Butte County Obituary Information
Butte County maintains death certificates for all deaths that took place within county lines. The recorder office in Oroville handles requests for these vital records. You can obtain certified copies by visiting the office, sending a mail request, or using approved online services. The cost is $26 per certificate. This fee went into effect on January 1, 2026 following a state law change. The recorder office is closed from 8:30 am to 9 am on the first Wednesday of each month for staff meetings. Plan your visit accordingly if you need in person service during that time window.
Butte County Death Records
Butte County Recorder Office
The main office for death certificates is in Oroville at 155 Nelson Avenue. This building houses the county recorder who maintains all vital records for Butte County. Staff at this location can help you request copies, answer questions about the process, and provide forms. The office serves walk in customers and handles mail requests from people who live far away or prefer not to visit in person.
Visit the Butte County death certificates page for details on how to request records. This page has downloadable forms and instructions for mail orders. It also lists the current fees and what information you need to provide. Having the right details before you start makes the process faster and more likely to succeed.
When you visit in person, bring a government issued photo ID. You also need to know the full name of the deceased and the date of death or at least the approximate year. The more information you have, the easier it is for staff to find the right record. Payment can be made with cash, check, or credit card. Credit card transactions may include a small processing fee.
For mail requests, download the application form from the county website. Fill it out completely. Include your name, address, phone number, relationship to the deceased, and how many copies you need. State whether you want an authorized copy or an informational copy. Mail the form with your payment to 155 Nelson Avenue, Oroville, CA 95965. Use a check or money order payable to Butte County Clerk Recorder. Do not send cash through the mail.
Hours and Closures
The Butte County recorder office is open Monday through Friday during standard business hours. The office is closed on weekends and all state holidays. There is one special closure time each month. On the first Wednesday of every month, the office closes from 8:30 am to 9 am for staff meetings. If you plan to visit during that half hour window, you will need to wait until 9 am or come at a different time.
This monthly closure only affects in person visits. Mail sent during that time is still received and processed. The brief closure allows staff to meet and coordinate operations. Call ahead at 530-552-3400 if you have questions about the best time to visit or if you want to confirm the office is open on a particular day.
Authorized vs Informational Death Certificates
California law divides death certificate copies into two categories. An authorized copy is fully certified and accepted by legal and financial institutions. You need this type to settle an estate, claim life insurance, notify Social Security, or handle other official business. To qualify for an authorized copy, you must be an immediate family member or legally entitled person. This includes spouses, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, or the executor of the estate.
When requesting an authorized copy, you must provide a notarized sworn statement. This document declares under penalty of perjury that you are authorized to receive the record. Visit a notary public, sign the statement in their presence, and include the notarized document with your application. If you do not provide this, the county issues an informational copy instead.
Informational copies contain the same data as authorized copies but have a watermark stating they cannot be used to establish identity. Anyone can request an informational copy without proving their relationship or providing notarized documents. These copies are useful for genealogy, family history projects, or personal records. Most banks, insurers, and government agencies will not accept informational copies for legal matters. Both types cost $26 per copy.
Note: The notarized statement requirement applies to authorized copies only.
Death Certificates for Recent Events
Death certificates are not available right away. After a death occurs in Butte County, the funeral home files paperwork. A doctor or coroner completes the medical portion. The county health department processes the information and creates the official certificate. This takes time. Most death certificates become available from the recorder office about four to six weeks after the date of death.
If you need a certificate for a very recent death, call the office first at 530-552-3400. Staff can check their system to see if the record has been filed yet. If not, they can give you an estimate of when it will be ready. Ordering too early results in a Certificate of No Public Record, and you still pay the $26 fee. Calling ahead saves you time and money.
Cost to Order Death Certificates
Butte County charges $26 for each certified copy of a death certificate. This fee covers the cost of searching records and providing one copy. If the record is not found, the county keeps the fee and issues a Certificate of No Public Record. This is standard practice across California. The fee is the same whether you request an authorized copy or an informational copy.
If you need more than one copy, each additional copy costs $26. There is no volume discount. Online orders through third party vendors include extra fees. VitalChek and similar services charge their own processing and service fees on top of the county's $26. Expedited shipping also costs extra. Mail orders sent directly to the county office are the most affordable option if you can wait for standard processing.
Free Death Record Indexes Online
Several websites offer free indexes of California death records. These are search tools, not official certificates. They help you confirm details like the date of death or county before ordering a copy. FamilySearch has two California death indexes. One spans 1905 to 1939 and the other covers 1940 to 1997. Both are free to use.
Search California Death Index 1905-1939 for early Butte County deaths. For later years, try California Death Index 1940-1997. These databases show the name, date, age, and county for each entry. Some records include the names of parents or a spouse. No actual images of certificates are available. The index helps you verify information so you can order the right record from the county.
Ancestry.com also has a California Death Index but requires a paid subscription. Some public libraries offer free Ancestry access through library computers or with a library card. Check with Butte County libraries to see if this service is available.
Older Butte County Death Records
The Butte County recorder maintains death records going back many years. California began statewide death registration on July 1, 1905. Before that, counties kept their own records if they kept any. Some counties have death records from the 1800s. Check with the Butte County recorder to find out how far back their collection goes.
For very old records, the California State Archives in Sacramento may have microfilmed copies. They hold records from 28 California counties. Records over 75 years old are open to the public. Call the archives at (916) 653-6814 to ask about Butte County holdings. Local historical societies and libraries may also have obituary collections from old newspapers that can fill in gaps.
State Laws on Death Certificates
California requires every death to be registered. The funeral director or person in charge of the body files the certificate. A physician or coroner completes the medical section. This must happen within 15 hours of the death for a physician or three days for a coroner. These rules are in the California Health and Safety Code.
Who can receive an authorized copy is defined by law. Health and Safety Code Section 103526 lists all authorized persons. It also explains the notarized statement requirement. If you do not qualify for an authorized copy, the county issues an informational copy with a watermark. This prevents identity theft and protects the privacy of the deceased.
Contact Details for Butte County
Butte County Clerk Recorder
155 Nelson Avenue
Oroville, CA 95965
Phone: 530-552-3400
Hours: Monday through Friday (Closed 8:30 am to 9 am on first Wednesday of each month)
Adjacent Counties
If the death you are researching did not happen in Butte County, contact the county where it occurred. Each county only has records for deaths within its borders.