Find Kings County Death Records

Kings County keeps death index files for all deaths in the county. You can get certified copies from the county office. The clerk has death records on file from past years to now. Most people need a copy for legal work or family use. The office can help you find what you need and tell you the right steps to get a copy. Death records usually come out a few weeks after the event date. You can ask for them online, by mail, or in person at the main office in Hanford.

How to Get Death Certificates in Kings County

The Kings County Clerk-Recorder runs the death records office. They keep all files for deaths in Kings County. If you want a certified copy, you have to ask for it with a form and pay the fee. The fee is set by state law. Each copy costs $26 as of January 2026. That fee does not come back if they can't find the record. You get a "no record" paper if they search and find nothing.

You can order copies in a few ways. The online portal lets you pay with a card and get your copy by mail. The portal uses a third-party system to handle orders. Some people like to go in person so they can ask questions at the counter. Walk-in service is at the main office during work hours. Mail orders work too but they take more time. Send the form with a check or money order and a copy of your ID.

The law says who can get an authorized certified copy. Parents, kids, siblings, and spouses can get them. Lawyers and legal agents can too. Everyone else gets an informational copy. That copy says it can't be used to prove identity. It's good for family history but not legal work. You need a notarized form if you want the authorized version. The clerk can explain the rules when you visit.

The county has an online ordering system for vital records. You can use it any time to place an order. It shows you the steps and tells you what info you need. Most requests go through fast if you give them the right details. Name, date, and place of death help them find the right file. If you don't know the exact date, give them a range of years to search.

Online Access and Third-Party Services

Kings County works with VitalChek for online orders. That company charges a service fee on top of the state fee. You pay more but you get the ease of online ordering. The site takes credit cards and processes requests within a few days. Some people use this if they live far away or need the record quickly.

The county's own online system through Permitium is another choice. It's run by the county directly. You still pay the base fee but the extra charges may differ. Check both options to see which one works best for your needs. Both systems ask for the same basic information about the person who died.

County Office Location and Contact

The main office for vital records is in Hanford. That's the county seat. The address is on the county website along with hours and phone numbers. They're open on weekdays but closed for lunch and on state holidays. Call ahead if you plan to visit so you know they'll be open.

If you have questions, the staff can help you over the phone. They can tell you if a record exists before you order. They can't give you details about the record without a proper request, but they can confirm if it's on file. This helps if you're not sure about dates or spelling of names.

Death Records Before 1905

California started filing death records at the state level in July 1905. Before that date, counties kept their own files. Kings County may have older records in their archives. You have to ask the county for those. The state office in Sacramento won't have them. Some very old records may be lost or damaged over time. The county can tell you what years they have on file.

Historical death records help with family trees and genealogy work. If you're looking for records from the 1800s or early 1900s, the county archives may be your best source. Call the clerk's office and ask about their oldest available files. They may have indexes that can point you to the right volume or book.

What Information You Need to Provide

When you ask for a death record, you need to give them key facts. Full name of the deceased is required. Date of death or at least the year helps a lot. Place of death should be in Kings County or they won't have the file. The more details you provide, the faster they can search.

You also need to prove your identity and your right to the record. Bring a photo ID if you go in person. For mail orders, send a copy of your ID. If you want an authorized copy, you need a notarized sworn statement. The form has a section for that. The notary watches you sign it and stamps the form. Without the notary, you only get the informational version.

Payment must be included with your order. Cash is fine in person. For mail orders, use a check or money order made out to Kings County Clerk-Recorder. Credit cards work for online orders. Don't send cash in the mail. It can get lost and you have no proof of payment.

Processing Time and Delivery

How long it takes depends on how you order. In-person requests may be done the same day if the record is easy to find. Mail orders take a few weeks. Online orders through third-party sites are often faster because they handle the payment and delivery for you. The county has to pull the file, make a certified copy, and mail it to you.

Recent deaths may not be available right away. It takes time for the county to get the paperwork from the hospital or funeral home and file it. Wait at least a month after the date of death before you order. If you need it sooner, call and ask. They may be able to check if it's been filed yet.

Legal Uses of Death Certificates

People need death certificates for many reasons. Life insurance claims require them. Social Security and pension offices need proof of death. Estates can't be settled without them. Banks and financial firms ask for them to release funds or close accounts. Real estate transfers and probate cases use them too.

An authorized certified copy is the only kind that works for legal purposes. The informational copy won't be accepted by most agencies. Make sure you get the right type when you order. If you're not sure which one you need, ask the agency that's requesting it. They can tell you if the authorized version is required.

Privacy and Access Rules

California law controls who can get death records. Not everyone can see them. The rules exist to protect privacy and prevent fraud. If you're a close family member, you can get an authorized copy. Others can get the informational version but it has limits on how it can be used.

Law enforcement and government agencies have special access rights. They don't need to prove relationship. Lawyers representing an estate or family member can also get copies if they show proof of representation. Funeral homes can get copies for the families they serve. The clerk's office can explain all the categories when you call.

Fees and Payment Options

The base fee for a death certificate in Kings County is $26 per copy. That's the state-mandated price as of January 2026. If you use a third-party service, they add their own fees on top. Those can range from $7 to $15 or more depending on the service and shipping speed. Rush delivery costs extra too.

If you need multiple copies of the same record, you pay for each one. Some offices offer a slight discount for additional copies ordered at the same time, but not all counties do this. Ask when you place your order. The search fee is non-refundable even if they don't find the record. That's stated in California law.

Nearby Counties

• Fresno County - North of Kings County
• Tulare County - South of Kings County
• Kern County - Southwest of Kings County