Ontario Public Records Search
Public records for Ontario come from San Bernardino County and the city government. Court files, vital records like birth and death certificates, and property documents go through county offices. City permits, council meeting files, and local ordinances stay with Ontario city departments. Most records are open under California law. You can search many online at no cost. Others need a formal request or a visit to an office. San Bernardino County offices in San Bernardino handle most Ontario records. The city hall on Euclid Avenue keeps local files and permits.
San Bernardino County Records
Ontario is in San Bernardino County. County agencies maintain vital records, court documents, and property files for all Ontario residents. The Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk office handles most record services. Their main office is at 222 West Hospitality Lane in San Bernardino. You can order birth certificates, death records, and marriage licenses there or through the county website.
Vital record fees went up on January 1, 2026. Birth certificates now cost $34 per copy. Death certificates are $26. Marriage records run $19. You can apply online, by mail, or in person. Walk-in service is fastest for same-day copies. Mail requests take longer. The county updates records daily with new filings from Ontario and other San Bernardino County cities.
Property records for Ontario go through the San Bernardino County Recorder. All deeds, mortgages, and liens show up in the county database. You can search online for free at arc.sbcounty.gov/official-records or order certified copies for a fee. They process thousands of documents each day from Ontario and the rest of the county.
Court Case Search
Court cases from Ontario get filed at San Bernardino County Superior Court locations. The West Valley District serves Ontario. The courthouse is at 8303 North Haven Avenue in Rancho Cucamonga. You can search cases online through the county court system. The database includes civil, criminal, family, and probate matters from all San Bernardino County courthouses.
Online case access is available at the San Bernardino Superior Court website at sb-court.org. You can look up cases by name, case number, or party. Search results show filing dates, party names, and basic case info. If you want to see court documents or filings, you can pay for online access or visit the courthouse in person. Some case types have restricted access online due to privacy rules.
Criminal records in Ontario are public with some limits. Sealed cases or confidential files do not show in public searches. You can search by defendant name or case number. For full criminal background checks, contact the California Department of Justice. They process fingerprint-based checks for employment and licensing. Most electronic submissions get results in 48 to 72 hours. Visit oag.ca.gov/fingerprints for more information.
Note: San Bernardino County court records go back to the early 1980s in most online databases.
Property and Real Estate Files
All real estate records for Ontario are kept by the San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, and other documents recorded against property. These records are public and can be searched online or in person. The county updates the database daily with new recordings from Ontario and other cities.
The County Assessor also keeps property records. The Assessor tracks ownership and values for tax purposes. You can search by address or parcel number to find who owns a property, the assessed value, and tax history. These records are separate from the Recorder but both are public. Search the Assessor database online for free to find Ontario property information.
If you need certified copies of a deed or other document, you can order them from the County Recorder. There is a per-page fee plus a certification charge. Online orders and in-person requests are both options. For complex title searches or legal questions about property, you may want to hire a title company. The county provides copies but does not give legal advice about ownership issues in Ontario.
Birth, Death, and Marriage Certificates
Vital records for Ontario residents are filed with San Bernardino County and the California Department of Public Health. The county is usually faster for recent records. The state keeps older files and serves as a backup. You must be an authorized person to get a certified copy of a birth or death record. State law limits access to family members and legal representatives.
Birth certificates from Ontario hospitals or for Ontario residents can be ordered from the county office. The fee is $34 per copy. You must prove your relationship to the person on the certificate or show a legal reason for the request. You can apply online, by mail, or in person at the San Bernardino office. Walk-in service can be same-day. Mail orders take several weeks to process.
Death certificates cost $26 and follow similar access rules. You must be immediate family, a legal representative, or have another authorized reason. Marriage certificates are $19 and less restricted. For older vital records, you can also contact the California Department of Public Health at (916) 445-2684. State fees are $24 for most certificates. Processing takes 5 to 7 weeks. More details are at cdph.ca.gov.
