California public records are government-created documents, filings, databases, and communications maintained by state and local agencies that are generally accessible to the public under the California Public Records Act (CPRA), currently codified at California Government Code §7920.000 et seq. (Division 10, Title 1). The law, originally signed by Governor Ronald Reagan in 1968 and recodified effective January 1, 2023, establishes a presumption that government records are open for inspection unless a specific statutory exemption applies — and access to government information has been enshrined as a constitutional right since 2004.
Residents frequently perform a California public records search — sometimes called a California CPRA request, California open records request, or California public records lookup — to locate court filings, property ownership information, business registrations, government spending data, and vital records.
California’s 39 million residents are served by 58 counties, each maintaining its own Superior Court, county recorder, assessor, and vital records offices. There is no statewide portal that unifies court records or county property records across all 58 counties. Understanding which county and which agency maintains each record type is the foundation of effective public records research in California.
On This Page
- Quick Answer: Where to Search California Public Records
- Legal Notice
- Why This Guide Is Reliable
- Why California Public Records Law Is Distinctive
- The Legal Framework
- California Court Records
- California Criminal Records
- California Property Records
- California Business Records
- California Vital Records
- California Inmate and Corrections Records
- Professional License Records
- Charity and Nonprofit Records
- How to Submit a California Public Records Act Request
- Free Government Databases for California Public Records
- Common Mistakes When Researching California Public Records
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
- Related Guides
- Disclaimer
Quick Answer: Where to Search California Public Records
The most important free and low-cost government databases for researching California public records include:
- California Courts — Find Your Court (courts.ca.gov) — directory linking to all 58 county Superior Court portals for case information
- California Courts Appellate System (appellatecases.courtinfo.ca.gov) — California Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal opinions and dockets
- California DOJ — Megan’s Law (meganslaw.ca.gov) — free statewide sex offender registry
- California DOC CDCR Inmate Locator (cdcr.ca.gov/inmate-locator) — state prison inmate records
- County Recorder/Assessor portals — property ownership, assessed value, and recorded documents (58 counties, each with its own portal)
- California Secretary of State Business Search (bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov) — statewide business entity filings
- CDPH Vital Records (cdph.ca.gov/vital-records) — birth and death certificates via mail or VitalChek
- California Department of Consumer Affairs License Search (search.dca.ca.gov) — professional license verification for DCA-regulated professions
- California AG — Charitable Trusts (oag.ca.gov/charities) — charity registration and Form 990 filings
These systems provide access to the majority of publicly searchable government records in California.
⚠️ Legal Notice
California public records law is governed primarily by the California Public Records Act (CPRA), Government Code §7920.000 et seq., and strengthened by Article I, Section 3(b) of the California Constitution (added by Proposition 59 in 2004). While all records of public agencies are presumed open, exemptions cover personal privacy information, personnel and medical records, preliminary drafts, law enforcement investigative files, and certain security records. Criminal history records are governed separately by the California Penal Code §§11100–11127 and are not publicly accessible for third-party research — only individuals may obtain their own records. Vital records are governed by the California Health & Safety Code §§102100 et seq.
This guide explains lawful public records research methods and does not constitute legal advice.
Why This Guide Is Reliable
inet-investigation.com publishes research-based guides built on primary government sources, investigative research methods, and public records law. All databases referenced in this guide link to official government websites whenever possible.
For jurisdiction-specific legal questions, consult a licensed California attorney or the relevant government agency responsible for the record.
Why California Public Records Law Is Distinctive
California’s public records framework combines constitutional elevation of the right to access, one of the oldest state open records laws in the country, and some of the most restrictive criminal records access policies of any major state. Several features distinguish California from every other state in this guide series.
The right to access public records is enshrined in the California Constitution. In 2004, California voters approved Proposition 59 — the Sunshine Amendment — which added Article I, Section 3(b) to the California Constitution. It states that the people have the right of access to information concerning the conduct of the people’s business and that the writings of public officials shall be open to public scrutiny. This constitutional status means courts must broadly construe the CPRA in favor of access and narrowly construe exemptions. An agency claiming an exemption bears the burden of proving it applies — the same burden structure as Illinois and Florida, but with constitutional backing.
