On August 29, 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency to support Del Norte County due to the Smith River Complex fires and Siskiyou County due to Happy Camp Complex fires.

Among other provisions, the proclamations waive certain licensing requirements and fees for out-of-state contractors and others working with California utilities to restore electricity. The proclamations also support impacted residents by easing access to unemployment benefits and waiving fees to replace driver’s licenses and records such as marriage and birth certificates.

Pursuant to this Proclamation of a State of Emergency, fees for certified copies of birth, death, marriage, and dissolution of marriage records are suspended for any individual who lost such records as a result of the fires. This Proclamation will remain in effect until the Governor terminates the State of Emergency. This Proclamation is available for viewing at: 

• Proclamation 8-29-2023​
  
  

When requesting free copies of a vital record, survivors should state on the application, “Smith River Complex” or “Happy Camp Complex,” and complete the enclosed sworn statement declaring under penalty of perjury that they are a survivor. The sworn statement for winter storm survivors is a combined sworn statement which also includes the sworn statement required by Health and Safety Code Section 103526. For requests sent to the California Department of Public Health – Vital Records (CDPH-VR), survivors should additionally make the notation “Smith River Complex” or “Happy Camp Complex” on the front of the mailing envelope, for faster processing.

The application and combined sworn statement must be submitted to complete the request.