Butte County Birth Records
Search Birth Records:
Butte County Birth Records (1905-1995)
CaliforniaBirthIndex.org provides free access to Butte County birth records from 1905 to 1995. Search by name to find birth dates, parents' names, and county of birth — completely free, no registration required.
What You'll Find in Butte County Birth Records
Each birth record in our Butte County database includes:
— Full name (first, middle, last)
— Date of birth
— Sex
— Mother's maiden name
— County of birth (Butte County)
The California Birth Index does not include time of birth, hospital name, or parents' first names. For those details, you'll need a certified birth certificate (see below).
How to Search Butte County Birth Records
Use the search bar at the top of any page to find Butte County birth records by first and last name. You can also search by parents' names to find siblings or children born to specific parents in Butte County.
About Butte County
Butte County is one of California's original 27 counties, created in 1850 and named after the Sutter Buttes (which are actually in neighboring Sutter County). The county's history is tied to the Gold Rush — Oroville, the county seat since 1856, takes its name from the Spanish word for gold. The county grew from about 64,000 in 1950 to over 182,000 by 1990, driven by agriculture, Chico State University (founded 1887), and the construction of the Oroville Dam in the 1960s, which created Lake Oroville.
How to Get a Certified Butte County Birth Certificate
While CaliforniaBirthIndex.org provides free index information, you'll need a certified birth certificate for official purposes like passports, driver's licenses, or proving identity.
Butte County Clerk-Recorder
— Address: 155 Nelson Avenue, Oroville, CA 95965
— Phone: (530) 552-3400
— Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (closed 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM; closed 8:30 - 9:00 AM first Wednesday of each month)
— Website: Clerk-Recorder
Fee: $31 per certified copy. As of January 1, 2026 (AB 64 $2 increase).
Ways to Order
In Person: Visit the Clerk-Recorder at 155 Nelson Avenue, Oroville, CA 95965. Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (closed 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM; closed 8:30 - 9:00 AM first Wednesday of each month). Most in-person requests are processed the same day or within a few business days.
By Mail: Send a completed application with payment (check or money order) to: Butte County Clerk-Recorder, 155 Nelson Avenue, Oroville, CA 95965. Allow 2-4 weeks for processing and delivery.
Through the State: You can also order from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) for $31 per copy. See our guide: How to Get a Certified Birth Certificate.
Recent Births
For births within the last 2 years, contact Butte County Public Health Vital Records at 202 Mira Loma Drive, Oroville, CA 95965. Fee through Public Health is $29. For records over 2 years old, contact the Clerk-Recorder.
Butte County Specifics
Butte County has its own online ordering system at recorder.buttecounty.net. Note the midday closure from noon to 1:00 PM. The office is also closed from 8:30 to 9:00 AM on the first Wednesday of each month. Public Health charges $29 for recent birth certificates (within 2 years), while the Clerk-Recorder charges $31 for older records.
Authorized vs. Informational Copies
Butte County issues two types of certified birth certificates:
— Authorized copy: Can be used to establish identity (for passports, driver's licenses, etc.). Only available to the person named on the certificate, their parents, legal guardians, or other authorized individuals.
— Informational copy: Marked "Informational, Not a Valid Document to Establish Identity." Available to anyone but cannot be used for identification purposes.
What If I Can't Find a Record?
If you can't find a Butte County birth record in our database, consider:
— Trying alternate name spellings or maiden names
— The birth may have occurred in a neighboring county
— Pre-1905 births are not included in the California Birth Index
— Contact the Butte County Clerk-Recorder directly at (530) 552-3400
Related Resources
