Find Irvine Public Records
Public records for Irvine include court documents, birth and death certificates, property deeds, business registrations, and city government files. Orange County manages most of these records through offices in Santa Ana, the county seat. Irvine residents can search online databases or visit county offices in person. The City of Irvine also maintains records for local permits, city council actions, contracts, and other municipal operations. Both county and city offices follow the California Public Records Act. This law gives residents the right to see most government documents. Some records have privacy limits under state law.
Irvine Quick Facts
Orange County Records for Irvine
Orange County handles most public records for Irvine residents. The clerk-recorder office manages vital records, property documents, fictitious business names, and notary files. This office is in Santa Ana at 601 N. Ross Street. You can visit in person or use online portals to search records from home. Most basic searches are free.
Birth, death, and marriage certificates cost $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 Irvine. Civil lawsuits, criminal prosecutions, family law, probate, and small claims all go through this court system. There is a courthouse in Santa Ana and other locations around the county. Most court records are public. Some case types have privacy rules. Family law and juvenile cases are not fully open.
You can search for court cases online at occourts.org/online-services/case-access. The system lets you search 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 Irvine cases:
- Search online for case information
- Visit the clerk office if you need documents
- 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 Irvine Records
The City of Irvine maintains records of its own government operations. City council agendas, minutes, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and budget documents are all public. The Office of Records and Information manages these documents and handles public records requests under the California Public Records Act.
You can submit a public records request online at cityofirvine.org/office-records-and-information. 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 videos
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 Irvine.
Irvine uses an OnBase document management system to store and retrieve city records. This system helps staff process requests faster and provide electronic copies when possible.
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 Irvine 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 Irvine 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 Irvine 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 Irvine.
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. Check with the Orange County Archives for information on what they hold.
Orange County Public Records
Irvine 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 Irvine 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.