Burbank Public Records Access
Burbank public records are kept by Los Angeles County and the City of Burbank. The city has about 107,000 residents and is in the San Fernando Valley. Los Angeles County handles court records, vital records, and property documents for Burbank. The city clerk keeps local government records including council agendas and permits. You can search for many Burbank public records online through county and city portals or visit offices in person for copies.
Burbank Quick Facts
Los Angeles County Records for Burbank
Burbank is in Los Angeles County. This means Los Angeles County offices handle most public records for Burbank residents. The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder keeps vital records and property records. The main office is at 12400 Imperial Highway in Norwalk. You can request records in person, by mail, or online.
Birth certificates cost $34. Death certificates are $26. Marriage certificates run $19. These fees went up in January 2026 under state law. You can visit the Norwalk office during business hours Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Online ordering is available at lavote.gov. Online orders take one to two weeks to arrive by mail.
Property records for Burbank are searchable online at portal.assessor.lacounty.gov. You enter the street address or owner name. The site shows property tax info, assessed values, and ownership history. For copies of deeds and other recorded documents, go to the recorder portal at lavote.gov. The recorder has scanned images of most documents for Burbank properties going back many years.
Court Records in Burbank
The Los Angeles County Superior Court serves Burbank through the Burbank courthouse. The courthouse is at 300 East Olive Avenue in downtown Burbank. This location handles civil, criminal, family law, probate, and traffic cases for the area. You can file cases here and get copies of court documents during business hours.
To search court records for Burbank cases, use the LA Court online system at lacourt.org. You search by party name or case number. Guest users pay $4.75 per search. Registered users get lower fees after the first ten searches. The search shows basic case info like filing dates and case status. If you want to see filed documents, you pay extra. The first 20 pages cost $5.00 and each additional page is 50 cents.
Criminal records are kept by the court and the California Department of Justice. The court has records of criminal cases filed in Los Angeles County. The DOJ has a statewide criminal history database. Only certain people and agencies can get someone else's full criminal record. You can request your own record by submitting fingerprints to the DOJ. Most electronic checks finish in two to three business days.
Family law cases in Burbank include divorce, custody, child support, and domestic violence matters. These cases are filed at the Burbank courthouse. Most family law records are public unless sealed by a judge. The court has self-help services for people who file without a lawyer. You can get forms and instructions at the courthouse or on the court website.
Note: The Burbank courthouse is conveniently located in downtown Burbank with public parking and transit access.
City of Burbank Records
The City of Burbank keeps records related to local government operations. This includes city council agendas and minutes, municipal code, planning documents, building permits, and business licenses. The city clerk is custodian of these records. Most are public under the California Public Records Act.
Burbank City Hall is at 275 East Olive Avenue. The city clerk office is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM. The office is closed on Fridays. You can call (818) 238-5851 to ask about records before you visit. The city website at burbankca.gov has agendas, minutes, and some public documents available for download.
To request public records from the City of Burbank, you can submit a written request to the city clerk or the specific department that has the records you want. The city must respond in ten days. They will tell you if the records exist and when you can inspect or copy them. The city can charge for copies but not for staff time to search in most cases.
Building and safety records are kept by the Community Development Department. These records show permits issued for construction and remodeling in Burbank. They also show code enforcement actions and inspection reports. This info is useful if you are buying property or doing work on a building. Permit records are public and can be requested at city hall.
Search Burbank Records Online
Many Burbank public records are available online. This saves you a trip to an office. You can search from home at any time. Some records are free to view. Others cost a fee to access or copy. Here are the main online systems you can use to find Burbank records.
For court cases, use the LA Court online portal at lacourt.org. You can search by name or case number. The system shows basic case info. If you want to see documents filed in the case, you pay extra. This is much faster than going to the Burbank courthouse if you just need case status or party names.
Business records for Burbank companies are kept by the California Secretary of State. Search at sos.ca.gov. The site has info on corporations, LLCs, and partnerships. You can see when a business was formed, who the agent is, and if it is active. Certificates of status cost $5.00 each. Certified copies of formation documents are also $5.00.
Property records are at the county assessor and recorder websites. The assessor site shows ownership and assessed values. The recorder site has scanned images of deeds and other recorded documents. Both are free to search. You pay only if you want certified copies for Burbank properties.
Vital records can be ordered online from Los Angeles County or the state. The county portal at lavote.gov lets you order birth, death, and marriage certificates. You fill out a form, pay the fee, and get the document by mail. County service is usually faster than ordering from the state.
How to Request Public Records in Burbank
The California Public Records Act gives you the right to ask for public records from any state or local agency. This includes the City of Burbank and Los Angeles County. Agencies must respond in ten days. They must produce the records unless an exemption applies. You do not need to explain why you want the records.
To make a public records request in Burbank, send your request in writing to the city clerk or the department that has the records. Email is fine. Be as clear as you can about what you are looking for. Give date ranges if possible. The more specific you are, the faster the agency can find the records.
Los Angeles County uses a NextRequest portal for public records requests. You can submit a request online and track its status. The portal shows when the county received your request and when they respond. Most county departments use this system.
If an agency denies your request, they must tell you why and cite the law that allows them to withhold the records. Common exemptions include personnel files, ongoing investigations, and attorney-client communications. You can challenge a denial or seek legal advice if you think the agency is wrong.
Other Public Records for Burbank
There are many types of public records beyond court and property files. These include professional licenses, voter records, tax liens, and unclaimed property. Each type of record has its own source and access rules.
Professional licenses are issued by state boards. If you want to verify a contractor, doctor, or lawyer in Burbank, check the state licensing board for that profession. Most boards have online search tools. You can see if a license is current and if there are any complaints on file.
Voter registration in Burbank is managed by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder. You can check your own voter status online. If you need info on someone else's registration, you must follow specific rules under state election law. Some voter info is public but other details are confidential.
Tax liens are recorded with the county recorder just like other liens. If someone owes back taxes, a lien may be filed against their property. These liens are public records. You search for them at the recorder office portal. They show up when you search by the property owner's name in Burbank.
Unclaimed property is tracked by the California State Controller. Search at sco.ca.gov to see if you have unclaimed funds. The state holds billions of dollars in lost money. You search by name. If you find a match, you file a claim online. There is no fee and no deadline to claim your property.
More Los Angeles County Records
Burbank is one of 88 cities in Los Angeles County. The county is the largest in California with over ten million people. For more information on Los Angeles County offices and services, visit the county public records page.