West Covina Public Records
West Covina public records are kept by Los Angeles County and the City of West Covina. The city is home to over 105,000 people and sits in the San Gabriel Valley. Most records you need come from county offices since Los Angeles County handles court cases, vital records, and property files for West Covina. The city runs its own clerk office for council files and local documents. You can search for many West Covina records online or visit offices in person. Each type of record has its own place to search and its own fees.
West Covina Quick Facts
Los Angeles County Records for West Covina
West Covina is in Los Angeles County. This means Los Angeles County offices handle most public records for West Covina residents. Court records go through the county superior court system. Vital records like birth and death certificates come from the county registrar. Property records are at the county recorder office in Norwalk. If you need any of these types of records for West Covina, you will work with Los Angeles County offices or search county online systems.
The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder keeps vital records, property records, and business name filings. The main office is at 12400 Imperial Highway in Norwalk. You can request records in person, by mail, or online. Birth certificates cost $34. Death certificates are $26. Marriage certificates run $19. These fees went up in January 2026 under state law. Property records can be searched free online at the county assessor website. Copies of deeds and other recorded documents cost extra when you order them.
The Los Angeles County Superior Court serves West Covina through several courthouses in the area. The East District courthouse in West Covina is at 1427 W. Covina Parkway. This court handles civil and criminal cases for the area. You can search court records online using the LA Court case search system. Name searches cost $4.75 each for guest users. Registered users get lower fees after the first ten searches. The court search covers civil, family, probate, and small claims cases back to the early 1980s.
City of West Covina Records
The City of West Covina keeps its own set of public records. These include city council meeting files, local ordinances, planning documents, and permits. The city clerk is in charge of these records. You can ask for city records under the California Public Records Act. Most city records are open to the public unless a law says they must stay private.
To request city records in West Covina, you submit a public records request to the city clerk. The city must respond within ten days. They may take up to fourteen more days if the request is large or complex. The city does not charge you to inspect records. They may charge for copies if you want paper or electronic files. The cost must cover only the direct cost of making the copies. Many cities charge ten cents per page for paper copies.
West Covina City Hall is at 1444 W. Garvey Avenue South. The city clerk office is open from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM on weekdays. You can call the clerk at (626) 939-8435 to ask about records before you visit. The city also has a city website where you can find agendas, meeting minutes, and some public documents online. This is a good place to start if you need recent city council files or planning reports for West Covina.
Search West Covina Records Online
Many West Covina public records are online now. This saves you a trip to an office. You can search from home at any time. Some records are free to view. Others cost a fee to access or copy. Here are the main online systems you can use to find West Covina records.
For court cases, use the LA Court online portal at lacourt.org. You can search by name or case number. The system shows basic case info like the filing date, case type, and current status. If you want to see documents filed in the case, you pay extra. The first 20 pages of documents cost $5.00. Each additional page is 50 cents. This is much faster than going to the courthouse in West Covina if you just need case status or party names.
Property records are at portal.assessor.lacounty.gov. You search by address or owner name. The site shows property tax info, assessed values, and ownership history. You can see when a property last sold and for how much. If you need copies of deeds or trust documents, those are at the recorder office portal at lavote.gov. The recorder site has all recorded documents like deeds, liens, and mortgages for West Covina properties.
Business records are kept by the California Secretary of State. You search at sos.ca.gov. The site has info on corporations, LLCs, and partnerships registered in California. You can see when a business was formed, who the agent is, and if it is still active. This helps if you need to find a West Covina business or check if a company name is taken. Certificates of status cost $5.00 each. Certified copies of formation documents are also $5.00.
Criminal background checks go through the California Department of Justice. You cannot search someone else's record. You can only get your own criminal history. The DOJ uses fingerprints to make sure the record matches you. Most electronic fingerprint checks finish in two to three days. The fee varies based on the type of check. Visit oag.ca.gov/fingerprints to learn how to request your own record or submit prints for a job or license.
How to Request Records in West Covina
The California Public Records Act gives you the right to ask for public records from any state or local agency. This includes the City of West Covina and Los Angeles County. You do not need to give a reason for your request. You do not need to show ID in most cases. The law says agencies must respond in ten days and provide the records unless an exemption applies.
To make a public records request in West Covina, send your request to the city clerk or the specific county department that has the records you want. Be as clear as you can about what you are looking for. Give date ranges if possible. Name the type of document or the subject. The more specific you are, the faster the agency can find the records. If your request is too broad, they may ask you to narrow it down.
