Fresno Public Records
Fresno public records are maintained by city, county, and state agencies serving the largest city in the San Joaquin Valley. You can search court cases, vital certificates, property documents, business filings, and city records through different systems. The City Clerk's office keeps official city documents and handles business licenses. Fresno County Clerk-Recorder issues vital records like birth and death certificates plus property documents. The Superior Court maintains case files for civil, criminal, family law, probate, and small claims matters. Most searches start online, though some records need an office visit or written request. Processing times range from instant online results to weeks for certified copies mailed from county offices.
Fresno Quick Facts
Fresno County Records
Fresno is located in Fresno County. The county handles vital records, property documents, and court cases. The Clerk-Recorder's office issues birth, death, and marriage certificates for events that occurred in the county. They also record property deeds, mortgages, liens, and other real estate instruments. The main office is in downtown Fresno with services available at other county facilities.
Vital records cost $24 per copy as of January 2026. Assembly Bill 64 increased fees statewide at the start of the year. Only eligible people can order vital certificates. Parents, spouses, adult children, grandparents, and legal representatives qualify under Health and Safety Code Section 103526(c). You must prove your relationship and provide valid ID when you apply.
The county Clerk-Recorder website offers online services for property searches and document orders. You can look up recorded instruments by name, address, or document number. Vital records can be ordered online through approved vendors or in person at the clerk's office. Processing times depend on the method used and current request volume.
The Superior Court website at publicportal.fresno.courts.ca.gov/fresnoportal provides case search tools for free. You can look up civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases by name or case number.
For detailed county services, visit the Fresno County page.
Superior Court Case Files
The Superior Court of California, County of Fresno, keeps case records for the city and county. Court files include civil, criminal, family law, probate, traffic, and small claims cases. Multiple courthouses serve different areas of the county. Cases are filed at the courthouse with jurisdiction over the matter.
Access to court records depends on case type and privacy laws. Civil cases are mostly public. You can search case indexes and view most documents. Criminal cases show basic information but may hide victim identities. Family law files protect sensitive financial data and information about children. Juvenile cases are confidential and not available to the public.
The court operates an online case information portal. Search by party name, case number, or attorney. The system shows filing dates, case types, courthouse locations, and hearing dates. Some documents are available online. Others require an in-person visit to view or copy. The portal updates regularly as new filings are processed.
To get copies of court documents, visit the clerk's office at the courthouse handling the case. Bring the case number and document description. Standard copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies have an additional certification fee. Some documents can be ordered by mail if you provide complete information and prepayment. Processing by mail takes longer than visiting in person.
Court clerks can help you locate files and explain procedures. They cannot give legal advice or tell you what forms to file. If you need legal help, consult an attorney or contact legal aid organizations serving Fresno County.
City of Fresno Records
The City of Fresno maintains records separate from the county. The City Clerk keeps official city documents including ordinances, resolutions, City Council proceedings, and contracts. This office handles business licenses, elections, and records requests. City records include legislation, permits, meeting minutes, and administrative files.
Fresno accepts public records requests under the California Public Records Act. The city has a records portal accessible through the City Clerk's website at fresno.gov/cityclerk where you can submit requests and track status. Many common records are posted online for download. Check the website before submitting a new request to see if the information is already available.
City departments must respond to CPRA requests within 10 calendar days. They can extend this deadline by 14 days in certain situations. Be specific when describing the records you want. Include dates, departments, and document types if known. The city provides existing records but does not create new documents or answer questions as part of CPRA requests.
Electronic records are usually free. Paper copies may have a per-page fee. The city will notify you about costs for large requests before processing them. You do not need to give a reason for your request. Most requests do not require ID. Some records have exemptions for privacy, pending litigation, or law enforcement purposes. The city must justify denials with specific legal reasons.
