Find Clovis Death Records
Clovis death certificates are issued through Fresno County offices. The city does not maintain vital records. All deaths that occur in Clovis get registered with the county vital records system. Fresno County Department of Public Health Vital Statistics has records from the last 2 years. The Fresno County Recorder's Office has older death certificates. You cannot obtain death certificates from Clovis City Hall. All requests must go through the county. You can apply in person, by mail, or online. Each method has different processing times.
Fresno County Handles Death Records
Fresno County processes all death certificates for Clovis. The county has two offices that handle vital records. For recent deaths within the last 24 months, contact the Fresno County Department of Public Health Vital Statistics. Their phone number is (559) 600-3310. For deaths that occurred more than 2 years ago, contact the Fresno County Recorder's Office at (559) 600-3476.
The fee for a certified death certificate is $24 per copy. This is slightly lower than the state standard due to local fee structures. Payment must be made in advance. The fee covers a search of the files and one certified copy. If Fresno County cannot locate the record based on your information, they keep the search fee. They will issue a Certificate of No Public Record instead. Make sure your information is accurate before submitting your request.
Fresno County has an online ordering system at fresnocav.permitium.com/rod. This system allows you to order vital records including death certificates. The website walks you through each step of the process. You enter the deceased person's information, select how many copies you need, and pay with a credit card. Online orders have processing fees on top of the certificate fee.
Request Process
Start by gathering information about the deceased person. You need the full legal name. Include the date of death or at least the year if you do not know the exact date. State that the death occurred in Clovis or Fresno County. Additional details help locate the record faster. These include age at death, birthdate, parents' names, and social security number.
Download an application form from the Fresno County website or pick one up at a county office. Fill out all required fields. Sign the form. If you need an authorized copy for legal purposes, you must include a notarized sworn statement. This statement declares that you are authorized to receive the record. Sign it in front of a notary public. Informational copies do not require notarization.
Include your payment with the application. Fresno County accepts checks, money orders, and credit cards for online orders. They also accept cash and debit cards for in-person visits. Mail your completed application and payment to the appropriate office. In-person visits may be processed faster than mail requests.
Authorized vs Informational Copies
Anyone can request an informational copy of a death certificate. No relationship to the deceased is required. Informational copies work for genealogy and family history research. They have a stamp stating they cannot be used to establish identity. These copies contain the same information as authorized copies but cannot be used for legal purposes.
Authorized copies require proof of eligibility. You must be related to the deceased or have a legal reason to obtain the record. Eligible requesters include parents, children, siblings, spouses, grandparents, and grandchildren. Attorneys representing the deceased or the estate can request them. Executors and court-appointed agents qualify. Government officials and law enforcement acting in official capacity are eligible. Funeral home staff handling the deceased's arrangements can get death records.
California Health and Safety Code Section 103526 sets these rules. The law protects the privacy of vital records while allowing access to those who need them. To get an authorized copy, you must provide a notarized sworn statement unless you are exempt. Law enforcement, government agencies, and funeral establishments do not need notarization for death records.
Processing Times
In-person requests at Fresno County offices may be completed within a few hours or the same day. Bring a valid photo ID and payment. Staff will search the files while you wait if possible. This is the fastest method.
Mail requests take longer, typically 2 to 4 weeks. This time includes processing plus mail delivery on both ends. Send your completed application and payment to the office that handles records for your time period. Recent deaths go to the Department of Public Health. Older deaths go to the Recorder's Office.
Online orders through the Fresno County system or VitalChek take 1 to 6 weeks depending on the shipping method you choose. Express shipping costs extra. Regular mail has no extra shipping charge. Online ordering is convenient but may take longer than in-person visits.
Death records become available about 2 weeks after the date of event. The local registrar needs time to complete the paperwork and file it with the county. If you try to order a certificate too soon, the record may not be in the system yet. Wait at least 2 weeks before requesting a certificate for a recent death.
State Department Alternative
You can also order death certificates from the California Department of Public Health Vital Records office. CDPH-VR has records for all deaths in California from July 1905 to present. Their fee is $26 per copy, which is slightly higher than Fresno County's $24 fee. Processing takes about 3 to 6 weeks for mail orders. Their address is P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento CA, 95899-7410. You can call them at (916) 445-2684.
CDPH certificates include the state file number. Some agencies require this number. County copies may not show it. If you need the state file number, order from CDPH. Otherwise, ordering from Fresno County may be cheaper and faster for Clovis deaths.
Nearby Cities
Fresno is the county seat and largest city in Fresno County. Both Fresno and Clovis use the same county offices for death certificates. Other cities in the county also follow the same procedures. All death certificate requests go through the county system. No city in Fresno County maintains its own vital records office.