Los Angeles County uses a NextRequest portal for public records requests. You can submit a request online and track its status. The portal shows when the county received your request and when they respond. Most county departments use this system. The City of West Covina may have its own process, so check with the city clerk to see if they use an online portal or if you need to send a letter or email.
Some records are exempt from disclosure. Personnel files, ongoing investigations, and attorney-client communications are usually private. If the agency denies your request, they must tell you why and cite the law that allows them to withhold the records. You can challenge a denial, but that may require legal help. Most routine public records in West Covina are available without any issues.
Note: Agencies can charge for the cost of copies but not for the time to search or review records in most cases.
Vital Records for West Covina Residents
Vital records include birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees. Los Angeles County keeps all vital records for West Covina since the city is in that county. The county registrar-recorder office issues certified copies of these documents. You can also get vital records from the California Department of Public Health, but county offices are usually faster.
To get a birth or death certificate for someone in West Covina, you can order online, by mail, or in person. Online orders go through the county registrar website. In-person service is available at the Norwalk office. Birth certificates cost $34. Death certificates are $26. You must show you have a legal right to the record. Not everyone can get a birth certificate. Only the person named on the certificate, parents, legal guardians, or someone with a court order can request one under California law.
Marriage licenses in West Covina come from the county clerk. You apply in person at any county clerk office. There is no waiting period in California. Your license is good for 90 days from the date of issue. After the ceremony, the officiant files the license with the county. You can order certified copies of the marriage certificate a few weeks later. The cost is $19 per copy. This is up from $17 before January 2026 due to a fee increase under Assembly Bill 64.
Divorce records are court records, not vital records. You get divorce decrees from the superior court, not the registrar. If you need a simple divorce certificate showing that a divorce occurred, you can get that from the county health department or the state health department. But if you need the full decree with terms and orders, you must get that from the court clerk at the courthouse where the divorce was filed in Los Angeles County.
West Covina Property Records
Property records in West Covina are kept by the Los Angeles County Assessor and the County Recorder. The assessor tracks ownership and assessed values for property tax purposes. The recorder keeps copies of all deeds, mortgages, liens, and other documents that affect title to real estate. Both offices have online search tools that cover West Covina properties.
You can search for any property in West Covina at portal.assessor.lacounty.gov. Enter the street address or the assessor parcel number. The site shows the current owner, mailing address, sale history, and tax assessment. You can see the land value and improvement value. This is public info and free to view. If you want a certified copy of the assessor record, you may need to contact the assessor office and pay a fee.
For recorded documents like deeds and deeds of trust, go to the county recorder at lavote.gov. The recorder has an online index of all recorded documents in Los Angeles County going back many years. You search by name, document type, or recording date. Viewing the index is free. Copies of documents cost extra. The recorder charges per page for copies. You can order online and get digital files or request certified paper copies by mail.
Tax lien records are also at the county recorder. If someone has not paid property taxes, the county may record a lien. These liens are public records. You can search for them the same way you search for deeds. Business personal property is assessed separately from real estate. If you own a business in West Covina with equipment or inventory, the county assessor sends you a form each year to report the value of your business property.
Court and Criminal Records in West Covina
Court records in West Covina are managed by the Los Angeles County Superior Court. This includes civil cases, criminal cases, family law, probate, and small claims. Most of these records are public unless sealed by a judge. You can search for cases online or visit the courthouse in person to see files.
Criminal records are more restricted. You cannot get a full criminal record for someone else. The California Department of Justice keeps a state criminal history database based on fingerprints. Only certain agencies can access this database. Employers, licensing boards, and law enforcement can request background checks. If you want your own criminal record, you can ask the DOJ for a copy. You submit fingerprints and pay a fee. The process takes a few weeks.
Arrest records are different from criminal records. Arrest records are kept by local police or the sheriff. In West Covina, the police department keeps arrest logs. These logs are usually public. You can ask to see arrest reports under the California Public Records Act. Some details may be withheld if there is an ongoing investigation. But basic arrest info like the name, charge, and date is typically available.
Court case records are at lacourt.org. You can search civil and criminal cases by party name or case number. The search shows case status and hearing dates. If you need to see the actual documents filed in a case, you pay a fee to view them online or you go to the courthouse. The West Covina courthouse is in the East District at 1427 W. Covina Parkway. Clerks can help you find case files and make copies. Copy fees are 50 cents per page for most documents.
More Los Angeles County Records
West Covina is one of many cities in Los Angeles County. The county is the largest in California with over ten million people. Los Angeles County offices handle records for all 88 cities in the county plus unincorporated areas. If you need records from other parts of the county or want to learn more about county services, visit the Los Angeles County records page on this site.