Anaheim Public Records Access
Anaheim public records are maintained by city, county, and state agencies serving Orange County's largest city. You can search court cases, vital certificates, property documents, business filings, and city records through different systems. The City of Anaheim keeps official city documents through the City Clerk and accepts California Public Records Act requests online. Orange County Clerk-Recorder handles vital records like birth and death certificates plus property documents. The Superior Court maintains case files for civil, criminal, family law, probate, and small claims matters. Most searches start online. Some records need an office visit or written request. Processing times range from instant searches to weeks for certified copies by mail.
Anaheim Quick Facts
Orange County Records
Anaheim sits in Orange County. The county handles vital records, property documents, and court cases. The Office of the Clerk-Recorder issues birth, death, and marriage certificates for events in the county. They also record property deeds, mortgages, liens, and other real estate instruments. County offices are located in Santa Ana and other cities throughout Orange County.
Birth, death, and marriage certificates cost $24 per copy as of January 2026 under Assembly Bill 64. You must prove your relationship to get vital records. Parents, spouses, adult children, grandparents, and legal representatives can order copies under Health and Safety Code Section 103526(c). Bring valid photo ID when you apply. Processing takes a few days to several weeks depending on how you order.
The county website at ocrecorder.com provides online services for some records. You can search property information and order copies of recorded documents. Vital records can be ordered online through approved vendors or in person at county offices. Check the website for current fees and processing times.
For full details on county services and offices, see the Orange County page.
Superior Court Case Files
The Superior Court of California, County of Orange, maintains case records for Anaheim and the rest of the county. Court files include civil, criminal, family law, probate, and small claims cases. Multiple courthouses serve different areas. Cases are filed at the courthouse with jurisdiction over the matter.
Access to court records depends on case type. Civil cases are mostly public. Criminal cases show basic information but protect victim privacy. Family law cases hide sensitive financial and child information. Juvenile cases are confidential. You can search case indexes online. Full documents require a courthouse visit or mail order in most cases.
The court website at occourts.org/online-services/case-access provides online case search tools. You can look up cases by party name, case number, or attorney. The system shows filing dates, case types, courthouse locations, and hearing dates. Some documents are available through remote access services. Others require visiting the courthouse in person.
To get copies of court documents, visit the clerk's office at the courthouse handling the case. Bring the case number and document description. Standard copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies have an additional certification fee. Some documents can be ordered by mail if you provide complete information and prepayment. Processing by mail takes longer than visiting in person.
Court clerks can help you locate files and explain procedures. They cannot give legal advice or tell you what forms to file. If you need legal help, consult an attorney or contact legal aid organizations serving Orange County.
City of Anaheim Documents
The City of Anaheim keeps separate records from the county. The City Clerk maintains official city documents, ordinances, resolutions, and City Council proceedings. This office handles city elections, business licenses, and official records requests. City records include legislation, contracts, permits, meeting minutes, and administrative files.
Anaheim accepts public records requests under the California Public Records Act. Visit anaheim.net/2153/Request-a-Public-Record to submit a request or get information about the process. The city provides instructions for requesting records and contact information for different departments.
City departments have 10 calendar days to respond to your CPRA request. They can extend this by 14 days in unusual circumstances. Be clear about what records you want. Include dates and specific departments if you know them. The city does not create new records or answer questions. They only provide documents that already exist.
Most electronic records are free. Paper copies may have a per-page fee. The city will tell you about costs before processing large requests. You do not need to give a reason or show ID for most public records. Some records have exemptions for privacy, pending litigation, or law enforcement purposes. The city must justify any denial with specific legal authority.
Business Entity Searches
Business records for Anaheim companies are spread across multiple agencies. State-level entities like corporations and LLCs file with the California Secretary of State. You can search at sos.ca.gov/business-programs/business-entities to find any California business. The database shows entity name, number, status, formation date, and agent information. Searching is free. Certified copies cost $5.
Fictitious business names are filed with Orange County. If a company operates under a DBA, it must register with the County Clerk. These records are searchable through the Clerk-Recorder office. Call or visit to ask about fictitious name searches and copies. Fees apply for certified documents.
City business licenses are handled by the City of Anaheim. Every business operating in Anaheim must have a valid license. You can verify licenses through the city website or by calling the appropriate department. License records show business name, address, type, and status. Some information may be public while other details are protected under privacy laws.
The Secretary of State also maintains UCC financing statements showing secured interests in business assets. Search UCC records online through the state website. This helps when researching liens on business property or equipment.
Property and Real Estate Records
Real estate documents are recorded with the Orange County Recorder. Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other property instruments are kept here. The Recorder maintains an index of all recorded documents going back decades. You can search online and order copies for a fee.
The County Assessor keeps separate records about property values for tax purposes. Assessor data includes owner name, assessed value, property characteristics, and tax history. This information is public and searchable online. The Assessor's parcel maps show property boundaries and parcel numbers.
To search property records, visit the county website or use the Assessor's online portal. Enter an address or parcel number to pull up information. You can view records on screen for free. Copies have per-page fees. Certified copies cost extra. Most documents can be emailed or mailed to you. Processing times depend on request volume and document complexity.
Building permits and code enforcement records are maintained by the City of Anaheim. These show permit history, inspections, and violations. Check with the city's Planning and Building Department for access to permit records and inspection reports.
How to Request Records
Online searches are the easiest way to find Anaheim records. Many databases are free and available any time. Court indexes, business entities, property assessments, and some city records work online. Start with online tools before trying other methods. This saves time and money.
In-person visits give you more help from staff. Clerks can guide your search and answer questions about procedures. Bring valid ID and payment for fees. Most offices accept cash, check, or card. Call first to check hours and required documents. Some offices need appointments, especially for specialized services or during busy periods.
Mail requests work if you know exactly what you want. Write a letter with your contact information. Describe the records clearly with case numbers or document details. Include payment if you know the cost. Otherwise ask for an estimate first. Mail takes longer but saves a trip. Use certified mail for important requests so you have proof of delivery.
Email and phone work for simple questions. Staff can tell you about procedures, fees, and office locations. They cannot do research or give legal advice. Use phone for quick questions about hours and requirements. Follow up in writing if you need an official response or detailed information.
California Public Records Laws
The California Public Records Act gives you the right to inspect and copy most government records. Government Code sections 6250 and following require agencies to make public records available. Exemptions protect privacy, active investigations, attorney-client communications, and other sensitive information. Agencies must cite specific legal exemptions when denying access. You have the right to challenge denials through administrative appeals or court action.
Vital records have special rules under Health and Safety Code Section 103526(c). Only authorized people can get birth and death certificates. This protects privacy while allowing family members and legal parties to obtain records they need. Marriage records are less restricted but still require eligibility proof in some cases. Divorce records are court documents and follow court access rules.
Court records follow California Rules of Court. Rule 2.503 sets standards for case file access. Judges can seal sensitive files or redact identifying information. Some case types have extra privacy protections. Juvenile cases are confidential. Family law cases protect child welfare information. Criminal cases may hide victim details to prevent harassment or retaliation.
Use records lawfully. Do not commit identity theft with vital records. Do not harass people using information from court files. Some commercial uses are banned by statute. Follow the law when requesting and using government documents. Legitimate research, journalism, legal work, and personal use are generally allowed under California law.
Note: Anaheim may have local ordinances providing additional access rights or privacy protections.
Records in Other Cities
California has many large cities with their own record systems. Each city maintains different databases and uses different procedures. Check these pages for records in other major cities: