Simi Valley Public Records
Public records in Simi Valley are kept at both city and county levels. Ventura County manages most court cases, vital records, and property files for Simi Valley. City records include permits, council documents, and local agency files under the California Public Records Act. Each type of record has its own office and search method. Simi Valley has about 125,000 people and is the third largest city in Ventura County. Most residents need to go through county offices to get court and vital records, while city records are at city hall.
Simi Valley Quick Facts
Ventura County Court Records
Court records for Simi Valley are kept at the Ventura County Superior Court. The court has ten branches across the county. Simi Valley residents file cases at the courthouse in Ventura or use online filing for many case types. You can search court cases by party name or case number through the court website. Most civil, criminal, family, and probate cases show up in the search. Sealed cases and juvenile files are not public.
The Ventura County Superior Court maintains online case access at ventura.courts.ca.gov. Search by name, case number, or citation. The system updates daily with new filings. Basic case info is free, but viewing documents may have a fee. For full records or certified copies, you go to the court clerk at any court branch. The main court complex is at 800 S Victoria Ave in Ventura. Bring photo ID when you request records. Certified copies cost $0.50 per page plus a base fee.
Civil cases in Simi Valley cover disputes over money, property, contracts, and injuries. Limited civil cases are under $35,000. Unlimited civil cases go over that amount. Family law handles divorce, custody, support, and domestic issues. Probate cases deal with estates, trusts, and guardianships. Criminal cases range from misdemeanors to felonies. Each type has its own filing process and fees. Simi Valley residents file at the same court locations as other Ventura County residents.
Vital Records for Simi Valley
Birth, death, and marriage records are kept by 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.
The state also keeps vital records. The California Department of Public Health issues birth and death certificates for events that are more than a few months old. The state fee is $24 per copy as of 2026. County copies are faster. Walk-in service at the Ventura County office can give you a copy the same day if the record is on file. State orders take five to seven weeks. Most Simi Valley residents use the county office when they need records fast.
Marriage licenses are also from the county clerk. You apply at any Ventura County Clerk-Recorder office. The license is valid for 90 days. You pick it up in person. The fee is about $80 for a standard license. Confidential marriage licenses are higher. After you marry, the officiant returns the license to the county. The record becomes public unless it is a confidential marriage. You can then order certified copies of the marriage certificate.
Property Records in Simi Valley
Property records for Simi Valley are at the Ventura County Clerk-Recorder office. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other real estate documents. The office records new documents and keeps the official index. You can search property records online at clerkrecorder.venturacounty.gov. The database goes back many years and updates each day. Search by name, address, or document number. Some images are online, and others need a visit to the office.
Recording a new document has a fee based on page count. The base fee is set by state law, plus extra for each page. 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. Large commercial recordings may need an appointment or special handling.
Property tax records are kept by the Ventura County Assessor office. Tax info includes assessed value, ownership, and parcel data. You can search by address or parcel number at vcportal.ventura.org. Tax bills, exemptions, and payment history are also in the system. Property maps show parcel lines and zoning. Most property research for Simi Valley can be done online before you visit any office.
Simi Valley City Records
City records are at Simi Valley City Hall, 2929 Tapo Canyon Rd. These include city council minutes, resolutions, ordinances, and administrative files. The City Clerk keeps official records and responds to public records requests under the California Public Records Act. You can ask for any city document that is not exempt by law. Exemptions include personnel files, attorney-client communications, and some law enforcement records.
City council meetings are recorded and posted online. Agendas and staff reports are at simivalley.org. Meeting videos are archived. Ordinances and resolutions are in the municipal code. You can search the code online to find local laws. The code covers zoning, business rules, public safety, and many other topics. Older records may need a visit to the city clerk office or a written request.
Business licenses and permits are issued by city departments. You can search active business licenses online. Permits for building, grading, and zoning are tracked by the Community Development Department. Some permits have public notices. Planning commission and zoning decisions are also public. Most files are open unless they involve private property details that are protected by law. Fees for copies vary based on how much staff time is needed.
Note: The City of Simi Valley charges $0.10 per page for paper copies and may charge for staff time if your request takes more than one hour.
How to Request Records
Requests for Simi Valley public records go to the City Clerk office. You can ask in person, by mail, by email, or through an online portal. No fee to make a request. You do not have to say why you want the records. The city has ten days to respond under the California Public Records Act. They can extend that by 14 days if they need more time. You will get a letter or email with the decision.
If the city agrees to release the records, they will tell you the cost. Direct costs like copying and mailing can be charged. Electronic records are often free. Large requests may have higher fees. You pay before you get the records. The city will not release records until you pay. If the city denies your request, they must explain why. You can challenge the denial or ask for a partial release of non-exempt parts.
For county records, each office has its own process. The Ventura County Clerk-Recorder has order forms on their website. The court has a records request desk. The Assessor has online access with no formal request needed. Each agency follows the same state law but has different fees and timelines. Most records are public unless a specific law protects them.
Criminal Records Access
Criminal history records in California are kept by the Department of Justice. These records include arrests, charges, and convictions from all over the state. You can only get your own criminal history by submitting fingerprints. Third parties cannot request someone else's criminal record. Background checks for jobs and licenses go through DOJ 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. Arrest records are also at the county level but are not always online.
The Ventura County Sheriff provides some public safety data and booking logs. These logs are not full criminal records but show recent arrests. You can check if someone is in custody. Inmate info includes name, booking date, charges, and bail. This info is at vcportal.ventura.org under the sheriff section. For older cases, search the court records or ask the court clerk in person.
Business and UCC 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. It shows the business status, filing date, agent for service, and officers. Some businesses must file annual reports. Those reports are also online.
Fictitious business names are at the county level. If a business uses a name other than its legal name, it must file a DBA statement. The Ventura County Clerk-Recorder keeps these statements. 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. Expired statements remain in the index but are not valid.
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. The results show what property is pledged and who has the lien. Certified copies are $5.00. You can order online at bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov. UCC records are used by lenders, buyers, and others to check if property has a claim on it.
Historical Records
Old Simi Valley 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. This includes old vital records, maps, photos, and government files. You can search the online catalog at sos.ca.gov/archives. Some records are digitized, and others need an in-person visit.
The Ventura County Library has a local history collection. This includes newspapers, city directories, and photos. Some items are online. Others are in the special collections room. The library does not have official government records but does have materials that help with research on Simi Valley history. Call ahead to ask what they have on a specific topic.
Ventura County Public Records
Simi Valley 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.