Find Butte County Genealogy Records

Butte County genealogy records help trace family history in Northern California through vital documents maintained at the Clerk-Recorder office in Oroville. Birth, death, and marriage records are available for events that occurred throughout the county including Chico, Paradise, and other communities. The County Clerk Division registers all births, deaths, and marriages that occur in Butte County. You can contact the office at 155 Nelson Avenue in Oroville or call 530-552-3400. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5 pm with a lunch closure from noon to 1 pm. Keaton Denlay serves as the current Recorder. Email inquiries go to recorders@buttecounty.net for questions about records and ordering procedures.

Butte County Clerk-Recorder Services

The Butte County Clerk-Recorder office handles vital records requests at 155 Nelson Avenue, Oroville, CA 95965. Phone 530-552-3400 during business hours. Recording hours run Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 4 pm with a noon to 1 pm lunch break. The office closes from 8:30 am to 9 am on the first Wednesday of each month for staff meetings.

The County Clerk Division registers all births, deaths, and marriages occurring in Butte County. They also file fictitious business names, notary public commissions, process server registrations, and other official documents. For genealogy research, focus on the vital records services. The office maintains birth and death records from events in the county along with marriage licenses issued locally.

Butte County Public Health also maintains vital records for recent events. Their office is at 202 Mira Loma Drive, Oroville, CA 95965. Call 530-552-3996 or fax 530-538-7023. Public Health typically handles records less than two years old while the Clerk-Recorder maintains the permanent archive. Check with both offices if you need very recent records.

How to Order Butte County Vital Records

Birth certificates cost thirty one dollars. Death records run twenty six dollars. Marriage certificates are nineteen dollars. These fees follow California statewide rates. You can order records by mail, in person, or through online services where available.

Mail requests require completed applications with payment by check or money order. Include a self addressed stamped envelope. Provide as much information as possible including full names, dates, and parents' names. The more details you give, the easier it is to locate records. Processing time varies based on record volume and age of the record.

In person visits allow you to ask questions and sometimes get same day service if records are readily available. Bring photo identification. The office accepts payment by check, money order, or cash for in person transactions. Credit cards may be accepted depending on current policies, so call ahead if you prefer card payment.

Genealogy researchers should request informational copies. These do not require notarized statements and cost the same as certified copies. The informational copy contains all the genealogical data you need. The legend stating it cannot establish identity does not matter for family history research. Skip the hassle of notarization by specifying informational copy on your application.

Butte County History and Early Records

Butte County formed in 1850 as one of California's original counties. The region attracted gold miners and settlers during the Gold Rush. Towns like Oroville, Chico, and Paradise developed as agricultural and mining centers. Many early residents came from other states and countries, creating diverse family histories.

Vital records from the 1850s through early 1900s are incomplete. California did not require registration of births and deaths until 1915. Some events were recorded voluntarily after 1905 when the state started accepting vital statistics, but most people did not bother until the law made it mandatory. Marriage records are more complete since county clerks issued licenses and kept official registers as part of their duties.

Church records, cemetery records, and historical society collections help fill gaps where official vital records do not exist. Many Butte County churches kept baptism, marriage, and burial registers dating back to the Gold Rush era. These church books sometimes provide information not found in county records. Cemetery offices maintain burial records and plot maps. Tombstones often list birth and death dates along with family relationships.

Butte County Genealogy Research Resources

Butte County Library has genealogy collections including local histories, cemetery transcriptions, and newspaper microfilm. Old newspapers contain birth announcements, marriage notices, and obituaries with details about families. The library catalog lists genealogy materials available for research. Staff can help locate relevant resources if you are not sure where to start.

Butte County Historical Society maintains archives of photographs, documents, and records relating to county history. Their collections include family papers, business records, and local government documents. The historical society can provide context for ancestors who lived in Butte County and point researchers toward relevant sources.

The California State Archives in Sacramento holds some Butte County records including probate files, court records, and early vital statistics. These state holdings provide backup access when local records are unavailable. Census records for Butte County from 1850 through 1940 are available at the National Archives, California State Archives, and through online databases.

Note: The 2018 Camp Fire destroyed records in Paradise but did not affect the main county archives in Oroville.

Cities and Towns in Butte County

Chico is the largest city in Butte County with a population over one hundred thousand. Oroville serves as the county seat. Paradise and other communities also have genealogy records maintained by the county recorder. All vital records regardless of which city an event occurred in are filed with the Clerk-Recorder in Oroville. Do not contact individual cities for birth, death, or marriage certificates.

City libraries and historical societies provide local resources. Chico has the Bidwell Mansion and other historic sites with research materials. Paradise Area Historical Society preserves records and photographs from that community. These local resources complement the vital records kept at the county level.

Tips for Butte County Genealogy Research

Start by gathering information from family members. Write down names, dates, locations, and family stories. The more details you have before ordering records, the more successful your search will be. Include parents' names on birth record requests. List spouses' full names for marriage searches. Even approximate dates help narrow searches through decades of records.

Order informational copies for genealogy purposes. They cost the same as certified copies but do not require notarized sworn statements. This simplifies mail ordering and speeds processing. The information is identical. The legend stating the copy cannot establish identity does not affect its value for family history research.

Check multiple sources when official records are missing. Church records, cemetery records, and newspapers often contain information that was never officially recorded with the county. Butte County Historical Society and local libraries can guide you toward these alternative sources.

Consider nearby counties if ancestors moved around Northern California. Families often had vital events recorded in multiple counties over their lifetimes. Checking adjacent counties increases chances of finding complete family records.

Nearby Counties for Genealogy Research

Butte County neighbors several Northern California counties worth checking for family records. Glenn County lies to the west. Tehama County extends to the north. Plumas County borders to the northeast. Yuba County sits to the south. Sutter County is southwest. Families moved between these counties for agricultural work, mining, and other opportunities. Check vital records in neighboring counties if Butte County has no record of an ancestor you believe lived in the region.