San Diego County Public Records

What Is Public Records in The San Diego County?

Public records in San Diego County encompass a wide range of official documents, files, and information maintained by county government agencies pursuant to the California Public Records Act (CPRA), Government Code § 6250-6276.48. These records document the business of government and are generally available for public inspection and copying. San Diego County maintains the following categories of public records:

Property Records - Deeds, mortgages, liens, property tax assessments, and parcel maps maintained by the San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk
Vital Records - Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and domestic partnership registrations
Court Records - Civil case files, criminal case files, probate records, and family court proceedings available through the San Diego Superior Court
Business Records - Fictitious business name statements, business licenses, and permits
Election Records - Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance disclosures maintained by the San Diego County Registrar of Voters
Financial Records - County budgets, expenditure reports, contracts, and tax collection information from the San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector
Health and Environmental Records - Restaurant inspections, environmental impact reports, and public health statistics through the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency
Land Use Records - Zoning information, building permits, and development plans
Law Enforcement Records - Arrest logs, incident reports, and certain investigative files (with statutory exemptions)
Meeting Records - Minutes, agendas, and recordings of public meetings of the Board of Supervisors and other county bodies

These records are maintained across various county departments and agencies, each responsible for specific record types in accordance with state and federal laws governing record retention and accessibility.

Is San Diego County an Open Records County?

San Diego County is indeed an open records county, operating under the provisions of the California Public Records Act (CPRA). The county's commitment to transparency is formally codified in the San Diego County Administrative Code, specifically in Section 130, which establishes the county's policy regarding public access to records.

Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(a), San Diego County acknowledges 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." The county has implemented this mandate through its comprehensive records management program and public access protocols.

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors has further reinforced this commitment through Policy A-129, which states that "the business of the County should be conducted in an open and public manner so that the public may remain informed about the operations of their County Government." This policy directs all county departments to:

Maintain systems for organizing and preserving public records
Establish procedures for responding to public records requests promptly
Provide assistance to members of the public seeking to identify and locate records
Make electronic records available in electronic formats when requested and feasible

The county also maintains the San Diego County Open Data Portal, a digital repository providing direct public access to numerous datasets without requiring formal records requests. This proactive disclosure approach demonstrates the county's commitment to open government principles beyond the minimum requirements of state law.

How Do I Find Public Records in San Diego County in 2025

Members of the public seeking records in San Diego County in 2025 may utilize several established methods to locate and access public information. The county has implemented a multi-channel approach to facilitate public records access:

In-Person Requests:

Visit the specific department or agency that maintains the desired records during regular business hours
Complete a Public Records Act request form at the department's public counter
Present identification when required for certain restricted records (such as vital records)

Online Access:

Utilize the San Diego County Open Data Portal for direct access to numerous public datasets
Access property information through the San Diego County GIS & Property Lookup system
Search court records via the San Diego Superior Court's online case search portal
Review recorded documents through the Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk's online records search

Written Requests:

Submit a formal California Public Records Act request by mail to the relevant department
Include specific details about the records sought to facilitate prompt processing
Provide contact information for correspondence regarding the request status

Electronic Submissions:

Email public records requests to departmental Public Records Act coordinators
Use the county's online Public Records Request portal (accessible through department websites)
Submit requests through department-specific electronic forms where available

When making requests, individuals should specify the records sought with reasonable particularity. Pursuant to Government Code § 6253.1, county staff are obligated to assist requesters in making focused and effective requests that enable the agency to identify responsive records.

For specialized records research, the San Diego County Law Library provides access to legal materials and assistance with navigating public records systems.

How Much Does It Cost To Get Public Records In San Diego County?

The cost structure for obtaining public records in San Diego County is established pursuant to Government Code § 6253(b), which permits agencies to charge fees covering the "direct costs of duplication" or a statutory fee, if applicable. Fee schedules vary by department and record type:

Standard Reproduction Fees:

Paper copies: $0.10-$0.25 per page (8.5" x 11" standard size)
Large format documents (maps, plans): $3.00-$10.00 per sheet
Electronic records provided on CD/DVD: $5.00-$10.00 per disc
Electronic records provided via email or download: Generally no charge

Statutory Fees for Certified Documents:

Certified copies of birth certificates: $28.00 per copy
Certified copies of death certificates: $24.00 per copy
Certified copies of marriage certificates: $17.00 per copy
Certified copies of court records: $25.00 plus $0.50 per page

Specialized Search and Retrieval Fees:

Records requiring extensive research: May include staff time charges at hourly rates
Records requiring data compilation or extraction: Actual cost of programming and computer run time
Archived records retrieval: $20.00-$50.00 per box/file

Recording Fees:

Recording of real property documents: $14.00 for first page, $3.00 each additional page
Recording of maps and surveys: $10.00-$15.00 per page
UCC filings: $10.00 per document

The San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector accepts payment by cash, check, money order, and major credit cards for most transactions. Some departments may have limited payment options for certain services.

Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(d), agencies may not charge for the costs of searching for, reviewing, or redacting records. Additionally, fee waivers may be available when disclosure would primarily benefit the general public rather than a private interest.

Does San Diego County Have Free Public Records?

