California Death Records

Tulare County Death Records

Tulare County's death records span the heart of California's agricultural Central Valley. The county has long been one of the top farming counties in the nation, and its records reflect the diverse communities that worked its fields — including Dust Bowl migrants, Mexican farmworkers, and Japanese-American families who returned after World War II internment.

How to Get a Tulare County Death Certificate

Death certificates for deaths that occurred in Tulare 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.

Tulare County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder

Address: 221 S. Mooney Boulevard, Room 105, Visalia, CA 93291
Phone: (559) 636-5051
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Fee: $31 per certified copy
As of January 1, 2026 (AB 64 $2 increase)
Website: https://tularecounty.ca.gov/assessor/county-clerk-recorder/

By mail: Tulare County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder, 221 S. Mooney Blvd., Room 105, Visalia, CA 93291-4593. Include a check or money order payable to the Tulare County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder for $31 per copy.

Online: Order through the county's online portal. 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 Tulare 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 Tulare County Death Records Free

Our California Death Index includes death records from Tulare 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.