Find Kings County Birth Records

Kings County birth records are kept at the Clerk-Recorder office in Hanford. This San Joaquin Valley county sits in the heart of California's agricultural region. Births at hospitals in Hanford, Lemoore, Avenal, and Corcoran are all recorded with the county. Kings County has about 150,000 residents, making it a mid-sized county by California standards. The Clerk-Recorder office provides birth certificate services by mail, in person, and online. This page covers everything you need to request certified copies of Kings County birth records.

Kings County Clerk-Recorder Office

The Kings County Clerk-Recorder is the local authority for birth certificates. The office is in Hanford, the county seat. Staff handle birth, death, and marriage records along with property recordings and other official functions. The office serves residents from across the county.

The office is located at 1400 W. Lacey Boulevard, Hanford, CA 93230. You can call 559-852-2470 with questions. Office hours are Monday through Friday during regular business hours. The staff can tell you the current fee schedule and what documents you need when you call. Hanford is a small city, so the office is usually not as crowded as larger county offices.

Kings County fees vary based on the type of request and current fee schedule. Contact the office to confirm the exact amount before ordering. The base fee is around $29 or slightly more. Check their website or call for the latest pricing. Payment at the counter accepts cash, check, and credit cards. Mail orders need a check or money order payable to Kings County Clerk-Recorder.

Kings County uses the Permitium system for online vital records orders. This platform is also known as VitalDirector in some counties.

Order Kings County Birth Certificates Online

Kings County offers online ordering through the Permitium platform. This system lets you request birth certificates from home without visiting the office or mailing forms. Many people find online ordering the most convenient option.

To use the online system, go to the Kings County Clerk-Recorder website and find the vital records section. Click through to the online ordering portal. Enter the birth information including full name, date of birth, place of birth in Kings County, and parents' names. Provide your information and relationship to the person. Pay by credit card. The system adds a processing fee on top of the base county fee.

Online orders go into the queue with other requests. The county processes orders in the order received. After processing, the certificate ships by mail. Total time from order to delivery runs about 2 to 3 weeks. Expedited shipping options may be available for an extra charge. Check the portal for current shipping choices.

VitalChek is another online option. It connects to the state system for all California counties. Fees may differ between Permitium and VitalChek. Compare both if cost matters. Either method delivers an official Kings County birth certificate to your door.

Getting Kings County Birth Records in Person

Visiting the Hanford office in person is the fastest way to get a birth certificate. Same day service is often possible for straightforward requests. Bring valid photo ID when you go.

The Clerk-Recorder office is at 1400 W. Lacey Boulevard. Parking is available nearby. Go in during business hours. Tell the counter staff you need a birth certificate. They give you an application form. Fill in the details about the birth. The clerk searches the records. If found, they print your certificate while you wait. Pay the fee and leave with the document.

Simple requests take about 15 to 30 minutes. Busy times or complicated requests take longer. Older records may need extra research. The staff will let you know if they cannot complete your request the same day.

If you need an authorized copy, the clerk verifies your eligibility. Bring proof of your relationship to the person on the certificate. Parents might show ID with matching addresses. Siblings might show their own birth certificates with the same parents listed. The more documentation you bring, the smoother the process goes.

Mail Requests for Kings County Birth Certificates

Mail orders work well for people who live outside the Hanford area or prefer not to use online systems. The process takes a few weeks but requires no travel.

Download the birth certificate request form from the Kings County website. Print it and fill in all sections completely. Write the full name on the certificate, date of birth, place of birth within Kings County, and parents' names. Include your return address and contact information. Explain your relationship to the person named on the certificate.

Enclose payment by check or money order. Call the office first to confirm the current fee. Make payment payable to Kings County Clerk-Recorder. Include a copy of your photo ID to verify your identity. Mail everything to Kings County Clerk-Recorder, 1400 W. Lacey Boulevard, Hanford, CA 93230.

Processing takes 2 to 4 weeks including mail time both ways. The county handles requests as they come in. Busy periods may extend the timeline. After processing, the certificate ships back to your address by regular mail.

Who Can Get Kings County Birth Records

California law limits who can receive an authorized birth certificate. The same rules apply in Kings County as everywhere in the state. Only certain people qualify for the version that works as legal identification.

The authorized list includes the person named on the certificate. Parents, legal guardians, children, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, spouses, and domestic partners also qualify. Attorneys representing the person or their estate can get authorized copies. Government agencies with official business have access. If you are in one of these groups, Kings County issues an authorized copy.

