Find Fairfield Public Records
Public records for Fairfield are kept at city and county offices in Solano County. Fairfield has about 119,000 people and is the county seat of Solano County. Court files, vital records, and property documents are managed by Solano County agencies, while city records include permits, council files, and local business licenses. You can search many records online or request them in person. As the county seat, Fairfield has the main county offices and courthouse. Both city and county follow the California Public Records Act for responding to requests within ten days of receipt.
Fairfield Quick Facts
Solano County Court Records
Court records for Fairfield are kept at the Solano County Superior Court. The main courthouse is at 600 Union Ave in Fairfield. You can search civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases online. The court website at solano.courts.ca.gov has a case search tool. Enter a name or case number to see basic info. Documents may show up as images if they have been scanned into the system.
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 some basic facts, but full documents often need an in-person visit to the courthouse. 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 for certification.
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. Fairfield residents file at the main courthouse, which also serves other Solano County cities.
Birth, Death, and Marriage Records
Vital records for Fairfield are at the Solano County Clerk-Recorder office. The office is at 675 Texas St in Fairfield, which is near the courthouse. 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 fees went up in 2026 under state law 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 Fairfield residents use the county office when they need records fast. The state fee is also $24 per copy.
Marriage licenses are issued by the county clerk. You apply in person at the Solano County Clerk-Recorder office in Fairfield. 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. You can then order certified copies of the marriage certificate.
Property and Land Records
Property records for Fairfield are at the Solano County Clerk-Recorder office. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other real estate documents. You can search property records online at the county website. 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. Uncertified copies may be less. The office accepts cash, check, and credit cards.
Property tax info is kept by the Solano 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 Fairfield can be done online before you visit any office.
Note: Solano County Clerk-Recorder office is at 675 Texas St, open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
City of Fairfield Records
City records are at Fairfield City Hall, 1000 Webster St. 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 fairfield.ca.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 Community Development 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 in a few weeks. 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 Solano 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. The court clerk can tell you how to access older records that are not online.
The Fairfield Police Department and Solano County Sheriff provide some public safety data. Booking logs show recent arrests. You can check if someone is in custody at the county jail. Inmate info includes name, booking date, charges, and bail. For older cases or more details, search the court records or ask the court clerk in person.
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. Results show the business status, filing date, agent for service, and officers. Some businesses must file annual reports. Those reports are also online.
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 Solano County Clerk-Recorder. You can search by business name or owner name. The statement shows who runs the business and where. It is public info. Renewal is required every five years. Expired statements remain in the index but are not valid.
UCC financing statements are filed with the Secretary of State. These are liens on personal property like equipment or inventory. You search by debtor name. The results show what property is pledged and who has the lien. Certified copies are $5.00. You can order online at bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov. UCC records are used by lenders, buyers, and others to check if property has a claim on it.
Historical Records
Old Fairfield 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. Some records are digitized. Others need an in-person visit to the research room.
The Solano County Library has a local history collection. This includes newspapers, city directories, and photos. Some items are online. Others are in the special collections room. The library does not have official government records but does have materials that help with research on Fairfield history. Call ahead to ask what they have on a specific topic.
Solano County Public Records
Fairfield is in Solano County, and most legal records are kept at the county level. Court cases, vital records, property files, and many other records are held by Solano County offices. For a full guide to county resources, office locations, fees, and contact info, visit the Solano County public records page.