MODESTO — The Stanislaus County Clerk Recorder’s Office will implement several fee increases beginning Jan. 1, 2026, affecting vital records, marriage documents and environmental filings, Clerk Recorder and Registrar of Voters Donna Linder announced this week.

The changes to birth, death and marriage certificate fees are mandated under California Health and Safety Codes 100425 and 103625, which require periodic adjustments to reflect the actual cost of providing the documents. Starting Jan. 1, the cost of a birth certificate will rise to $34, while death certificates will cost $26 and fetal death certificates $23. Marriage and confidential marriage certificates will increase to $19.

The office will also adjust filing fees associated with the California Environmental Quality Act, which are collected on behalf of the state Department of Fish and Game. The fees help fund the department’s work managing and protecting California’s fish and wildlife resources.

Under Fish and Game Code 713, the department updates its filing fees annually. For 2026, the fee for a Negative Declaration or Mitigated Negative Declaration will increase by $75, bringing the total to $3,043.75. The fee for an Environmental Impact Report will rise by $104 to $4,227.50. Environmental documents filed under a Certified Regulatory Program will increase by $35.50, for a total of $1,437.25.

The clerk-recorder’s office collects CEQA-related fees when project proponents file notices of determination with the county.

Linder said the updated fees will take effect for all filings and document requests submitted on or after Jan. 1.