Merced County Birth Records
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Merced County Birth Records (1905-1995)
CaliforniaBirthIndex.org provides free access to Merced 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 Merced County Birth Records
Each birth record in our Merced County database includes:
— Full name (first, middle, last)
— Date of birth
— Sex
— Mother's maiden name
— County of birth (Merced 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 Merced County Birth Records
Use the search bar at the top of any page to find Merced 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 Merced County.
About Merced County
Merced County was carved from Mariposa County in 1855, named after the Merced River ("River of Our Lady of Mercy"). The county seat was originally at Snelling, a Gold Rush town, before moving to the city of Merced in 1872. Located in the northern San Joaquin Valley, Merced County became one of California's most productive agricultural regions, known for dairy, almonds, and sweet potatoes. The county grew from about 82,000 in 1950 to over 178,000 by 1990. UC Merced, the newest University of California campus, opened in 2005.
How to Get a Certified Merced 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.
Merced County Clerk-Recorder
— Address: 2222 M Street, Merced, CA 95340
— Phone: (209) 385-7627
— Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (no credit card payments after 4:00 PM)
— Website: Clerk-Recorder
Fee: $31 per certified copy. As of January 1, 2026 (AB 64 $2 increase). A $2.50 surcharge applies to credit/debit card payments in person.
Ways to Order
In Person: Visit the Clerk-Recorder at 2222 M Street, Merced, CA 95340. Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (no credit card payments after 4:00 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: Merced County Clerk-Recorder, 2222 M Street, Merced, CA 95340. 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 very recent births, contact Merced County Public Health. The Clerk-Recorder maintains birth records from approximately 1870 to present for births that occurred in Merced County.
Merced County Specifics
In-person credit card payments incur a $2.50 surcharge, and no card payments are accepted after 4:00 PM — only cash or exact-amount check after that time. For mail orders, send cash or money order only (no personal checks). Birth records go back to approximately 1870, well before the state's 1905 systematic registration began. All fees are non-refundable; if no record is found, a Certificate of No Record is issued.
Authorized vs. Informational Copies
Merced 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 Merced 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 Merced County Clerk-Recorder directly at (209) 385-7627
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