The CPRA was recodified in 2023, changing section numbers but not the law. Effective January 1, 2023, the CPRA moved from Government Code §§6250–6276 to §§7920.000–7931.000, under Assembly Bill 473. The recodification was purely organizational — the law did not change substantively. However, guidance, court decisions, and older CPRA request templates still cite the former section numbers. Both citation systems remain valid; §7920.000 is the current code, §6250 is the former. Researchers citing CPRA authority should use the current numbering.
California has no statewide court records portal. Unlike Pennsylvania (UJS covers all 67 counties), Florida (Clerk of Courts portal with statewide coverage), or Illinois (Judici for many counties), California has no unified online portal for trial court records. Each of California’s 58 counties operates its own Superior Court with its own case search system — ranging from robust online portals (Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Santa Clara) to limited online access or no online access at all for smaller counties. This is the most significant practical limitation for researchers and the most common source of frustration for those expecting a centralized California court search system.
Criminal history records are not public for third-party research. California Department of Justice criminal history records — the state’s official criminal history database — are restricted by law to law enforcement agencies and specifically authorized applicant agencies (employers in regulated industries, licensing boards, and similar entities). Third parties cannot request criminal history on another individual. Individuals may request their own record from the DOJ for $25 via Live Scan fingerprinting. This makes California one of the most restrictive states for criminal records research among the states covered in this guide series — in sharp contrast to Texas ($1 per search credit, open to anyone) or Illinois (UCIA conviction search open to the public).
The CPRA does not apply to the Legislature or the courts. Like Texas, California courts are exempt from the CPRA — access to court records is governed by California Rules of Court (Rules 2.400 and 2.550). Additionally, the California Legislature is governed by the separate Legislative Open Records Act (Government Code §9070 et seq.), not the CPRA. Requests sent to courts or the Legislature under the CPRA are improper and will be redirected.
Fees are limited to direct cost of duplication only. California CPRA fees may only cover the direct cost of producing copies — paper, toner, the cost of the medium — and not staff time for research, retrieval, or review. This “direct cost” standard is more restrictive than most states and limits the ability of agencies to use fee schedules as a deterrent. Electronic records must be provided in electronic format when feasible, and at no charge beyond the cost of the digital medium (which is typically zero when delivered by email).
Vital records older than 100 years are generally public; recent records are restricted. California vital records less than 100 years old are restricted to authorized recipients. Records older than 100 years are generally available to the public for genealogical research. This creates a clear and unusual two-tier system: birth and death records from 1905 through approximately 1925 are now accessible without authorization restrictions, while more recent records require proof of eligibility.
The Legal Framework
| Law | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| California Government Code §7920.000 et seq. | California Public Records Act (CPRA) — public access to state and local agency records; recodified Jan. 1, 2023 from former §§6250–6276 |
| California Constitution, Article I §3(b) | Constitutional right of access to public records (Prop 59, 2004 Sunshine Amendment) |
| California Government Code §9070 et seq. | Legislative Open Records Act — access to California Legislature records (separate from CPRA) |
| California Penal Code §§11100–11127 | State Summary Criminal History Information — governs DOJ criminal history records; restricts public third-party access |
| California Health & Safety Code §§102100 et seq. | Vital Statistics Act — birth, death, marriage, and fetal death records; access restrictions and authorized recipient categories |
| California Rules of Court, Rules 2.400 and 2.550 | Access to court records — separate from CPRA; governs inspection and copying of judicial branch records |
→ Related guide: What Are Public Records?
→ Related guide: How FOIA Requests Work
California Court Records
California court records document civil, criminal, family, probate, small claims, and traffic matters filed in Superior Courts, which are the trial courts of general jurisdiction — one per county, for a total of 58. The California Supreme Court and six Courts of Appeal handle appellate matters. Access to court records is governed by California Rules of Court (Rules 2.400 and 2.550), which presume all court records are open to inspection unless sealed, confidential, or otherwise restricted by law.