Business Entity Information
Business records for Fresno companies are kept at multiple levels. State-registered entities like corporations, LLCs, and partnerships file with the California Secretary of State. Search the database at sos.ca.gov/business-programs/business-entities to find any California business. The search is free and shows entity name, number, status, and formation date. Certified copies of formation documents cost $5.
Fictitious business names are filed with Fresno County. If a company operates under a name different from its legal entity name, it must register a DBA with the County Clerk. You can search and order copies of fictitious name statements through the Clerk-Recorder's office. Fees apply for copies and certifications.
City business licenses are managed by the City of Fresno. Every business operating in city limits must have a valid license. You can verify licenses through the city website or by contacting the appropriate department. License records show business name, address, type of business, and current status. Some details may be public while others are protected under privacy laws.
The Secretary of State also maintains UCC financing statements showing secured interests in business assets. Search UCC records online through the state website. This is useful when researching liens on business property or equipment in Fresno.
Real Estate and Property Records
Property records are kept by the Fresno County Recorder. Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other real estate documents are recorded here. The Recorder maintains an index of all recorded instruments going back many decades. You can search by name, address, or document number to find property records.
The County Assessor keeps separate information about property values for tax purposes. Assessor records include owner names, assessed values, property descriptions, and tax history. This data is public and searchable online. Assessor maps show parcel boundaries and numbers for all properties in Fresno County.
Search property records through the county website. Enter an address or assessor's parcel number to pull up information. Basic searches are free. Copies of recorded documents have per-page fees. Certified copies cost extra. Most documents can be delivered electronically or by mail. Processing times vary based on request complexity and office workload.
Building permits and code enforcement records are maintained by the City of Fresno. These records show permit history, inspections, and code violations. Check with the city's Development Services Department for access to permit records and inspection reports.
Ways to Access Records
Online searches are the fastest way to find Fresno records. Many databases are free and available any time. Court indexes, business entities, property assessments, and some city records work online. Start with online tools before trying other methods. This saves time and money.
In-person visits give you more help from staff. Clerks can guide your search and answer questions about procedures. Bring valid ID and payment for fees. Most offices accept cash, check, or card. Call first to check hours and required documents. Some offices need appointments, especially for specialized services or during busy periods.
Mail requests work if you know exactly what you want. Write a letter with your contact information. Describe the records clearly with case numbers or document details. Include payment if you know the cost. Otherwise ask for an estimate first. Mail takes longer but saves a trip. Use certified mail for important requests so you have proof of delivery.
Email and phone work for simple questions. Staff can tell you about procedures, fees, and office locations. They cannot do research or give legal advice. Use phone for quick questions about hours and requirements. Follow up in writing if you need an official response or detailed information.
California Public Records Laws
The California Public Records Act gives you the right to inspect and copy most government records. Government Code sections 6250 and following require agencies to make public records available. Exemptions protect privacy, active investigations, attorney-client communications, and other sensitive information. Agencies must cite specific legal exemptions when denying access. You have the right to challenge denials through administrative appeals or court action.
Vital records have special rules under Health and Safety Code Section 103526(c). Only authorized people can get birth and death certificates. This protects privacy while allowing family members and legal parties to obtain records they need. Marriage records are less restricted but still require eligibility proof in some cases. Divorce records are court documents and follow court access rules.
Court records follow California Rules of Court. Rule 2.503 sets standards for case file access. Judges can seal sensitive files or redact identifying information. Some case types have extra privacy protections. Juvenile cases are confidential. Family law cases protect child welfare information. Criminal cases may hide victim details to prevent harassment or retaliation.
Use records lawfully. Do not commit identity theft with vital records. Do not harass people using information from court files. Some commercial uses are banned by statute. Follow the law when requesting and using government documents. Legitimate research, journalism, legal work, and personal use are generally allowed under California law.
Note: Processing times and fees are subject to change by statute or local ordinance.
Records in Other Cities
Looking for records in other California cities? Each municipality has its own record systems and procedures. Check these pages for records in other major cities: