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Riverside County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Riverside County?

Public records in Riverside County encompass a wide range of documents and information created, received, or maintained by government agencies in the course of official business. According to the California Public Records Act (CPRA), specifically under § 6252(e), 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."

Riverside County maintains numerous categories of public records, including:

  • Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, family law, and small claims case files maintained by the Riverside County Superior Court
  • Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, assessments, and property transfers recorded with the County Recorder
  • Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
  • Business Records: Business licenses, permits, fictitious business name statements
  • Tax Records: Property tax assessments, tax rolls, and payment records
  • Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, campaign finance disclosures
  • Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County Board of Supervisors, planning commission, and other county boards and committees
  • Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, contracts, and financial statements
  • Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with certain restrictions), and jail records
  • Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, building permits, and environmental impact reports

The Riverside County Clerk-Recorder maintains property records, fictitious business name statements, marriage licenses, birth and death certificates, and other vital records. The Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder serves as the primary custodian for many of these documents, while specialized records are maintained by their respective departments, such as court records by the Superior Court and tax records by the Treasurer-Tax Collector.

Is Riverside County an Open Records County?

Riverside County fully adheres to the California Public Records Act (CPRA), codified under Government Code § 6250-6276.48, which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under § 6253(a), the law stipulates 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," with certain exceptions.

The CPRA reflects California's strong commitment to government transparency, as further reinforced by the state constitution. Article I, Section 3(b)(1) of the California Constitution explicitly 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."

Riverside County has implemented specific policies to facilitate public access to records. The county maintains a Public Records Request Portal that allows residents to submit requests electronically, track their status, and receive documents digitally when possible. County departments are required to respond to requests within 10 days, as mandated by § 6253(c) of the Government Code, though this period may be extended by an additional 14 days under unusual circumstances.

The county also 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 published in advance.

How to Find Public Records in Riverside County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records from Riverside 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. Submit a Public Records Request:

    • Complete the county's Public Records Request Form available on the county website
    • Specify the records sought with reasonable particularity
    • Submit the request electronically, by mail, or in person to the appropriate department
    • Requests must be responded to within 10 days, though complex requests may require an extension

  3. Visit in Person:

    • Records may be inspected during regular business hours at the appropriate county office
    • The County Clerk-Recorder's office provides public terminals for searching records
    • Staff can assist with locating specific documents

  4. Contact the Specific Department:

    • For specialized records, contact the department directly:
      • Property records: County Recorder
      • Court records: Superior Court
      • Law enforcement records: Sheriff's Department
      • Land use records: Planning Department

  5. Review the County Records Retention Schedule:

When requesting records, individuals should provide specific information such as names, dates, addresses, or case numbers to facilitate the search process. Pursuant to Government Code § 6253.1, county officials are required to assist members of the public in making focused and effective requests that enable them to locate the records of interest.

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

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

Standard Copy Fees:

  • Paper copies: $0.10 per page for standard letter/legal size documents
  • Certified copies: $2.25 per document plus copy fees
  • Large format documents (maps, plans): $3.00-$10.00 per sheet depending on size

Specific Record Type Fees:

  • Birth certificates: $28.00 per certified copy
  • Death certificates: $21.00 per certified copy
  • Marriage certificates: $15.00 per certified copy
  • Fictitious Business Name Statements: $55.00 for filing, $10.00 for certified copies
  • Property records: $10.00 for first page, $3.00 each additional page
  • Court records: $0.50 per page for copies, $40.00 for certified copies of judgments

Research and Special Services:

  • Records search requiring staff time: $24.00 per hour (first 15 minutes free)
  • Computer data: Actual cost of production
  • Electronic records: Cost of the medium used for duplication (CD, DVD, etc.)

Payment methods accepted by most county departments include cash, check, money order, and major credit cards. Some departments also accept online payments through their respective portals.

It is important to note that under Government Code § 6253(a), the public maintains the right to inspect records free of charge during normal business hours. Fees are only assessed when copies are requested or when specialized services are required. Additionally, certain requestors may qualify for fee waivers if the request is deemed to primarily benefit the general public, though such determinations are made on a case-by-case basis.

The Riverside County Board of Supervisors periodically reviews and updates the fee schedule for public records, and current fees are published on the county website and posted at county offices.

Does Riverside County Have Free Public Records?

Riverside County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with California law. Government Code § 6253(a) guarantees that "public records are open to inspection at all times during the office hours of the state or local agency," establishing the right to view records without charge.

The following records are available for free inspection:

Additionally, Riverside County provides free online access to:

  • Court case indexes (though document retrieval may incur fees)
  • Planning Commission agendas and minutes
  • Environmental impact reports
  • County job postings and bid opportunities
  • Public health data and reports

Members of the public may utilize public terminals at various county offices to conduct research and view electronic records at no cost. The Riverside County Law Library also provides free access to legal resources, including certain county records and documents.

