Genealogy Records in Kings County

Kings County genealogy records provide birth certificates, death records, and marriage licenses for family history research. The Assessor-Clerk-Recorder office in Hanford maintains all vital records for events in the county. Researchers can order copies online through the county portal, visit the office in person, or mail applications with fees. Records date from county formation in 1893 through present day. California statewide registration began July 1905, but some earlier Kings County records exist at the local level. Start your genealogy search with the clerk-recorder to find birth, death, and marriage documents from across Kings County including Hanford, Lemoore, and Corcoran.

Kings County Clerk-Recorder Office

The Assessor-Clerk-Recorder serves as the main office for genealogy records in Kings County. This office keeps birth certificates, death records, and marriage licenses. You can request records for events anywhere in the county. The office is located in downtown Hanford at the county government center. Staff assist with record searches during business hours Monday through Friday.

Online ordering is available through the Kings County vital records portal. The online system charges convenience fees plus certificate costs. You can verify your identity electronically or provide notarized forms. Most online orders process within one week and arrive by mail.

In person visits offer same day service if records are on file. Bring photo ID and complete details about the event you are researching. The office is open from eight thirty to five with a lunch closure. Call ahead at the main number to confirm current hours and fees before visiting.

Birth Certificates from Kings County

Birth certificates cost thirty one dollars per copy as of 2026. Kings County has birth records from 1893 when the county formed. Earlier births would have been recorded in Tulare County since Kings County split from there. California did not require birth registration until 1915. Many births before that year were never officially recorded.

If you cannot find a birth record, try other sources. Census records list ages and birthplaces. Church baptism records confirm births. Family bibles often recorded births when official systems did not. School records sometimes list birthdates. These alternate sources help when official certificates do not exist.

Newborn certificates take three to four weeks to file. Recent births may not be available immediately. Request informational copies for genealogy purposes. These copies contain all birth details but do not require notarized applications. The legend on informational copies says they cannot establish identity, which does not affect family history research.

Birth certificates list parents' names, birthplaces, ages, and occupations. Mother's maiden name appears on the certificate. These details link generations and help trace immigrant origins. Older certificates have less detail than modern ones but still provide valuable genealogy information.

Death Records and Certificates

Death certificates in Kings County cost twenty six dollars. The county has death records for anyone who died within its boundaries. Death records become public after fifty years under California law. Request informational copies for genealogy work on recent deaths. These are available to any researcher without restriction.

Death certificates show birthplace, parents' names, spouse, occupation, and cause of death. This information helps confirm identities and find earlier records in other locations. If a death certificate says your ancestor was born in Iowa, search Iowa birth records next. The certificate guides your research path.

Funeral homes filed most historical death records. If you know which mortuary handled services, contact them directly. Mortuaries keep their own records with additional details like burial location, family members who made arrangements, and newspaper obituary copies. These supplement official death certificates.

Marriage Licenses and Records

Marriage certificates cost nineteen dollars from Kings County. The county has marriage records from 1893 forward. Marriage licenses are filed in the county where they were issued, not where ceremonies occurred. A couple who got their license in Hanford but married in Fresno has records in Kings County.

Marriage records list names, ages, birthplaces, parents, and occupations for both parties. Prior marriages and number of children sometimes appear on older licenses. These details are gold for genealogy. One marriage record can provide names and birthplaces for four people across two generations.

Confidential marriages after 1971 are sealed. Only the spouses can access those. All other marriage records are public. Search the marriage index before ordering copies. The clerk staff will search by name if you provide approximate year. This confirms the record exists before you pay.

Note: Always contact the county that issued the license, not where the wedding took place.

Local Genealogy Research Resources

Kings County Library in Hanford has a local history collection with genealogy materials. The collection includes old city directories, newspapers on microfilm, cemetery records, and family histories. Library staff provide reference help during open hours. Computers are available for FamilySearch and Ancestry database access.

Hanford Carnegie Museum maintains historical records and photographs from across Kings County. Their archives include school records, business records, and community organization files. Many of these records mention local families. Museum staff can help researchers locate relevant collections during scheduled research hours.

Local cemeteries hold valuable information for genealogy. Hanford Cemetery, Lemoore Cemetery, and Corcoran Cemetery all have sections dating back over one hundred years. Walk cemeteries to find family grave sites. Photograph stones before they weather further. Findagrave.com has some Kings County stones but not complete coverage.

Kings County Historical Context

Kings County formed in 1893 from the western part of Tulare County. Before that year, check Tulare County for records. Early settlers were ranchers and farmers drawn by rich soil and water from the Kings River. Wheat farming dominated until the early 1900s when dairy and cotton took over. These agricultural roots shaped county demographics.

Southern Pacific Railroad brought population growth in the 1870s and 1880s. Towns sprang up along the rail line. Hanford became county seat when the county organized. Lemoore grew as a farm center. Small communities like Armona and Stratford also developed. Each had churches and schools that kept records worth exploring.

Portuguese immigrants settled in Kings County in large numbers. Dairy farming attracted families from the Azores. The Portuguese community maintained church records, cemetery records, and fraternal organization records. These ethnic records supplement official vital records for researching Portuguese ancestors in Kings County.

How to Request Kings County Records

Three options exist for getting genealogy records from Kings County. Order online through the county portal. Visit the clerk-recorder office in Hanford. Mail a completed application with payment. Each method has different processing times and fees.

Online orders through Permitium add a five dollar service fee plus credit card fees. The system verifies your identity electronically or you can opt for notarized forms. Shipping is USPS first class. Allow seven to ten business days after approval for delivery. The online system operates twenty four hours a day.

Walk in service at the Hanford office provides same day results if staff can locate the record. The office is in the county administrative center. Parking is available in nearby lots. Bring government issued photo ID and exact event details. Cash, check, or money order are accepted for payment.

Mail requests require completed applications available on the county website. Include a check or money order payable to Kings County Clerk-Recorder. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for return mail. Do not mail cash. Notarization is required for certified copies but not for informational copies used in genealogy research. Processing takes one to two weeks plus mail transit time.

California State Genealogy Resources

The California Department of Public Health maintains statewide vital records from July 1905 forward. Order from the state if you are unsure which county holds a record. State indexes cover all California counties. Processing takes about fifteen business days for birth and death records from 1905 to present.

FamilySearch offers free access to California vital record indexes. The California Birth Index 1905-1995 includes Kings County births. Search these indexes before ordering certificates. The index confirms whether a record exists and identifies the correct county. This saves time and money in your genealogy research.

The California State Archives does not have specific Kings County collections. However, their statewide records include some county residents in census schedules, court cases, military records, and prison registers. Visit the Sacramento reading room to explore these broader state resources.

Cities in Kings County

Hanford serves as the county seat where all vital records are maintained. Other incorporated cities include Lemoore, Corcoran, and Avenal. Unincorporated communities like Armona and Stratford are also part of the county. Contact the Kings County Clerk-Recorder in Hanford for records from any location within the county.

Surrounding Counties for Research

Kings County shares borders with Tulare, Fresno, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, and Kern counties. Families often moved between these areas for work and land. Check neighboring county records if your ancestors lived near county lines or if Kings County records are incomplete.

Adjacent counties: Tulare County, Fresno County, Kern County, Monterey County, San Luis Obispo County