There is no statewide online portal for trial court records. Each county Superior Court maintains its own case information system with varying levels of online access. The California Courts website at courts.ca.gov provides a “Find Your Court” directory linking to all 58 county court websites.
Major County Superior Court Case Search Portals
Each county runs its own system. The most-used portals include:
- Los Angeles Superior Court — lacourt.org/casesummary — case summary search by party name or case number; criminal case documents require in-person access
- San Diego Superior Court — sdcourt.ca.gov — online case search for civil, criminal, family, probate; criminal case documents available only in person
- San Francisco Superior Court — sf.courts.ca.gov — case query for civil and criminal cases
- Santa Clara Superior Court — portal.scscourt.org — robust online case information portal
- Orange County Superior Court — occourts.org/online-services/case-access — civil and criminal case access
- Sacramento Superior Court — saccourt.ca.gov — online case index
For counties without a developed online portal, case information must be obtained by visiting the courthouse or calling the clerk’s office directly. Coverage, depth, and document availability vary significantly from county to county — some counties provide document images online, most restrict criminal case documents to in-person inspection.
California Appellate Courts
URL: appellatecases.courtinfo.ca.gov
Cost: Free
Published opinions and case information from the California Supreme Court and all six Courts of Appeal districts are searchable by party name, attorney, case number, or opinion date. California has six appellate districts (First through Sixth), with several districts having multiple divisions.
Federal Court Records
Federal cases involving California — bankruptcy, civil rights, immigration, federal criminal matters — are maintained through PACER (pacer.gov), which requires free registration and charges $0.10 per page for documents. California has four federal judicial districts: the Northern (San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose), Central (Los Angeles, Santa Ana, Riverside), Eastern (Sacramento, Fresno), and Southern (San Diego).
California Criminal Records
California criminal history records are maintained by the California Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Criminal Information and Analysis (BCIA). Access is governed by California Penal Code §§11100–11127 and is strictly limited — California has among the most restricted public access to criminal history of any large state. Third-party background checks on individuals are not authorized for the general public. Only law enforcement agencies and specifically authorized applicant agencies (employers in regulated industries, licensing boards, child care entities, etc.) may access the state criminal history system for employment or licensing purposes.
Individuals May Request Their Own Record
URL: oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/record-review
Cost: $25 DOJ processing fee + $15–$25 Live Scan fingerprinting fee (separate)
Any individual has the right to request a copy of their own California criminal history record (RAP sheet) from the DOJ for review and accuracy challenges. The process requires submitting Live Scan fingerprints through an authorized Live Scan site (most police departments and sheriff’s offices, plus licensed private vendors). The DOJ mails results directly to the applicant — no third-party designation for personal record reviews. Processing typically takes 2–8 weeks; fee waivers are available for individuals receiving public assistance. The record shows all California arrests and prosecutions regardless of outcome — not just convictions.
California Megan’s Law — Sex Offender Registry
URL: meganslaw.ca.gov
Cost: Free
The California DOJ maintains the public sex offender registry under Penal Code §290. The Megan’s Law website allows searches by name, ZIP code, or map area. Results include photograph, address, physical description, and offense information. Note that some registrants are excluded from the public website by court order or statute (certain juvenile offenders, low-risk misdemeanor offenders) even though they remain on the registry.
Court Records as a Criminal Research Tool
Because California’s statewide DOJ database is not accessible for third-party research, county Superior Court case search portals are the primary tool for investigating another person’s criminal history. These portals show case filings, charges, and dispositions for cases filed in that county — including criminal cases at all stages. Criminal case documents (motions, transcripts, orders) typically require in-person access at the courthouse where the matter was heard, but docket information is often available online. Searching multiple county portals is necessary for any subject who has lived in more than one California county.
