Sunnyvale Public Records
Public records in Sunnyvale come from Santa Clara County offices and city agencies. Located in Silicon Valley, Sunnyvale has about 155,000 residents and is a major tech hub. Records include court files, vital records like birth and death certificates, property documents, and business filings. Most are open to the public under California law. Many can be searched online. Others need a request to the office that keeps them or a visit in person.
Sunnyvale Quick Facts
Santa Clara County Records
Sunnyvale is in Santa Clara County. Most public records for the city are kept by county offices in San Jose. The Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder handles vital records, property documents, and business name filings. Their office is at 70 W. Hedding Street in San Jose. Call (408) 299-5688 for help. You can also search records online through the county website for many types of documents.
Court records for Sunnyvale go through the Santa Clara County Superior Court system. Cases may be filed at several courthouses depending on the type. Civil and family cases often go to the Old Courthouse at 191 N. First Street in San Jose. Call (408) 882-2700 for court info. You can search case records online through the court's case search portal. Many case types are available for public search.
Property records like deeds and mortgages are on file with the County Recorder. You can search online to see ownership, liens, and title documents for Sunnyvale properties. The county database goes back many decades. Tax information is kept by the County Assessor. Their database shows assessed values, exemptions, and parcel details for all properties in Sunnyvale.
Under the California Public Records Act, you can ask any agency for records they keep. The county must respond in ten days. Extensions of up to 14 days may apply. Santa Clara County accepts public records requests online through NextRequest at santaclara.nextrequest.com. Be clear about what you want. Most electronic records are free. Paper copies cost ten cents per page in most cases.
Birth, Death, and Marriage Records
Vital records in Sunnyvale are issued by the Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder. Birth and death certificates cost $34 each as of January 2026. Marriage certificates are $19. Fees went up $2 per record under Assembly Bill 64. You can order online, by mail, or in person at the San Jose office. Hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
If you need a record fast, go to the county office in person. Wait times vary, but same-day service is often possible. Online orders take longer and may add a service fee. For state-level vital records, contact the California Department of Public Health at (916) 445-2684. State orders take five to seven weeks. County orders are faster for Sunnyvale residents.
Only certain people can get a certified copy of a birth or death record. Under Health and Safety Code Section 103526(c), you must be a family member or have a legal interest. Marriage records are more open. Divorce records come from the court, not the county recorder. For a divorce decree in Sunnyvale, contact the Santa Clara County Superior Court where the case was filed.
Sunnyvale Court Records
The Santa Clara County Superior Court keeps all case records for Sunnyvale. Civil, family, probate, small claims, and criminal cases are on file. You can search for a case using the party name or case number. The court has an online portal for case information. California Rule of Court 2.503 says most case records are open in Sunnyvale and all California courts.
The online system shows the docket, filing dates, and case status. Some documents are available to view online. Others can only be seen at the courthouse. Criminal cases have more restrictions. Juvenile cases are sealed. Adoption records are also closed. Ask the clerk if you have questions about access to a specific case in Sunnyvale.
To get copies of court documents, visit the clerk's office at the courthouse. Staff can pull the file and make copies for a fee. Court copies cost 50 cents per page in most cases. Certified copies cost more. Bring photo ID and the case number when you go. For help with court records in Sunnyvale, call the main court line at (408) 882-2700 during business hours.
Background checks go through the California Department of Justice. If you want your own criminal history, you can request it from DOJ. The process needs fingerprints and a fee. Visit oag.ca.gov for instructions. Electronic submissions are processed in two to three days. Mail requests take longer for residents of Sunnyvale and all other California cities.
Note: Court records are kept by the Superior Court, not by city or county clerk offices in Sunnyvale.
City of Sunnyvale Records
The City of Sunnyvale keeps its own records for city business. This includes city council meetings, permits, planning documents, and contracts. Under the California Public Records Act, you can request any city record that is not exempt. Most are open. Some are kept private under state or federal law. Personnel files, legal advice, and ongoing investigations are examples of exempt records.
To request city records, contact the City Clerk's office at 456 W. Olive Avenue. Call (408) 730-7483 for help with records requests. The city must respond in ten days. They may take up to 14 more days if the request is large or complex. Electronic records are often sent by email at no cost. Paper copies may cost ten cents per page. The city can charge for staff time if it takes more than one hour to find and copy the records.
City council agendas and minutes are online at the city website. Video recordings of meetings are also posted. Building permits and planning documents are kept by the Community Development Department. For business licenses issued by the city, contact the Finance Department. Each city office manages its own records and responds to requests for documents it keeps in Sunnyvale.
Business and Property Records
Business filings in California are split between state and county offices. The California Secretary of State keeps records for corporations, LLCs, and partnerships. You can search for free at bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov. The database shows business name, entity type, status, and agent for service. Copies of filed documents cost $5 each. Most can be ordered online and sent by email the same day.
Fictitious business name statements are filed with the county. In Sunnyvale, you file with the Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder. The county keeps an index of all business names. You can search it online or at the San Jose office. This helps you check if a name is taken or find out who owns a business operating in Sunnyvale or elsewhere in Santa Clara County.
UCC financing statements show liens on personal property like equipment or inventory. These are filed with the Secretary of State. The database is online at the same site as business entities. You can search by business name or file number at no cost. UCC records help show if a business owes money or has loans secured by assets in Sunnyvale or anywhere in California.
Real estate records are kept by the Santa Clara County Assessor and Recorder. The Assessor values property for tax purposes. The Recorder files deeds, mortgages, and liens. Both have online databases. You can search Sunnyvale properties by address, parcel number, or owner name. The records show sale prices, tax amounts, and ownership history for all parcels in the city.
California Public Records Act
The California Public Records Act is in Government Code Section 6250 and following. It was recodified in 2021 but the rules stayed the same. The law says that records kept by state and local agencies are public unless an exemption applies. Any person can ask for records. You do not need to be a resident or give a reason. Agencies have ten days to respond and may extend for 14 more if needed.
Some records are exempt from disclosure under the CPRA. Examples include personnel files, attorney-client communications, ongoing investigations, and records protected by other laws like privacy statutes. If a record has both public and exempt parts, the agency must release the public part. This is called redaction. The agency cannot charge for the time it takes to decide if a record is exempt in Sunnyvale or elsewhere in California.
Electronic records are often free if sent by email. Paper copies cost ten cents per page under Government Code. If it takes more than one hour to gather the records, the agency can charge for staff time. Santa Clara County and the City of Sunnyvale both accept records requests online. You can submit requests through online portals, by mail, or in person depending on the agency.
If an agency denies your request, they must explain why. You can appeal to the agency head or file a lawsuit in court. Many disputes are resolved by talking to the agency and narrowing the request. For help with public records law, contact the California Attorney General's office or consult a lawyer. The Attorney General has a guide at oag.ca.gov.
Santa Clara County Public Records
Sunnyvale is one of 15 cities in Santa Clara County, which is home to over 1.9 million residents in the heart of Silicon Valley. The county manages most public records for all cities and unincorporated areas. For a complete guide to county offices, online search tools, fees, and record types, visit the Santa Clara County public records page.