Temecula Public Records
Temecula public records come from Riverside County and City of Temecula offices. The city has over 110,000 residents and sits in southwest Riverside County. Riverside County handles court records, vital records like birth and death certificates, and property documents for Temecula. City offices keep local government records including council files and permits. Most Temecula public records can be searched online or you can visit county and city offices in person for certified copies and detailed files.
Temecula Quick Facts
Riverside County Records for Temecula
Temecula is part of Riverside County. Most public records for Temecula residents are kept by county offices. The Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder issues vital records and maintains property documents. This office is in Riverside but serves all cities in the county including Temecula. You can also access many records online without traveling to Riverside.
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 at the main county office in Riverside or by mail. The county also offers online ordering through its portal at rivcoacr.org. Online orders take a few weeks to arrive by mail.
Property records for Temecula are searchable online at webselfservice.riversideacr.com. This site has the official records index for all documents recorded in Riverside County. You search by name, address, or document type. The index is free to use. If you want copies of documents like deeds or trust documents, you pay per page. The system has scanned images of most property records for Temecula.
Court Records in Temecula
The Riverside County Superior Court handles all court cases for Temecula. The Southwest Justice Center in nearby Murrieta serves the southwest part of the county. This courthouse is at 30755-B Auld Road in Murrieta. Temecula residents file cases here and can get copies of court documents during business hours.
To search court records for Temecula cases, you can use the court's online portal if available or visit the courthouse in person. Clerks can look up cases by party name or case number. Basic case info is usually free. If you want to see filed documents, there may be a charge. Copy fees are typically 50 cents per page for most documents. Certified copies cost more.
Criminal records are kept by the court and the California Department of Justice. The court has records of criminal cases filed in Riverside County. The DOJ has a statewide database based on fingerprints. Only certain people and agencies can get someone else's full criminal record. You can request your own record by submitting fingerprints to the DOJ. Most electronic checks finish in two to three business days.
Family law cases in Temecula include divorce, custody, child support, and restraining orders. These cases are filed at the Southwest Justice Center. Most family law records are public unless sealed by a judge. The court has self-help services for people who file without a lawyer. You can get forms and instructions at the courthouse or on the court website.
Note: The Southwest Justice Center is shared by Temecula and Murrieta residents since both cities are in southwest Riverside County.
City of Temecula Records
The City of Temecula keeps records related to local government. This includes city council agendas and minutes, municipal ordinances, planning documents, building permits, and business licenses. The city clerk is responsible for maintaining these records. Most are public under the California Public Records Act.
Temecula City Hall is at 41000 Main Street. The city clerk office is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM. The office is closed on Fridays. You can call (951) 694-6444 to ask about records before you visit. The city website at temeculaca.gov has agendas, minutes, and some public documents you can view online.
To request public records from the City of Temecula, you can email, mail, or visit the city clerk in person. The city must respond within ten days. They tell you if the records exist and when you can inspect or copy them. If your request is large or complex, the city may take up to fourteen extra days. The city can charge for copies but not for staff time to search in most cases.
Building permits and planning records are at the Community Development Department. These records show permits for construction and remodeling in Temecula. They also show code violations and inspections. This info is useful if you are buying a home or doing work on property. Permit records are public and can be requested at city hall.
Search Temecula Records Online
Many Temecula public records are available on the internet. This makes it easier to find what you need without going to an office. Some records are free to search. Others require a fee to view or copy. Here are the main online systems for Temecula records.
Property records are at the Riverside County portal. Go to webselfservice.riversideacr.com to search. You can look up any address in Temecula to see ownership, sale history, and assessed value. The site also has recorded documents like deeds and mortgages. Viewing the index is free. Copies of scanned documents may cost a few dollars per page.
Business records for Temecula companies are kept by the California Secretary of State. Search at sos.ca.gov. The site shows info on corporations, LLCs, and partnerships. You see when a business was formed, who the registered agent is, and if the entity is active. A certificate of status costs $5.00. Certified copies of filed documents are also $5.00 each.
Court case info is available through the Riverside County Superior Court. The court may have an online search or you may need to contact the clerk. For official records, visit the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta or call to ask how to search cases. Some courts charge for online access to detailed case files.
Vital records can be ordered online from Riverside County or the state. The county portal at rivcoacr.org lets you order birth, death, and marriage certificates. You fill out a form, pay the fee, and get the document by mail. County service is usually faster than ordering from the state.
How to Request Public Records in Temecula
The California Public Records Act lets you ask for records from any state or local agency. This includes the City of Temecula and Riverside County. The law gives agencies ten days to respond. They must tell you if the records exist and when you can inspect or copy them. Most records are public unless an exemption applies.
To request records from the City of Temecula, send your request to the city clerk. You can email, mail, or hand-deliver your request. Be clear about what you want. Give dates, names, or topics to help the city find the records. The more specific you are, the faster you get a response.
Riverside County has a records request system for county departments. Each department may handle requests differently. For court records, you contact the court clerk. For property records, you go to the assessor or recorder. For vital records, you ask the clerk-recorder office. The county does not have a single portal for all records requests.
If an agency denies your request, they must explain why. The denial letter should cite the law that allows them to withhold the records. Common exemptions include personnel files, ongoing criminal investigations, and attorney work product. You can challenge a denial by appealing or seeking legal advice.
Other Public Records for Temecula
Beyond court and property records, there are other public records you may need in Temecula. These include professional licenses, voter registration, tax liens, and unclaimed property. Each has its own source and process for access.
Professional licenses are issued by state boards. If you need to verify a contractor, doctor, or lawyer in Temecula, check the state licensing board for that profession. Most boards have online search tools. You can see if a license is current, if there are complaints, and when the license expires.
Voter registration records are managed by the Riverside County Registrar of Voters. You can check your own voter status online. If you need info on someone else's voter registration, you must follow specific rules under state election law. Basic info like whether someone is registered is often public, but some details are protected.
Tax liens are recorded with the county recorder just like other liens. If someone owes back taxes to the IRS or state, a lien may be filed against their property. You can search for tax liens at the recorder office portal. These liens are public records. They show up when you search by the property owner's name in Temecula.
Unclaimed property is tracked by the California State Controller. If you think you have unclaimed funds, search at sco.ca.gov. The site has billions of dollars in lost or forgotten money. You search by name. If you find a match, you file a claim to get your money back. There is no deadline and no fee to claim unclaimed property.
Riverside County Public Records
Temecula is one of the cities in Riverside County. The county handles records for all cities and unincorporated areas in the region. For more info on Riverside County services and offices, visit the Riverside County public records page.