Sierra County Birth Records
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Sierra County Birth Records (1905-1995)
CaliforniaBirthIndex.org provides free access to Sierra 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 Sierra County Birth Records
Each birth record in our Sierra County database includes:
— Full name (first, middle, last)
— Date of birth
— Sex
— Mother's maiden name
— County of birth (Sierra 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 Sierra County Birth Records
Use the search bar at the top of any page to find Sierra 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 Sierra County.
About Sierra County
Sierra County was formed in 1852 from part of Yuba County. Named for the Sierra Nevada mountain range, it was a major Gold Rush destination — Downieville was one of the richest gold mining towns in California in the early 1850s. The county later lost territory when part of it was annexed by Plumas County.
How to Get a Certified Sierra 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.
Sierra County County Clerk-Recorder
— Address: 100 Courthouse Square, Room 11, Downieville, CA 95936
— Phone: (530) 289-3295
— Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (closed 12:00 - 1:00 PM)
— Website: County Clerk-Recorder
Fee: $31 per certified copy. Additional copies $31 each.
Ways to Order
In Person: Visit the County Clerk-Recorder at 100 Courthouse Square, Room 11, Downieville, CA 95936. Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (closed 12:00 - 1:00 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: Sierra County Clerk-Recorder, P.O. Drawer D, Downieville, CA 95936. 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
The county clerk has birth records from 1852 to present. Mail-in requests require a notarized sworn statement.
Sierra County Specifics
Sierra County is California's second-least-populous county with fewer than 3,000 residents. Due to limited staffing, the office has shorter hours than most counties (9 AM - 4 PM) and closes for lunch. The mailing address uses the unusual format "P.O. Drawer D" rather than a standard P.O. Box number.
Authorized vs. Informational Copies
Sierra 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 Sierra 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 Sierra County County Clerk-Recorder directly at (530) 289-3295
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