Find Hayward Public Records
Public records for Hayward are managed by Alameda County offices and state agencies. Hayward is in the East Bay with a population near 162,000 people. Records include court filings, property documents, birth and death certificates, business registrations, and city permits. California law makes most records open to the public under the Public Records Act. You can search many records online. Some need a visit to the office or a written request to the agency that keeps them.
Hayward Quick Facts
Alameda County Records
Hayward is in Alameda County. Most public records for the city are kept by county offices in Oakland and other locations. The Alameda County Clerk-Recorder handles vital records, property documents, and fictitious business names. Their office is at 1106 Madison Street in Oakland. Call (510) 272-6362 for help. You can also visit their site at acgov.org to start a search or place an order.
Court records for Hayward go through the Alameda County Superior Court. The Hayward Hall of Justice is at 24405 Amador Street. This courthouse handles civil, family, probate, and criminal cases for the area. Call (510) 891-6000 for court information. To search case records online, check the court's case search portal. Many California courts use Tyler Technologies or other systems for public access to case data.
Property records like deeds and mortgages are on file with the County Recorder. You can search online to find ownership, liens, and title documents for Hayward properties. The county also keeps maps, surveys, and other land records. Most go back over one hundred years. For tax information, the Alameda County Assessor has a separate database that shows assessed values and exemptions for all parcels in Hayward.
To request records under the California Public Records Act, contact the agency that keeps them. For county records, send your request to the department that manages the files. Response time is ten days, with a possible extension of 14 more. Many Alameda County departments accept requests online. Electronic records are often free. Paper copies may cost ten cents per page under state law.
Vital Records in Hayward
Birth, death, and marriage certificates for Hayward are issued by the Alameda County Clerk-Recorder. As of January 2026, birth and death certificates cost $34 each. Marriage certificates are $19. The fee went up $2 per record due to Assembly Bill 64. You can order in person, by mail, or online. The office is in Oakland at 1106 Madison Street. Hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Same-day service is often available if you visit the office in person. Bring a valid photo ID and know the full name and date of the event. Online orders take longer and may add a service fee if you use a third-party vendor. For state-level vital records, contact the California Department of Public Health at (916) 445-2684. State processing takes five to seven weeks, so the county is faster for most Hayward residents.
Only certain people can get certified copies of birth and death records. Health and Safety Code Section 103526(c) lists who qualifies. You must be a parent, legal guardian, or have a direct legal interest. Marriage records are more open to the public. Divorce records come from the court, not the recorder. To get a divorce decree for a Hayward case, contact the Alameda County Superior Court where it was filed.
Court Records in Hayward
The Alameda County Superior Court keeps all case records for Hayward. Civil, family, probate, small claims, and criminal cases are all on file. The Hayward courthouse is the main location for cases filed in the area. You can search for a case using the party name or case number. The court has an online portal for case information. Go to alameda.courts.ca.gov for details.
California Rule of Court 2.503 says most case records are open. You can view them at the courthouse or online if available. Some case types are sealed or restricted. Juvenile cases are confidential. Adoption records are also closed. Domestic violence cases may have limits on what the public can see. Ask the clerk if you have questions about access to a specific case in Hayward.
To get copies of court documents, visit the clerk's office at the Hayward Hall of Justice. Staff can pull the file and make copies for a fee. Court copies cost 50 cents per page in most cases. Certified copies cost more. Bring the case number and photo ID when you go. For help with court records, call the Hayward courthouse at (510) 891-6000 during business hours.
Criminal records are less open than civil. Background checks go through the California Department of Justice. If you want your own criminal history, you can request it from DOJ. The process needs fingerprints and a fee. Visit oag.ca.gov for instructions. Processing time is two to three days for electronic submissions. Mail requests take longer for residents of Hayward and all California cities.
Note: Court records are kept by the Superior Court, not by the city or county clerk in Hayward.
City of Hayward Records
The City of Hayward keeps records for city government. This includes city council meetings, permits, contracts, and planning documents. Under the California Public Records Act, you can ask for any city record. Most are open. Some are exempt under state or federal law. Personnel files, legal advice, and active investigations are examples of exempt records in Hayward.
To request city records, contact the City Clerk's office at 777 B Street. Call (510) 583-4400 for help with records requests. The city has ten days to respond. An extension of up to 14 days may apply if the request is large or complex. Electronic records are often sent by email at no cost. Paper copies may cost ten cents per page. The city can charge for staff time if it takes more than one hour to find and copy the records.
City council agendas and minutes are online at the city website. Video recordings of meetings are also posted. Building permits and planning documents are kept by the Community Development Department. For business licenses issued by Hayward, contact the Finance Department at (510) 583-4620. Each city office manages its own records and responds to public requests for documents it keeps.
Business Records in Hayward
Business filings in California are split between state and county offices. The Secretary of State keeps records for corporations, LLCs, and partnerships. You can search the database at bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov for free. The search shows the business name, entity type, status, and agent for service. Copies of filed documents cost $5 each and can be ordered online for email delivery.
Fictitious business name statements are filed with the county. In Hayward, you file with the Alameda County Clerk-Recorder. The county keeps a public index of all names on file. This helps you check if a name is taken or find out who owns a business. You can search at the county office in Oakland or online if the county has a web portal for business names.
UCC financing statements are filed with the Secretary of State. These show liens on business property like equipment or inventory. The UCC database is online at the same site as business entities. You can search by business name or file number. UCC records are used to see if a business has loans or other debts secured by its assets in Hayward or anywhere in California.
Real estate records are kept by the Alameda County Assessor and Recorder. The Assessor values property for taxes. The Recorder files deeds, mortgages, and liens. Both have online databases. You can search Hayward properties by address, parcel number, or owner name. The records show sale prices, tax amounts, and ownership history for all parcels in the city.
Using the Public Records Act
The California Public Records Act gives you the right to see records kept by state and local agencies. The law is in Government Code Section 6250 and following sections. It was recodified in 2021 but the substance did not change. Any person can make a request. You do not need to live in California or give a reason. Agencies must respond in ten days and can extend for 14 more if needed.
Some records are exempt. Examples include personnel files, attorney work product, active investigations, and records protected by privacy laws. If a record has public and exempt parts, the agency must release the public portion. The exempt part can be redacted. The agency cannot charge for the time it takes to review records or decide if they are exempt in Hayward or any other California city.
Most agencies send electronic records by email at no cost. Paper copies cost ten cents per page. If the request takes more than one hour of staff time, the agency can charge for that time. Some agencies use online portals for records requests. Hayward and Alameda County accept requests by mail, email, or in person. Be specific about what you want to get a faster response.
If the agency denies your request, they must explain why in writing. You can appeal to the agency head or file suit in court. Many disputes are settled by narrowing the request or agreeing to partial disclosure. For help with the Public Records Act, contact the California Attorney General or consult a lawyer. The Attorney General has a guide at oag.ca.gov.
Alameda County Public Records
Hayward is one of 14 cities in Alameda County, which covers the East Bay from Oakland to Fremont. The county manages most public records for over 1.6 million residents. For a complete guide to county offices, online search tools, fees, and record types, visit the Alameda County public records page.