Access to Public Records in California


The California Public Records Act was created to aid consumers in their hopes of gaining access to public records. The California State Government, California Courts, California Counties (including law enforcement) all offer fairly easy access to public records. Many of these records are available for free online (see below). In addition, state and local govermental agencies must provide consumer access to public records during normal business hours. California is extremely liberal in their laws are far as gaining access to public records.

The areas that are difficult or nearly impossible to gain access to public records are marriage records after 1986 and California birth records after 1995. When most couples in California fill out their marriage application, they check the box the says "confidential." The only way to gain access to the "Confidential" marriage records is through the subpeona process, and not all subpoenas are honored by the courts. Birth records are now confidential and the only persons who can gain access to those records are the person listed on the birth certificate or their immediate family.

The public records links below are free sites provided by the State of California that were created to assist the consumer in gaining easy access to government agency public records.

Attorney Searches
The State Bar of California maintains a database of California attorneys. Online public information from this database includes an attorney's: name, address, telephone and fax number, e-mail address, date of admission to The State Bar of California, undergraduate and law schools, attended, membership status (current eligibility to practice law in California) and public record of discipline.

Business Search
This search provides access to domestic stock, domestic nonprofit and qualified foreign corporations, limited liability company and limited partnership information of record with the California Secretary of State.

Contractors Licenses
Look up a contractor license or Home Improvement Salesperson (HIS) registration to verify information, including complaint disclosure.

Inmate Locator
Search for an inmate online for certain counties.

Marriage, Birth, and Death Records (by county)
Certified copies of birth, death, and marriage certificates are available from the county clerk/recorder in the county where the license or certificate was issued.

Most Wanted Persons
The Office of The Attorney General "Wanted Persons System" provides information on arrest warrants and is used to alert law enforcement agencies of the possibility that a suspect may be a fugitive.

Physician License Lookup
Search by name or license number. Provides the folowing: If a physician's disciplined or formally accused of wrongdoing by the Board; If a physician's practice has been temporarily restricted or suspended pursuant to a court order; If a physician has been disciplined by a medical board of another state or federal government agency; and if a physician has been convicted of a felony reported to the Board after January 3, 1991.

Professional License Verifications
Department of Consumer Affairs license lookup web page. You may use this page to look up a company or individual who has a license issued by the Department of Consumer Affairs for the professions listed.

Property Records Search By County
State of California links to county pages for looking up parcel maps, property assessment, and tax information. You can search by inputting the property address or by parcel number.

Recorded Documents
Search fictitious business names, deeds, mortgage documents, easements, power of attorney, liens, and other documents which affect title to or possession of real property - by county clerk/recorder's office.

Real Estate Licenses
Lookup by licensee's name (Last Name, First Name), company name or license identification number.

Registered Sex Offenders
This site will provide you with access to information on more than 63,000 persons required to register in California as sex offenders. Specific home addresses are displayed on more than 33,500 offenders in the California communities; as to these persons, the site displays the last registered address reported by the offender. An additional 30,500 offenders are included on the site with listing by ZIP Code, city, and county.

Restaurant Inspections
In California, local county health departments inspect restaurants and other retail food facilities to make sure the food employees follow safe food handling practices and have adequate kitchen facilities. Several counties have inspection reports available online.

State Employee Telephone Directory
The state employee information is updated by the designated Directory Listing Coordinator (DLC) at each state agency. Search by last name/first name, last name only, or by partial last name.

Teacher Lookups
Search for a Credential for a Public School Teacher. Due to privacy policies, this search is limited to first and last name. More than one individual may appear for the name entered. Search results are limited to credential records issued after 1989. If credentials were issued prior to 1989, they may not appear.

Unclaimed Property Search
This search page will allow you to locate Unclaimed Property that already has been sent to the State for safekeeping, as well as property that is about to be sent to the State by a business as required by law.