Huntington Beach Public Records
Public records for Huntington Beach include court files, vital statistics, property deeds, business registrations, and city government documents. Orange County manages most of these records through offices in Santa Ana, the county seat. Huntington Beach is a major city in Orange County, and residents can access county records online or by visiting offices in person. The city also maintains its own records for building permits, city council actions, contracts, and other local operations. Both county and city offices follow the California Public Records Act, which gives residents access to most government documents with certain exceptions for privacy and security.
Huntington Beach Quick Facts
Orange County Records for Huntington Beach
Orange County handles most public records for Huntington Beach residents. The clerk-recorder office manages vital records, property documents, fictitious business names, and marriage licenses. The main office is in Santa Ana at 601 N. Ross Street. You can visit in person or search some records online through county portals.
Vital records include birth, death, and marriage certificates. The county charges $24 per certified copy as of January 2026. This fee went up by $2 under Assembly Bill 64. Not everyone can get a vital record. California law limits access to people with a direct relationship to the person on the certificate. Parents, spouses, adult children, grandparents, and legal representatives qualify under Health and Safety Code Section 103526(c).
| Office | Orange County Clerk-Recorder |
|---|---|
| Address | 601 N. Ross Street Santa Ana, CA 92701 |
| Phone | (714) 834-2500 |
| Website | ocrecorder.com |
Property records are also at the clerk-recorder office. Deeds, mortgages, liens, and other real estate documents are public. You can search these records online at ocrecorder.com. The database goes back many years. Some old records are not digitized yet. For those, you need to visit the office in Santa Ana. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. The county charges per page for most documents.
Court Records Access
The Orange County Superior Court handles all trial court cases for Huntington Beach. Civil lawsuits, criminal prosecutions, family law, probate, and small claims all go through this court system. The main courthouse is in Santa Ana at 700 Civic Center Drive West. Most court records are public. Some case types have privacy rules. Family law and juvenile cases are not fully open to the public.
You can search for court cases online at occourts.org/online-services/case-access. The court provides case access tools that let you look up cases by name, case number, or party. Basic case information is free. This includes filing date, case type, and party names. Some documents are available online. Others require a visit to the clerk office. Fees apply for copies.
To get court documents for Huntington Beach cases:
- Search online for basic case information
- Visit the clerk office in Santa Ana
- Bring photo ID and case details
- Request specific documents by name
- Pay per-page fees plus certification if needed
Clerks can help you find documents but cannot give legal advice. If you need legal help, talk to an attorney. The court has a self-help center with forms and resources for people representing themselves in Orange County.
Note: The court charges $0.50 per page for paper copies and $1.00 per page for electronic copies in Orange County.
City of Huntington Beach Records
The City of Huntington Beach maintains records of its own government operations. City council agendas, minutes, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and budget documents are all public. The city clerk office manages these documents and handles public records requests under the California Public Records Act.
You can submit a public records request to the city clerk. The city has 10 calendar days to respond under Government Code section 6253(c). They may extend this time by 14 days if they need to search multiple departments or consult with staff. Electronic copies are usually free. Paper copies may cost $0.10 per page.
City records available to the public include:
- Building permits and inspection reports
- Planning and zoning documents
- City contracts and procurement files
- Budget and financial reports
- Employee salaries and compensation
- Council meeting minutes and agendas
Not all city records are public. Personnel files, attorney-client communications, ongoing investigations, and some law enforcement records are exempt from disclosure. The city will tell you if a record is exempt and cite the legal basis. You do not need to explain why you want a record when you make a request in Huntington Beach.
Business Entity Records
Business records in California are split between state and county offices. Corporations, LLCs, and partnerships file with the Secretary of State. You can search these records for free at sos.ca.gov/business-programs/business-entities. The database shows entity names, numbers, formation dates, and current status. Certified copies cost $5 per document.
Fictitious business names are filed with Orange County. Any business in Huntington Beach using a name other than its legal entity name must register with the county clerk-recorder. You can search these names at the recorder office in Santa Ana. Filing a new fictitious name costs a fee set by the county. Renewals are required every five years under California law.
The Secretary of State offers expedited services for an extra fee. Same-day processing costs $750. Next-day service costs $350. Standard processing is much cheaper but takes several weeks. Most people use standard service unless they have an urgent need for business records in California.
Criminal Records and Background Checks
Criminal history records in California are kept by the Department of Justice. You can request your own record by submitting fingerprints and paying a fee. The DOJ processes eighty percent of electronic checks within three business days. They do not release records to third parties. Only the person whose record it is can get a copy for personal review.
Criminal court records for Huntington Beach cases are at the Orange County Superior Court. These records show charges, pleas, sentences, and case outcomes. Some criminal records are sealed by law or court order. Juvenile cases are confidential. Dismissed cases may be sealed under certain conditions in California. You can search for criminal case information at the courthouse or online.
Police reports and arrest logs are kept by the Huntington Beach Police Department. Some information in police reports is confidential by law. You can request a report if you were involved in the incident. Fees and procedures vary. Contact the police department for details on getting reports in Huntington Beach.
State Archives and Historical Records
The California State Archives in Sacramento holds historical government records from across the state. This includes old legislative records, maps, photographs, and government documents. The research room is open to the public from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM on weekdays. No appointment is needed to visit.
The archives has an online catalog at sos.ca.gov/archives/collections/minerva called Minerva. You can search this system to see what records are available. Staff can help with research requests by mail if you cannot visit in person. Processing takes 3 to 5 business days. The archives does not offer rush service.
Orange County may also have historical records at its own archives or through local historical societies. These collections often include old newspapers, photos, city directories, and documents not found in state repositories.
Orange County Public Records
Huntington Beach is in Orange County. Most public records for city residents are managed at the county level. The clerk-recorder, assessor, and court system all serve Huntington Beach and 33 other cities in the county. For a complete guide to Orange County record offices, fees, online databases, and access procedures, visit the county page.