County Assessor Waiving Fees for Replacement Documents for Fire Victims

San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk Ernest J. Dronenburg announced Tuesday that he has worked with the County Board of Supervisors to allow him to issue replacement copies of vital records lost in the recent wild fires for free.  

Dronenburg said, “My staff will waive the normal fees charged for copies of marriage licenses and certified copies of birth and death certificates for local residents whose San Diego County vital documents were destroyed during the wild fires. I feel this is the least we can do to help those who lost so much and whose lives are in chaos.  

“It is our mission to assist residents by making the process of getting back on their feet a little easier. They can visit any of the five County Clerk’s office locations or complete an application from the Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk’s website (sdarcc.com) and mail it to the address listed on the site.”  

Residents who have questions may call the County Clerk’s Office at (619) 237-0502.  

Dronenburg went on to remind fire victims of his announcement last week of how they can reduce their current assessed value. He stated, “If the victims contact my office we will assist them in getting the correct form to request a reduction in their assessed value equal to the value of the property after the fire damage, whether it was fully or partially destroyed. This reduction in value will be as of the date of the fire and in most cases will lead to a refund of property taxes they have already paid. We will be looking for them but we encourage them to contact us so we can start the revaluation process.”  

Residents who have assessed valuation questions may call the Assessor’s Office at (619) 531-4993

—Office of San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk Ernest J. Dronenburg