Santa Cruz County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Santa Cruz County?
Public records in Santa Cruz County encompass all information created, received, or maintained by county government agencies in the course of official business. Pursuant to the California Public Records Act (CPRA) under Government Code § 6252, public records are defined as "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."
The Santa Cruz County Recorder's Office maintains numerous types of public records, including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases maintained by the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Cruz
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and property assessments
- Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and domestic partnership registrations
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name statements
- Tax Records: Property tax information and assessment records maintained by the County Assessor
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results maintained by the County Clerk
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of the Board of Supervisors, commissions, and other public bodies
- Budget and Financial Documents: County expenditures, contracts, and financial reports
- Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with certain restrictions), and jail records
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, planning documents, and environmental reports
Different county departments maintain specific record types. For example, the County Recorder's Office maintains property records and vital statistics, while the Superior Court maintains court records. The Santa Cruz County government website serves as a central portal for accessing many of these records or directing residents to the appropriate department.
Is Santa Cruz County an Open Records County?
Santa Cruz County fully complies with the California Public Records Act (CPRA), codified under Government Code § 6250-6276.48. This comprehensive state law establishes the public's right to access government records and information.
The CPRA explicitly states in Government Code § 6253(a) that "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." This foundational principle guides Santa Cruz County's approach to records access.
Santa Cruz County has implemented specific procedures to facilitate public access to records in accordance with state law. The county maintains an online public records request system through its official website, allowing residents to submit requests electronically. Additionally, the county has established protocols for in-person record inspection at various department offices.
The county also adheres to California's Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code § 54950-54963), which requires that meetings of public bodies be open and public, with agendas published in advance. This "sunshine law" ensures transparency in government decision-making processes.
Santa Cruz County's commitment to open government is reflected in its Public Records Request portal, which provides guidance on how to request various types of public information.
How to Find Public Records in Santa Cruz County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in Santa Cruz County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:
Online Access:
- Visit the Santa Cruz County government website to access the public records portal
- Use the Official Records Inquiry system for property records and other documents maintained by the County Recorder
- Access court records through the Superior Court's online case lookup system
- Search property tax and assessment records through the Assessor-Recorder's online database
- Review Board of Supervisors meeting minutes and agendas through the county's legislative information system
In-Person Requests:
- Visit the appropriate county department during regular business hours
- Complete a records request form at the department's public counter
- Specify the records being sought with reasonable particularity
- Present identification if required for certain record types (such as vital records)
Written Requests:
- Submit a formal written request to the relevant department
- Include specific details about the records being sought
- Provide contact information for response
- Submit the Records Request Form for certain departments
Under 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, members of the public should contact the specific department that maintains those records:
- Court records: Superior Court Clerk's Office
- Property records: County Recorder's Office
- Vital statistics: County Clerk-Recorder
- Law enforcement records: Sheriff's Office or relevant police department
- Land use records: Planning Department
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Santa Cruz County?
Santa Cruz County assesses fees for certain public records in accordance with California Government Code § 6253, which permits agencies to charge "direct costs of duplication" or a statutory fee, if applicable. Current fee structures for public records in Santa Cruz County are as follows:
General Document Copying Fees:
- Standard paper copies: $0.25 per page
- Certified copies: $2.25 per document plus $0.25 per page
- Electronic records provided on CD/DVD: $5.00 per disc
- Electronic records sent via email: No charge (when feasible)
Vital Records Fees:
- Birth certificates: $28.00 per certified copy
- Death certificates: $21.00 per certified copy
- Marriage certificates: $15.00 per certified copy
- Marriage license (public): $85.00
- Marriage license (confidential): $90.00
Property Record Fees:
- Recorded documents: $2.00 for the first page, $0.50 for each additional page
- Recording fees: Vary by document type (typically $14.00 for the first page plus $3.00 for each additional page)
- Map copies: $3.00 per page
Court Record Fees:
- Case searches: $15.00 per name/case
- Court file review: No charge for inspection
- Copies of court documents: $0.50 per page
- Certified court documents: $25.00 plus copy fees
The county accepts payment by cash, check, money order, and credit card (Visa/MasterCard) for most transactions. Some departments may have specific payment requirements. All fees are subject to change based on county ordinances or state law revisions.
It is important to note that while fees may be charged for copies, inspection of public records is generally available at no cost during regular business hours, as required by state law.
Does Santa Cruz County Have Free Public Records?
Santa Cruz County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with California law. Government Code § 6253 establishes that public records must be open for inspection during regular office hours at no charge, though fees may apply for copies or certified documents.
