Tehama County Birth Records

Birth records in Tehama County are kept by the Clerk-Recorder office in Red Bluff. This rural county in Northern California has records for all births that took place in the area. Whether you were born in Red Bluff, Corning, or one of the smaller towns in the county, the Clerk-Recorder is the place to go. This guide shows you how to request a birth certificate, what fees to expect, and how long the process takes. The staff in Red Bluff can help you through each step.

Tehama County Clerk-Recorder Office

The Tehama County Clerk-Recorder is based in Red Bluff. This office handles birth certificates, death records, marriage licenses, and other vital records for the whole county. The staff can help you find the record you need and fill out the forms.

The office address is 633 Washington Street, Room 11, Red Bluff, CA 96080. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM. The office is closed on state holidays. If you plan to visit, call ahead at 530-527-3350 to make sure they are open and to ask any questions.

When you get to the office, let the clerk know you need a birth certificate. They will give you a form to fill out. You write down the name on the record, the date of birth, and other basic facts. Bring your photo ID so they can check who you are. After you pay, the clerk will get your record. Most visits take about 15 to 30 minutes.

Birth Certificate Fees

The fee for a certified copy of a birth certificate in Tehama County is $29 per copy. This matches the state base fee. If you need more than one copy, each extra copy is also $29. Some people get two or three copies at once so they have extras on hand.

Payment can be made by cash, check, or card at the counter. Checks should be made out to Tehama County Clerk. There may be a small charge for using a credit or debit card. Ask the clerk about this before you pay.

If you order by mail, send a check or money order. Do not send cash through the mail. Make sure to include enough for the number of copies you want. The office will return your request if the payment is short.

How to Order Birth Records

You can get a birth certificate from Tehama County in a few different ways. Each way has its own steps and wait time. Pick the method that fits your needs.

In person is the fastest option. Visit the Clerk-Recorder office in Red Bluff. Fill out the form, show your ID, and pay the fee. If the record is in the system, you can leave with it in about 20 minutes. Older records may take more time to find.

By mail is good if you live far from Red Bluff. Download the form from the county website or write a letter with all the details. Include the full name on the record, the date of birth, the place of birth, and your reason for the request. Add a copy of your photo ID and a check for $29 per copy. Mail it to the Clerk-Recorder at 633 Washington Street, Room 11, Red Bluff, CA 96080. Expect 2 to 4 weeks for the mail to go both ways and for the office to process your request.

Online ordering is also an option through third party services like VitalChek. You fill out the form on their site and pay with a card. The fee is higher because they add a service charge. But it can be more handy if you do not want to print forms or go to the post office.

Who Can Get a Certified Birth Record

California law limits who can get an authorized copy of a birth certificate. Only certain people have the right to request one. If you are not on the list, you can still get a copy, but it will be marked as informational only.

People who can get an authorized copy include the person on the record, a parent on the record, a legal guardian, a spouse, a domestic partner, a child or grandchild, a grandparent, or a sibling. Attorneys can request copies for clients they represent. Law enforcement and some government workers can get copies for official work.

If you are not in one of these groups, you will get an informational copy. This copy has words printed on it that say it is not valid for ID purposes. You can still use it for family history research or to see what is on the record. It just will not work for things like getting a passport or driver license.

Information Needed for Your Request

To get a birth certificate, you need to give some basic facts about the birth. The more details you have, the easier it is for the clerk to find the right record.

Start with the full name on the birth record. This is the name at the time of birth, not any name changes that came later. Give the date of birth if you know it. Even an approximate date helps. The place of birth should be in Tehama County for this office to have the record. If the birth was in a different county, you need to contact that county instead.

The mother's maiden name is often asked for on the form. This is the last name the mother had before marriage. The father's name can help too if it is on the record. Your own name and your reason for the request go on the form. Bring a photo ID like a driver license or state ID card to prove who you are.

Processing Times

In person visits are the quickest. Most people get their birth certificate in 15 to 30 minutes. If the record is old or hard to find, the wait may be longer. The clerk will let you know if there is a delay.

Mail requests take 2 to 4 weeks. This includes time for your letter to reach the office, time for staff to process it, and time for the certificate to come back to you in the mail. If you need it sooner, go in person or pay for faster shipping.

Online orders through VitalChek take about 3 to 4 weeks. You can pay extra for expedited shipping. This cuts down the wait but costs more. Check the VitalChek site for current options and prices.

Older and Historical Records

Tehama County has birth records going back to the late 1800s. The county was formed in 1856, so some of the oldest records in Northern California may be here. Very old records might be on microfilm or stored in a separate place.

For births before July 1905, the county is often the only source. The state did not start keeping statewide records until that date. If you need a very old record, call the office first. Staff can tell you if they have it and how long it will take to get.

Records more than 75 years old are usually open to anyone. You do not need to prove a family link for genealogy research on older records. The clerk can help you find what is available.

State Level Birth Records

You can also get a Tehama County birth record from the California Department of Public Health. The state has copies of all births since July 1905. This can be a good backup if the county office is busy or far from you.

The state fee is $29 per copy. Online services like VitalChek add a charge on top of that. The total is usually about $31 or more. Processing takes several weeks by mail. The state does not have a public counter right now.

Some people prefer the county office because the staff is local and the process can be faster in person. Others like the state option for online ordering. Both give you the same certified copy of the birth record.

Nearby Counties

If you need birth records from areas next to Tehama County, check with these nearby offices.

Shasta County is to the north. Butte County is to the south. Glenn County is to the southwest. Plumas County is to the east. Each county has its own clerk-recorder office with its own fees and hours.

If you are not sure which county a birth took place in, the clerk can sometimes help you figure it out. Hospital records or family members may also know. Getting the right county saves time and money.

Cities in Tehama County

Tehama County has a few cities and many small towns. The largest city is Red Bluff, which is also the county seat. All residents in the county go to the same Clerk-Recorder office in Red Bluff for birth certificates. No city in Tehama County has its own vital records office.

Other communities in the county include Corning, Tehama, Los Molinos, and Gerber. All of these areas are served by the county office. The process is the same no matter where in Tehama County you live.