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Sacramento County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Sacramento County?

Public records in Sacramento County are defined according to the California Public Records Act (CPRA), specifically under Government Code § 6252(e), which states that public records include "any writing containing information relating to the conduct of the public's business prepared, owned, used, or retained by any state or local agency regardless of physical form or characteristics."

Sacramento County maintains numerous categories of public records accessible to citizens and interested parties:

The Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder's Office serves as the primary custodian for many of the county's most frequently requested records, including property documents, vital records, and fictitious business name statements. The office maintains an online index of recorded documents dating back to 1849.

Is Sacramento County an Open Records County?

Sacramento County fully adheres to the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6250-6276.48), which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under Government Code § 6253(a), "public records are open to inspection at all times during the office hours of the state or local agency and every person has a right to inspect any public record, except as hereafter provided."

The California Public Records Act reflects the state's commitment to transparency, as articulated in the California Constitution, Article I, Section 3(b)(1), which states: "The people have the right of access to information concerning the conduct of the people's business, and, therefore, the meetings of public bodies and the writings of public officials and agencies shall be open to public scrutiny."

Sacramento County has implemented specific procedures to facilitate public access to records in compliance with state law. The county maintains a Public Records Request Policy that outlines the process for requesting and obtaining public records. This policy ensures that the county meets its obligations under the California Public Records Act while protecting confidential information as required by law.

Additionally, Sacramento County complies with the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code § 54950-54963), California's open meeting law, which requires that meetings of local government bodies be open and public, with agendas posted in advance.

How to Find Public Records in Sacramento County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Sacramento County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:

  1. Online Access: Many records are available through the county's online portals:

  2. In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours:

    • For property records, vital records, and fictitious business names, visit the County Clerk/Recorder's office
    • For court records, visit the appropriate courthouse location
    • For assessment records, visit the County Assessor's Office

  3. Written Requests: Submit a formal public records request in writing to the specific department that maintains the records:

    • Use the county's Public Records Request form when available
    • Include specific details about the records being requested
    • Provide contact information for response

  4. Electronic Requests: Many departments accept requests via email or through department-specific online forms

Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(c), agencies must respond to requests within 10 calendar days, though this period may be extended by an additional 14 days under unusual circumstances. The response must indicate whether the agency has disclosable records and provide an estimated date when the records will be made available.

For specialized records, contact the specific department:

Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder
600 8th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 874-6334
Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder

Sacramento County Assessor's Office
3701 Power Inn Road, Suite 3000
Sacramento, CA 95826
(916) 875-0700
Sacramento County Assessor

Sacramento County Superior Court
720 9th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 874-5522
Sacramento County Superior Court

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Sacramento County?

Sacramento County charges fees for certain public records in accordance with Government Code § 6253(b), which permits agencies to charge "fees covering direct costs of duplication" or a "statutory fee, if applicable." Current fee structures for common record types include:

General Document Copying Fees:

  • Standard paper copies: $0.25 per page
  • Certified copies: Additional $2.00 per document
  • Electronic records: Actual cost of production (storage media, programming)

Specific Record Fees:

  • Certified copy of birth certificate: $28.00
  • Certified copy of death certificate: $21.00
  • Certified copy of marriage certificate: $15.00
  • Recorded document copies: $2.00 for first page, $0.50 each additional page
  • Certified copy of recorded document: Additional $2.00 certification fee

Court Record Fees:

  • Case searches: $15.00 per name/case number
  • Court document copies: $0.50 per page
  • Certified court documents: $25.00 plus copy fees

The county accepts payment by cash, check, money order, and credit card (where available). Some departments may have specific payment requirements. Electronic payments are accepted for certain online services.

Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances, particularly when the request is deemed to be in the public interest. Government Code § 6253.1 requires agencies to assist requesters in making focused requests that minimize costs.

For inspection of records without obtaining copies, no fee is charged, as specified in Government Code § 6253(a), which states that "public records are open to inspection at all times during the office hours of the state or local agency."

Does Sacramento County Have Free Public Records?

