Rialto Public Records
Public records for Rialto residents are maintained by San Bernardino County and the City of Rialto. With more than 104,000 people, Rialto is part of the Inland Empire region. San Bernardino County offices handle most vital records, court filings, and property documents. The county seat is in San Bernardino where you can request birth certificates, death certificates, marriage records, and property deeds. City records including council agendas, permits, and business licenses are managed by the Rialto city clerk. Many records can be searched online while others require an in-person visit or formal request under California law.
Rialto Quick Facts
San Bernardino County Records
Rialto is in San Bernardino County. The County Assessor-Recorder-Clerk in San Bernardino manages vital records and property documents for Rialto residents. If you need a birth certificate, death certificate, or marriage record, you request it from the county office. The Assessor-Recorder-Clerk is located at 222 West Hospitality Lane in San Bernardino. The office is open on weekdays for in-person requests.
Birth certificates cost $34. Death certificates are $26. Marriage certificates run $19. These fees increased in January 2026 under AB 64. You can order vital records in person, by mail, or through online vendors. If you order online, you pay extra fees but get the certificate faster. The county processes thousands of vital record requests each year for cities across San Bernardino County including Rialto.
Property records for Rialto are recorded by the County Assessor-Recorder-Clerk. You can search deeds, mortgages, liens, and other documents online at arc.sbcounty.gov. The database shows property ownership and recorded documents. Search by property address, owner name, or document number. Basic searches are free. Copies of documents cost a few dollars per page or file depending on the number of pages.
The San Bernardino County Assessor office maintains property assessment records. You can look up assessed values and tax info for Rialto properties. This helps if you want to check property taxes or compare values. The assessor website has an online search tool. You enter an address and see the current assessed value and ownership info.
Court Records in Rialto
The San Bernardino County Superior Court handles all court cases for Rialto. Cases are filed at courthouses in San Bernardino, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, and other locations. Court records include civil, criminal, family law, probate, and small claims cases. Most are public unless sealed by a judge. You can search for cases online at the court website or visit the courthouse.
Civil cases include lawsuits, contract disputes, and other legal matters. Small claims cases under ten thousand dollars go through a simpler process. These records are public and searchable. You can look up cases by party name or case number. The court website at sb-court.org may have online access to case dockets and some filings.
Criminal cases are filed by the District Attorney. The court keeps records of arrests, charges, plea deals, and sentences. You cannot get someone else's full criminal record without legal authority. But you can see court records of cases that were filed and resolved. If someone was convicted in San Bernardino County, that court record is public. For statewide criminal history, the California Department of Justice maintains a database. You need to submit fingerprints to get your own record or someone else's if you are legally allowed.
Family law matters include divorce, custody, child support, and restraining orders. Some family law records are confidential to protect privacy. But most case filings are public. The court has self-help services and forms for people without lawyers. Rialto residents can use these resources at the courthouse or on the court website.
Note: Court document copies usually cost 50 cents per page at the courthouse, and certified copies cost more.
City of Rialto Records
The City of Rialto maintains records for local government operations. This includes city council agendas and minutes, municipal code, planning documents, building permits, and business licenses. The city clerk is custodian of these records. Most are public under the California Public Records Act unless an exemption applies.
Rialto City Hall is at 150 South Palm Avenue. The city clerk office is open Monday through Friday. You can visit to request records or submit a written request by mail or email. The city must respond within ten days under the California Public Records Act. They will tell you whether the records exist and when you can inspect or copy them.
The city website at rialtoca.gov has agendas, minutes, and some public documents available online. Building permits and code enforcement records are kept by the Community Development Department. These records show permits for construction, remodeling, and repairs in Rialto. They also document violations and inspections. Permit records are public and can be requested at city hall.
Search Rialto Records Online
Many public records for Rialto are available online. You can search from home without visiting an office. Some searches are free while others require payment. Here are key online systems for Rialto records.
The San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-Clerk has an online portal at arc.sbcounty.gov for property records. You search by property address, owner name, or document type. The system shows deeds, deeds of trust, liens, and other recorded documents for Rialto properties. Viewing the index is free. Copies of scanned documents cost a few dollars.
Business records are at the California Secretary of State website. Go to sos.ca.gov to search corporations, limited liability companies, and partnerships. The search shows when a business was formed, who the registered agent is, and whether it is active. Certificates of status cost $5.00. Certified copies of filed documents are also $5.00 each.
Court case information is available through the San Bernardino County Superior Court. The court website at sb-court.org has online case search. You can look up cases by name or case number. Some records are available electronically so you can view them without traveling to the courthouse. Detailed documents may require a fee or a visit.
Vital records can be ordered online through third-party services authorized by the county or state. You pay the certificate fee plus a service fee. The vendor processes your request and mails the certified document. This costs more than ordering by mail from the county but is more convenient and often faster for Rialto residents.
How to Request Public Records
The California Public Records Act gives you the right to inspect and copy public records from state and local agencies. This includes the City of Rialto and San Bernardino County. When you submit a request, the agency must respond within ten days. They must produce the records or explain why they cannot. You do not need to give a reason for your request.
To request records from the City of Rialto, send a written request to the city clerk or the department that has the records. Be specific about what you want. Include dates, names, topics, or other details. 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.
San Bernardino County departments handle records requests individually. For court records, contact the court clerk. For property records, contact the recorder. For other county records, contact the appropriate department. The county does not have a single centralized system for all public records requests.
If an agency denies your request, they must give you a written explanation. The denial should cite the specific law that allows them to withhold the records. Common exemptions include ongoing investigations, attorney-client communications, and personnel files. You can appeal a denial or consult a lawyer if you think the agency is wrong.
Other Public Records
Many types of public records exist beyond court and property files. These include voter records, professional licenses, tax liens, and unclaimed property. Each type has its own source and access rules.
Voter registration in Rialto is managed by the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters. You can check your voter status online. If you need info on someone else's registration, you must follow election code rules. Some voter info is public but other details are confidential under state law.
Professional licenses are issued by state boards and departments. If you want to verify a contractor, doctor, lawyer, or other professional in Rialto, check the state licensing board for that profession. Most boards have online search tools. You can see if a license is current and whether there are complaints on file.
Tax liens are recorded with the county recorder. If someone owes back taxes, a lien may be filed against their property. These liens are public records. You search for them at the recorder office. A lien shows up when you search by the property owner's name in Rialto.
Unclaimed property is tracked by the California State Controller. Search at sco.ca.gov to see if you have unclaimed funds. The state holds billions in lost money. You search by name. If you find a match, you file a claim online. There is no fee and no deadline to claim your property.
San Bernardino County Public Records
Rialto is one of many cities in San Bernardino County. The county serves over two million residents in the Inland Empire. For more information on San Bernardino County offices and services, visit the county public records page.