Napa County Genealogy Records

Genealogy records in Napa County help trace family history through birth certificates, death records, marriage licenses, and vital documents maintained by the county clerk-recorder. These records span from Napa County's formation to present day. The Napa County Assessor-Clerk-Recorder office keeps all vital records for births, deaths, and marriages that occurred within county boundaries. You can request copies online, by mail, or in person at the Napa office. Most genealogy researchers order informational copies which do not require notarized statements. Start your Napa County family research with the resources on this page.

Napa County Clerk-Recorder Office

The Napa County Assessor-Clerk-Recorder maintains all vital records for events that occurred in Napa County. Birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses are available if the event happened within Napa County boundaries. The office is located at 900 Coombs Street, Suite 256 in downtown Napa.

Office hours run Monday through Friday from eight in the morning until five in the afternoon. The office closes for lunch from noon to one. You can call 707-253-4459 with questions about specific records or fees. Email the recorder at ACR-Recorder@countyofnapa.org for guidance on your genealogy research needs.

Three ways exist to obtain Napa County genealogy records. Visit in person for same day service if the record is on file. Order online through the county portal with a credit card. Mail a completed application with a check or money order. Online orders include extra processing fees but provide faster turnaround than mail requests.

Birth certificates cost thirty one dollars per copy as of 2026. Death certificates run twenty six dollars. Marriage certificates cost nineteen dollars. These fees match state rates set by California law. Additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time cost less than the first copy.

Access Napa Vital Records

Genealogy researchers should request informational copies rather than certified copies. Informational copies display the same data but include a legend stating they cannot establish identity. This does not affect genealogy research. Informational copies require no notarized statement. They cost the same as certified copies.

Certified copies require proof of relationship. Only close family members can obtain certified copies under California Health and Safety Code Section 103526. This includes parents, children, grandchildren, siblings, and spouses of the person named on the record. Genealogists researching distant relatives or unrelated individuals receive informational copies automatically.

Birth records become available about three weeks after the event date. Death certificates arrive at the county within four weeks after death. Marriage certificates reach the recorder office a few days after the officiant files them. Do not order immediately after an event. Wait the appropriate time for the county to receive and process the record.

If a record cannot be found, you receive a Certificate of No Public Record. The fee is not refunded. The search fee covers staff time to look through indexes and files. Before ordering, confirm the event occurred in Napa County and that you have accurate dates. Contact the recorder office to verify they have the record on file.

Historical Genealogy Records in Napa County

Napa County formed in 1850 as one of California's original counties. Early vital records from the 1850s and 1860s are sparse. California did not require birth and death registration until 1915. Many families did not register events voluntarily before the law changed. Some Napa County records from before 1905 survive, but gaps are common.

The California State Archives holds some Napa County records in their genealogy collection. Probate files, naturalizations, and property records fill in gaps where vital records are missing. The state archives also has census records from 1852, 1860, and 1880 that show Napa County families. These records list names, ages, occupations, and birthplaces.

Marriage records for Napa County begin in 1850. These are the most complete early records because couples needed licenses to marry legally. The recorder office maintains marriage indexes from 1850 forward. You can search for ancestors who married in Napa County even if they lived elsewhere, as long as they obtained their license from Napa County.

Property records and deeds help trace family history when vital records do not exist. The Napa recorder has property records dating back to county formation. Land purchases, sales, and transfers show where families lived and when they moved. Probate files list heirs and family relationships when someone died without a will or with estate complications.

Note: For Napa County records before July 1905, you must search at the county level as the state did not maintain statewide indexes before that date.

Napa County Genealogy Research Tips

Start with recent records and work backward. Confirm what you know about parents and grandparents before searching for earlier generations. Death certificates often list birthplaces and parent names. These clues help you trace families who moved to Napa County from other states or countries.

Check both county and state sources. The California Department of Public Health has Napa County vital records from 1905 forward. The county recorder has earlier records that the state does not. If you cannot find a record at the state level, search with the county. Some records exist in only one location.

FamilySearch offers free California vital record indexes. Search their databases before ordering certificates. The indexes show whether a record exists and provide approximate dates. This saves money by confirming records before you pay fees. Once you find an index entry, order the full certificate from the county for complete details.

Napa County Public Library has local history collections. Old newspapers, city directories, and cemetery records supplement official vital records. Obituaries provide family details not found on death certificates. Marriage announcements list parents and wedding locations. These sources add context to bare facts from certificates.

Online Records for Napa County

Napa County offers online ordering for birth, death, and marriage certificates. Visit the county website and follow links to the vital records portal. You need a credit card to order online. The system verifies your identity electronically. If identity verification fails, you must appear before a notary public to complete your order.

Online orders include a five dollar service fee plus credit card processing fees. These fees are non-refundable even if no record is found. The convenience of online ordering suits researchers who live outside California or who need records quickly. Mail orders take longer but avoid the extra online fees if you pay by money order or cashier's check.

The county maintains an online property records search. This free database covers recent years of recorded documents. You can search by name, date, or document type. While not specific to genealogy, property records show when ancestors bought land or transferred ownership. These records confirm residence in Napa County during specific time periods.

Genealogy Records in Nearby Counties

Families often moved between Napa County and surrounding areas. Check nearby counties if you cannot find Napa records. Sonoma County borders Napa to the west and south. Yolo County sits to the east. Lake County is north of Napa. Solano County lies southeast of Napa.

Marriage licenses are issued by the county where couples apply, not where ceremonies occur. Your ancestors might have married in Napa County but lived in Sonoma County. Check marriage records in multiple counties if your initial search fails. The county where the license was issued holds the official record.