Costa Mesa Public Records
Public records for Costa Mesa are kept at city and county offices in Orange County. Costa Mesa has about 111,000 people and is in the central part of the county. Court files, vital records, and property documents are managed by Orange County agencies, while city records include permits, council files, and local business licenses. You can search many records online or request them in person. Orange County has well-developed online systems for court and property records. Both city and county follow the California Public Records Act for responding to requests within ten days.
Costa Mesa Quick Facts
Orange County Court Records
Court records for Costa Mesa are kept at the Orange County Superior Court. The nearest courthouse is the Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach or the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana. You can search civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases online. The court website at occourts.org has a case search tool called Case Access. Enter a name or case number to see basic info. Orange County has several courthouses, so check which location handles your case type.
Most court records are public, but some are sealed or restricted by law. Juvenile cases are confidential. Family law cases may have limited online access to protect privacy. You can see the case index and basic facts, but full documents often need an in-person visit. The clerk window is open for record requests on weekdays. Bring photo ID when you request records. Certified copies cost $0.50 per page plus a base fee.
Civil cases involve disputes over money, property, or contracts. Limited civil cases are under $35,000. Unlimited cases go above that amount. Small claims are under $10,000 and have a simpler process. Family law covers divorce, custody, support, and related matters. Probate handles estates, trusts, and guardianships. Criminal cases range from misdemeanors to serious felonies. Each type has its own filing rules and fees.
Birth, Death, and Marriage Records
Vital records for Costa Mesa are at the Orange County Clerk-Recorder office. The office is at 12 Civic Center Plaza in Santa Ana. You can order copies in person, by mail, or online. Only certain people can get certified copies under California Health and Safety Code Section 103526. This includes the person named on the record, parents, legal guardians, and others with legal interest. You need valid ID and proof of relationship to the record.
Birth certificates cost $24 per copy as of 2026. Death certificates are $24. Marriage certificates are $24. These are the state base fees that went up in 2026 under AB 64. Extra copies ordered at the same time cost less. The office accepts cash, checks, and credit cards in person. Online orders may have a service fee through the county vendor.
You can also order vital records from the state. The California Department of Public Health keeps copies of all records from across the state. State orders take longer, often five to seven weeks by mail. Walk-in service at the county office is faster and may be same day if the record is on file. Most Costa Mesa residents use the county office when they need records fast.
Marriage licenses are issued by the county clerk. You apply in person at the Orange County Clerk-Recorder office in Santa Ana. Both parties must appear. Bring valid ID. The license is good for 90 days. After you marry, the officiant sends the license back to the county. The record becomes public unless it is a confidential marriage.
Property and Land Records
Property records for Costa Mesa are at the Orange County Clerk-Recorder office. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other real estate documents. You can search property records online at ocrecorder.com. The search is free. It shows recorded documents going back many years. Some images are online. Others need a visit to the office or an order by mail.
Recording a new document has a fee based on the number of pages. The base fee is set by state law. Extra pages cost more. Same-day recording is an option if you bring the document in person. Mail and drop-box filings take longer. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page in most cases. The office accepts cash, check, and credit cards.
Property tax info is kept by the Orange County Assessor. Tax records include assessed value, ownership, and parcel data. You can search by address or parcel number online. Tax bills and payment history are also in the system. Property maps show parcel boundaries and zoning. Most property research for Costa Mesa can be done online before you visit any office.
City of Costa Mesa Records
City records are at Costa Mesa City Hall, 77 Fair Dr. The City Clerk keeps official records and responds to public records requests under the California Public Records Act. You can ask for city council minutes, resolutions, ordinances, and other city documents. Most records are public. Some are exempt, like personnel files, attorney work product, and certain law enforcement records.
City council meetings are posted online. Agendas, staff reports, and meeting videos are at costamesaca.gov. The municipal code is also online. You can search the code to find local laws on zoning, business rules, and public safety. Older records may need a formal request. The city has ten days to respond to CPRA requests. They can extend that by 14 days if needed.
Public records requests go to the city clerk. You can ask in person, by mail, or by email. No fee to make a request. You do not have to say why you want the records. The city will tell you if there is a cost for copies. Electronic records are often free. Paper copies may have a fee based on staff time and copying costs.
Business licenses and permits are issued by city departments. Building permits are tracked by the Development Services Department. Some permits have public notices. Planning and zoning decisions are also public. Most files are open unless they involve private details that are protected by law.
Criminal History Access
Criminal history records are kept by the California Department of Justice. You can only get your own record by submitting fingerprints through Live Scan. You go to an authorized site and pay a fee. The DOJ sends your record by mail. Third parties cannot request someone else's criminal history. Background checks for jobs and licenses go through approved channels with the subject's consent.
Court records of criminal cases are public once the case is filed. You can search Orange County court records online to see if someone has a case. The case file shows charges, hearings, pleas, and sentences. Some details may be sealed or restricted. Juvenile cases are confidential. Expunged cases may still show up but will note the dismissal.
Business Entity Records
Business entity records are kept by the California Secretary of State. This includes corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and other business types. You can search by business name or entity number at sos.ca.gov. The search is free.
Fictitious business names are filed at the county level. If a business uses a name other than its legal name, it must file a DBA statement with the Orange County Clerk-Recorder. You can search by business name or owner name. Renewal is required every five years.
Historical Records
Old Costa Mesa records may be at the city, the county, or the California State Archives. The State Archives is in Sacramento and keeps records from state and local government that have lasting value. You can search the online catalog at sos.ca.gov/archives.
Orange County Public Records
Costa Mesa is in Orange County, and most legal records are kept at the county level. Court cases, vital records, property files, and many other records are held by Orange County offices. For a full guide to county resources, office locations, fees, and contact info, visit the Orange County public records page.