Tulare County Birth Records Search

Birth records in Tulare County are stored at the County Clerk-Recorder office in Visalia. Located in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, Tulare County is one of the larger and more populated counties in Central California. If you or a family member was born here, the Clerk-Recorder can help you get a certified copy of the birth certificate. This guide explains the process, lists the fees, and tells you what documents you need. Whether you visit in person or order by mail, the steps are simple.

Tulare County Clerk-Recorder Office

The Tulare County Clerk-Recorder is in downtown Visalia. This is the main office for vital records in the county. Staff here handle birth certificates, death records, marriage licenses, and more. They can answer your questions and guide you through the process.

The office address is 221 South Mooney Boulevard, Room 101, Visalia, CA 93291. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM. The office is closed for state holidays. Call 559-636-5051 if you have questions or want to check hours before you visit.

When you get to the office, take a number if there is a line. The clerk will call you when it is your turn. Bring your photo ID and be ready to fill out a short form. You write down the name on the record, the date of birth, and your reason for the request. After you pay, the clerk searches for the record. Most visits take about 15 to 30 minutes.

Birth Certificate Fees

The fee for a certified copy of a birth certificate in Tulare County is $31 per copy. This is the standard fee set by California law for most counties. If you need more than one copy, each extra copy is also $31.

Payment can be made by cash, check, or card at the counter. Checks should be made out to Tulare County Clerk. There may be a small charge for using a credit or debit card. Ask the clerk if you want to know the exact amount before you pay.

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

How to Order Birth Records

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

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

By mail works well if you live far from Visalia or cannot take time off work. 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 $31 per copy. Mail it to the Clerk-Recorder at 221 South Mooney Boulevard, Room 101, Visalia, CA 93291. Allow 2 to 3 weeks for mail and processing.

Online ordering is also an option through VitalChek. You fill out the form on their site and pay with a card. They add a service fee on top of the county fee. The total is higher, but it can be easier if you do not want to print forms or go to the post office. Expect 3 to 4 weeks for delivery.

Who Can Get a Certified Copy

California has rules about 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 named on the record, a parent on the record, a legal guardian, a spouse, a domestic partner, a child, a grandchild, a grandparent, or a sibling. Attorneys can request copies for their clients. Government workers and law enforcement can get copies for official use.

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 proving identity. You can still use it for family 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. Having all the details ready makes the process go faster.

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. Provide the date of birth if you know it. Even a close guess helps narrow things down. The place of birth should be in Tulare County for this office to have the record. If the birth was in a different county, 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 she got married. 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 as well. Bring a photo ID like a driver license, state ID card, or passport 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 3 weeks. This includes time for your letter to arrive, time for the office to process it, and time for the certificate to come back to you. If you need it faster, go in person or pay for expedited shipping through an online service.

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

Older and Historical Records

Tulare County has birth records going back to the mid 1800s. The county was formed in 1852, so some of the oldest birth records in California may be here. Very old records might be on microfilm or stored in a different location.

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 and explain the request process.

State Level Birth Records

You can also get a Tulare 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 if you prefer to order online.

The state fee is $29 per copy. VitalChek and other online services 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 they can get faster service in person. Others like the state option for the ease of online ordering. Both give you the same certified copy of the birth record.

Nearby Counties

If you need birth records from areas near Tulare County, check with these nearby offices.

Fresno County is to the north. Kings County is to the west. Kern County is to the south. Inyo County is to the east across the Sierra Nevada. Each county has its own clerk-recorder office with its own fees and hours.

Tulare County is large and covers a lot of ground. If you are not sure which county a birth took place in, the clerk may be able to help. Hospital records or family members can also give you clues.

Cities in Tulare County

Tulare County has several cities and towns spread across the valley. The largest city is Visalia, which is also the county seat. All residents in the county go to the same Clerk-Recorder office in Visalia for birth certificates. No city in Tulare County has its own vital records office.

Other cities in the county include Porterville, Tulare, Dinuba, Lindsay, and Exeter. Smaller towns like Woodlake, Farmersville, and Pixley are also served by the county office. The process is the same no matter where in Tulare County you live or were born.