The following free public record services are currently available:
Free In-Person Inspection:
- Members of the public may inspect most non-exempt public records at the appropriate county department during regular business hours without charge
- Court case files may be reviewed at the Superior Court Records Division at no cost
- Property records may be examined at the County Recorder's Office without fee
- Board of Supervisors meeting minutes and agendas are available for review at the Clerk of the Board's office
Free Online Resources:
- The Santa Cruz County government website provides free access to many public documents
- Board of Supervisors meeting agendas, minutes, and video recordings are available online at no charge
- The Superior Court's case information system offers basic case information without fee
- County budget documents and financial reports are freely accessible online
- Planning Commission agendas and staff reports are available at no cost
Free Public Terminals:
- Computer terminals at the County Recorder's Office provide free access to property records
- Public access computers at county libraries offer free internet access to online county resources
- The Superior Court provides public terminals for searching case information
While inspection is free, requestors should be aware that fees may still apply for copies, certified documents, or records that require extensive staff time to compile or redact. Additionally, certain specialized records may have statutory fees that cannot be waived.
Who Can Request Public Records in Santa Cruz County?
Under the California Public Records Act, specifically Government Code § 6253(a), "every person" has the right to inspect public records. Santa Cruz County adheres to this principle, allowing broad access to government information with minimal restrictions on who may request records.
The following eligibility requirements apply to public records requests in Santa Cruz County:
General Public Records:
- Any person may request access to public records regardless of citizenship or residency status
- Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request
- Identification is generally not required for standard public records requests
- Requestors may remain anonymous for most record types
- Organizations, businesses, and media outlets have the same access rights as individuals
Restricted Records:
- Certain vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates) require the requestor to be an authorized individual as defined in Health and Safety Code § 103526
- For birth certificates: The registrant, parent/legal guardian, child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or domestic partner
- For death certificates: Family members, legal representatives, or those with specified financial interest
- For marriage certificates: The registrants or immediate family members
- Law enforcement records may have additional restrictions based on ongoing investigations
- Medical and mental health records require patient authorization or legal authority
Identification Requirements:
- Vital records requests require government-issued photo identification
- Court records with confidential information may require verification of identity
- Juvenile court records have strict access limitations under Welfare and Institutions Code § 827
- Property records related to identity theft victims may have restricted access
Santa Cruz County does not discriminate based on the purpose of the request or the intended use of the information, except where specifically authorized by law. Commercial use of public records is permitted, though certain bulk data requests may be subject to additional review.
What Records Are Confidential in Santa Cruz County?
While Santa Cruz County strives for transparency, certain records are exempt from disclosure under the California Public Records Act, specifically Government Code § 6254, which enumerates various exemptions. The following categories of records are generally confidential and not available for public inspection:
Court and Law Enforcement Records:
- Sealed court records pursuant to court order
- Juvenile court records (Welfare and Institutions Code § 827)
- Grand jury transcripts and evidence (unless ordered released)
- Records of ongoing law enforcement investigations
- Criminal history information ("rap sheets")
- Victim information in certain criminal cases
- Confidential informant identities
- Intelligence information and security procedures
Personal and Private Information:
- Personnel records and employment history (with limited exceptions)
- Medical and mental health records protected under HIPAA
- Social Security numbers, financial account information, and other personal identifiers
- Individual tax return information
- Student records protected under FERPA
- Library patron records and borrowing history
- Voter registration information (residential addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses)
Sensitive Government Information:
- Preliminary drafts and notes not retained in the ordinary course of business
- Pending litigation records and attorney-client privileged communications
- Real estate appraisals prior to property acquisition
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to the county
- Critical infrastructure information and security plans
- Utility customer usage data and personally identifiable information
- Closed session deliberations of public bodies
Vital and Family Records:
- Confidential marriage licenses
- Sealed adoption records
- Child welfare and protective services records
- Certain birth records with confidential information
The county applies the "public interest balancing test" under Government Code § 6255, which allows withholding records when "the public interest served by not disclosing the record clearly outweighs the public interest served by disclosure." Each request is evaluated individually, and records may be partially redacted to remove exempt information while providing access to the remainder.
Requestors denied access to records may appeal the decision through administrative channels or seek judicial review as provided in Government Code § 6258.
Santa Cruz County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Santa Cruz County Clerk/Recorder's Office
701 Ocean Street, Room 230
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 454-2060
Santa Cruz County Recorder's Office
Public Counter Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays
Watsonville Branch Office
18 W. Beach Street, Room 180
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 763-8485
Watsonville Branch Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays
The Santa Cruz County Recorder's Office maintains and provides access to vital records (birth, death, and marriage certificates), real property records, and other official documents. Services available at the public counter include document recording, marriage licenses, certified copies of vital records, and fictitious business name filings.
For research purposes, public terminals are available during regular business hours for searching recorded documents. Staff members are available to assist with locating records, though they cannot provide legal advice or interpretation of documents.
Appointments are recommended for marriage ceremonies, which are performed Monday through Friday between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM at the Santa Cruz office only.
Lookup Public Records in Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz County Recorder's Office
Santa Cruz County Government Portal
Superior Court Case Information System