Everyone else gets an informational copy. This version has text printed across it saying it cannot be used to prove identity. The copy still contains all the birth information. Genealogists and family researchers commonly order informational copies. They work for historical research and personal records just not for legal ID purposes.

When you apply, be ready to verify who you are and how you connect to the person on the certificate. The Clerk-Recorder staff checks your application before deciding which type of copy to issue.

Birth Records in Kings County's Agricultural Region

Kings County is in the heart of California's agricultural belt. The county economy centers on farming, food processing, and related industries. This affects the population and how people access government services.

Hanford is the largest city and county seat. Most county services are there. Lemoore is the second largest city, home to Naval Air Station Lemoore. Military families stationed there often need birth certificates for dependents. The base brings families from across the country who may need certified copies of California births that occurred while stationed in Kings County.

Corcoran and Avenal are smaller communities. Both have state prisons that employ local residents. Farm towns and rural areas fill out the rest of the county. Residents in outlying areas often use mail or online ordering rather than driving to Hanford.

The agricultural economy means seasonal population changes. Farm workers move in and out of the area. Some births occur to families who later relocate. Those families may need Kings County birth certificates years later from wherever they now live. Mail and online ordering serve this mobile population well.

Historical Kings County Birth Records

Kings County was formed in 1893 from parts of Tulare County. Birth records exist from the county's beginning. However, California did not require statewide birth registration until 1905. Earlier records may be less complete.

For births before July 1905, the county is your primary source. The state does not have records that old. Contact the Kings County Clerk-Recorder to ask about historical holdings. Staff can search older indexes and archives. Some records from the 1890s survive while others were lost to fire, flood, or simple neglect over the decades.

Before 1893, when Kings County was part of Tulare County, births in this region were recorded there. If you need a birth record from before county formation, contact the Tulare County Recorder in Visalia. They have historical records for the area that predates Kings County.

The California State Archives also holds historical vital records. Records more than 75 years old are open to the public. Contact the archives at (916) 653-6814 to ask about Kings County materials. Local historical societies may have additional leads on tracing family history in the region.

State Records for Kings County Births

The California Department of Public Health is another source for Kings County birth certificates. CDPH in Sacramento has copies of all California births since July 1905. You can order from the state rather than the county if you prefer.

The state charges $29 per copy. This may be slightly less than Kings County depending on current fees. However, CDPH has no walk-in counter. All orders go by mail or through VitalChek. The state handles records for all 58 counties. Processing takes longer due to volume. Expect 4 to 8 weeks from CDPH versus 2 to 3 weeks from Kings County.

To order from the state, complete form VS 111. Fill in the birth details and note that the birth happened in Kings County. Add parents' names and your information. For an authorized copy, notarize your signature. Mail the form and payment to CDPH Vital Records, P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento, CA 95899-7410.

Most people find the county faster for Kings County records. The state option works if you prefer a single source or want the state fee rate.

Nearby County Birth Records

Kings County borders several other Central Valley counties. If the birth occurred outside Kings County limits, contact the right county for that area.

Fresno County is to the north. Their recorder is in Fresno and charges $29. Tulare County is to the east with offices in Visalia and a fee of $31. Kern County is to the south with offices in Bakersfield charging $31. Monterey County is to the west over the coastal mountains.

Some Kings County communities are near county lines. Families might live in one county but use a hospital in another. If the birth physically occurred in a neighboring county, you need records from that county. The Kings County Clerk-Recorder can only issue certificates for births that happened within Kings County boundaries.

Correcting Kings County Birth Certificates

Birth certificates sometimes need corrections. Names may be misspelled. Dates could be wrong. Information might be missing. Kings County handles amendments through the Clerk-Recorder office.

Minor corrections are simpler. Typos and small errors require an amendment form and supporting documents. Proof might include hospital records, baptismal records, or other papers from around the time of birth. Submit the form with documents and fee. The county reviews everything and updates the record if justified.

Major changes need court proceedings. Adding a parent after the fact usually requires a court order. Legal name changes go through the court system. The Kings County Superior Court handles these cases. Once a judge signs an order, the Clerk-Recorder can amend the birth record. Attorneys can help with these more complex situations.

Delayed registration covers births that were never properly recorded at the time. California allows late registration with enough evidence. You need proof like old school records, census data, or sworn statements from witnesses. The county reviews the evidence before creating a delayed registration.

Browse More California Birth Records

Looking for birth records from another California county? Use the links below to find information for nearby areas and major population centers.

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