the online system, go to the Permitium portal for Alpine County. Fill out the request form with details about the birth. Include the full name, date of birth, and parents' names if you know them. Select how many copies you want. The system will calculate the total fee.

The screenshot shows the online ordering system. It walks you through each step. You can track your order after you submit it. Most online orders ship within 1 to 2 weeks. Standard shipping is by USPS mail.

Online ordering adds a small service fee. The total is still reasonable compared to driving to Markleeville. For most people, the online option is the best choice. It saves time and gas money. The portal is available 24 hours a day, so you can order whenever it works for you.

Who Can Request Alpine County Birth Certificates

California has strict rules about who can get birth certificates. These rules apply in Alpine County just like everywhere else in the state. The law aims to protect privacy and prevent fraud.

Authorized copies go to people with a direct connection to the record. This includes the person named on the certificate. Parents and legal guardians can get copies for their minor children. Adult children can request their parents' birth records. Spouses, domestic partners, grandparents, grandchildren, and siblings are also eligible. Attorneys and court-appointed representatives can request copies for legal matters.

Everyone else gets an informational copy. This type of copy has a notice on it. The notice says the document cannot be used to establish identity. Informational copies still show the same birth data. They work fine for genealogy research or other non-legal uses. You just cannot use them for things like getting a passport.

When you request a birth certificate, you must prove who you are. Bring a valid photo ID for in-person requests. Mail and online orders require a sworn statement. You sign this statement under penalty of perjury. Making false statements is a crime in California. The county keeps records of all requests.

Mail Requests for Alpine Birth Records

You can order birth certificates by mail if you prefer not to use the online system. This works well for people without internet access or credit cards. The process takes a bit longer than online orders.

Start by getting the request form. You can download it from the county website. Or call the Clerk office and ask them to mail you a form. Fill out all the blanks with the info about the birth you need. Include your own name, address, and phone number. State your relationship to the person on the record.

For an authorized copy, your signature must be notarized. Find a notary public at a bank, shipping store, or other business. They will watch you sign and stamp the form. This proves your identity. Informational copies do not need notarization.

Include your payment with the form. Send a check or money order made out to Alpine County. Do not send cash through the mail. Put everything in an envelope and mail it to the County Clerk at 99 Water Street, Markleeville, CA 96120. Processing takes about 2 weeks once they get your request. Add time for return mail.

Historical Alpine County Birth Records

Alpine County was created in 1864 during the mining boom era. Early birth records may be sparse. The county has always had a very small population. Fewer births means fewer records to search through.

For births before July 1905, the county is your only source. California did not keep statewide birth records until then. The Alpine County Clerk may have older records in their files. Contact them to ask what years they have on file. Some old records were lost to fire or other damage over the years.

The California State Archives sometimes has copies of old county records. They maintain historical vital records from various counties. Records more than 75 years old are public. Anyone can access them without proving a relationship. This helps genealogy researchers trace family lines.

Mining brought many workers to the Sierra Nevada in the 1800s. Some stayed and raised families. If your ancestors lived in the mountains during that time, Alpine County records might have useful info. The Clerk office can search their historical files for you.

Alpine County Birth Certificate Fees

Fees for Alpine County birth certificates follow state guidelines. The exact amount can change from year to year. Contact the Clerk office for the current fee before you order. As of recent updates, most California counties charge between $29 and $36 per copy.

Online orders through Permitium include a small service fee. This covers the cost of running the online system. The fee is added to your total at checkout. Most people find this worth the convenience of ordering from home.

Additional copies ordered at the same time may cost less per copy. Ask about this when you call or check the online portal. It can save money if you need more than one copy. Many people order two or three copies to have extras on hand.

Payment options depend on how you order. In-person requests can be paid by cash, check, or card. Mail orders require a check or money order. Online orders use credit or debit cards. The county does not accept payment apps or other digital payment methods at this time.

Nearby Counties for Birth Records

Alpine County is surrounded by other Sierra Nevada and foothill counties. If you are not sure where a birth occurred, you may need to check multiple counties. Each county keeps its own records.

Counties bordering Alpine include:

Many families in the Sierra region moved between counties over the years. A birth might have happened in a different county than where the family ended up living. Check hospital locations too. The nearest hospital to Alpine County residents might be in El Dorado or Douglas County, Nevada.