Find Public Records in Colusa County

Colusa County public records cover court cases, vital certificates, and property documents maintained in the city of Colusa. The Clerk-Recorder office handles birth and death records along with marriage certificates. Property deeds and mortgages are recorded here. The Superior Court keeps case files for civil, criminal, family law, and probate matters. Business name statements are filed with the county clerk. Most services need in-person visits or mail requests. Online options are limited in this small rural county. Fees follow state law. Processing times depend on record type and method. The county serves about 21,000 people in the Sacramento Valley. Staff can help you find what you need when you contact offices directly.

Colusa County Clerk-Recorder

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

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 systems are limited for this small county. Call ahead to confirm what you need to bring in Colusa 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 Colusa 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 Colusa County.

Superior Court Records

The Superior Court of California, County of Colusa, handles all trial court cases. Civil suits, criminal prosecutions, family law, probate, and small claims are heard here. The courthouse is in the city of Colusa on Market Street. All case files are maintained at this single 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 Colusa 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.

Online access is limited for court records in this small county. Basic case information may be available through the court's website. Full documents usually require a courthouse visit. Call the clerk's office with questions about specific cases. Staff can tell you what information is available in Colusa County.

Note: Small caseload means staff can often give personalized help with searches.

California Public Records Act Requests

Colusa County responds to CPRA 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 Colusa 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 Colusa County.

Birth, Death, Marriage Certificates

Vital records for events in Colusa 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 Colusa 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 Colusa 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.

Property Documents

The County Recorder keeps property documents for Colusa 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. Limited online search tools may be available. Copies are available for a fee based on page count. Plain copies cost a few dollars per page. Certified copies cost more in Colusa 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 Colusa County.

Business Name Statements

Fictitious business names are filed with the County Clerk in Colusa 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 Colusa 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.

Ways to Access Records

Getting records in Colusa County often requires direct contact. Limited online systems mean most services need a visit or mail request. The small 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 the city of Colusa. 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 Colusa 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.

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 Colusa County.

Legal Basis for Access

California law controls public records access in Colusa 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 Colusa 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 Colusa 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.

About Colusa County

Colusa County is one of California's smallest counties by population with about 21,000 residents. The city of Colusa serves as the county seat. The county sits in the Sacramento Valley. Agriculture drives the local economy. Rice, almonds, and other crops are major products. Most areas are unincorporated.

City governments in small incorporated cities maintain their own local records. 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.

Nearby Counties

Colusa 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: Glenn County, Tehama County, Butte County, Sutter County, Yolo County, Lake County