Sierra County Death Certificate Access

Sierra County maintains death certificates through the County Clerk-Recorder office in Downieville. The county formed in 1852 and has records from that time forward. You can obtain authorized certified copies for legal purposes or informational copies for genealogy research. Fees are $26 per certificate following California state law. Request methods include in person visits, mail applications, and online ordering through approved vendors.

Sierra County Clerk-Recorder Office

The Sierra County Clerk-Recorder handles death certificates for the county. Visit the Sierra County vital records page for ordering information. The office is in Downieville, a small Gold Rush era town that serves as the county seat.

Sierra County is California's second least populated county after Alpine County. The county formed in 1852 during the Gold Rush. The county has death records from that time. Early records provide historical information about miners and settlers in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The clerk-recorder maintains both recent and historical death certificates.

The office issues authorized certified copies and informational copies under California law. Authorized copies work for legal matters. Informational copies serve genealogy needs. To get an authorized copy, you must prove you are an eligible person under California Health and Safety Code Section 103526. Provide a notarized sworn statement with your request.

Requesting Sierra County Death Certificates

Request death certificates in person, by mail, or online. For in person requests, visit the Clerk-Recorder office in Downieville during business hours. Bring photo ID and information about the deceased. Fill out an application and pay the fee. Staff will search records and issue the certificate if found.

Mail requests require an application form. Download it from the county website. Fill it out completely. Include payment as a check or money order payable to Sierra County Clerk-Recorder. For authorized copies, attach a notarized sworn statement. Mail everything to the address on the form with a self-addressed stamped envelope. Processing takes several weeks.

Online ordering may be available. Check the county website for current options. You can also use the statewide California system via VitalChek for deaths after July 1905.

Cities in Sierra County

Sierra County has no incorporated cities. Downieville is an unincorporated town that serves as the county seat. Other small communities include Sierra City, Sierraville, and Loyalton. All death records for the county are kept at the clerk-recorder office in Downieville. The county handles all death certificates for the entire county.

The county includes parts of Tahoe National Forest and Plumas National Forest. Deaths in these remote mountain areas are registered with Sierra County. The county is known for its Gold Rush history and mountain scenery.

Fees and Processing Times

Death certificates cost $26 per copy as set by California law. The county retains this fee even if no record is found. State law allows this under Health and Safety Code Section 103650. Processing times vary by request method.

Historical Death Records for Genealogy

Sierra County has death records from 1852. These early Gold Rush era records are valuable for family history research. Informational copies work for genealogy. Online databases like FamilySearch California Death Index help locate records before ordering copies.

Nearby California Counties

For deaths in neighboring counties, contact their respective vital records offices.