San Buenaventura Public Records
Public records for San Buenaventura, commonly called Ventura, are kept at city and county offices. The city has about 110,000 people and is the county seat of Ventura County. Court files, vital records, and property documents are managed by Ventura County agencies, while city records include permits, council files, and local business licenses. You can search many records online or request them in person. As the county seat, Ventura has the main county offices and courthouse. Both city and county follow the California Public Records Act for responding to requests within ten days.
San Buenaventura Quick Facts
Ventura County Court Records
Court records for Ventura are kept at the Ventura County Superior Court. The main courthouse is at 800 S Victoria Ave in Ventura. You can search civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases online. The court website at ventura.courts.ca.gov has a case search tool. Enter a name or case number to see basic info. Documents may show up as images if they have been scanned into the system.
Most court records are public, but some are sealed or restricted by law. Juvenile cases are confidential. Family law cases may have limited online access to protect privacy. You can see the case index and some basic facts, but full documents often need an in-person visit to the courthouse. The clerk window is open for record requests on weekdays. Bring photo ID when you request records. Certified copies cost $0.50 per page plus a base fee for certification.
Civil cases involve disputes over money, property, or contracts. Limited civil cases are under $35,000. Unlimited cases go above that amount. Small claims are under $10,000 and have a simpler process. Family law covers divorce, custody, support, and related matters. Probate handles estates, trusts, and guardianships. Criminal cases range from misdemeanors to serious felonies. Each type has its own filing rules and fees. Ventura residents file at the main courthouse in the same building as the county clerk office.
Birth, Death, and Marriage Records
Vital records for Ventura are at the Ventura County Clerk-Recorder office. The office is at 800 S Victoria Ave in Ventura, which is the same building as the court. You can order copies in person, by mail, or online. Only certain people can get certified copies under California Health and Safety Code Section 103526. This includes the person named on the record, parents, legal guardians, and others with legal interest. You need valid ID and proof of relationship to the record.
Birth certificates cost $24 per copy as of 2026. Death certificates are $24. Marriage certificates are $24. These fees went up in 2026 under state law AB 64. Extra copies ordered at the same time cost less. The office accepts cash, checks, and credit cards in person. Online orders may have a service fee through the county vendor.
You can also order vital records from the state. The California Department of Public Health keeps copies of all records from across the state. State orders take longer, often five to seven weeks by mail. Walk-in service at the county office is faster and may be same day if the record is on file. Most Ventura residents use the county office when they need records fast.
Marriage licenses are issued by the county clerk. You apply at the Ventura County Clerk-Recorder office in Ventura. Both parties must appear. Bring valid ID. The license is good for 90 days. After you marry, the officiant sends the license back to the county. The record becomes public unless it is a confidential marriage. You can then order certified copies of the marriage certificate.
Property and Land Records
Property records for Ventura are at the Ventura County Clerk-Recorder office. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other real estate documents. You can search property records online at clerkrecorder.venturacounty.gov. The search is free. It shows recorded documents going back many years. Some images are online. Others need a visit to the office or an order by mail.
Recording a new document has a fee based on the number of pages. The base fee is set by state law. Extra pages cost more. Same-day recording is an option if you bring the document in person. Mail and drop-box filings take longer. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page in most cases. Uncertified copies may be less. The office accepts cash, check, and credit cards.
Property tax info is kept by the Ventura County Assessor. Tax records include assessed value, ownership, and parcel data. You can search by address or parcel number at vcportal.ventura.org. Tax bills and payment history are also in the system. Property maps show parcel boundaries and zoning. Most property research for Ventura can be done online before you visit any office.
Note: Ventura County charges $1.00 per page for certified copies of recorded documents.
City of San Buenaventura Records
City records are at San Buenaventura City Hall, 501 Poli St. The City Clerk keeps official records and responds to public records requests under the California Public Records Act. You can ask for city council minutes, resolutions, ordinances, and other city documents. Most records are public. Some are exempt, like personnel files, attorney work product, and certain law enforcement records.
City council meetings are posted online. Agendas, staff reports, and meeting videos are at cityofventura.ca.gov. The municipal code is also online. You can search the code to find local laws on zoning, business rules, and public safety. Older records may need a formal request. The city has ten days to respond to CPRA requests. They can extend that by 14 days if needed.
Public records requests go to the city clerk. You can ask in person, by mail, or by email. No fee to make a request. You do not have to say why you want the records. The city will tell you if there is a cost for copies. Electronic records are often free. Paper copies may have a fee based on staff time and copying costs.
Business licenses and permits are issued by city departments. Building permits are tracked by the Community Development Department. Some permits have public notices. Planning and zoning decisions are also public. Most files are open unless they involve private details that are protected by law.
Criminal History Access
Criminal history records are kept by the California Department of Justice. You can only get your own record by submitting fingerprints through Live Scan. You go to an authorized site and pay a fee. The DOJ sends your record by mail. Third parties cannot request someone else's criminal history. Background checks for jobs and licenses go through approved channels with the subject's consent.
Court records of criminal cases are public once the case is filed. You can search Ventura County court records online to see if someone has a case. The case file shows charges, hearings, pleas, and sentences. Some details may be sealed or restricted. Juvenile cases are confidential. Expunged cases may still show up but will note the dismissal.
The Ventura County Sheriff provides some public safety data and booking logs. Booking logs show recent arrests. You can check if someone is in custody at the county jail. Inmate info includes name, booking date, charges, and bail. This info is at vcportal.ventura.org under the sheriff section.
Business Entity Records
Business entity records are kept by the California Secretary of State. This includes corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and other business types. You can search by business name or entity number at sos.ca.gov. The search is free. Results show the business status, filing date, agent for service, and officers.
Fictitious business names are filed at the county level. If a business uses a name other than its legal name, it must file a DBA statement with the Ventura County Clerk-Recorder. You can search by business name or owner name. The statement shows who runs the business and where. It is public info. Renewal is required every five years.
UCC financing statements are filed with the Secretary of State. These are liens on personal property like equipment or inventory. You search by debtor name. Certified copies are $5.00. You can order online at bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov.
Historical Records
Old Ventura records may be at the city, the county, or the California State Archives. The State Archives is in Sacramento and keeps records from state and local government that have lasting value. You can search the online catalog at sos.ca.gov/archives. Some records are digitized. Others need an in-person visit to the research room.
The Museum of Ventura County has materials on local history. This includes photos, documents, and artifacts. The museum does not have official government records but does have materials that help with research on Ventura history.
Ventura County Public Records
San Buenaventura is in Ventura County, and most legal records are kept at the county level. Court cases, vital records, property files, and many other records are held by Ventura County offices. For a full guide to county resources, office locations, fees, and contact info, visit the Ventura County public records page.