Search San Bernardino County Genealogy Records

San Bernardino County genealogy records document family history across California's largest county by area. The Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk office maintains vital records including birth certificates, death records, and marriage licenses for events within county boundaries. You can access records through their offices in San Bernardino, request copies by mail, or use online ordering systems for recent documents. San Bernardino County has maintained birth and death records since the 1860s, with more consistent recording after statewide registration began in 1905. Marriage records date back to 1853 when the county was established. The county also operates a historical archives facility in San Bernardino with older records, newspapers, photographs, and manuscript collections valuable for genealogy research.

San Bernardino County Vital Records Office

The San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk handles all vital records for births, deaths, and marriages within the county. Birth certificates cost thirty one dollars per copy. Death records run twenty six dollars. Marriage certificates cost nineteen dollars. These fees match state rates and became effective January 1, 2026.

The main vital records office is located at 222 West Hospitality Lane, Third Floor, in San Bernardino. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Walk-in service is available during these hours. Bring photo identification and know the details of the record you need. Staff will search the index and provide copies while you wait if the record is readily available.

San Bernardino County maintains branch offices in Joshua Tree, Needles, Rancho Cucamonga, and Victorville. These branch locations can assist with some vital records requests, though the main office in San Bernardino holds the complete collection. Call ahead to verify which services are available at branch locations. The main vital records phone number is 909-387-8306.

Mail requests go to Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk, Vital Records Unit, 222 West Hospitality Lane, Third Floor, San Bernardino, CA 92415-0022. Include a completed application, payment by check or money order made out to Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Allow two to three weeks for processing. Do not send cash through the mail.

Online Record Requests

San Bernardino County offers online ordering for vital records through their website portal. The system accepts credit cards and processes requests electronically during business hours. Additional processing fees apply to online orders. The convenience of online ordering works well for recent records where you know exact details.

Genealogists should request informational copies when ordering online. These copies do not require notarized statements and cost the same as certified copies. Informational copies display a legend stating they cannot establish identity. This limitation does not matter for family history research. Only authorized persons listed in California Health and Safety Code Section 103526 need certified copies for legal purposes.

Online orders typically process within one to two weeks. The system sends email confirmation when your order is received and again when certificates are mailed. Certificates ship via U.S. Postal Service first class mail. Expedited shipping is not available for vital records.

San Bernardino County Archives

The San Bernardino County Archives and Records Center maintains historical records and genealogy resources separate from current vital records. The archives facility is located at 777 East Rialto Avenue in San Bernardino. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. by appointment. Call 909-387-8306 to schedule research visits.

Archives collections include older vital records, probate files, court records, naturalization papers, maps, photographs, and manuscript collections. Some materials date to the 1850s when San Bernardino County was first organized. The archives also hold microfilmed copies of newspapers, city directories, and cemetery records. These supplementary sources help fill gaps when official vital records are missing or incomplete.

Probate records at the archives list heirs and family relationships. Naturalization papers show birthplaces and arrival dates for immigrant ancestors. Court case files sometimes include depositions with biographical details. Marriage licenses before 1905 exist only in county archives, not at the state level. Cemetery records identify burial locations even when death certificates are missing.

The archives staff can guide researchers through the collections and suggest relevant materials. Allow several hours for research visits. Appointments are required and ensure staff can retrieve materials from storage in advance. Copying services are available for most documents. Some fragile materials may have restrictions on handling or photography.

San Bernardino County Historical Background

San Bernardino County formed in 1853 from parts of Los Angeles County. The county originally covered a much larger area including what is now Riverside County and Imperial County. Despite later divisions, San Bernardino remains California's largest county by area at over 20,000 square miles. Most of this territory is desert, with population concentrated in the southwestern valleys and mountain communities.

Early residents included Mormon settlers who founded San Bernardino city in 1851. Mining attracted prospectors to mountain and desert areas. Railroads brought additional settlement in the 1880s. Citrus farming developed as a major industry in the valley regions. Military installations including Norton Air Force Base and Marine Corps bases brought population growth in the twentieth century. These varied industries created diverse records useful for genealogy research.

