Elk Grove Public Records
Public records for Elk Grove come from Sacramento County and the city government. Court files, vital records like birth and death certificates, and property documents go through county offices. City permits, council meeting files, and local ordinances stay with Elk Grove city departments. Most records are open under California law. You can search many online at no cost. Others need a formal request or a visit to an office. Sacramento County offices in Sacramento handle most Elk Grove records. The city hall on Elk Grove Boulevard keeps local files.
Sacramento County Records System
Elk Grove is in Sacramento County. County agencies maintain vital records, court documents, and property files for all Elk Grove residents. The County Clerk/Recorder office handles most record services. Their main office is at 600 8th Street in Sacramento. You can order birth certificates, death records, and marriage licenses there or through the county website at ccr.saccounty.gov.
Vital record fees went up on January 1, 2026. Birth certificates now cost $34 per copy. Death certificates are $26. Marriage records run $19. You can apply online, by mail, or in person. Walk-in service is fastest for same-day copies. Mail requests take longer. The county updates records daily with new filings from Elk Grove and other Sacramento County cities.
Property records for Elk Grove go through the Sacramento County Recorder. All deeds, mortgages, and liens show up in the county database. You can search online for free or order certified copies for a fee. The Recorder's office is in the same building as the Clerk in Sacramento. They process thousands of documents each day from Elk Grove and the rest of the county.
Court Case Lookup
Court cases from Elk Grove get filed at Sacramento County Superior Court locations. The William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse and the Carol Miller Justice Center are the main courthouses serving Elk Grove. You can search cases online through the county court system. The database includes civil, criminal, family, and probate matters from all Sacramento County courthouses.
Online case access is available at the Sacramento Superior Court website. You can look up cases by name, case number, or party. Search results show filing dates, party names, and basic case info. If you want to see court documents or filings, you can pay for online access or visit the courthouse in person. Some case types have restricted access online due to privacy rules.
Criminal records in Elk Grove are public with some limits. Sealed cases or confidential files do not show in public searches. You can search by defendant name or case number. For full criminal background checks, contact the California Department of Justice. They process fingerprint-based checks for employment and licensing. Most electronic submissions get results in 48 to 72 hours. Visit oag.ca.gov/fingerprints for more information.
Note: Sacramento County court records go back to the early 1980s in most online databases.
Property and Real Estate Files
All real estate records for Elk Grove are kept by the Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, and other documents recorded against property. These records are public and can be searched online or in person. The county updates the database daily with new recordings from Elk Grove and other cities.
The County Assessor also keeps property records. The Assessor tracks ownership and values for tax purposes. You can search by address or parcel number to find who owns a property, the assessed value, and tax history. These records are separate from the Recorder but both are public. Search the Assessor database online for free to find Elk Grove property information.
If you need certified copies of a deed or other document, you can order them from the County Recorder. There is a per-page fee plus a certification charge. Online orders and in-person requests are both options. For complex title searches or legal questions about property, you may want to hire a title company. The county provides copies but does not give legal advice about ownership issues in Elk Grove.
Birth, Death, and Marriage Certificates
Vital records for Elk Grove residents are filed with Sacramento County and the California Department of Public Health. The county is usually faster for recent records. The state keeps older files and serves as a backup. You must be an authorized person to get a certified copy of a birth or death record. State law limits access to family members and legal representatives.
Birth certificates from Elk Grove hospitals or for Elk Grove residents can be ordered from the county office in Sacramento. The fee is $34 per copy. You must prove your relationship to the person on the certificate or show a legal reason for the request. You can apply online, by mail, or in person. Walk-in service can be same-day. Mail orders take several weeks to process.
Death certificates cost $26 and follow similar access rules. You must be immediate family, a legal representative, or have another authorized reason. Marriage certificates are $19 and less restricted. For older vital records, you can also contact the California Department of Public Health at (916) 445-2684. State fees are $24 for most certificates. Processing takes 5 to 7 weeks. More details are at cdph.ca.gov.
City of Elk Grove Records
The City of Elk Grove maintains its own records separate from the county. City records include council meeting minutes, resolutions, ordinances, building permits, and business licenses. You can request these under the California Public Records Act. The city has 10 days to respond to your request. Some records are available online. Others require a written request to the city clerk or the department that holds the file.