What Is Not Publicly Accessible
- State DOJ criminal history database — restricted to law enforcement and authorized applicant agencies
- Sealed and expunged records
- Juvenile criminal records
- Arrests that did not result in prosecution (must be distinguished from arrested-and-charged cases in court records)
- Records subject to a judicial order of relief under Penal Code §1203.4 (not deleted but may not be disclosed in some contexts)
California Property Records
California property records are maintained at the county level by two separate offices in each of the 58 counties. The County Recorder records and maintains official property instruments — deeds, deeds of trust, mortgage documents, liens, and judgment recordings. The County Assessor maintains ownership records, parcel data, assessed values (for property tax purposes), and exemption information. These are separate portals with different data, and comprehensive property research requires checking both.
Los Angeles, San Diego, and Bay Area County Portals
- LA County Assessor — assessor.lacounty.gov — property ownership and assessed value for LA County (largest county in the U.S. by population)
- LA County Recorder — lavote.gov/recorder — recorded documents including deeds and liens; online access to documents from 1999 forward
- San Diego County Assessor/Recorder — arcc.sdcounty.ca.gov — combined assessor and recorder portal
- Santa Clara County Assessor — assessor.sccgov.org — Silicon Valley property records
- San Francisco Assessor-Recorder — sfassessor.org — combined office in SF (city and county are the same jurisdiction)
Statewide Property Records Directory
The NETRONLINE California directory at publicrecords.netronline.com/state/CA links to recorder and assessor portals for all 58 counties. This is the most efficient starting point for researching a county you are unfamiliar with.
What California Property Records Contain
- Current owner of record and transfer history (grantor/grantee deed index)
- Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN) — the unique identifier for each parcel
- Legal property description and site address
- Assessed value (generally capped at 1% of purchase price + annual increases under Proposition 13)
- Property tax payment status
- Sale price and date of transfer
- Deed of trust (mortgage) and reconveyance history
- Judgment liens and mechanic’s liens recorded against the property
- Homeowner’s exemption and other property tax exemption status
Proposition 13 note: California’s property tax system under Proposition 13 (1978) caps assessed value at the purchase price, with annual increases limited to 2% until the property is sold. This means assessed value and market value can differ dramatically on properties that have not transferred in many years — assessed value alone is not a reliable proxy for current market value in California.
California Business Records
California Secretary of State — Business Search
URL: bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov
Cost: Free for basic searches; fees for certified copies
The California Secretary of State maintains the official registry of all business entities formed in California or registered to do business here — corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, general partnerships, and nonprofit corporations. Search by entity name, agent for service of process, or entity number. Results include entity status, formation date, registered agent (agent for service of process), principal address, and filing history. Statement of Information filings (annual or biennial depending on entity type) are searchable and provide officer and director names.
California UCC Filings
URL: uccdatastore.applications.sos.ca.gov
Cost: Free for searches
UCC financing statements secured against personal property (not real estate) and filed at the state level are searchable through the Secretary of State UCC Data Store. Real property fixture filings may be at the county recorder level.
California Open Data Portal
URL: data.ca.gov
Cost: Free
California’s open data portal provides downloadable datasets from state agencies — including contracts, expenditures, employee salaries, and more. Useful for research that would otherwise require CPRA requests for bulk data.
California Vital Records
California vital records — birth certificates, death certificates, marriage records, and divorce records — are governed by the California Health & Safety Code. Birth and death certificates are maintained by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Vital Records in Sacramento, and also by the county recorder or county health department in the county where the event occurred. Marriage records are at the county level; divorce records are at the Superior Court level.
How to Request California Birth and Death Certificates
Online: VitalChek — vitalchek.com — expedited service available
Mail: CDPH Vital Records, MS 5103, P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento, CA 95899-7410
Phone: (916) 445-2684 (recorded information line)
Fee (effective January 1, 2026): $34 per certified copy of birth certificate; $26 per certified copy of death certificate (fees increased per AB 64, Chapter 662, Statutes of 2025)
Records begin: July 1905 at the state level; earlier records at county level
Also available from: County recorder or county health department in the county where the birth or death occurred
Authorized vs. Informational Copies
California issues two types of certified copies of birth and death certificates — a critical distinction unique to California among the states in this guide series:
- Certified Authorized Copy: valid for legal purposes (passport, driver’s license, Social Security, identity). Only issued to the registrant, parents, legal guardians, current or former spouses, children, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, legal representatives, or parties with a court order. Requires a notarized sworn statement under penalty of perjury for mail requests.
