California Death Records

Madera County Death Records

Madera County straddles the San Joaquin Valley floor and the Sierra Nevada foothills, with Yosemite National Park's southern entrance at its eastern edge. Its death records primarily reflect the agricultural communities of the valley and the small foothill towns. The county's population has been modest but steady through the period covered by our database.

How to Get a Madera County Death Certificate

Death certificates for deaths that occurred in Madera County can be obtained from the county clerk's office or from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). The county office is typically faster for in-person requests.

Madera County County Clerk-Recorder-Elections

Address: 200 West 4th Street, Madera, CA 93637
Phone: (559) 675-7724
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Fee: $31 per certified copy
As of January 1, 2026 (AB 64 $2 increase). The Recorder does not accept credit cards.
Website: https://www.maderacounty.com/government/county-clerk-recorder-elections/county-recorder/vital-records

By mail: Madera County Clerk-Recorder, 200 West 4th Street, Madera, CA 93637. Include a check or money order payable to the Madera County County Clerk-Recorder-Elections for $31 per copy.

Online: Order through VitalChek. Additional service fees may apply for online orders.

What You'll Need to Request a Death Certificate

— Full legal name of the deceased
— Date of death (or approximate range)
— Place of death (city or county)
— Your relationship to the deceased
— Valid government-issued photo ID
— Social Security number of deceased (if known — helps locate the record)

Tip: If you're missing some of this information, try searching our free death index first. Our database includes dates of birth and death, county of death, parents' names, and Social Security numbers for deaths from 1940–1997.

Authorized vs. Informational Copies

California issues two types of death certificates. Authorized copies are available only to family members and legal representatives — they can be used for legal purposes like settling estates. Informational copies are available to anyone regardless of relationship — useful for genealogy and family history research. Both cost the same fee. See our complete guide to getting a death certificate for details.

Alternative: Order from CDPH

The California Department of Public Health can issue death certificates for any death that occurred in California, not just Madera County. This is useful if you're unsure which county the death occurred in. Processing takes 5–7 weeks by mail or 1–3 days through VitalChek online. The fee is $26 per copy. See our death certificate guide for complete CDPH ordering instructions.

Search Madera County Death Records Free

Our California Death Index includes death records from Madera County covering 1940 through 1997. Each record includes the deceased's name, dates of birth and death, parents' names, and Social Security number (where available). Search our free death index →

Looking for records after 1997? Learn why the index stops and where to find more recent records.