Elk Grove City Hall is at 8401 Laguna Palms Way. The City Clerk's office handles public records requests, council files, and city ordinances. Call (916) 478-2200 for more information or visit the city website to find forms and online resources. The clerk can help you find meeting agendas, resolutions, and legislative records. Many documents are posted online after city council meetings.
The City of Elk Grove uses a public records portal at elkgroveca.justfoia.com/publicportal. You can submit requests online and track their status. Building permits and planning files are public in Elk Grove. The Development Services Department keeps these records. For police records or arrest reports, contact the Elk Grove Police Department. Not all police records are public. The department reviews requests under state law.
Business and Corporate Filings
Business entities in Elk Grove are registered with the California Secretary of State. This includes corporations, limited liability companies, and partnerships. You can search for any California business online at no cost. The database shows business names, officers, registered agents, and filing history. Go to sos.ca.gov to search or order official certificates.
Fictitious business names, also called DBAs, are filed with Sacramento County. If an Elk Grove business operates under a name different from the owner's legal name, it must file a fictitious business name statement with the County Clerk. These are public records. You can search them online or request copies from the Clerk/Recorder office. Certified copies have a small fee.
Business licenses in Elk Grove come from the city. The City of Elk Grove Finance Department issues licenses and tracks active businesses. Call (916) 478-2210 to ask about a business license or find out what you need to start a business in Elk Grove. State-level licenses like contractor licenses or professional credentials come from state boards, not the city or county.
Online Record Search Tools
Many Elk Grove public records are online. County and state agencies have web portals where you can search for free or pay for certified copies. Some city records are also available on the Elk Grove website. Using online tools saves time and lets you search from home. Here are the main databases for Elk Grove records.
Sacramento County runs several online systems. The Clerk/Recorder site lets you order vital records and search property documents. The Superior Court site has case indexes and court calendars. The Assessor has property tax records. All of these cover Elk Grove since the city is in the county. Links to each system are on the county homepage.
The California Secretary of State has free business searches at bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov. You can look up corporations and LLCs by name or entity number. The California Courts website at courts.ca.gov has statewide resources for finding court records. The State Controller offers an unclaimed property search at sco.ca.gov if you think there are forgotten assets waiting for Elk Grove residents.
For criminal background checks, the California Department of Justice runs a fingerprint-based system. You must submit prints and pay a fee. Results usually come back in 2 to 3 business days for electronic submissions. This is the official method for California criminal history records. Visit oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/record-review to request your own record or learn about authorized employment checks.
California Public Records Act Requests
The California Public Records Act gives you the right to see government records. This applies to city, county, and state agencies in Elk Grove. If a record is not online or easy to get, you can file a formal request. The agency has 10 days to respond. They can take 14 more days if the request is complex. Not all records are public. Some are exempt for privacy, security, or legal reasons.
To request records from the City of Elk Grove, use the online portal at elkgroveca.justfoia.com/publicportal or contact the department that has the file. If you are not sure which department, start with the City Clerk at (916) 478-2200. You can submit a written request by mail, email, or in person. Be specific about what you want. Include dates, names, or other details that help the city locate the records.
Sacramento County uses a public records portal at saccounty.nextrequest.com. You can submit requests online and track their status. The system sends updates as the county processes your request. Some county records are not covered by the Public Records Act because they are sold through normal channels. This includes vital records, property files, and voter data. You order those through the regular process instead of a PRA request.
State agencies also follow the Public Records Act. If you need records from the Department of Justice, Secretary of State, or another state office, file a request with that agency. The Attorney General's office has an online form at oag.ca.gov. The state charges 10 cents per page for paper copies. Electronic data requests can cost more depending on the complexity.
Note: Agencies cannot ask why you want the records when you make a California Public Records Act request.
Sacramento County Public Records
Elk Grove is in Sacramento County. The county manages most vital records, court cases, and property documents for Elk Grove residents. For a complete guide to Sacramento County records, fees, office locations, and online search tools, visit the county page.