- Certified Informational Copy: contains the same information as an authorized copy but is stamped “INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY.” Available to anyone, no sworn statement required. Cannot be used for legal purposes (passport, ID, Social Security, etc.).
If you are not an authorized person, you can still receive an informational copy — but it will not be accepted by government agencies for identity or benefit purposes.
Marriage Records
Public (non-confidential) marriage records are maintained by the county recorder in the county where the marriage license was issued. The state CDPH holds an index of public marriages from 1905 to 2001 and 2010 to present (with a gap for 2002–2009); for years in the gap, contact the county recorder. The fee and format vary by county. Confidential marriages (an option under California law for couples who have been living together) are only available to the parties to the marriage — they are not accessible from either the state or county without a court order.
Divorce Records
Divorce decrees in California are maintained by the Superior Court clerk in the county where the divorce was granted — not by the state. CDPH issues Certificates of Record for divorces from 1962 to 1984, which show only the parties’ names, filing date, county, and case number — not the full divorce decree. For the actual decree or dissolution order, contact the Superior Court clerk in the relevant county.
California Inmate and Corrections Records
CDCR Inmate Locator
URL: cdcr.ca.gov/inmate-locator (or search “CDCR inmate locator”)
Cost: Free
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation maintains a public inmate locator for individuals currently in California state prisons. Search by name, CDCR number, or date of birth. Results include current facility, admitted date, sentence length, and parole eligibility date for active inmates. The database covers state prison — not county jails or federal facilities.
County Jail Rosters
Individuals in county jail pending trial or serving misdemeanor sentences are held by county sheriffs. Most major California county sheriffs maintain online inmate search portals:
- Los Angeles County Sheriff — app4.lasd.org/iic/ajis.cfm
- San Diego County Sheriff — apps.sdsheriff.net/wjss
- San Bernardino County Sheriff — sheriff.sbcounty.gov
- Sacramento County Sheriff — www.sacsheriff.com
For other counties, search “[county name] California sheriff inmate search.”
Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator
URL: bop.gov/inmateloc
Cost: Free
Individuals incarcerated in federal prisons for crimes committed in California’s four federal districts are searchable through the BOP Inmate Locator by name or federal register number.
Professional License Records
California licenses more than 3.5 million professionals through multiple agencies. The Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) is the primary umbrella agency for consumer protection licensing in California, overseeing more than 40 regulatory boards and bureaus.
DCA License Search
URL: search.dca.ca.gov
Cost: Free
The DCA’s unified license search covers hundreds of license types under its jurisdiction including: accountants (CPA), contractors, cosmetologists, dentists, engineers, funeral directors, geologists, hearing aid dispensers, landscape architects, optometrists, pharmacists, physical therapists, physicians and surgeons (via the Medical Board), psychologists, registered nurses, speech therapists, structural pest control, veterinarians, and many more. Results include license status, issue and expiration dates, license number, and any disciplinary actions.
Additional professional licensing agencies outside DCA include:
- California State Bar — calbar.ca.gov — licensed attorneys; attorney search with disciplinary history
- California Department of Real Estate — dre.ca.gov — real estate agents, brokers, and appraisers
- California Department of Insurance — insurance.ca.gov — insurance agents, brokers, and companies
- California Commission on Teacher Credentialing — ctc.ca.gov — teacher credentials and certifications
- FINRA BrokerCheck — brokercheck.finra.org — investment advisors and broker-dealers
Charity and Nonprofit Records
California charities soliciting donations in California must register with the California Attorney General’s Registry of Charitable Trusts. Registration records — including charity name, EIN, officers, financial information, and annual filings — are searchable through the AG’s Registry portal at oag.ca.gov/charities/search.
California requires charities to file annual reports (Form RRF-1 and, for larger organizations, the IRS Form 990) with the AG’s office, making financial information more accessible than in states without registration requirements. The AG’s Registry is searchable by organization name or EIN and includes registration status, filing history, and any enforcement actions.