While inspection is free, requestors should be aware that fees may still apply for copies, certified documents, or records requiring extensive research or specialized retrieval methods, as outlined in the previous section.

Who Can Request Public Records in Riverside County?

Under California Government Code § 6253(a), public records in Riverside County are available to "every person" regardless of citizenship or residency status. The California Public Records Act establishes a presumption of access that applies broadly to all members of the public.

Eligibility requirements for requesting public records include:

  • No residency requirement - requestors need not be California or Riverside County residents
  • No statement of purpose required for most records - requestors generally do not need to explain why they want the records
  • No identification required for general public records - though certain records may require verification of identity
  • No age restrictions - minors may request public records, though some sensitive records may have access limitations

For most general public records, requestors may remain anonymous. However, certain types of records have specific eligibility restrictions:

  • Vital Records (birth, death certificates): Only authorized individuals may obtain these records, including the person named on the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with court orders. Identification is required pursuant to Health and Safety Code § 103526.
  • Criminal History Records: Access is restricted to the subject of the records, authorized representatives, or agencies with statutory authority.
  • Medical/Health Records: Protected under HIPAA and state law, these records are only available to the patient or their authorized representative.
  • Juvenile Court Records: Generally confidential under Welfare and Institutions Code § 827, with access limited to specific parties to the case.
  • Personnel Records: Access is limited under various privacy protections, though certain information about public employees remains public.

When requesting records about oneself, proper identification is typically required. When requesting records about others, additional documentation may be necessary depending on the record type and applicable privacy laws.

Government agencies, researchers, journalists, attorneys, and businesses may request records subject to the same general rules, though certain statutes may provide enhanced access rights for specific purposes (such as scholarly research or law enforcement).

What Records Are Confidential in Riverside County?

While Riverside County maintains a presumption of openness for public records, certain categories of information are exempt from disclosure under California law. Government Code § 6254 establishes numerous exemptions to the Public Records Act, and additional protections exist in other statutes.

Records that are confidential or exempt from disclosure in Riverside County include:

  • Personal Privacy Information:

    • Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account information
    • Medical and mental health records (protected under HIPAA and California Confidentiality of Medical Information Act)
    • Personnel records containing personal data (though certain employment information remains public)
    • Home addresses and telephone numbers of public officials and employees

  • Law Enforcement Records:

    • Active investigation records that would endanger investigations or persons if released
    • Confidential informant information
    • Criminal history information (rap sheets)
    • Juvenile arrest and criminal history information
    • Victim information in certain cases, particularly sexual assault cases

  • Court and Legal Records:

    • Sealed court records pursuant to court order
    • Juvenile court records (Welfare and Institutions Code § 827)
    • Grand jury transcripts before indictment
    • Attorney-client privileged communications
    • Records pertaining to pending litigation involving the county

  • Other Protected Records:

    • Trade secrets and proprietary business information
    • Preliminary drafts and notes not retained in the ordinary course of business
    • Records related to agency deliberative process
    • Critical infrastructure information and security plans
    • Library patron records (Government Code § 6267)
    • Adoption records (Family Code § 9200-9209)
    • Child welfare and protective services records

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 must justify any denial of access by citing the specific exemption that applies. Additionally, under Government Code § 6255, the county may withhold records if it can demonstrate that "on the facts of the particular case the public interest served by not disclosing the record clearly outweighs the public interest served by disclosure of the record" (commonly known as the "public interest balancing test").

Riverside County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder
2724 Gateway Drive
Riverside, CA 92507
(951) 486-7000
Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder

Public Counter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays

Additional Branch Offices:

Blythe Office
270 N. Broadway
Blythe, CA 92225
(760) 921-5050

Hemet Office
880 N. State Street, Suite B6
Hemet, CA 92543
(951) 766-2500

Palm Desert Office
38-686 El Cerrito Road
Palm Desert, CA 92211
(760) 863-7490

Temecula Office
41002 County Center Drive, #230
Temecula, CA 92591
(951) 600-6200

The Riverside County Recorder's Office maintains and provides access to vital records, property records, and other official documents. Services available include:

  • Recording of deeds, liens, maps, and other property documents
  • Issuance of certified copies of birth, death, and marriage certificates
  • Filing of fictitious business name statements
  • Military discharge recording
  • Notary public oath and bonds

Document recording hours end 30 minutes before closing time. Customers are encouraged to check the official website for any temporary changes to office hours or services. Appointments are recommended for certain services but not required for general document requests or recordings.

Lookup Public Records in Riverside County

Riverside Public Records Portal

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