Santa Maria Public Records
Public records for Santa Maria are maintained by Santa Barbara County and the City of Santa Maria. With over 107,000 residents, Santa Maria is the largest city in Santa Barbara County and sits in the northern part of the county. County offices handle vital records, court filings, and property documents. Birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage records come from the County Clerk-Recorder-Assessor. Property deeds and liens are also recorded by the county. The Santa Maria city clerk maintains local government records including council agendas, business licenses, and permits. Many records can be searched online while others require an in-person visit or formal request under the California Public Records Act.
Santa Maria Quick Facts
Santa Barbara County Records
Santa Maria is part of Santa Barbara County. The County Clerk-Recorder-Assessor manages vital records and property documents for all residents. The main office is in Santa Barbara but there is also a branch office in Santa Maria. If you need a birth certificate, death certificate, or marriage record for someone in Santa Maria, you request it from the county office.
Birth certificates cost $34. Death certificates are $26. Marriage certificates run $19. These fees increased in January 2026 under state law AB 64. You can order vital records in person, by mail, or through online vendors. The county office is open weekdays during business hours. If you order online through authorized vendors, you pay extra service fees but get faster processing.
Property records for Santa Maria are recorded by the Santa Barbara County Clerk-Recorder-Assessor. You can search deeds, mortgages, liens, and other documents online. The county maintains a database that 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 depending on the number of pages.
The Santa Barbara County Assessor office maintains property assessment records. You can look up assessed values and tax information for Santa Maria properties. This helps if you want to check property taxes or compare values. The assessor website has an online search tool where you enter an address and see the current assessed value and ownership details.
Court Records and Legal Files
The Santa Barbara County Superior Court handles all court cases for Santa Maria. The Santa Maria Courthouse is located at 312-C East Cook Street. Cases may also be filed at courthouses in Santa Barbara and Lompoc. 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 or at 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 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 agreements, 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 in Santa Barbara County. For statewide criminal history, the California Department of Justice maintains a database. You must submit fingerprints to get your own record or someone else's if you are legally authorized.
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. Santa Maria residents can use these resources at the courthouse or on the court website.
Note: Court document copies usually cost 50 cents per page, and certified copies cost more.
City of Santa Maria Records
The City of Santa Maria 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.
Santa Maria City Hall is at 110 South Pine Street. 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 cityofsantamaria.org 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 Santa Maria. They also document violations and inspections. Permit records are public and available at city hall or sometimes online.
Search Santa Maria Records Online
Many public records for Santa Maria 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 Santa Maria records.
The Santa Barbara County Clerk-Recorder-Assessor has an online portal 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 Santa Maria properties. Viewing the index is free. Copies of scanned documents may cost a fee depending on the number of pages.
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 Santa Barbara County Superior Court. The court website may have online case search where 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 Santa Maria 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 Santa Maria and Santa Barbara 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 Santa Maria, 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 locate the records. The city can charge for copies but not for staff time to search in most cases.
Santa Barbara 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 Santa Maria is managed by the Santa Barbara County Elections Office. 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 Santa Maria, 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 Santa Maria.
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.
Santa Barbara County Public Records
Santa Maria is the largest city in Santa Barbara County. The county serves over 400,000 residents along the Central Coast. For more information on Santa Barbara County offices and services, visit the county public records page.