Sacramento County provides free access to certain public records as required by California law. Under Government Code § 6253(a), all members of the public have the right to inspect public records during regular office hours at no cost. The following free services are currently available:

Free In-Person Inspection:

  • Members of the public may examine non-exempt public records at the appropriate county office during regular business hours without charge
  • Research terminals are available at the County Clerk/Recorder's Office for searching recorded documents
  • Self-service computer terminals at the County Assessor's Office allow property record searches
  • Court records may be viewed at public terminals at courthouse locations

Free Online Resources:

Sacramento County Voter Registration and Elections
7000 65th Street, Suite A
Sacramento, CA 95823
(916) 875-6451
Sacramento County Elections

Sacramento County Department of Finance
700 H Street, Room 1710
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 874-6744
Sacramento County Finance

While inspection is free, fees apply for copies of most records as detailed in the previous section, in accordance with Government Code § 6253(b).

Who Can Request Public Records in Sacramento County?

Under the California Public Records Act, specifically Government Code § 6253(a), "every person" has the right to inspect public records. This broad eligibility extends to:

  • Any individual, regardless of citizenship or residency status
  • Business entities and corporations
  • Non-profit organizations
  • Media representatives
  • Government agencies
  • Non-California residents

Sacramento County does not require requesters to:

  • Provide identification for most record requests
  • State the purpose of their request
  • Explain why they want the records
  • Be a California resident

However, certain exceptions apply to specific record types:

Vital Records (Birth, Death, Marriage Certificates):

  • Pursuant to Health and Safety Code § 103526, certified copies of vital records are available only to authorized individuals with a "direct and tangible interest"
  • Requesters must provide identification and complete a sworn statement
  • Informational (non-certified) copies may be available to anyone

Law Enforcement Records:

  • Access to certain investigative records may be restricted
  • Criminal history information is subject to strict confidentiality laws
  • Juvenile records have additional protections under Welfare and Institutions Code § 827

Personnel Records:

  • Access to county employee personnel records is limited by privacy protections
  • Certain information, such as employee names and salary information, is public

When requesting records about oneself, identification is typically required to verify identity and protect privacy. For requests concerning other individuals' records, access may be limited by privacy laws and exemptions under Government Code § 6254.

Anonymous requests are generally permitted for public records that do not require identification verification, though providing contact information is necessary for the county to respond to the request.

What Records Are Confidential in Sacramento County?

Sacramento County maintains certain records as confidential in accordance with exemptions specified in the California Public Records Act, particularly Government Code § 6254, which exempts numerous categories of records from disclosure. The following records are generally not available for public inspection:

Legally Protected Records:

  • Personnel records, medical information, and similar files that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
  • Pending litigation records and attorney-client privileged communications
  • Preliminary drafts, notes, or interagency memoranda not retained in the ordinary course of business
  • Records pertaining to pending litigation to which the county is a party
  • Records of complaints to or investigations conducted by law enforcement agencies
  • Test questions and scoring keys for licensing, employment, or academic examinations

Privacy-Protected Records:

  • Social Security numbers, financial account information, and other personal identifying information
  • Medical and mental health records protected under HIPAA and state law
  • Individual tax return information
  • Juvenile court records (with limited exceptions under Welfare and Institutions Code § 827)
  • Child abuse reports and dependent adult abuse reports
  • Voter registration information (residential addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses)

Security-Related Records:

  • Critical infrastructure information
  • Security procedures and vulnerability assessments
  • Information technology security systems
  • Utility systems maps and plans

Other Protected Records:

  • Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
  • Adoption records
  • Library patron use records
  • Records protected by other state or federal laws

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, Government Code § 6253(a) requires that "any reasonably segregable portion of a record shall be available for inspection by any person requesting the record after deletion of the portions that are exempted by law."

The county applies a balancing test in some cases, weighing the public interest served by disclosure against the public interest served by nondisclosure, as established in Government Code § 6255.

Sacramento County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder
600 8th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 874-6334
Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder

Public Counter Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays

Services Provided:

  • Recording of deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents
  • Issuance of certified copies of birth, death, and marriage certificates
  • Filing of fictitious business name statements
  • Issuance of marriage licenses
  • Processing of notary public oaths and bonds
  • Recording of military discharge documents (DD-214)

Branch Office Location:
Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder - East Bureau
5229-B Hazel Avenue
Fair Oaks, CA 95628
(916) 874-6334
Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder

East Bureau Public Counter Hours:
Monday through Friday: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays

Document Recording Hours:
Documents presented for recording are accepted until 4:00 PM daily

For additional information about specific services or to verify current hours of operation, members of the public are encouraged to contact the office directly or visit the Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder website.

Lookup Public Records in Sacramento County

Online Index of Recorded Documents

Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder

Sacramento County Assessor's Office

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