San Diego County provides several categories of public records at no cost to requesters, consistent with the public access principles of the California Public Records Act. The following free public records resources are available:

Digital Access Without Charge:

The San Diego County Open Data Portal offers hundreds of datasets for free download, including budget information, demographic statistics, and GIS data
Board of Supervisors meeting agendas, minutes, and video recordings are freely accessible online
The San Diego County Registrar of Voters provides election results, voter registration statistics, and campaign finance reports at no cost
Environmental impact reports and planning documents are available for public review without charge

In-Person Inspection Without Charge:

Members of the public may inspect any non-exempt public record during regular business hours at the maintaining department at no cost
Computer terminals at county facilities allow free access to certain electronic records
The San Diego County Law Library provides free access to legal resources and certain public records
Self-service research at the San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk office is available without charge

Fee Waivers for Specific Populations:

Veterans may obtain certain military discharge records (DD-214) at no cost
Victims of domestic violence may receive free certified copies of vital records under specific circumstances
Homeless individuals may qualify for fee waivers for certain identification documents
Low-income residents may qualify for fee waivers for certain court records through the court's fee waiver program

While inspection of records is generally free, reproduction costs may still apply when copies are requested. Additionally, pursuant to Government Code § 6253.9(a)(2), if electronic records are requested and the county has the records in electronic format, they must be made available in that format without charging more than the cost of the medium used for transfer.

Who Can Request Public Records In San Diego County?

The right to access public records in San Diego County extends broadly to all members of the public, with minimal restrictions on who may submit requests. Pursuant to Government Code § 6252(c), "person" includes any natural person, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm, or association. The following entities may request public records:

California residents and non-residents alike
Individual citizens and members of the public
Media representatives and journalists
Businesses and corporations
Non-profit organizations and advocacy groups
Attorneys and legal representatives
Government agencies and officials
Academic researchers and students
Incarcerated individuals (with certain limitations)

Requesters are not required to:

State the purpose of their request
Identify themselves (except for certain restricted records)
Demonstrate a direct interest in the records sought
Be of legal age (though minors may face restrictions for certain records)

Special considerations apply to certain categories of requesters:

Commercial Requesters:

May access the same records as any other requester
May be subject to the same fee structure as other requesters
Cannot be charged different rates based on commercial intent

Out-of-State Requesters:

Have the same rights of access as California residents
May submit requests by mail, email, or other remote means
May be required to pay in advance for copy fees

Incarcerated Individuals:

May request public records subject to institutional security protocols
May face limitations on certain law enforcement or security-related records
Must comply with correctional facility procedures for sending/receiving mail

The county may not discriminate among requesters and must provide access to all public records on equal terms, regardless of the requester's identity or purpose, except where specifically authorized by statute. Identification may be required only when necessary to verify eligibility for access to restricted records such as vital records or certain court documents.

What Records Are Confidential In San Diego County?

San Diego County maintains certain records that are exempt from public disclosure pursuant to specific provisions of the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6254) and other state and federal laws. These confidential records include:

Personal Privacy Protections:

Personnel records of county employees (§ 6254(c))
Medical and health records (HIPAA and California Confidentiality of Medical Information Act)
Individual tax returns and financial information
Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and other personal identifiers
Juvenile court records (Welfare and Institutions Code § 827)

Law Enforcement Exemptions:

Active criminal investigation files (§ 6254(f))
Confidential informant information
Certain law enforcement personnel records (Penal Code § 832.7)
Intelligence information and security procedures
Victim information in certain cases (Marsy's Law)

Government Operations Exemptions:

Preliminary drafts and notes not retained in the ordinary course of business (§ 6254(a))
Records pertaining to pending litigation involving the county (§ 6254(b))
Attorney-client privileged communications
Closed session records of the Board of Supervisors (Brown Act)
Test questions and scoring keys for licensing examinations (§ 6254(g))

Critical Infrastructure Information:

Utility system vulnerabilities and security measures
Information technology security protocols and passwords
Building plans for certain public facilities (§ 6254(k))
Emergency response plans and protocols

Other Protected Records:

Library patron borrowing records (Government Code § 6267)
Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
Confidential settlement agreements authorized by law
Records protected by federal law, including FERPA educational records
Certain economic development negotiations (§ 6254(h))

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the county must redact the exempt information and release the remainder pursuant to Government Code § 6253(a). The burden of proof for withholding records rests with the county, which must cite specific statutory exemptions when denying access to records.

Confidentiality determinations are made on a case-by-case basis, and exemptions are narrowly construed in favor of disclosure, consistent with the California Constitution's right of access to information concerning the conduct of public business (Cal. Const., Art. I, § 3(b)(2)).

San Diego County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk
1600 Pacific Highway, Suite 260
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 236-3771
San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk

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

Branch Offices:

Chula Vista Branch Office
590 Third Avenue
Chula Vista, CA 91910
(619) 498-2200

San Marcos Branch Office
141 E. Carmel Street
San Marcos, CA 92078
(760) 940-6868

Santee Branch Office
10144 Mission Gorge Road
Santee, CA 92071
(619) 456-2900

All branch offices maintain the same business hours as the main office. Document recording services are available at all locations. Marriage licenses and ceremonies are available at the main office and all branch offices.

Services Provided:

Recording of deeds, mortgages, and other property documents
Issuance of certified copies of birth, death, and marriage certificates
Marriage license applications and civil ceremony services
Filing of fictitious business name statements
Processing of notary public oath and bonds
Issuance of certified copies of recorded documents
Recording of military discharge documents (DD-214)

Electronic Recording:
The office accepts electronic recording of documents through approved third-party submitters pursuant to Government Code § 27391. Information about e-recording services is available on the official website.

Research Services:
Public terminals for searching recorded documents are available during regular business hours at all office locations. Historical records dating back to 1850 are accessible through the main office.