Your Comprehensive Guide to California Public Records
California Public Records
California public records encompass documents, data, and other materials created, maintained, or received by state and local government agencies in the course of public business. The California Public Records Act (CPRA, Government Code §§ 7920.000–7931.000, formerly §§ 6250 et seq.) grants the public broad rights to inspect or obtain copies of most government records. This law reflects California’s strong commitment to transparency, accountability, and public oversight, while still safeguarding sensitive information and personal privacy.
Are California Records Public?
Yes, under the California Public Records Act (CPRA), most records produced by state and local agencies are presumed public, and must be disclosed upon request unless a specific legal exemption applies. This includes written documents, electronic files, audio, video, and photographs related to the conduct of government.
However, agencies may withhold records where disclosure would compromise personal privacy, security, ongoing investigations, trade secrets, or if otherwise protected by law.
Records are available to “any person,” regardless of residency or the reason for the request.
What Information Is Included in California Public Records?
California public records include, but are not limited to:
- Court records (criminal, civil, probate, small claims)
- Real estate, property, and land title documents
- Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates
- Licenses, permits, and regulatory filings
- Meeting agendas, minutes, and government reports
- Budgets, contracts, audits, and financial statements
- Arrest logs, incident reports, and jail rosters
- Business entity filings and corporate registrations
- Government correspondence and policy memoranda
- Legislative records, executive orders, and public notices
However, exemptions apply to certain records, such as juvenile and adoption files, medical records, personnel files, records of ongoing law enforcement investigations, and documents protected by attorney-client privilege or proprietary business interests.
What Does the California Public Records Law Do?
The CPRA:
- Affirms the public’s right to inspect and obtain copies of government records, with limited exceptions.
- Requires government agencies to assist requesters in identifying and locating records.
- Mandates prompt response (within 10 days, with limited extensions).
- Allows agencies to redact or withhold records only if a legal exemption clearly applies, and requires written justification for denials.
- Limits fees to the “direct cost of duplication” except for extraordinary programming or data compilation.
- Encourages electronic access whenever feasible and requires maintenance of accessible records.
The CPRA is designed to maximize government transparency while balancing privacy and security.
How To Find Public Records in California in 2025
Requesting public records in California can be done by email, mail, fax, phone, or in person. The request should be specific (describe record type, dates, subject matter, etc.), but no special form or legal language is required.
Many agencies have public records request portals or email addresses on their websites.
For vital records, court documents, and business filings, dedicated online tools and contact information are available.
California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
2415 1st Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95818
Phone: (800) 777-0133
California DMV
California Department of Public Health, Vital Records
MS 5103, P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento, CA 95899-7410
Phone: (916) 445-2684
California Department of Public Health, Vital Records
California Department of Justice, Bureau of Criminal Information and Analysis
4949 Broadway, Sacramento, CA 95820
Phone: (916) 227-3849
California DOJ, Background Checks
California Courts (Judicial Branch)
350 McAllister Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: (415) 865-4200
California Courts
Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk, CA 90650
Phone: (800) 201-8999
LA County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
California Secretary of State, Business Programs Division
1500 11th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 653-6814
California Secretary of State, Business Programs Division
California State Archives
1020 O Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 653-7715
California State Archives
California Department of Education
1430 N Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 319-0800
California Department of Education
California Department of Industrial Relations
1515 Clay Street, Suite 401, Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (844) 522-6734
California Department of Industrial Relations
California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA)
1001 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 323-2514
California EPA
California State Lands Commission
100 Howe Avenue, Suite 100-South, Sacramento, CA 95825
Phone: (916) 574-1940
California State Lands Commission
California Franchise Tax Board
PO Box 942840, Sacramento, CA 94240-0040
Phone: (800) 852-5711
California Franchise Tax Board
California State Legislature
1020 N Street, Suite 255, Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 651-4021
California State Legislature
California Attorney General (Department of Justice, Public Inquiry Unit)
P.O. Box 944255, Sacramento, CA 94244-2550
Phone: (800) 952-5225
California Attorney General
California State Ombudsperson (Department of General Services, Office of the Ombuds)
707 3rd Street, West Sacramento, CA 95605
Phone: (916) 376-5086
California State Ombuds
California Housing Finance Agency
500 Capitol Mall, Suite 1400, Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (877) 922-5432
California Housing Finance Agency
San Francisco Police Department, Records Management
1245 3rd Street, San Francisco, CA 94158
Phone: (415) 553-1430
San Francisco Police Department Records
Los Angeles Police Department, Records and Identification Division
100 W. 1st Street, Room P1-137, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: (213) 486-8300
Los Angeles Police Department Records
Does California Have Free Public Records?
