Madera County Birth Records
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Madera County Birth Records (1905-1995)
CaliforniaBirthIndex.org provides free access to Madera 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 Madera County Birth Records
Each birth record in our Madera County database includes:
— Full name (first, middle, last)
— Date of birth
— Sex
— Mother's maiden name
— County of birth (Madera 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 Madera County Birth Records
Use the search bar at the top of any page to find Madera 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 Madera County.
About Madera County
Madera County was formed in 1893 from Fresno County, when residents voted 1,179 to 358 for separation. The name is Spanish for "wood," reflecting the county's early lumber industry — the California Lumber Company built a log flume to carry timber to the railroad in 1876, founding the town of Madera. Located at the geographic center of California, the county stretches from the San Joaquin Valley floor into the Sierra Nevada, encompassing portions of Yosemite National Park. Population grew from about 40,000 in 1950 to over 88,000 by 1990, driven by agriculture — almonds, grapes, and pistachios — and tourism.
How to Get a Certified Madera 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.
Madera County County Clerk-Recorder-Elections
— Address: 200 West 4th Street, Madera, CA 93637
— Phone: (559) 675-7724
— Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
— Website: County Clerk-Recorder-Elections
Fee: $31 per certified copy. As of January 1, 2026 (AB 64 $2 increase). The Recorder does not accept credit cards — use check or money order, or order online via VitalChek.
Ways to Order
In Person: Visit the County Clerk-Recorder-Elections at 200 West 4th Street, Madera, CA 93637. Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. 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: Madera County Clerk-Recorder, 200 West 4th Street, Madera, CA 93637. 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 current and prior calendar year, the Madera County Department of Public Health Vital Statistics office also issues birth certificates. Contact them at (559) 675-7893.
Madera County Specifics
Madera County's Recorder office does not accept credit cards or online orders directly. For online ordering, you must use VitalChek, which charges an additional service fee. Certified copies issued by the County Recorder may not include the "State File Number" — if an agency requires that number, you must obtain your copy from CDPH instead. A new mail-in application form took effect January 1, 2026.
Authorized vs. Informational Copies
Madera 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 Madera 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 Madera County County Clerk-Recorder-Elections directly at (559) 675-7724
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