Fresno County Death Certificates
Fresno County death records provide vital information for deaths in this Central Valley agricultural region. The county uses a two office system for death certificates. The Department of Public Health Vital Statistics maintains records for deaths within the last two years. The County Recorder office handles older death records beyond 24 months. Each certified copy costs $24. You can request records in person, by mail, or through the county's online Permit ium portal. Historical death records from 1878 to 1950 are available on microfilm at the California State Archives. The offices serve families, legal representatives, funeral homes, and researchers who need certified copies or death record information.
Fresno County Death Records Facts
Which Office to Contact
Fresno County splits death certificate responsibilities between two offices based on record age. For recent deaths within the last 24 months, contact the Fresno County Department of Public Health Vital Statistics. Call them at 559-600-3310. They keep records on file for births and deaths that occurred in Fresno County within the past two years per Health and Safety Code Section 102365.
For deaths older than 24 months, contact the Fresno County Recorder's Office. Their phone number is 559-600-3476. The Recorder maintains the historical archive of vital records. This division of labor helps each office specialize in their time period.
Death certificates cost $24 per copy in Fresno County. This is slightly lower than the standard California fee of $26 that most counties charge. Each county has some flexibility in pricing within state guidelines. The fee covers staff time to search files and produce a certified document.
Fresno County operates an online vital records ordering system through the Permitium portal for convenient certificate requests.
The online system allows you to order birth and death certificates electronically with payment processing and tracking capabilities.
How to Request Certificates
You can get Fresno County death certificates three ways. Visit the appropriate office in person. Mail your request to the correct office based on record age. Or use the county's online Permitium system.
For in person requests, go to the Department of Public Health if the death occurred within the last two years. Go to the Recorder's Office if the death was more than two years ago. Bring valid photo ID like a driver license or passport. Fill out their death certificate application. Provide the deceased person's full name, date of death, and place of death in Fresno County. More details help staff locate the record faster.
Pay the $24 fee by cash, check, or money order. Make checks payable to Fresno County. Staff will search their files and produce a certified copy if they find the record. Processing times vary but many same day requests are possible for recent deaths.
Mail requests need a completed application, photocopy of your ID, and payment. Send to the correct office based on when the death occurred. Public Health handles last 24 months. Recorder handles older than 24 months. Allow two to four weeks for processing and mail delivery.
The online Permitium portal at fresnocav.permitium.com/rod lets you order electronically. Enter the deceased person's information. Upload ID documents. Pay by credit card. The system processes requests and tracks their status. Online orders typically take one to three weeks.
Who Can Get Death Records
California law defines who can receive authorized certified copies versus informational copies. Authorized copies contain full details and work for legal purposes. Informational copies have the same data but limited use.
Authorized copies go to immediate family including parents, children, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, spouses, and domestic partners. Attorneys for the deceased or estate qualify. Court appointed reps, funeral directors, and government officials doing official business have access too.
Authorized requests require a notarized sworn statement declaring your relationship under penalty of perjury. Visit a notary public to have your signature witnessed and sealed. One statement covers multiple certificates.
Anyone can get informational copies without notarization. These work for genealogy but not legal identity purposes due to the stamp across the front.
Old Fresno County Death Records
The California State Archives has Fresno County death records on microfilm from 1878 to 1950. These old records are open to public access without restriction. Contact the State Archives at 916-653-6814 or visit 1020 O Street in Sacramento.
For deaths after July 1905, both the county and state maintain records. The California Department of Public Health Vital Records started collecting certificates statewide in 1905. You can request Fresno County deaths from CDPH at P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento, CA 95899-7410. Phone 916-445-2684.
Adjacent Counties
Fresno County sits in the Central Valley and Sierra Nevada. Madera County is north. Tulare County lies south. Kings County is west. Merced County and Mariposa County border to the northwest. Mono County and Inyo County are east in the mountains.
Each county maintains its own vital records. Make sure you know which county the death occurred in before requesting records.
Major Cities in Fresno County
Fresno County includes the city of Fresno, which has a population over 500,000. Other communities include Clovis, Sanger, and Selma. Deaths in any city within the county get registered with Fresno County offices, not city halls.