California public records
California has no single public-records search covering every court and county. Start with the Superior Court for a case, the county assessor or recorder for property, and bizfile Online for business filings. Choose an authorized or informational vital-record copy according to the purpose.
By DeepSearch · Updated
Agency records law
California Public Records Act
Cal. Gov't Code §§ 7920.000–7930.215
Official record sources
Choose the document you need before searching. A case index, parcel assessment, recorded deed and certified certificate are different records. The links below lead to the responsible government service or its official directory.
| Record / custodian | How to access | Costs and coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Court recordsCalifornia Courts Self-Help | Find the court where the case was filed, then use its online search or clerk's office. | Online documents and certified copies may have local fees. Remote access is restricted for some case types even when courthouse inspection is possible. |
| Property and land recordsCalifornia Board of Equalization county contacts | Choose the county assessor for assessments and recorder for deeds. | County document fees vary. An assessor's parcel entry does not establish a complete chain of title. |
| Business recordsCalifornia Secretary of State | Use bizfile Online for entity information and filings. | Search and document orders have distinct fee rules. Some business forms and local fictitious-business-name filings are outside the entity database. |
| Birth, death, marriage and divorceCalifornia Department of Public Health | Choose the record type and authorized or informational copy route. | Search and certificate fees depend on the record. Authorized copies require eligibility; divorce records and county-held marriage records have separate procedures. |
| Criminal-history checksCalifornia Department of Justice | Choose personal record review or an authorized applicant fingerprint check. | Fingerprint and processing charges may apply. California criminal-history access is restricted; public case information is not a substitute for an authorized DOJ report. |
A criminal charge is not a conviction. A name match does not establish identity. Use the official case disposition and the appropriate authorized record-check process when those distinctions matter.
Requesting agency records in California
Use this process for existing government agency records. Court case copies, vital certificates and criminal-history reports use the separate procedures in the table.
- Who can request
- Any person can request existing state or local agency records under the California Public Records Act. Restricted records and court case files follow separate access rules.
- How to submit
- Identify the California agency, municipality or county that maintains the record, then use its published records-custodian contact or accepted request channel. Describe existing documents, identifiers and dates. Keep the submitted request and acknowledgement; court copies and vital certificates use the separate services above.
- Response and delivery
- The usual 10-calendar-day deadline concerns the disclosure determination. Specified unusual circumstances allow up to 14 additional days; production must still be prompt.
- Fees and estimates
- Direct duplication costs may be charged. Some electronic extraction or programming can add costs; request an estimate before authorizing it.
- If access is denied
- Ask for a written exemption and segregable public portions. California has judicial enforcement rather than one statewide administrative appeal for every agency.
California records-request example
Replace the brackets, narrow the dates and send this to the agency that holds the records. Use its required form or portal when applicable. This example requests agency documents; it is not a certificate application or court filing.
To: [the agency's designated records custodian] Subject: California public-records request — [record or project identifier] Under the California Public Records Act (Cal. Gov't Code §§ 7920.000–7930.215), I request electronic copies of the city's issued permit and final inspection record for [address and permit number]. Please use existing records in their available electronic format. If any material is withheld, identify the legal basis and provide the non-exempt portions. Before incurring charges above [your limit], please send an itemized estimate. Please confirm receipt and the expected response date. [Name and contact details required by the receiving agency] [Requester eligibility or residency information, where required]
Before sending, check requester eligibility above. Keep the submission confirmation, cost estimate, response and any exemption cited so a follow-up or appeal can refer to the same request.
California public records FAQ
Where can I find California court records?
Find the court where the case was filed, then use its online search or clerk's office. Remote access is restricted for some case types even when courthouse inspection is possible.
Sources: California Courts Self-HelpAre California public records free?
Direct duplication costs may be charged. Some electronic extraction or programming can add costs; request an estimate before authorizing it. Certificate and court-document services follow the separate charges listed above.
Sources: California official public-records guidance; California Courts Self-Help; California Department of Public HealthHow do I get birth, death, marriage or divorce records in California?
Choose the record type and authorized or informational copy route. Authorized copies require eligibility; divorce records and county-held marriage records have separate procedures.
Sources: California Department of Public Health; California Courts Self-HelpIs a California court search a complete criminal-history check?
No. California criminal-history access is restricted; public case information is not a substitute for an authorized DOJ report. Choose personal record review or an authorized applicant fingerprint check.
Sources: California Department of Justice; California Courts Self-HelpSources and review
Each link identifies the official custodian or its published directory. Portal coverage and fees can change; confirm the current order details before paying. The date below records the source review, not the date a government record was created.
- California official public-records guidance — checked
- California Courts Self-Help — checked
- California Board of Equalization county contacts — checked
- California Secretary of State — checked
- California Department of Public Health — checked
- California Department of Justice — checked
Browse other jurisdictions
Public-records access rules vary by jurisdiction. Continue through the directory or return to the full list to choose the agency location you need.
All public-records jurisdictions