Access Pasadena Public Records
Public records in Pasadena are kept by Los Angeles County offices and city departments. This San Gabriel Valley city has about 138,000 people and is known for the Rose Bowl and Caltech. Records include court filings, vital records, property documents, and business registrations. Most are open to the public under California law. Many can be searched online. Others need a visit to the office or a written request to the agency that keeps them.
Pasadena Quick Facts
Los Angeles County Records
Pasadena is in Los Angeles County. Most public records for the city are kept by county offices. The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk handles vital records, property documents, and business name filings. Their main office is at 12400 Imperial Hwy in Norwalk. Call (800) 201-8999 for help. Visit lavote.gov to search records or place an order online.
Court records for Pasadena go through the Los Angeles Superior Court. The Pasadena Courthouse is at 300 E. Walnut Street. This courthouse handles civil, family, probate, and criminal cases for the area. Call (626) 356-5000 for court info. You can search case records online at lacourt.org. The Civil Index covers most case types except criminal.
Property records like deeds and mortgages are on file with the County Recorder. You can search online for free through the county's property database at portal.assessor.lacounty.gov. The site shows ownership, sales, and tax info. Most property records for Pasadena go back to the 1800s. If you need a copy of a filed document, you can order it online or visit the Norwalk office.
Under the California Public Records Act, you can ask any local agency for records they keep. The county must respond in ten days. Extensions up to 14 days may apply. Los Angeles County uses NextRequest for public records requests. Go to lacountyrrcc.nextrequest.com to submit a request. Be clear about what you want. Most electronic records are free. Paper copies cost ten cents per page.
Vital Records in Pasadena
Birth, death, and marriage certificates for Pasadena are issued by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder. Birth and death certificates cost $34 each as of January 2026. Marriage certificates are $19. Fees went up $2 per record under Assembly Bill 64. You can order online, by mail, or in person at the Norwalk office. Hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
If you need a record fast, go to the county office in person. Wait times vary, but same-day service is often possible. Online orders take longer and may add service fees if you use a third-party vendor. For state-level vital records, contact the California Department of Public Health at (916) 445-2684. State processing takes five to seven weeks, so the county is faster for most Pasadena residents.
Only certain people can get certified copies of birth and death records. Health and Safety Code Section 103526(c) lists who qualifies. You must be a parent, legal guardian, or have a direct legal interest. Marriage records are more open to the public. Divorce records come from the court, not the recorder. To get a divorce decree for a Pasadena case, contact the Los Angeles Superior Court where it was filed.
Court Records in Pasadena
The Los Angeles Superior Court keeps all case records for Pasadena. Civil, family, probate, small claims, and criminal cases are on file. The Pasadena Courthouse is the main location for cases filed in the area. You can search for a case using the party name or case number. The court has an online Civil Index for public searches. Go to lacourt.org to start.
The online system covers cases from 1983 to now for most types. Small claims go back to 1992. Limited civil cases start in 1991. You can see the docket, party names, and filing dates for free. To view documents, you pay $5 for the first 20 pages. Registered users get lower rates. Guest users pay $4.75 per search. California Rule of Court 2.503 says most case records are open in Pasadena and all California courts.
To get copies of court documents, visit the clerk's office at the Pasadena Courthouse. Staff can pull the file and make copies for a fee. Court copies cost 50 cents per page in most cases. Certified copies cost more. Bring photo ID and the case number when you go. For help with court records, call the Pasadena Courthouse at (626) 356-5000 during business hours.
Background checks go through the California Department of Justice. If you want your own criminal history, you can request it from DOJ. The process needs fingerprints and a fee. Visit oag.ca.gov for instructions. Electronic submissions are processed in two to three days. Mail requests take longer for residents of Pasadena and all other California cities.
Note: Court records are kept by the Superior Court, not by city or county clerk offices in Pasadena.
City of Pasadena Records
The City of Pasadena keeps its own records for city government. This includes city council meetings, permits, planning documents, and contracts. Under the California Public Records Act, you can request any city record that is not exempt. Most are open. Some are kept private under state or federal law. Personnel files, legal advice, and ongoing investigations are examples of exempt records.
To request city records, contact the City Clerk's office at 100 N. Garfield Avenue. Call (626) 744-4124 for help with records requests. The city must respond in ten days. They may take up to 14 more days if the request is large or complex. Electronic records are often sent by email at no cost. Paper copies may cost ten cents per page. The city can charge for staff time if it takes more than one hour to find and copy the records.
City council agendas and minutes are online at the city website. Video recordings of meetings are also posted. Building permits and planning documents are kept by the Planning and Community Development Department. For business licenses issued by the city, contact the Finance Department. Each city office manages its own records and responds to requests for documents it keeps in Pasadena.
Business and Property Records
Business filings in California are split between state and county offices. The California Secretary of State keeps records for corporations, LLCs, and partnerships. You can search for free at bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov. The database shows business name, entity type, status, and agent for service. Copies of filed documents cost $5 each. Most can be ordered online and sent by email the same day.
Fictitious business name statements are filed with the county. In Pasadena, you file with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder. The county keeps an index of all business names. You can search it online or at the Norwalk office. This helps you check if a name is taken or find out who owns a business operating in Pasadena or elsewhere in Los Angeles County.
UCC financing statements show liens on personal property like equipment or inventory. These are filed with the Secretary of State. The database is online at the same site as business entities. You can search by business name or file number at no cost. UCC records help show if a business owes money or has loans secured by assets in Pasadena or anywhere in California.
Real estate records are kept by the Los Angeles County Assessor and Recorder. The Assessor values property for tax purposes. The Recorder files deeds, mortgages, and liens. Both have online databases. You can search Pasadena properties by address, parcel number, or owner name. The records show sale prices, tax amounts, and ownership history for all parcels in the city.
California Public Records Act
The California Public Records Act is in Government Code Section 6250 and following. It was recodified in 2021 but the rules stayed the same. The law says that records kept by state and local agencies are public unless an exemption applies. Any person can ask for records. You do not need to be a resident or give a reason. Agencies have ten days to respond and may extend for 14 more if needed.
Some records are exempt from disclosure under the CPRA. Examples include personnel files, attorney-client communications, ongoing investigations, and records protected by other laws like privacy statutes. If a record has both public and exempt parts, the agency must release the public part. This is called redaction. The agency cannot charge for the time it takes to decide if a record is exempt in Pasadena or elsewhere in California.
Electronic records are often free if sent by email. Paper copies cost ten cents per page under Government Code. If it takes more than one hour to gather the records, the agency can charge for staff time. Los Angeles County and the City of Pasadena both accept records requests online. You can submit requests through online portals, by mail, or in person depending on the agency.
If an agency denies your request, they must explain why. You can appeal to the agency head or file a lawsuit in court. Many disputes are resolved by talking to the agency and narrowing the request. For help with public records law, contact the California Attorney General's office or consult a lawyer. The Attorney General has a guide at oag.ca.gov.
Los Angeles County Public Records
Pasadena is one of 88 cities in Los Angeles County, the most populous county in California with over ten million residents. The county manages most public records for all cities and unincorporated areas. For a full guide to county offices, online systems, fees, and record types, visit the Los Angeles County public records page.