Many California agencies allow free inspection of records during regular business hours, and select records are accessible online without charge.
Examples include legislative bills, property data, and court schedules.
Fees may apply for paper copies, certified documents, extensive searches, or data compilation. These fees must reflect the direct cost of duplication or data extraction, and agencies must provide an estimate if requested.
How Much Does It Cost To Get Public Records in California?
Agencies may only charge the “direct cost of duplication” for paper copies (typically $0.10–$0.25 per page) and, in rare cases, for data extraction from electronic records.
Certified copies, such as birth or death certificates, typically have set fees ($29–$32 per certificate for vital records).
There is no fee to simply inspect records on-site.
Fee schedules are available on each agency’s website and must be provided upon request.
How Long Does It Take to Obtain Public Records in California?
The CPRA requires agencies to respond to public records requests within 10 calendar days, either by providing the records, setting a timeframe, or citing the legal grounds for withholding them.
Agencies may extend this period by up to 14 additional days for “unusual circumstances,” such as voluminous records, offsite storage, or the need to consult with other departments.
Simple requests are often fulfilled within a few days; complex or confidential requests may take longer.
What Records Are Confidential In California?
Certain records are confidential or exempt under state and federal law, including:
- Ongoing criminal investigation files
- Juvenile and adoption case records
- Personnel files, medical and mental health data
- Social Security numbers, bank account data, or protected personal identifiers
- Trade secrets, proprietary business information, and competitive bids before contract award
- Records protected by attorney-client privilege or court order
Agencies must cite the relevant exemption and release all non-exempt portions of a record.
Who Has the Right To Request Public Records in California
Any person, regardless of California residency, may request public records.
The requester does not need to provide a reason.
Agencies may require identification for sensitive or restricted records, but generally cannot require personal information.
What Can Be Done With Public Records in California
California public records are used for:
- Background checks and due diligence
- Research and academic projects
- Business and land transactions
- News reporting and investigative journalism
- Legal, regulatory, or policy analysis
- Transparency, civic engagement, and oversight
It is illegal to use public records for identity theft, harassment, or any unlawful activity.
How to Appeal a Denied Public Records Request in California
If your request is denied, the agency must provide a written response citing the specific legal exemption or reason.
To appeal:
- Contact the agency’s records custodian for clarification or informal resolution.
- Submit a written appeal to the agency’s head or designated records officer.
- Seek assistance from the California Attorney General or local District Attorney.
- File a legal action in superior court to enforce your rights if necessary.
California Attorney General (Department of Justice, Public Inquiry Unit)
P.O. Box 944255, Sacramento, CA 94244-2550
Phone: (800) 952-5225
California Attorney General
Difference Between Federal and California Public Records
California’s CPRA governs access to state and local agency records.
The federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) applies only to federal agencies and has different exemptions, timeframes, and appeals processes.
Both laws promote transparency and grant rights to “any person,” regardless of citizenship or residency, but they must be used with the correct level of government.
U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Information Policy (FOIA)
441 G St NW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20530
Phone: (202) 514-3642
U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Information Policy (FOIA)
Lookup Public Records in California
Additional agencies and online tools are available for specialized searches:
California Crime Information Center (CalDOJ)
4949 Broadway, Sacramento, CA 95820
Phone: (916) 227-3849
California DOJ, Background Checks
San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk
1600 Pacific Highway, Room 103, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 238-8158
San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk
Sacramento County Public Law Library
609 9th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 874-6012
Sacramento County Public Law Library