Plumas County Records and Genealogy

Genealogy records in Plumas County help researchers trace family roots through vital documents including birth certificates, death records, and marriage licenses maintained by the county clerk-recorder. Plumas County formed in 1854 from parts of Butte County and maintains historical records dating back to that era. The Plumas County Clerk-Recorder Division preserves all vital records for births, deaths, and marriages occurring within Plumas County. You can access these genealogy records by visiting the Quincy office in person, ordering online through the county website, or submitting applications by mail. Most family history researchers request informational copies which provide full details without notarization. Start your Plumas County family history search using the information provided on this page.

Plumas County Clerk-Recorder Services

The Plumas County Clerk-Recorder Division operates from 520 Main Street, Room 102 in Quincy. This office maintains all birth certificates, death records, and marriage licenses for events that occurred in Plumas County. Staff can help determine whether specific records exist on file.

Office hours are Monday through Friday from eight in the morning until five in the afternoon. The office closes for lunch daily. Call 530-283-6256 to speak with clerk-recorder staff about fees, processing times, or record availability. You can also fax requests to 530-283-6355 or email CountyClerk@countyofplumas.com with genealogy research questions.

Birth certificates cost thirty one dollars per copy as of 2026. Death certificates run twenty six dollars each. Marriage certificates are nineteen dollars. These match California state fee schedules. The first copy of any record costs full price. Additional copies of the same document ordered together receive reduced pricing.

Three request options are available. Visit the Quincy office for in person service. Order online through the county's vital records portal. Mail a completed application with payment by check or money order. In person visits provide same day service if records are on file. Online orders add convenience with extra processing fees. Mail requests take longer but avoid online service charges.

Plumas County Historical Records

Plumas County formed in 1854 when California divided Butte County to create better local government for mountain communities. Early settlers included miners, loggers, and ranchers. The county's remote location meant sparse population and limited record keeping during early years.

California did not require birth and death registration until 1915. Few Plumas County families voluntarily registered vital events before this mandate. If you are searching for births or deaths before 1915, expect significant gaps in official records. Church records, cemetery stones, and family bibles sometimes provide dates when government documents do not exist.

Marriage records are the most complete early vital records for Plumas County. Couples needed legal marriage licenses regardless of location. The county clerk issued licenses even in remote areas. Plumas County marriage records extend back to county formation in 1854. These records include both spouses' names, ages, birthplaces, and parents' names.

Logging dominated Plumas County's economy from the 1850s through the 1900s. Lumber company records sometimes list workers and their families. Local historical societies and museums maintain collections of these business records. They supplement vital records by confirming employment and residence in specific Plumas County communities.

Railroad construction through Plumas County brought diverse workers in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Chinese immigrants worked on the Western Pacific Railroad. Italian, Irish, and other immigrant communities settled along rail lines. Naturalization records help trace these families, showing when they became citizens and documenting their origins.

Accessing Vital Records

Genealogists should request informational copies instead of certified copies. Informational copies contain identical data but display a legend stating they cannot establish identity. This designation does not affect genealogy research. Informational copies require no notarization for mail requests and no proof of relationship.

Certified copies are restricted to authorized persons under California Health and Safety Code Section 103526. Authorized persons include the registrant, parents, children, grandchildren, siblings, and spouses. Genealogy researchers studying more distant relatives automatically receive informational copies. Both types cost the same.

Birth records become available approximately three weeks after birth. Death certificates arrive within four weeks after death occurs. Marriage certificates post within days once the officiant files them with the county. Do not order immediately after an event. Wait for the county to receive and enter records into their system.

If a record cannot be located, the county issues a Certificate of No Public Record. Fees are not refunded. Search fees cover staff time examining indexes and files as required by California law. Before ordering, verify the event occurred in Plumas County and confirm your dates are accurate. Contact the clerk-recorder to check if they have the record.

Plumas County Genealogy Research

Start with free online indexes before paying for certificates. FamilySearch offers the California Birth Index covering 1905 to 1995. The California Death Index spans 1905 to 1939. These databases confirm whether records exist. Once you find an index entry, order the full certificate from Plumas County for complete details including parent names and birthplaces.

The California State Archives holds some Plumas County records in their genealogy collections. These include probate files, court records, and selected vital records. Probate documents list heirs and family relationships. Court records sometimes reveal family disputes over property or inheritance. These materials supplement the vital records held by the county.

Plumas County Museum in Quincy maintains historical collections including photographs, maps, and local documents. The museum archives include family papers, business records, and community organization files. These provide context for understanding ancestors' lives beyond bare facts on certificates. Contact the museum for research appointments.

Cemetery records throughout Plumas County help fill gaps in vital records. Small cemeteries dot the county from mining and logging camps. Findagrave and BillionGraves have photographs and transcriptions of Plumas County tombstones. Cemetery records sometimes list birth and death dates when official documents are missing or were never created.

The California State Library Sutro Branch has family histories and genealogical materials. Their collection includes census records, directories, and genealogical society publications. Sutro staff will look up entries and scan pages for researchers who cannot visit in person. Email sutro@library.ca.gov with Plumas County research questions.

Information Found on Vital Records

Birth certificates list full name, birth date and place, parent names, mother's maiden name, and father's occupation. Hospital births show the hospital. Home births list the residence address. Informational copies include all this information but display a legend about not establishing identity.

Death certificates include name, death date and place, cause of death, birthplace, parents' names, spouse name, informant details, and burial or cremation information. Death records help genealogists by listing birthplaces in other states or countries. This shows where to search for earlier records when families migrated to Plumas County.

Marriage certificates show both spouses' names, ages, birthplaces, parents' names, occupations, residences, and wedding details. Plumas County marriage records exist for licenses issued in the county. If a couple married in Plumas County but obtained their license elsewhere, the other county holds the official record. Search where the license was issued, not where the ceremony occurred.

Online Genealogy Tools

Plumas County provides online vital records ordering through its website. You need a credit card to order online. The system includes identity verification. If electronic verification fails, you must provide a notarized sworn statement. Select informational copies to avoid notarization requirements entirely.

Online orders include service fees beyond the certificate cost. These non-refundable fees cover processing and credit card charges. Mail requests avoid these extra fees if you pay by check or money order. Choose the method fitting your timeline and budget.

The California Digital Newspaper Collection includes some Plumas County newspapers. Search for obituaries, marriage announcements, and local news. These add details not found on official certificates. Obituaries list surviving family members and burial locations. Marriage announcements name parents and describe weddings. Local news reveals community involvement and daily life.

Property records at the recorder office extend back to county formation. Land patents, homestead records, and deed transfers show where ancestors lived. These documents confirm residence dates and locations. Mining claims also appear in recorder files, showing which mines or logging operations employed your ancestors.

Surrounding County Records

Families moved between Plumas County and neighboring areas for work opportunities. Sierra County borders Plumas County to the south. Lassen County lies to the north and east. Butte County sits to the west. Check these counties if your Plumas County search does not find records.

Mining and logging families often moved between mountain counties following jobs. Your ancestor might appear in Plumas County census records but have vital events recorded in adjacent counties. Search broadly across the northern Sierra Nevada when tracing families from the 1850s through early 1900s.