Santa Ana Public Records
Public records in Santa Ana include court documents, vital statistics, business filings, and city administrative papers. Orange County handles most of these records through its clerk and recorder offices. Santa Ana serves as the county seat, which means many Orange County offices are located right here. Residents can search for court cases online or visit the clerk offices on Civic Center Drive for in-person help. The city itself keeps records of council meetings, permits, contracts, and other municipal operations. Both the county and city follow the California Public Records Act, which gives residents the right to see most government documents.
Santa Ana Quick Facts
Orange County Records in Santa Ana
Orange County runs most of the public record offices in Santa Ana. The clerk-recorder office maintains vital records, property documents, fictitious business names, and notary files. All birth, death, and marriage certificates for Santa Ana go through Orange County. The office is at the Civic Center at 601 N. Ross Street. Walk-in service is available. Staff can help you find what you need. Most basic searches are free.
Property records are online. Go to ocrecorder.com to search for deeds, liens, and other documents recorded in Santa Ana. The database goes back many years. Some old records are not digitized yet, so you may need to visit the office for historical documents. Fees apply for certified copies. The clerk charges per page for most documents.
| Office | Orange County Clerk-Recorder |
|---|---|
| Address | 601 N. Ross Street Santa Ana, CA 92701 |
| Phone | (714) 834-2500 |
| Website | ocrecorder.com |
Vital records cost $24 per copy as of January 2026 due to Assembly Bill 64. You must prove your relationship to the person on the record. Not all records are public. Privacy laws protect some birth and death certificates. Marriage records are easier to get. If you need records fast, the county office in Santa Ana can process them faster than ordering from the state.
Court Records Access
The Orange County Superior Court handles all trial court cases in Santa Ana. Civil, criminal, family law, probate, and small claims cases are filed here. The main courthouse is located in the Civic Center at 700 Civic Center Drive West. Court records are mostly public, but some case types have restricted access. Family law and juvenile cases have more privacy rules than civil cases do.
You can search for cases online at occourts.org/online-services/case-access. The system lets you search by name, case number, or party. Basic case information is free. Documents and detailed filings may require a fee or an in-person visit. The court updates its online system regularly, but not every document gets posted. For full case files, visit the clerk office at the courthouse.
Orange County uses an online case access portal that shows:
- Case type and filing date
- Party names and attorney info
- Hearing dates and case status
- Register of actions
- Some filed documents
If you need certified copies of court documents in Santa Ana, go to the clerk window at the courthouse. Bring a photo ID and know the case number if you have it. Staff can look up cases by party name, but it helps to have as much info as you can find. Copies cost $0.50 per page. Certification adds an extra fee per document.
Note: The court charges $1.00 per page for electronic copies and $0.50 per page for paper copies in Santa Ana.
Santa Ana City Records
The City of Santa Ana maintains records of its own operations. City council agendas, minutes, ordinances, and resolutions are all public. The city clerk office handles these records and also processes public records requests under the California Public Records Act. You can submit a request online through the city portal or by mail.
The city uses a public records request system at santa-ana.org/public-records. This portal lets you track your request and get updates. Under Government Code section 6253(c), the city has 10 calendar days to respond to your request. They may extend that time by 14 days if they need to search for records or consult with other departments. Most requests are free if the city provides electronic copies. Paper copies may cost $0.10 per page.
City records you can request include:
- Building permits and inspections
- Planning and zoning documents
- City contracts and bids
- Police reports (non-confidential)
- Budget and financial reports
- Employee salaries for city staff
Not all city records are public. Personnel files, ongoing investigations, attorney-client communications, and some law enforcement records are exempt. The city will tell you if a record is exempt and cite the law that protects it. You do not have to explain why you want a record. The Public Records Act does not require you to give a reason for your request in Santa Ana.
Business Filings and Corporate Records
Business entity records are managed at two levels in Santa Ana. The California Secretary of State keeps records of corporations, LLCs, and partnerships. You search those records online at sos.ca.gov/business-programs/business-entities. The database is free to search. Documents cost $5 for a certified copy.
Fictitious business names are filed with the Orange County Clerk-Recorder. Any business using a name other than its legal name must register that name with the county. You can search these names at the clerk office in Santa Ana. The county charges a filing fee when you register a new fictitious name. Renewals are required every five years under California law.
The Secretary of State charges different fees for business services. A certificate of status costs $5. Same-day processing costs $750. If you need documents fast, you pay more. Standard processing takes longer but is much cheaper for routine searches in California.
Criminal and Background Records
Criminal history records in California are maintained by the Department of Justice. You can request your own criminal record for review. The DOJ charges a fee and requires fingerprints. Eighty percent of electronic fingerprint checks finish within three business days. The DOJ does not release records to third parties. Only the person whose record it is can get a copy for personal review.
Court records for criminal cases in Santa Ana are at the Superior Court. These records show charges, pleas, sentencing, and case outcomes. Some criminal records are sealed or restricted by law. Juvenile cases are not public. Dismissed cases may be sealed under certain conditions. You can search for criminal case information at the courthouse or online through the court portal.
Law enforcement agencies in Santa Ana may have police reports and arrest logs. These records follow different rules than court records do. Some information in police reports is confidential. You can request a copy of a report if you were a victim or party in the incident. Fees vary by agency. The Santa Ana Police Department handles requests for its own records. Contact the department directly for information on how to request police reports in Santa Ana.
Historical and Archived Records
Old records from Santa Ana may be at the California State Archives in Sacramento. The archives hold historical government documents, maps, photographs, and other materials. The research room is open to the public from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM on weekdays. No appointment is needed to visit.
The State Archives has a searchable catalog at sos.ca.gov/archives/collections/minerva called Minerva. This system shows what records are available and how to access them. Staff can help with research requests by mail if you cannot visit in person. Processing takes 3 to 5 business days. The archives does not offer rush service for record requests.
Orange County may also have historical records at its own archives or through local historical societies in Santa Ana. These collections often include old newspapers, photos, city directories, and documents not found in state repositories. Check with the Orange County Archives or the Santa Ana History Center for information on what they hold.
Orange County Public Records
Santa Ana is the county seat of Orange County. Most public records for residents here are managed at the county level. The county clerk-recorder, assessor, and court system all serve Santa Ana and 33 other cities in the county. For a complete guide to Orange County record offices, fees, and online systems, visit the county page.