Federal Form 990 filings for all California tax-exempt organizations are also available through:
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search — apps.irs.gov/app/eos
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer — projects.propublica.org/nonprofits
- Candid (GuideStar) — candid.org
California nonprofit corporations are incorporated through and registered with the California Secretary of State, searchable at bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov.
How to Submit a California Public Records Act Request
Step 1 — Identify the Agency and Its Records
The CPRA applies to all state and local agencies in California — including state departments, counties, cities, school districts, community college districts, special districts, and public universities. It does not apply to the California Legislature (governed by the Legislative Open Records Act) or the courts (governed by the California Rules of Court). Identify the specific agency that maintains the records you seek — different agencies maintain different record types. Most agencies post CPRA request information on their websites.
Step 2 — Submit the Request
CPRA requests can be submitted by email, mail, fax, phone, or in person. No special form or legal language is required — the request should simply describe the records sought with sufficient specificity to allow the agency to identify and locate them. The CPRA does not require requesters to provide a reason for the request, identify themselves, or be California residents. Any person may request records from any California public agency.
Step 3 — Response Timeline
California agencies must respond to CPRA requests promptly:
- 10 calendar days to respond with a determination — either providing the records, providing a date when records will be available, or citing the legal grounds for withholding any portion
- Up to 14 additional calendar days extension available for unusual circumstances: unusually large volume of records, need to search and collect records from separate offices, need to consult with other agencies, or need to compile data from computer systems requiring special programming
- Maximum total response time with extension: 24 calendar days
- After notification, actual production of records must occur “promptly” — agencies may not use the response window as a production deadline
Step 4 — Fees
California CPRA fees are among the most limited of any state:
- Fees may only cover the direct cost of duplication — paper, toner, and the cost of the physical medium
- Staff time for searching, reviewing, redacting, and supervising inspection is not chargeable (with a narrow exception for data compilation requiring extraordinary computer programming)
- Electronic records must be provided in the requested electronic format when reasonably possible — typically at no charge when delivered by email
- Inspection of records on agency premises is free — requesters may view records without requesting copies
- There is no statutory fee waiver provision in the CPRA (unlike the TPIA or Illinois FOIA), but fees are structurally low due to the direct-cost-only limitation
Step 5 — If Access Is Denied
If an agency denies access or fails to respond within the required timeframe:
- There is no administrative appeal body for CPRA denials — California has no equivalent to Illinois’s Public Access Counselor or Pennsylvania’s Office of Open Records. Enforcement is through the courts only.
- Court action: any person denied access may file suit for injunctive or declaratory relief in the Superior Court of the county where the agency is located. Under Government Code §7923.115, courts shall consider CPRA cases on an expedited basis. Prevailing plaintiffs may recover attorney fees and costs.
- The agency bears the burden of proving that an exemption applies — not the requester’s burden to disprove it.
- For practical guidance before filing suit, the First Amendment Coalition (firstamendmentcoalition.org) provides free CPRA legal guidance and a public records hotline.
Free Government Databases for California Public Records
| Database | Record Type | URL | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA Courts — Find Your Court | Directory to all 58 Superior Court portals | courts.ca.gov | Free |
| CA Appellate Courts Case Search | Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal opinions | appellatecases.courtinfo.ca.gov | Free |
| Megan’s Law — Sex Offender Registry | Sex offender registry | meganslaw.ca.gov | Free |
| CDCR Inmate Locator | State prison inmates | cdcr.ca.gov/inmate-locator | Free |
| County Recorder Portals (58 counties) | Deeds, liens, mortgages, recorded documents | publicrecords.netronline.com/state/CA (directory) | Free to search; copies may have fees |
| County Assessor Portals (58 counties) | Property ownership and assessed values | Varies by county | Free |
| CA Secretary of State Business Search | Business entity filings statewide | bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov | Free to search |
| CA UCC Data Store | UCC financing statements | uccdatastore.applications.sos.ca.gov | Free |
| DCA License Search | Professional licenses (40+ board types) | search.dca.ca.gov | Free |
| CA AG Charitable Trusts Registry | Charity registrations and annual filings | oag.ca.gov/charities/search | Free |
| California Open Data Portal | State spending, contracts, datasets | data.ca.gov | Free |
| CDPH Vital Records (VitalChek) | Birth certs (from 1905); death certs (from 1905) | cdph.ca.gov / vitalchek.com | $34 birth / $26 death (as of Jan. 1, 2026) |
| PACER | Federal court records (4 districts) | pacer.gov | $0.10/page |
Common Mistakes When Researching California Public Records
Searching for a statewide California court records portal — it does not exist. This is the single most common mistake researchers make with California records. There is no equivalent to Pennsylvania’s UJS, Florida’s Clerk of Courts, or Texas’s re:SearchTX for California trial courts. Each of California’s 58 county Superior Courts runs its own system. A name search on one county’s portal returns results only for that county. For subjects who have lived in multiple California counties — or who were arrested in a different county from where they live — multiple separate county portal searches are required. There is no shortcut.
