Calaveras County Public Records

Public records in Calaveras County include court files, vital certificates, and property documents kept in San Andreas. The Clerk-Recorder office handles birth and death records along with marriage certificates. Property deeds and mortgages are recorded here. The Superior Court maintains case files for civil, criminal, family law, and probate matters. Business name statements are filed with the county clerk. Most services need an in-person visit or mail request. Some property searches may be available online. Fees follow state law. Processing times vary by record type and how you order. The county serves about 45,000 people in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Staff can help you locate records when you contact offices directly.

Clerk-Recorder Services

The Clerk-Recorder manages vital records and property documents for Calaveras County. Birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage records are kept here. The office also records deeds, mortgages, liens, and other real estate papers. Elections administration and business name filings are additional duties. All services operate from the Government Center in San Andreas.

You can visit the office to request records or file documents. Staff can help you search for property records or order vital certificates. Most services require in-person visits or mail requests. Online options are limited for this rural county. Call ahead to confirm what you need to bring in Calaveras County.

Vital records cost $24 per copy as of 2026. This applies to birth, death, and marriage certificates. The fee follows state law under Assembly Bill 64. Only authorized people can order certified copies. You must prove your relationship to the person named on the certificate. Valid ID is required when you apply in person or by mail to Calaveras County.

Property records are open to the public. Anyone can search deeds and other recorded documents. No reason is needed to view property files. Copies are available for a fee. Plain copies cost less than certified ones. Staff can help locate documents by address, owner name, or document number when you visit Calaveras County.

Superior Court Files

The Superior Court of California, County of Calaveras, handles all trial court cases. Civil suits, criminal prosecutions, family law, probate, and small claims are heard here. The courthouse is in San Andreas on Main Street near the Government Center. All case files are maintained at this location.

Court records are public unless sealed or confidential. Most civil and criminal cases can be viewed by anyone. Juvenile cases remain private. Some family law files have limited access to protect privacy. You can search for cases and view files at the courthouse during business hours in Calaveras County.

Clerks can help you locate case files and order copies. Fees for copies follow state law at 50 cents per page. Certification costs extra. Ask about total fees before ordering large files. Payment is due when you pick up copies or by mail if you request delivery.

Limited online access exists for court records. The court may have basic case information available through its website. Full documents often require a courthouse visit. Call the clerk's office with questions about specific cases. Staff can tell you what information is available and how to access it in Calaveras County.

Note: Small county size means staff can often provide personal assistance with record searches.

Public Records Requests

Calaveras County responds to California Public Records Act requests for government documents. You can request emails, reports, contracts, meeting minutes, and other county records. Each department maintains its own files. Send your request to the office that would keep the records you seek.

Contact the County Administrator if you need help directing your request. No special form is required. A clear written request is enough. Describe the records you want. Include your contact information. Email or mail your request to the appropriate department in Calaveras County.

Agencies have 10 days to respond under the law. They can extend by 14 days for unusual circumstances. No reason is needed for your request. Fees may apply for copying and staff time on complex searches. Electronic records often cost less to provide than paper copies.

Some records are exempt from disclosure. Personnel files, active investigations, and attorney communications may be withheld. The agency must cite specific legal authority to deny access. You can challenge improper denials through administrative appeals or court action if needed.

Vital records, court files, and property documents are not requested through CPRA. These have separate procedures and fees. Use normal channels for birth certificates, court case files, and recorded property documents in Calaveras County.

Vital Certificates

Vital records for events in Calaveras County are available from the Clerk-Recorder. Birth certificates prove age and identity. Death certificates are needed for estates and benefits. Marriage records show legal unions. The county maintains records for events within its boundaries.

Order by mail or in person at the San Andreas office. No direct online ordering is available through the county. Third-party vendors may offer online orders for an extra fee. Mail orders take longer but avoid convenience charges. In-person requests often get same-day service if the record is available and you provide proper ID in Calaveras County.

Only certain people can get certified copies. Parents can order their children's birth records. Adult children can get parents' death certificates. Spouses have access to marriage records. Bring valid ID and proof of your relationship to the person on the certificate. Staff verify eligibility before releasing documents.

