Kings County, California Records
Kings County, California (Map It) was created on March 22, 1893 from Tulare County. AAAAA County derived its name from the Kings River which, according to Padre Munoz’ diary of the Moraga Expedition of 1806, was discovered in 1805 by an exploring expedition and named Rio de los Santos Reyes (River of the Holy Kings)
Kings County is bordered by Kern County (south), Tulare County (east), Fresno County (north & northwest), Monterey County (west), San Luis Obispo County (southwest) .
Kings County Cities and Towns include Armona, Avenal, Corcoran, Hanford, Home Garden, Kettleman City, Lemoore, Lemoore Station, Stratford .
Since its creation Kings County boundries have changed to include these:
- Most of the county was in Mariposa County from 1850 to 1852, then in Tulare County from 1852 to 1893 when it was moved to Kings County.
- Territory in Mariposa County from 1850 to 1852, in Tulare County from 1852 to 1874, and in Fresno County from 1874 to 1876, was in Tulare County again from 1876 to 1893 when it was moved to Kings County.
- Territory in Mariposa County from 1850 to 1856, in Tulare County from 1856 to 1874, and in Fresno County from 1874 to 1876, was in Tulare County from 1876 to 1893 when it was moved to Kings County.
- Territory in Mariposa County from 1850 to 1856, was in Tulare County from 1956 to 1893 when it was moved to Kings County.
- Territory in Mariposa County from 1850 to 1856, was in Fresno County from 1856 to 1909 when it was added to Kings County.
- Territory in Mariposa County from 1850 to 1852, and in Tulare County from 1852 to 1856, was in Fresno County from 1856 to 1909 when it was added to Kings County.
Kings County, California Courthouse Records
Kings County, CA Courthouse
Old Kings County Courthouse
The Kings County Courthouse is located in Hanford, California. Land from Fresno County was added in 1909. Learn More About State of California Court, Tax, Land and Probate Records.
Courthouse History - King's County was not officially incorporated until 1893, when it broke away from Tulare and established a county seat in Hanford. For years county offices were spread around the town, with the courts operating out of the Opera House, until supervisors approved plans for a courthouse "in granite stone [with] terra cotta trimmings and the sum of $26,000." The courts and other county offices occupied the Neoclassical Romanesque building until a new government center was constructed in 1977. The building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is now used for offices, retail shops, and restaurants.
The Clerk's Office DOES NOT DO RESEARCH. Most staff will assist people in finding the materials, but it is up to the individual to do the research. Some early court records from the various courts may have been sent to the California State Archives. Besides court minutes and judgements, these records include tax lists, wills, deeds, estate inventories, and marriage bonds. The California State Archives has microfilm of selected county records, 1850–1919.
The following dates indicates what vital, land, probate, and court records are in Kings county. The date listed for each record is usually the earliest registration filed. The date does not indicate that there are alot records for that year and does not mean that all such events were actually filed with the clerk. Some counties encompass land settled in the eighteenth century; their records pre-date county formation. Land transactions and vital records recorded in the county are at the county recorder's office. The county clerk general has probate books and files from the county's superior court, civil court records, and naturalizations. Divorces may be in either place, depending on how filed.
- Kings County Recorder-Clerk has Birth / Death Records from 1893, Marriage Records from 1893 and Land Records from 1893. The County Recorder-Clerk is s responsible for examination and recording of all documents presented for recording that deal with establishing ownership of land in the County or as required by statute; administers the real property transfer tax law and maintains a permanent record and indexes of all documents for public viewing plus providing certified copies requested by the public; recording of all lawful documents such as deeds, deeds of trust, judgments, liens, affidavits, Uniform Commercial Code Financial Statements, etc; and the filing of Births, Deaths, and Marriages.
- Kings County Clerk of Superior Court has Probate Records from 1893 and Court Records from 1893. The County Clerk of Superior Court has probate books and files from the county's superior court, civil court records, and naturalizations. Divorces may be here or in the Recorders Office, depending on how it was filed.
- Kings County County Treasurer / Tax Collector
- Local Registrar of Births and Deaths, 330 Campus Drive, Hanford, CA 93230; Office (559) 584-1401 ext. 2604
Kings County, California Census Records
- Learn More: State of California Census Records
- U.S. Federal Population Schedules: 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940
- State Population Schedules: Voter Registers, 1866-1898, Voter Registrations, 1900-1968
- U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules: None
- Selected U.S. Federal Census Agriculture Schedules: None
- Selected U.S. Federal Census Industry Schedules: None
- Union Veterans Schedules: None
Kings County, California Vital Records
- Learn More: State of California Vital Records
- Birth Records: from July 1905 to present.
- Marriage Records: Indexes from 1949-1986 and 1998-1999.
- Death Records: from July 1905 to present. See Local County Recorder
- Divorce Records: from 1962 and June, 1984. See local County Circuit or County Chancery Clerk.
- Locations: California Department of Public Health, Vital Records, – MS 5103, 1501 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95814; PH (916) 445-1719 or (916) 445-2684
- Vital Records Online:Â USAVital or Social Security Death Index
- Vital Records by Mail:  Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, Divorce Certificate, Death Certificate Applications.
Kings County, California Resources
Kings County, California External Links
- California Historical Newspapers - Newspapers.com
- Kings County, California Books - Amazon
- Kings Co., California - FindaGrave
- California Indexed Historical Records - Familysearch
- California Pioneer Project
- Kings County History
- Kings County, California Links - Cyndi's List
- Historical Newspapers from California (1813 - 1978)
- Kings Co. CAGenweb
- Kings County, California Ancestry Database Collections
- Kings County, California Military Records
