Vital Records (Birth, Death, & Marriage)

Married in South Lake Tahoe?

Please read the following.

If you were married in South Lake Tahoe, it is important to identify if you were married in California or Nevada. If you were married at the Chapel of the Bells, Emerald Bay or on the South Lake Tahoe Shoreline, you were married in California.

If you were married at Love Chapel or a Casino, you were married in Nevada. Under Nevada Law, marriage license indexes are available for public review online. You may wish to check Washoe County Recorder's records or Douglas County Recorder's records before requesting a copy of your marriage license.

If you placed an order for a certified copy and we do not have the record, you will be charged for the number of certified copies you have requested and received a "Letter of No Record" in their place.

Three Ways to Obtain a Certified Copy of a Vital Record

In Person

If you would like to obtain your Birth, Death or Marriage Certificate by coming into one of our office locations, you will need to complete an application and then schedule an appointment. Please use the links below:

Those of you wishing to obtain a certified copy from our South Lake Tahoe office, you may want to consider our online option.  This allows you to request a copy of the vital record without appearing in our office or before a notary public.  The record is mailed directly to your home.  Our processing time for a vital record request is two business days when not being issued in person.  Your record will be mailed out by U.S. Mail, however you can request delivery by UPS for additional fees through vitalchek. 

Online

With a credit card - additional fees apply

New and improved! Our vendor now is able to verify your identify online (No longer do you need to go to a notary public). Please visit vitalchek.com. *

By Mail

With a money order or cashier's check

If you desire to purchase a Birth, Death or Marriage Certificate by mail:

  • You will need to download the form available on this site:
  • You will need to sign both the Sworn Statement (and sign under penalty of perjury) and have the Certificate of Acknowledgment notarized if you want a certified copy. (As an authorized person)  Under California Law, Notaries may charge a fee of $15.00 for acknowledging your signature.  You may find the online request more cost effective (see above).  
  • All these forms must be mailed to the El Dorado County Recorder-Clerk office along with the proper fee.
  • Please note the instructions for requesting an “Informational” copy. You only need to fill out the Applicant and Registrant portions, and send the proper fee.
  • If we receive only the Applicant and Registrant portion filled out, we will keep the fee and send you an “Informational” copy.
  • Only “Authorized Persons” are required to fill out the perjury and acknowledgement forms. You will receive a certified copy for your records.

Disclaimer: If you pay by personal check, your record is held for 15 working days before mailing. 

*In rare cases, vitalchek may not be able to authenticate your identity.  If that occurs, you will need to appear before a notary public.

 

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