Birth records typically appear about 10 days after the event. Death records take several weeks to file. Marriage certificates are issued after the ceremony. If you order before the record is filed, the office will search and issue a no-record certificate. The fee is kept as a search charge under state law even if no record is found.

Real Estate Records

The County Recorder keeps property documents for Calaveras County. Deeds transfer ownership. Mortgages create liens. Reconveyances release loans. Recording provides public notice of interests in real estate. Anyone can search these files. No ID or reason is needed to view property records.

Search by property address, owner name, parcel number, or document details. Staff can help locate records when you visit. Some online search tools may be available through the county website. Copies are available for a fee based on page count. Plain copies cost a few dollars per page. Certified copies cost more in Calaveras County.

Recording fees are set by state law. Page count, number of names, and document type determine cost. Most deeds cost under $100 to record. Transfer taxes may also apply to some transactions. Staff can explain total fees when you bring documents to record or call with questions.

The Assessor's Office maintains separate records about property values. Tax assessment data is public. You can look up assessed values, ownership, and property characteristics. This information helps with real estate research and tax appeals. Contact the Assessor for property tax questions in Calaveras County.

Business Filings

Fictitious business names are filed with the County Clerk in Calaveras County. These statements show who operates under a business name. Filing is required if you do business under any name other than your legal name. Sole proprietors, partnerships, and some companies must file. Corporations may need fictitious name statements if they use different names.

Filings are valid for five years. You must renew before expiration to keep using the name. New filings require publication in a local newspaper. This gives public notice of the business name. The clerk can explain filing procedures and fees when you apply in Calaveras County.

Business entities like corporations and LLCs file with the California Secretary of State. These are state-level records. Visit sos.ca.gov/business-programs/business-entities to search business entities. Formation documents and annual reports are kept at the state level, not by counties.

How to Get Records

Getting records in Calaveras County often requires direct contact. Limited online systems mean most services need a visit or mail request. The rural county offers personal service. Staff know the records well and can help you find what you need.

In-person visits work best for many record types. Go to the office in San Andreas. Bring ID for vital records. Be ready to pay fees. Cash and checks are usually accepted. Credit cards may be available for some services in Calaveras County.

Mail requests work if you know exactly what you want. Write a clear letter describing the records. Include payment for fees. Add your return address. Forms may be required for vital records. Call ahead to confirm what to send. Mail processing takes longer but saves a trip to San Andreas.

Phone calls answer basic questions. Staff can tell you hours, fees, and what to bring. They cannot read entire files over the phone. Call ahead to confirm the office has what you need before making the drive in Calaveras County.

Laws Governing Access

California law controls public records access in Calaveras County. The California Public Records Act is codified in Government Code Division 10. This law grants the right to inspect and copy government records. All state and local agencies must comply, including Calaveras County offices.

Records are presumed public unless exempt. Common exemptions include personnel files, active investigations, and attorney work product. Privacy laws protect some information. Agencies must cite specific legal authority to withhold records. Improper denials can be challenged through appeals or legal action.

Court records follow California Rules of Court. Rule 2.503 governs access at courthouses. Electronic access rules appear in Rule 2.540. Juvenile cases are confidential. Some family law and mental health records are sealed. The court can explain access rules for specific case types in Calaveras County.

Vital records access is controlled by Health and Safety Code Section 103526. Only authorized persons can get certified copies. This protects privacy while allowing legitimate access. Property records are public by long tradition. Real estate documents have been open to public inspection for generations under California law.

Communities in Calaveras County

Calaveras County contains several small incorporated cities and many unincorporated communities. San Andreas is the county seat. Other incorporated cities include Angels Camp. No city in the county has a population over 100,000. Most areas are unincorporated.

City governments maintain their own records for local operations. Contact city hall for city council files and permits. County offices handle vital records, court cases, and property documents for all areas within the county boundaries regardless of city limits.

Nearby Counties

Calaveras County borders several other counties. Records from other jurisdictions must be obtained from those county offices. Each maintains its own procedures and fees.

Adjacent counties: Amador County, Alpine County, Tuolumne County, Stanislaus County, San Joaquin County