Find Murrieta Public Records
Murrieta public records come from Riverside County and city offices. The city has more than 115,000 residents and is in southwest Riverside County. Riverside County runs the court system, keeps vital records, and maintains property files for Murrieta. City offices handle local documents like council meetings, permits, and planning records. You can search most Murrieta public records online or go to county and city offices in person. Each record type has different access rules and fees based on state and county law.
Murrieta Quick Facts
Riverside County Handles Murrieta Records
Murrieta is part of Riverside County, so most public records for the city come from county offices. The Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder keeps vital records and property documents. Birth, death, and marriage certificates are issued by this office. Property deeds, liens, and trust documents are recorded here too. Business name statements also go through the county clerk.
The county office is in Riverside at the main government center. You can also visit branch offices for some services. Certified copies of birth certificates cost $34. Death certificates are $26. Marriage certificates run $19. These fees increased in January 2026 under a state law. The county has an online portal at rivcoacr.org where you can order vital records without a trip to the office.
Property records are searchable online at webselfservice.riversideacr.com. This site has the official records index for all recorded documents in Riverside County. You search by name, document type, or address. The index is free to use. If you want copies of documents, you pay per page. The site shows scanned images of deeds and other files for Murrieta properties.
Court Records in Murrieta
The Riverside County Superior Court handles all court cases for Murrieta. This includes civil suits, criminal cases, family law, probate, and traffic matters. The Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta is at 30755-B Auld Road. This courthouse serves the southwest part of the county including Murrieta and Temecula. You can file cases here and get copies of court documents.
To search court records in Murrieta, use the court's online case portal. The search is free for basic case info like party names and case status. If you want to see filed documents, there may be a charge. You can also visit the courthouse in person. Clerks can look up cases by name or case number. Copy fees are 50 cents per page for most documents. Certified copies cost more.
Criminal records are kept separately from civil court files. The court has a criminal case index, but full criminal history records come from the California Department of Justice. Only certain people and agencies can get someone else's criminal record. You can request your own record by submitting fingerprints to the DOJ. Most fingerprint checks take two to three business days if done electronically.
Family law cases in Murrieta go through the superior court too. Divorces, custody disputes, and child support cases are filed at the Southwest Justice Center. Some family law documents are confidential, but most case info is public. You can search for family law cases the same way you search civil cases. The court website has forms and instructions for people who file without a lawyer.
Murrieta City Records
The City of Murrieta keeps records related to local government. This includes city council agendas and minutes, planning and zoning documents, building permits, and business licenses. The city clerk is responsible for these records. Most city records are public under the California Public Records Act. You can request them at no charge to inspect. The city may charge for copies.
Murrieta City Hall is at 1 Town Square. The city clerk office is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM. The office is closed on Fridays. You can call (951) 304-2489 to ask about records before you visit. The city website at murrietaca.gov has agendas, minutes, and other public documents you can view online.
To make a public records request in Murrieta, you can email, mail, or visit the city clerk in person. The city must respond within ten days. They tell you if the records exist and when you can get them. If your request is large or complex, the city may take up to fourteen extra days. They must notify you of any delay in writing. You do not need to give a reason for your request under the Public Records Act.
Building permits and planning records are at the Community Development Department. These records show when buildings were constructed, what permits were issued, and if any code violations exist. This info is useful if you are buying a home in Murrieta or doing work on a property. Permit records are public and you can ask to see them at city hall.
Note: The city cannot charge you to search for records or review them for release, but they can charge direct costs for copies.
Search Murrieta Records Online
Many Murrieta public records are available on the internet. This makes it easier to find what you need without going to an office. Some records are free to search. Others require a fee to view or copy. Here are the main online systems for Murrieta records.
Property records are at the Riverside County Assessor-Clerk-Recorder site. Go to webselfservice.riversideacr.com to search. You can look up any address in Murrieta to see ownership, sale history, and assessed value. The site also has recorded documents like deeds and mortgages. Viewing the index is free. Copies of scanned documents may cost a few dollars per page depending on what you order.
Business records for Murrieta companies are kept by the California Secretary of State. Search at sos.ca.gov. The site shows info on corporations, LLCs, and partnerships. You see when a business was formed, who the registered agent is, and if the entity is active. A certificate of status costs $5.00. Certified copies of filed documents are also $5.00 each.
Court case info is available through the Riverside County Superior Court online portal. The court does not have a single public search page, but you can access some case info by contacting the court or using third-party services. For official records, visit the courthouse in Murrieta or call the clerk at (951) 894-4400 to ask how to search cases. Some courts charge for online access to detailed case files.
Vital records can be ordered online from Riverside County or the state. The county portal at rivcoacr.org lets you order birth, death, and marriage certificates. You fill out a form, pay the fee, and get the document by mail. This is faster than ordering from the state. County service usually takes a few weeks. State service can take two months or more for vital records.
How to Request Public Records in Murrieta
The California Public Records Act lets you ask for records from any state or local agency. This includes the City of Murrieta and Riverside County. The law gives agencies ten days to respond. They must tell you if the records exist and when you can inspect or copy them. Some records are exempt, but most are public.
To request records from the City of Murrieta, send your request to the city clerk. You can email, mail, or hand-deliver your request. Be clear about what you want. Give dates, names, or topics to help the city find the records. The more specific you are, the faster you get a response. If the city cannot find what you asked for, they will tell you.
Riverside County has a public records request system for county departments. Each department may handle requests differently. For court records, you contact the court clerk. For property records, you go to the assessor or recorder. For vital records, you ask the clerk-recorder office. The county does not have a single portal for all records requests like some other counties do.
If an agency denies your request, they must explain why. The denial letter should cite the law that allows them to withhold the records. Common exemptions include personnel files, ongoing criminal investigations, and attorney work product. You can challenge a denial by appealing to the agency or seeking legal advice. Most requests do not get denied if the records are truly public.
Other Public Records for Murrieta
Beyond court and property records, there are other public records you may need in Murrieta. These include professional licenses, voter registration, tax liens, and unclaimed property. Each has its own source and process for access.
Professional licenses are issued by state boards. If you need to verify a contractor, doctor, or lawyer in Murrieta, check the state licensing board for that profession. Most boards have online search tools. You can see if a license is current, if there are any complaints, and when the license expires. This is all public info available at no charge.
Voter registration records are managed by the Riverside County Registrar of Voters. You can check your own voter status online. If you need info on someone else's voter registration, you must follow specific rules under state election law. Basic info like whether someone is registered is often public, but some details are protected.
Tax liens are recorded with the county recorder just like other liens. If someone owes back taxes to the IRS or the state, a lien may be filed against their property. You can search for tax liens at the recorder office portal. These liens are public records. They show up when you search by the property owner's name in Murrieta.
Unclaimed property is tracked by the California State Controller. If you think you have unclaimed funds, search at sco.ca.gov. The site has billions of dollars in lost or forgotten money. You search by name. If you find a match, you file a claim to get your money back. There is no deadline and no fee to claim unclaimed property in California.
Riverside County Public Records
Murrieta is one of the cities in Riverside County. The county handles records for all cities and unincorporated areas in the region. For more info on Riverside County services, offices, and records, visit the Riverside County public records page. You will find contact info, office locations, and links to county online systems.