City of Ontario Records
The City of Ontario maintains its own records separate from the county. City records include council meeting minutes, resolutions, ordinances, building permits, and business licenses. You can request these under the California Public Records Act. The city has 10 days to respond to your request. Some records are available online. Others require a written request to the city clerk or the department that holds the file.
Ontario City Hall is at 303 East B Street. The City Clerk's office handles public records requests, council files, and city ordinances. Call (909) 395-2004 for more information or visit the city website to find forms and online resources. The clerk can help you find meeting agendas, resolutions, and legislative records. Many documents are posted online after city council meetings.
Building permits and planning files are public in Ontario. The Building Department keeps these records. You can search for permits online or call the department to request copies. Business licenses go through the Finance Department. For police records or arrest reports, contact the Ontario Police Department. Not all police records are public. The department reviews requests under state law and releases what it can after removing confidential information.
Business and Corporate Filings
Business entities in Ontario are registered with the California Secretary of State. This includes corporations, limited liability companies, and partnerships. You can search for any California business online at no cost. The database shows business names, officers, registered agents, and filing history. Go to sos.ca.gov to search or order official certificates.
Fictitious business names, also called DBAs, are filed with San Bernardino County. If an Ontario business operates under a name different from the owner's legal name, it must file a fictitious business name statement with the County Clerk. These are public records. You can search them online or request copies from the Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk office. Certified copies have a small fee.
Business licenses in Ontario come from the city. The City of Ontario Finance Department issues licenses and tracks active businesses. Call (909) 395-2011 to ask about a business license or find out what you need to start a business in Ontario. State-level licenses like contractor licenses or professional credentials come from state boards, not the city or county.
Online Record Search Tools
Many Ontario public records are online. County and state agencies have web portals where you can search for free or pay for certified copies. Some city records are also available on the Ontario website. Using online tools saves time and lets you search from home. Here are the main databases for Ontario records.
San Bernardino County runs several online systems. The Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk site lets you order vital records and search property documents. The Superior Court site has case indexes and court calendars. The Assessor has property tax records. All of these cover Ontario since the city is in the county. Links to each system are on the county homepage.
The California Secretary of State has free business searches at bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov. You can look up corporations and LLCs by name or entity number. The California Courts website at courts.ca.gov has statewide resources for finding court records. The State Controller offers an unclaimed property search at sco.ca.gov if you think there are forgotten assets waiting for Ontario residents.
For criminal background checks, the California Department of Justice runs a fingerprint-based system. You must submit prints and pay a fee. Results usually come back in 2 to 3 business days for electronic submissions. This is the official method for California criminal history records. Visit oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/record-review to request your own record or learn about authorized employment checks.
California Public Records Act Requests
The California Public Records Act gives you the right to see government records. This applies to city, county, and state agencies in Ontario. If a record is not online or easy to get, you can file a formal request. The agency has 10 days to respond. They can take 14 more days if the request is complex. Not all records are public. Some are exempt for privacy, security, or legal reasons.
To request records from the City of Ontario, contact the department that has the file. If you are not sure which department, start with the City Clerk at (909) 395-2004. You can submit a written request by mail, email, or in person. Be specific about what you want. Include dates, names, or other details that help the city locate the records. There is no fee to make a request. The city can charge for staff time if your request takes many hours to process.
San Bernardino County processes public records requests through department-specific contacts. Check the county website for the department you need or call the main number for guidance. Some county records are not covered by the Public Records Act because they are sold through normal channels. This includes vital records, property files, and voter data. You order those through the regular process instead of a PRA request.
State agencies also follow the Public Records Act. If you need records from the Department of Justice, Secretary of State, or another state office, file a request with that agency. The Attorney General's office has an online form at oag.ca.gov. The state charges 10 cents per page for paper copies. Electronic data requests can cost more depending on the complexity.
Note: Agencies cannot ask why you want the records when you make a California Public Records Act request.
San Bernardino County Public Records
Ontario is in San Bernardino County. The county manages most vital records, court cases, and property documents for Ontario residents. For a complete guide to San Bernardino County records, fees, office locations, and online search tools, visit the county page.