Attempting to request a third-party criminal background check through the California DOJ. California DOJ criminal history is restricted to law enforcement and authorized applicant agencies. A public records request to the DOJ for another person’s criminal history will be denied — this is not an exemption under the CPRA, it is a separate statutory restriction under the Penal Code. For criminal research on a California subject, use county court case search portals, which show case filings and dispositions (though not arrests that never led to a filing).
Requesting an “authorized” copy of a vital record without authorization. California’s two-tier vital records system — authorized vs. informational copy — confuses many requesters. If you are not on the authorized recipient list for a birth certificate (registrant, parent, legal guardian, immediate family, legal representative), submitting a request for a certified authorized copy will result in either a denial or the issuance of an informational copy stamped with the “not valid for identity” legend. If you need the record for genealogical or general research purposes, request an informational copy upfront to avoid the sworn statement requirement and to set accurate expectations about how the record can be used.
Expecting the same county recorder and assessor data in a single portal. California recorders and assessors are almost always separate offices with separate portals, even in the same county. The recorder holds deed transfers and recorded instruments; the assessor holds ownership data, parcel maps, and assessed values. San Francisco (a combined city/county) is an exception with a combined assessor-recorder office, as is San Diego County. For most counties, a complete property research requires two separate database searches.
Confusing the CPRA response deadline with a production deadline. The 10-calendar-day CPRA response window is a deadline for the agency to notify you of its determination — not a deadline to actually produce all records. The agency’s notice may say “records will be available by [date]” or “we need an extension.” Production of the actual records must occur “promptly” after the determination, but California has no specific deadline for actual production beyond that. Complex requests involving large volumes of records may take weeks or months to fulfill after the initial 10-day response.
Not checking the county recorder for property liens. California county assessor portals show current ownership and assessed value but typically do not include judgment liens, federal tax liens, mechanics’ liens, or other encumbrances recorded against the property. These are recorded by the county recorder and often require a separate search of the official records index. A property may appear to have no clouds on title in the assessor’s portal while carrying significant recorded liens visible only through the recorder’s index.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are California public records open to anyone?
Yes, with important exceptions. The California Public Records Act gives any person — regardless of California residency, citizenship, or purpose — the right to inspect or receive copies of records maintained by any California state or local agency. The agency cannot require requesters to identify themselves or explain why they want the records. This right is also constitutionally protected under Article I, Section 3(b) of the California Constitution. However, individual exemptions are numerous — criminal history, personal medical and financial information, personnel records, litigation records, and others are shielded. The agency bears the burden of proving any claimed exemption applies.
Does California have a FOIA law?
California has its own state open records law called the California Public Records Act (CPRA). It is not called FOIA — that name refers to the federal law — but it serves the same function for state and local agencies. The CPRA was originally enacted in 1968 (the same year as many other state open records laws, following the federal FOIA of 1966), and was recodified from Government Code §6250 to §7920.000 effective January 1, 2023. Since 2004, the right of access is also enshrined in the California Constitution (Article I, §3(b)). Unlike the Texas TPIA, there is no administrative enforcement body for CPRA disputes — enforcement is exclusively through Superior Court litigation.