The county's large geographic size meant some areas were quite isolated. Birth and death records from remote desert communities may be incomplete or delayed. Families sometimes traveled to Los Angeles, Riverside, or San Diego for medical care, creating vital records in those counties instead. Check neighboring counties if you cannot locate a San Bernardino County record for an ancestor who lived near county boundaries.

Types of Genealogy Records in San Bernardino County

Birth certificates list child's name, date, place, parents' names, parents' birthplaces, father's occupation, and mother's maiden name. San Bernardino County birth records from after 1960 include more detailed information. Earlier certificates provide basics only. Some births were registered years after the event, creating delayed certificates that may have less accurate information based on family recollection rather than contemporary documentation.

Death records show decedent's name, date and place of death, age, birthplace, parents' names, marital status, spouse if applicable, and cause of death. San Bernardino County death certificates often list funeral homes and cemeteries. These entities may have additional records including obituaries, burial permits, and family information collected during funeral arrangements. Death records also note whether the deceased was a veteran, pointing researchers toward military records.

Marriage licenses include both spouses' names, ages, birthplaces, parents' names, residence, occupation, and previous marriages. Witnesses are named on the license. The county Clerk issues licenses valid for ninety days anywhere in California. The marriage ceremony location does not matter for record keeping. Licenses are filed in the county where issued. Confidential marriages from 1971 forward remain sealed to all except the spouses or by court order.

Property records show land ownership, sales, mortgages, and transfers. Deeds often name family members and state relationships. Homestead declarations protected family property and list household members. Mining claims and water rights documents are unique to this county's history. All recorded documents are maintained by the Recorder division of the same office handling vital records. Cross reference property and vital records to build complete family pictures.

Cities and Communities in San Bernardino County

San Bernardino County includes many incorporated cities and unincorporated communities. Major cities with populations over 100,000 are San Bernardino, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Victorville, Hesperia, and Chino. All vital records for events in these cities are maintained by the county Clerk regardless of which city the event occurred in.

Smaller communities like Barstow, Needles, Big Bear Lake, and Twentynine Palms have their own histories and local resources. Desert communities developed around mining, railroads, and military installations. Mountain towns grew as resort destinations. Each area has unique characteristics that affected record keeping and family life.

Adjacent counties include Los Angeles and Orange to the west, Riverside to the south, Inyo and Kern to the north, and Nevada and Arizona to the east. San Bernardino County borders three states, which created unique migration patterns. Families moved between California, Nevada, and Arizona for work or climate. Check records in bordering states if your ancestors lived in eastern San Bernardino County.

San Bernardino County Research Strategies

Start with online resources before ordering records. FamilySearch has indexed many San Bernardino County vital records. The California Birth Index covers 1905 to 1995. Search these free databases to verify records exist before paying fees. The indexes provide enough information to complete order forms accurately.

Visit the county archives for pre-1905 research. The archives hold the only copies of some early records. Staff knowledge of local history and record locations saves time. Bring as much information as possible about your ancestors but be prepared for gaps in nineteenth century documentation. Not all early births and deaths were recorded even after counties began keeping registers.

Check newspaper archives for obituaries and family notices. The archives have microfilm of San Bernardino Sun, Redlands Daily Facts, and other local papers. Obituaries often provide details not found in death certificates. Marriage and birth announcements name relatives and places of origin. Social news columns track family movements and activities.

Consider geographic factors in your search. The county's vast size meant travel took time. Families used services in nearby towns rather than traveling to San Bernardino. Desert residents might have used Las Vegas or Needles services. Mountain residents traveled to Redlands or San Bernardino. Valley residents had more options. Think about where your ancestors would have gone for government services based on their location.

Note: Request informational copies for genealogy work to avoid notarization requirements and still receive all the information you need for family history.