Compton Public Records
Public records for Compton are maintained by Los Angeles County and the City of Compton. With over 97,000 residents, Compton is in southern Los Angeles County. County offices handle most vital records, court filings, and property documents. The Registrar-Recorder-County Clerk in Norwalk issues birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage records. Property deeds and liens are also recorded by the county. The Compton city clerk maintains local government records including council agendas, business licenses, and permits. Many records can be searched online while others require an in-person visit or formal request under the California Public Records Act.
Compton Quick Facts
Los Angeles County Records
Compton is part of Los Angeles County. The Registrar-Recorder-County Clerk manages vital records and property documents for all residents. The main office is at 12400 Imperial Highway in Norwalk. If you need a birth certificate, death certificate, or marriage record for someone in Compton, you request it from this county office. The office is open weekdays during business hours.
Birth certificates cost $34. Death certificates are $26. Marriage certificates run $19. These fees increased in January 2026 under state law AB 64. You can order vital records in person, by mail, or through online vendors. If you order online through authorized vendors, you pay extra service fees but get faster processing without driving to Norwalk.
Property records for Compton are recorded by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder. You can search deeds, mortgages, liens, and other documents online. The county maintains a database that shows property ownership and recorded documents. Search by property address, owner name, or document number. Basic searches are free. Copies of documents cost a few dollars depending on the number of pages.
The Los Angeles County Assessor office maintains property assessment records. You can look up assessed values and tax information for Compton properties. This helps if you want to check property taxes or compare values. The assessor website at portal.assessor.lacounty.gov has an online search tool where you enter an address and see the current assessed value.
Court Records and Legal Documents
The Los Angeles County Superior Court handles all court cases for Compton. The Compton Courthouse is located at 200 West Compton Boulevard. Cases may also be filed at other courthouses depending on the type of case. Court records include civil, criminal, family law, probate, and small claims cases. Most are public unless sealed by a judge.
You can search for cases online at lacourt.org. The court website has online case search where you can look up cases by party name or case number. Some records are available electronically. The online system is updated daily and shows case info dating back to the early 1980s for most case types.
Civil cases include lawsuits, contract disputes, and other legal matters. Small claims cases under ten thousand dollars go through a simpler process. These records are public and searchable. The court maintains an index of all civil filings. You can search the index online or at the courthouse.
Criminal cases are filed by the District Attorney. The court keeps records of arrests, charges, plea agreements, and sentences. You cannot get someone else's full criminal record without legal authority. But you can see court records of cases that were filed and resolved in Los Angeles County. For statewide criminal history, the California Department of Justice maintains a database. You must submit fingerprints to get your own record.
Family law matters include divorce, custody, child support, and restraining orders. Some family law records are confidential to protect privacy. But most case filings are public. The court has self-help services and forms for people without lawyers. Compton residents can use these resources at the courthouse or on the court website.
Note: Court document copies usually cost 50 cents per page, and certified copies cost more.
City of Compton Records
The City of Compton maintains records for 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 unless an exemption applies.
Compton City Hall is at 205 South Willowbrook Avenue. The city clerk office is open Monday through Friday. You can visit to request records or submit a written request by mail or email. The city must respond within ten days under the California Public Records Act. They will tell you whether the records exist and when you can inspect or copy them.
The city website at comptoncity.org has agendas, minutes, and some public documents available online. Building permits and code enforcement records are kept by the Community Development Department. These records show permits for construction, remodeling, and repairs in Compton. They also document violations and inspections. Permit records are public and available at city hall.
Search Compton Records Online
Many public records for Compton are available online. You can search from home without visiting an office. Some searches are free while others require payment. Here are key online systems for Compton records.
The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder has an online portal for property records. You search by property address, owner name, or document type. The system shows deeds, deeds of trust, liens, and other recorded documents for Compton properties. Viewing the index is free. Copies of scanned documents may cost a fee depending on the number of pages.
Business records are at the California Secretary of State website. Go to sos.ca.gov to search corporations, limited liability companies, and partnerships. The search shows when a business was formed, who the registered agent is, and whether it is active. Certificates of status cost $5.00. Certified copies of filed documents are also $5.00 each.
Court case information is available through the Los Angeles County Superior Court. The court website at lacourt.org has online case search. You can look up cases by name or case number. The search is updated daily and covers civil, small claims, family law, and probate cases. There are fees for name searches after the first ten searches per account.
Vital records can be ordered online through third-party services authorized by the county or state. You pay the certificate fee plus a service fee. The vendor processes your request and mails the certified document. This costs more than ordering by mail from the county but is more convenient and often faster for Compton residents.
How to Request Public Records
The California Public Records Act gives you the right to inspect and copy public records from state and local agencies. This includes the City of Compton and Los Angeles County. When you submit a request, the agency must respond within ten days. They must produce the records or explain why they cannot. You do not need to give a reason for your request.
To request records from the City of Compton, send a written request to the city clerk or the department that has the records. Be specific about what you want. Include dates, names, topics, or other details. The clearer your request, the faster the city can locate the records. The city can charge for copies but not for staff time to search in most cases.
Los Angeles County departments handle records requests individually. For court records, contact the court clerk. For property records, contact the recorder. The county has a public records request portal at lacountyrrcc.nextrequest.com for the Registrar-Recorder office. Other departments may have their own request systems.
If an agency denies your request, they must give you a written explanation. The denial should cite the specific law that allows them to withhold the records. Common exemptions include ongoing investigations, attorney-client communications, and personnel files. You can appeal a denial or consult a lawyer if you think the agency is wrong.
Other Public Records
Many types of public records exist beyond court and property files. These include voter records, professional licenses, tax liens, and unclaimed property. Each type has its own source and access rules.
Voter registration in Compton is managed by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder. You can check your voter status online at lavote.gov. If you need info on someone else's registration, you must follow election code rules. Some voter info is public but other details are confidential under state law.
Professional licenses are issued by state boards and departments. If you want to verify a contractor, doctor, lawyer, or other professional in Compton, check the state licensing board for that profession. Most boards have online search tools. You can see if a license is current and whether there are complaints on file.
Tax liens are recorded with the county recorder. 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. A lien shows up when you search by the property owner's name in Compton.
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 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.
Los Angeles County Public Records
Compton is one of many cities in Los Angeles County. The county serves over ten million residents across Southern California. For more information on Los Angeles County offices and services, visit the county public records page.