The feasibility and the accuracy of the correlation coefficient(CC) method for the determination of particle positions along the optical axis in digital particle holography were verified by validation experiments. A traverse system with capable of high precision was used to move the particle objects by exact known distances between several different positions. The particle positions along the optical axis were calculated by the CC method and compared with their exact values to obtain the errors of the focal plane determination. The tested particles were 2D dots in a calibration target along with different sized glass beads and droplets that reflected and caused a three-dimensional effect. The results show that the CC method can work well for both the 2D dots and the 3D particles. The effect of other particles on the focal plane determination was also investigated. The CC method can locate the focal plane of particles with a high precision, regardless of the existence of other particles.