Access Colusa County Birth Records

Colusa County birth records are kept by the Clerk-Recorder office in Colusa city. This small agricultural county in the Sacramento Valley has about 22,000 residents. The county stretches from the valley floor to the Coast Range mountains. Colusa serves as both the county name and the county seat. The Clerk-Recorder maintains vital records going back many years. Requesting a birth certificate is straightforward whether you go in person, send a mail request, or use an online service. This guide covers everything you need to know about getting birth records in Colusa County.

Colusa County Clerk-Recorder Birth Certificate Services

The Colusa County Clerk-Recorder handles all vital records for the county. This includes birth certificates, death records, and marriage licenses. The office is in Colusa city at the county courthouse. Staff assist with records requests during regular business hours.

Contact info for the Colusa County Clerk-Recorder:

• Phone: (530) 458-0500
• Address: 546 Jay Street, Suite 200, Colusa, CA 95932
• Website: countyofcolusaca.gov

The office is open Monday through Friday. Hours may vary so call ahead before your visit. Parking is available near the courthouse. The staff is helpful and can guide you through the request process. They know the local records well.

The state health department also has birth records for California. The California Department of Public Health keeps copies of all births since July 1905. You can order from either the county or the state depending on your preference.

How to Get Colusa County Birth Certificates

You have a few options for getting a birth certificate from Colusa County. Each method has its own timeline and steps. Choose based on how soon you need it and how far you are from the office.

In-person requests are handled at the Colusa office. Bring valid photo ID with you. Fill out a request form at the counter. Include the full name on the birth record, date of birth, place of birth, and parents' names if known. Pay the $34 fee by cash, check, or card. Staff will search for the record. Same-day service is common for walk-in requests. The whole process usually takes 20 to 40 minutes.

Mail requests work if you cannot travel to Colusa. Get the application form from the county website or write a letter with all the needed info. State your name, address, and relationship to the person on the record. Sign the form. For authorized copies, have your signature notarized. Send your request with a $34 check or money order to the Jay Street address. Processing takes about 2 weeks. Add time for mail each way.

VitalChek offers online ordering for California birth records. Fill out their web form and pay by credit card. They add a service fee on top of the county charge. Total runs about $40 to $47. Orders process in 2 to 4 weeks before shipping. This option is good for people who prefer online convenience.

Who Can Request Colusa Birth Records

California law restricts who can get certified birth certificates. These rules protect privacy. They apply the same way in all 58 counties including Colusa.

Authorized copies are for people with a close tie to the record. You can get your own certificate. Parents and legal guardians can request their children's records. Adult children can get their parents' certificates. Spouses, domestic partners, grandparents, grandchildren, and siblings are eligible too. Attorneys representing someone can request copies. Government workers get access for official duties.

Everyone else receives an informational copy. This type has a statement printed on the face. It says the copy is not valid for proving identity. Informational copies show all the same birth data. They work for genealogy or other non-legal uses. They cannot be used for passports, licenses, or other ID purposes.

You must prove who you are when requesting a record. Show valid ID for walk-in requests. Mail and online orders need a sworn statement under penalty of perjury. This statement confirms your identity and right to the record. Lying on the form is a crime in California.

Colusa County Birth Certificate Fees

Colusa County charges $34 for each birth certificate copy. This is slightly above the state minimum. The fee applies no matter how you order.

Additional copies cost the same price each. If you need three copies, you pay $102. Many people order extras to have spares on hand. Birth certificates are needed at various points throughout life.

Payment depends on how you order. At the counter, cash, check, or credit card works. Card payments may have a small added fee. Mail orders require a check or money order made out to Colusa County. Never mail cash. Online orders through VitalChek use credit or debit cards with their service fee added.

Fees can change. California adjusted some county fees starting January 2026 under Assembly Bill 64. Check the current fee before you order. The county website or a phone call can confirm the exact amount.

Historical Birth Records in Colusa County

Colusa County is one of the original counties created when California became a state in 1850. Birth records may go back to those early years. The completeness of old records varies. Some early records were lost or damaged.

For births before July 1905, only county records exist. California did not start keeping statewide birth records until that date. The Colusa County Clerk-Recorder is your source for very old records. Call them to ask what years they have on file.

The California State Archives sometimes has historical records from various counties. They maintain copies of old vital records for research purposes. Records more than 75 years old are open to anyone. You do not need to prove a family connection. This helps genealogists trace their ancestors.

Agriculture has always driven Colusa County. Families have farmed the Sacramento Valley for generations. Old birth records can help connect family histories back to the early settlers. The Clerk-Recorder can search their historical files for you.

Colusa Birth Records Processing Times

Processing time varies based on your order method. Plan ahead if you need the certificate by a specific date.

Walk-in requests at the Colusa office are usually handled the same day. Staff search the database and print your copy while you wait. Typical wait is 20 to 40 minutes. Busy periods may take longer. Calling ahead can help you know what to expect.

Mail orders take about 2 weeks to process once received. Add time for your letter to reach them and for the copy to mail back. Total turnaround is usually 3 to 4 weeks. Complete forms process faster. Missing info causes delays.

VitalChek orders process in 2 to 4 weeks. Then the certificate ships by mail. Standard shipping takes several more days. Faster shipping is available for an extra charge.

New births need time to enter the system. Hospitals have 21 days to file. The county then processes the filing. Wait at least 6 weeks after a birth before ordering. Ordering too soon may result in a "record not found" response.

Nearby Counties for Birth Records

Colusa County is in the northern Sacramento Valley. It borders several other agricultural and mountain counties. If you are not sure where a birth occurred, you may need to check neighboring counties.

Counties near Colusa:

Families in rural areas often traveled to hospitals in larger towns. A Colusa County family might have given birth in Yuba City, Woodland, or Chico. Think about where the nearest hospital was when searching for birth records.