Customer Support: 877-858-1101
All California residents can access public records using the California State Records website. In compliance with the California Public Records Act, which assumes that all public information and documents are accessible to the public, this guarantees that Californians can exercise their right to access and obtain these records. Such access is also available to people who do not reside in the state when using the proper search channels.
Public records are any form of text that contain data on the conduct of public business and are kept by the state or any government agency, according to Section 6250 of the California Public Records Act.
California Public Records Search: Which Files Can Be Obtained?
Public records in California that you can find include:
● Criminal records
● Arrest records
● Court records
● Birth records
● Bankruptcy records
● Inmate records
● California death records
● Property and Asset records
● Sex offender information
Exempted Records Under the California Public Records Act
Californians have the right to access public records at any time during business hours in accordance with the state's Public Records Act and the California Constitution. Nonetheless, if a record contains legally protected information, record custodians are allowed by the CPRA to stop its disclosure.
Some of these exemptions are:
Classified or Privileged information
Information that is classified, private, or privileged is exempt from public exposure. Documents that could reveal sensitive corporate secrets or information covered by the attorney-client privilege fall into this category.
Law Enforcement Investigative Files
Not every law enforcement file is accessible to the public. The exceptions include files related to active investigations, intelligence records, security procedure details, specific personnel data, and complaint records.
Personal Information
If it is discovered that a record contains any personal details that would amount to "an obvious invasion of personal privacy," such as medical files containing very personal information, record custodians may withhold the record. Nonetheless, if the custodian determines that the public's right to disclosure surpasses the subject's interest in privacy, personal information may still be disclosed.
Notes and Drafts
Unless the public interest in disclosure overcomes the exclusion, California's public records laws protect the public publication of "preliminary" notes, memos, or drafts produced by a government agency.
Lawsuit Documents for ongoing cases: Litigation documents for active cases are exempted from public records until the case has been completely dealt with.
California Vital Records: Although vital records are readily accessible to the public, vital records that contain medical, family, social, or other data exempted by statute are confidential.
California Public Records Search: The How-To Guide
To obtain public records, you must know the appropriate agencies responsible for the different records and how to contact them. Here is some information on some public records with links for inquiry and online requests:
California Vital Records
All of the state's public vital records, including those pertaining to births, deaths, marriages, divorces, and stillbirths, are largely kept by the California Department of Public Health - Vital Records (CDPH-VR). Vitalchek allows online requests for vital records in California.
California Criminal and Arrests Records
The Bureau of Criminal Information and Analysis (BCIA) within the California Department of Justice (DOJ) maintains public criminal records in California. Only approved organizations, such as law enforcement or the individual mentioned on the record, are permitted to request criminal records in California, as per the law's limitations.
The DOJ is responsible for maintaining arrest records and warrant data in California, just like with criminal records. You can submit a written request or make an online request to get warrants issued in your name or arrest records.
California Court Records
Except for court records deemed confidential by state law, such as cases involving juvenile dependency or delinquency, court records in California are available to the public. The state's court documents are readily accessible online. Or else, you must visit the particular courthouse that handles and maintains the court records you require.
California Driving Records
In California, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offers an online service that enables you to request the printing of your driving records. To get your driving records, you must register for the agency's online service, pay the $2 cost, and turn on your printer so you may print your record.
You must fill out an application and mail it to the DMV if you require a physical copy of your official driving record.
California Property and Asset Records
You can obtain the information on the real estate and financial resources that the state of California has from the State Controller's Office. You can find and claim properties using the agency's free online search tool. The registry of deed offices, which are also arranged on a county level, is in charge of managing property records.
Cost of Obtaining Public Records in California
California law allows government agencies to charge fees for providing copies of public records. The following are some common public records and their cost in California:
California Birth, Death, and Marriage Certificates: These records can be obtained from the California Department of Public Health for a fee of $29, $17, and $24 per copy, respectively
California Criminal Records: The California Department of Justice charges $25 per copy for criminal records pertaining to California.
California Court Records: Depending on the jurisdiction and the type of record requested, there may be additional costs to get court records. For instance, Los Angeles county has a minimum cost of $10 and a starting rate of $1 per page for internet access to court documents.
California Property Records: You can obtain property records from the county recorder's office, but fees may be associated with the search, retrieval, copying, and certification processes. The cost can change based on the county and the requested record.
It is worth noting that while some public records may be accessible without charge, others may come with hefty costs. It is advised to inquire about the particular fees and payment options with the agency or department from which you are obtaining the records.
Conclusion
Criminal records, court records, birth records, property and asset records, and other public records are accessible to Californians under the Public Records Act. However, due to legal safeguards, some documents might not be required to be disclosed.
It's crucial to know the agencies responsible for keeping each piece of information and the costs of getting copies.
Alternatively, always use third-party websites like Truepeoplesearch.io, where you can easily get any public record you desire without going through the stress of multiple portals or writing mail.
