San Joaquin County Public Records
What Are Public Records in San Joaquin County?
Public records in San Joaquin County encompass all information created, received, or maintained by county government agencies in the course of official business. According to the California Public Records Act (CPRA), specifically under Government Code § 6252(e), 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."
San Joaquin County maintains numerous types of public records, including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases processed through the San Joaquin County Superior Court
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, assessments, and property transfers
- Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, fictitious business name statements
- Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, tax liens
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, campaign finance reports
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County Board of Supervisors, planning commission, and other county boards
- Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, financial statements
- Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (where permitted by law)
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, building permits
Different county departments maintain specific record types:
The San Joaquin County Recorder-County Clerk maintains vital records, property records, and fictitious business name statements.
The San Joaquin County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk handles property assessment records and tax information.
The San Joaquin County Superior Court maintains all court records and case files.
The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors maintains meeting minutes, resolutions, and ordinances.
Is San Joaquin County an Open Records County?
San Joaquin County fully complies with the California Public Records Act (CPRA), which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under Government Code § 6250, the California Legislature has declared that "access to information concerning the conduct of the people's business is a fundamental and necessary right of every person in this state."
The county adheres to the CPRA's presumption of openness, which states that all government records are public unless specifically exempted by law. Government Code § 6253(a) 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."
San Joaquin County has implemented specific procedures to facilitate public access to records in accordance with state law. The county maintains a Public Records Request Policy that outlines the process for requesting and obtaining public records.
Additionally, San Joaquin County complies with the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code § 54950 et seq.), California's open meeting law, which requires that meetings of public bodies be open and public, with agendas published in advance.
How to Find Public Records in San Joaquin County in 2026
Members of the public may access San Joaquin County records through several methods:
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Online Access: Many records are available through the county's official websites:
- Property records can be searched through the Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk's online portal
- Court records are accessible via the Superior Court's case information system
- Board of Supervisors meeting minutes and agendas are available on the county website
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In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours:
- For vital records and property documents, visit the Recorder-County Clerk's office
- For court records, visit the Superior Court clerk's office
- For assessment records, visit the Assessor's office
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Written Requests: Submit a formal public records request in writing to the specific department that maintains the desired records. Requests should:
- Clearly describe the records sought
- Provide contact information
- Specify preferred format (electronic or paper copies)
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Public Records Request Form: Complete the county's Public Records Request Form and submit it to the appropriate department.
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.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in San Joaquin County?
San Joaquin County charges fees for certain public records in accordance with California Government Code § 6253(b), which permits agencies to charge "fees covering direct costs of duplication" or a "statutory fee, if applicable."
Current standard fees include:
- Copying Fees: $0.25 per page for standard documents
- Certified Copies:
- Birth certificates: $32.00 per copy
- Death certificates: $24.00 per copy
- Marriage certificates: $17.00 per copy
- Property Records:
- Recorded documents: $2.00 for the first page, $0.50 for each additional page
- Certified copies of recorded documents: Additional $2.00 per document
- Court Records:
- Case searches: $15.00 per name
- Copies of court documents: $0.50 per page
- Certified copies: $25.00 plus copy fees
Accepted payment methods include:
- Cash (in-person only)
- Personal checks
- Money orders
- Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover) for certain departments
- Electronic payments for some online services
The county waives fees for:
- Records inspection (viewing only)
- Electronic records that do not require special processing
- Records where fee waivers are mandated by law
Pursuant to Government Code § 6253.9(a)(2), when electronic records are requested, the county may charge for the cost of producing the electronic record, including programming costs, if the request requires data compilation or extraction.
Does San Joaquin County Have Free Public Records?
San Joaquin County provides free inspection of public records during regular business hours in accordance with 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."
Free public records services include:
- In-Person Inspection: Members of the public may examine non-exempt records at no cost at the appropriate county office
- Online Access: Many records are available at no charge through county websites:
The San Joaquin County Law Library also provides free public access to legal resources, including certain county records and legal research materials.
Additionally, the San Joaquin County Historical Society and Museum offers free access to certain historical county records and archives.
Who Can Request Public Records in San Joaquin 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:
- California residents
- Non-residents and foreign nationals
- Business entities
- Media organizations
- Non-profit organizations
- Government agencies
San Joaquin County does not generally require:
- Proof of residency
- Disclosure of the purpose for the request
- Identification for most record types
However, certain exceptions apply:
- Vital Records: Birth, death, and marriage certificates require the requestor to demonstrate a direct relationship or legitimate interest as specified in Health and Safety Code § 103526
- Criminal Records: Access may be restricted based on requestor status and purpose
- Juvenile Records: Generally confidential with limited access per Welfare and Institutions Code § 827
- Voter Registration Records: Access is limited to specific purposes under Elections Code § 2194
When requesting one's own records, proper identification is typically required. When requesting records about another individual, additional documentation may be necessary to demonstrate legal authority or legitimate interest.
Government agencies processing requests may not:
- Ask why the records are being requested (except for certain restricted records)
- Deny access based on the requestor's identity (except where legally specified)
- Require the completion of unnecessary forms beyond basic contact information
What Records Are Confidential in San Joaquin County?
While San Joaquin County strives for transparency, certain records are exempt from disclosure under the California Public Records Act. Government Code § 6254 specifically exempts numerous categories of records from public disclosure.
Confidential records in San Joaquin County include:
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Personal Information:
- Social Security numbers
- Driver's license numbers
- Financial account information
- Medical information protected under HIPAA
- Home addresses and phone numbers of public officials and employees
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Law Enforcement Records:
- Active investigation files
- Intelligence information
- Security procedures
- Victim information in certain cases
- Juvenile arrest records
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Court Records:
- Sealed court records
- Juvenile court proceedings
- Certain family law matters
- Mental health proceedings
- Juror information
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Personnel Records:
- Employee medical information
- Performance evaluations
- Disciplinary actions (with some exceptions)
- Personal contact information
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Other Protected Records:
- Attorney-client privileged communications
- Preliminary drafts and notes
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information
- Critical infrastructure information
- Records protected by federal law
- Adoption records
- Child welfare and protective services records
Under Government Code § 6255, San Joaquin County may also withhold records using the "public interest balancing test," which permits non-disclosure when "the public interest served by not disclosing the record clearly outweighs the public interest served by disclosure."
When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the county must redact the exempt portions and release the remainder, as required by Government Code § 6253(a).
San Joaquin County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
San Joaquin County Recorder-County Clerk
44 N. San Joaquin Street, Suite 260
Stockton, CA 95202
(209) 468-3939
San Joaquin County Recorder-County Clerk
Public Counter Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays
Services Provided:
- Recording of deeds, liens, and other property documents
- Issuance of birth, death, and marriage certificates
- Marriage license applications
- Fictitious business name filings
- Notary public registrations
- Military discharge recordings
San Joaquin County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk
44 N. San Joaquin Street, Suite 230
Stockton, CA 95202
(209) 468-2630
San Joaquin County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk
Public Counter Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays
Services Provided:
- Property assessment information
- Property ownership records
- Tax assessment appeals
- Property tax exemption applications
San Joaquin County Superior Court Clerk's Office
222 E. Weber Avenue
Stockton, CA 95202
(209) 992-5555
San Joaquin County Superior Court
Public Counter Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Closed on weekends and court holidays
Services Provided:
- Court case filings
- Court records searches
- Certified copies of court documents
- Payment of fines and fees