Salinas Public Records
Public records for Salinas come from Monterey 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 Salinas 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. Monterey County offices in Salinas handle most records since Salinas is the county seat. The city hall on West Alisal Street keeps local files.
Monterey County Records System
Salinas is the county seat of Monterey County. County agencies maintain vital records, court documents, and property files for all Salinas residents. The Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder office handles most record services. Their main office is at 168 West Alisal Street in Salinas. 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 Salinas and other Monterey County cities.
Property records for Salinas go through the Monterey County Recorder. All deeds, mortgages, and liens show up in the county database. You can search online for free or order certified copies for a fee. The Recorder's office is in the same building as the Clerk in Salinas. They process thousands of documents each day from Salinas and the rest of the county.
Court Case Lookup
Court cases from Salinas get filed at Monterey County Superior Court locations. The main courthouse is at 1200 Aguajito Road in Monterey. There is also a courthouse in Salinas at 240 Church Street. You can search cases online through the county court system. The database includes civil, criminal, family, and probate matters from all Monterey County courthouses.
Online case access is available at the Monterey Superior Court website at portal.monterey.courts.ca.gov/search. 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.
Criminal records in Salinas 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: Monterey County court records go back to the early 1980s in most online databases.
Property and Real Estate Files
All real estate records for Salinas are kept by the Monterey County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder. 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 Salinas 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 Salinas 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 Salinas.
Birth, Death, and Marriage Certificates
Vital records for Salinas residents are filed with Monterey 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 Salinas hospitals or for Salinas residents can be ordered from the county office at 168 West Alisal Street. 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. 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 Salinas Records
The City of Salinas 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.
Salinas City Hall is at 200 Lincoln Avenue. The City Clerk's office handles public records requests, council files, and city ordinances. Call (831) 758-7381 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.
The City of Salinas uses a public records portal at city-of-salinas-ca.nextrequest.com. You can submit requests online and track their status. Building permits and planning files are public in Salinas. The Community Development Department keeps these records. For police records or arrest reports, contact the Salinas Police Department. Not all police records are public. The department reviews requests under state law.
Business and Corporate Filings
Business entities in Salinas 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 Monterey County. If a Salinas 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-County Clerk-Recorder office. Certified copies have a small fee.
Business licenses in Salinas come from the city. The City of Salinas Finance Department issues licenses and tracks active businesses. Call (831) 758-7271 to ask about a business license or find out what you need to start a business in Salinas. State-level licenses like contractor licenses or professional credentials come from state boards, not the city or county.
Online Record Search Tools
Many Salinas 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 Salinas website. Using online tools saves time and lets you search from home. Here are the main databases for Salinas records.
Monterey County runs several online systems. The Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder 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 Salinas since the city is the county seat. 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 Salinas 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 Salinas. 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 Salinas, use the online portal at city-of-salinas-ca.nextrequest.com or contact the department that has the file. If you are not sure which department, start with the City Clerk at (831) 758-7381. 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.
Monterey 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.
Monterey County Public Records
Salinas is in Monterey County. The county manages most vital records, court cases, and property documents for Salinas residents. For a complete guide to Monterey County records, fees, office locations, and online search tools, visit the county page.