Norwalk Public Records Access
Norwalk public records come from Los Angeles County and City of Norwalk offices. The city has about 103,000 residents and is located in southeast Los Angeles County. A major county records facility sits right in Norwalk at 12400 Imperial Highway. This is where the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder keeps vital records and property documents. Court records come from Los Angeles Superior Court. City records are at Norwalk City Hall. You can search most Norwalk public records online or visit these offices for certified copies and detailed files.
Norwalk Quick Facts
Los Angeles County Records in Norwalk
Norwalk residents are lucky because a major Los Angeles County records office is right in the city. The Registrar-Recorder headquarters at 12400 Imperial Highway handles vital records and property records for all of Los Angeles County. This office issues birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage certificates. It also records property deeds, liens, and other real estate documents for the entire county.
You can visit the Norwalk office in person Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. No appointment is needed for most services. Birth certificates cost $34. Death certificates are $26. Marriage certificates run $19. These fees increased in January 2026 under AB 64. If you order by mail, processing takes longer. In-person service is often same-day or next-day for vital records if the document is in the system.
The county also offers online ordering for vital records. Go to lavote.gov to start your order. You pay online and the document is mailed to you. Online orders take one to two weeks typically. This is faster than mail-in requests but slower than walking into the Norwalk office. The online system is open 24 hours a day so you can place orders anytime.
Property Records for Norwalk
Property records for Norwalk are kept by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder and the County Assessor. The recorder maintains copies of all deeds, mortgages, liens, and other documents that affect ownership of real estate. The assessor tracks property for tax purposes. Both offices have online search tools.
To search property records in Norwalk, go to portal.assessor.lacounty.gov. Enter the street address or assessor parcel number. The site shows the current owner, mailing address, assessed value, and sale history. This is free public info. If you need certified copies of deeds or trust documents, those are at the recorder portal at lavote.gov. The recorder has scanned images of recorded documents going back many decades.
You can also visit the recorder office in Norwalk to request property records in person. The staff can help you find documents by name, address, or document number. Copy fees apply if you want paper or electronic copies. Most people use the online system because it is free to search and you can view documents from home. If you need a certified copy for a legal matter, you must order that through the recorder and pay the certification fee.
Tax liens and other liens against property are recorded the same way as deeds. If someone owes back taxes or has a court judgment against them, a lien may be filed with the recorder. These liens are public records. You search for them by the property owner's name. They show up in the index along with other recorded documents for Norwalk properties.
Note: The assessor and recorder are different offices with different functions, but both have records you may need for Norwalk properties.
Court Records in Norwalk
Court records for Norwalk come from the Los Angeles County Superior Court. The Norwalk courthouse is at 12720 Norwalk Boulevard. This courthouse handles civil, criminal, family law, and probate cases for the southeast part of Los Angeles County. You can file cases here and get copies of court documents during business hours.
To search court records, use the LA Court online system at lacourt.org. The search covers civil, family, probate, and small claims cases going back to the 1980s. You search by party name or case number. Guest users pay $4.75 per search. Registered users get lower fees after the first ten searches. The search shows basic case info like filing dates, case type, and hearing dates. If you want to see filed documents, you pay extra.
For criminal records, you can search the court system the same way. But full criminal history records come from the California Department of Justice. Only certain people and agencies can get someone else's complete criminal record. Employers and licensing boards can request background checks. You can get your own record by submitting fingerprints to the DOJ. Most electronic fingerprint checks finish in two to three business days.
Family law cases in Norwalk include divorce, custody, child support, and domestic violence matters. These cases are filed at the Norwalk courthouse. Some family law documents are confidential, but most case info is public. The court has self-help services for people who file without a lawyer. You can get forms and instructions at the courthouse or on the court website.
City of Norwalk Records
The City of Norwalk keeps records related to local government. This includes city council agendas and minutes, municipal ordinances, planning documents, building permits, and business licenses. The city clerk is responsible for these records. Most are public under the California Public Records Act.
Norwalk City Hall is at 12700 Norwalk Boulevard. The city clerk office is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM. The office is closed on Fridays. You can call (562) 929-5720 to ask about records. The city website at norwalk.org has agendas, minutes, and some public documents online.
To request public records from the City of Norwalk, you can submit a written request to the city clerk. Email is acceptable. The city must respond in ten days. They will tell you if the records exist and when you can inspect or copy them. The city may charge for copies but not for staff time to search or review records in most cases.
Building permits and code enforcement records are kept by the Community Development Department. These records show permits issued for construction and remodeling in Norwalk. They also show violations and inspection reports. This info is useful if you are buying a home or doing work on property. Permit records are public and can be requested at city hall.
Search Norwalk Records Online
Many Norwalk public records are online. You can search from home without visiting an office. Some searches are free. Others require payment for copies or detailed info. Here are the main online systems for Norwalk records.
Business records for Norwalk companies are at the California Secretary of State website. Go to sos.ca.gov to search. You can look up corporations, LLCs, and partnerships. The search shows when a business was formed, who the registered agent is, and if it is active. Certificates of status cost $5.00. Certified copies of filed documents are also $5.00 each.
Court case info is at lacourt.org. You search by name or case number. The system shows case status and hearing dates. If you want to see documents filed in the case, you pay extra. The first 20 pages cost $5.00. Each additional page is 50 cents. This is faster than going to the courthouse in Norwalk if you just need basic case info.
Property records are at the county assessor and recorder websites. The assessor site shows ownership and assessed values. The recorder site has scanned images of deeds and other recorded documents. Both are free to search. You pay only if you want certified copies or need to print large numbers of pages.
Professional licenses are issued by state boards. If you need to verify a contractor, doctor, or lawyer in Norwalk, check the state licensing board website for that profession. Most boards have online search tools. You can see if a license is current and if there are any complaints on file.
How to Request Public Records in Norwalk
The California Public Records Act lets you ask for records from any state or local agency. This includes the City of Norwalk and Los Angeles County. Agencies must respond in ten days. They must produce the records unless an exemption applies. You do not need to give a reason for your request.
To request records from the City of Norwalk, send your request to the city clerk. Be specific about what you want. Give dates, names, or topics. The clearer your request, the faster the city can find the records. The city can charge for copies but not for staff time to search in most cases.
Los Angeles County uses a NextRequest portal for public records requests. You can submit a request online and track its status. Most county departments use this system. The portal shows when your request was received and when the county responds.
If an agency denies your request, they must explain why in writing. The denial should cite the law that allows them to withhold the records. Common exemptions include ongoing investigations and personnel files. You can appeal a denial or seek legal advice if you think the agency is wrong.
Los Angeles County Public Records
Norwalk is one of 88 cities in Los Angeles County. The county serves over ten million residents. For more information on Los Angeles County offices, services, and online systems, visit the county public records page. You will find contact info for all departments and links to online portals.