Nevada County Birth Records
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Nevada County Birth Records (1905-1995)
CaliforniaBirthIndex.org provides free access to Nevada 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 Nevada County Birth Records
Each birth record in our Nevada County database includes:
— Full name (first, middle, last)
— Date of birth
— Sex
— Mother's maiden name
— County of birth (Nevada 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 Nevada County Birth Records
Use the search bar at the top of any page to find Nevada 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 Nevada County.
About Nevada County
Nevada County was created in 1851 from Yuba County, named after the mining town of Nevada City (from the Spanish "nevada" meaning "snowy"). The county was the epicenter of California hard-rock gold mining — the Empire Mine in Grass Valley operated for over 100 years and extracted 5.8 million ounces of gold. At its peak, Nevada City was the third-largest city in California. The county's population declined after the Gold Rush but rebounded in the postwar era, growing from about 20,000 in 1950 to nearly 79,000 by 1990, as retirees and Bay Area transplants discovered the forested foothills.
How to Get a Certified Nevada 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.
Nevada County Clerk-Recorder
— Address: 950 Maidu Avenue, Suite 210, Nevada City, CA 95959
— Phone: (530) 265-1221
— Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
— Website: Clerk-Recorder
Fee: $31 per certified copy. As of January 1, 2026 (AB 64 $2 increase). Online orders add a $4 convenience fee and $0.35 delivery verification fee.
Ways to Order
In Person: Visit the Clerk-Recorder at 950 Maidu Avenue, Suite 210, Nevada City, CA 95959. Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 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: Nevada County Clerk-Recorder, 950 Maidu Avenue, Suite 210, Nevada City, CA 95959. 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
Certificates for recent births typically take 2-4 weeks to become available. Allow 7-10 business days for shipping after application approval.
Nevada County Specifics
Nevada County uses its own online ordering portal at nevadacavitals.permitium.com rather than VitalChek. Online orders add a non-refundable $4 convenience fee plus a $0.35 Vital Verify delivery fee. Fax orders are also accepted at (530) 265-9842 — call after faxing to provide credit card information (a $2 card fee applies).
Authorized vs. Informational Copies
Nevada 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 Nevada 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 Nevada County Clerk-Recorder directly at (530) 265-1221
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