Are California criminal records public?
Not for third parties. California DOJ criminal history — the official state criminal record — is restricted by law to law enforcement and specifically authorized applicant agencies (employers in regulated industries requiring background checks, licensing boards, etc.). A member of the general public cannot request criminal history on another individual through the DOJ. Individuals may request their own record for $25 plus a Live Scan fingerprinting fee. For research on another person’s criminal history, county Superior Court case search portals are the primary available tool — these show case filings and dispositions for criminal cases in that county. California’s criminal records access is among the most restricted of any large state.
Where can California property records be searched?
There is no statewide California property records portal. Records are at the county level in each of California’s 58 counties. For property ownership and assessed values, search the county assessor’s portal for the county where the property is located. For recorded documents — deeds, deeds of trust, liens — search the county recorder’s portal. In most counties these are separate offices and separate portals. The NETRONLINE California directory at publicrecords.netronline.com/state/CA links to both for all 58 counties. In Los Angeles County, the Assessor portal (assessor.lacounty.gov) and the Recorder portal (lavote.gov/recorder) are separate; in San Diego County, a combined assessor-recorder office (arcc.sdcounty.ca.gov) handles both.
Are California arrest records public?
Arrest records in California occupy a legally complicated space. Under the CPRA and Penal Code, the DOJ’s criminal history files — which include arrests — are not accessible to the public for third-party research. However, county Superior Court case search portals show criminal case filings (which represent arrests that resulted in charges), and those are public records accessible online. Arrests that did not result in charges being filed will not appear in court records. Some county sheriffs post recent arrest information or booking logs, which may be accessible as public records under the CPRA, though their retention and accessibility varies significantly from county to county.
Can an agency charge fees for California public records?
Yes, but fees under the CPRA are limited to the direct cost of duplication only — the actual cost of paper, toner, or the electronic medium. Agencies cannot charge for the staff time involved in searching, reviewing, or redacting records. This makes California’s fee structure one of the most requester-friendly among large states. Electronic records must be provided electronically when feasible, typically at no charge when emailed or made available for download. There is a narrow exception for records requiring extraordinary computer programming to extract, where agencies may charge the actual programming cost. Inspection of records on agency premises — without making copies — is free.
Final Thoughts
California’s public records framework is shaped by two competing forces: one of the strongest constitutional access rights of any state (Article I, §3(b), supported by a presumption of openness and agency-bears-burden framework), alongside some of the most restrictive access policies for specific record types — particularly criminal history and vital records. The result is a system where government spending, business filings, property records, court records, charity financials, and professional license information are broadly accessible, while official criminal history for third parties is effectively inaccessible and vital records require specific authorization.
The most significant practical challenge for California records research is the complete absence of a unified court records portal. Researchers who approach California expecting a statewide database equivalent to Pennsylvania’s UJS or Florida’s Clerk portal will be frustrated. Every criminal court case search requires identifying the relevant county, navigating that county’s specific portal, and accepting that criminal documents typically require in-person courthouse access. For subjects who have lived across multiple California counties, a complete court records search is time-intensive by design.
For most research tasks: use county Superior Court portals for case information, county assessor and recorder portals for property, the Secretary of State for business entities, the DCA license search for professional licenses, and the AG charitable trusts registry for nonprofits. For CPRA disputes, the only enforcement path is Superior Court litigation — the First Amendment Coalition (firstamendmentcoalition.org) provides free pre-litigation guidance that can often resolve disputes without filing suit.
Related Guides
- Texas Public Records: A Complete Research Guide
- Florida Public Records: A Complete Research Guide
- New York Public Records: A Complete Research Guide
- Pennsylvania Public Records: A Complete Research Guide
- Illinois Public Records: A Complete Research Guide
- How to Search Property Records Step by Step
- How FOIA Requests Work
Disclaimer
This guide is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. Public records laws and agency procedures change over time. Always verify current law and agency requirements directly with the relevant government office or a licensed California attorney before relying on this information for legal or official purposes.