Access El Dorado County Public Records

El Dorado County public records are kept at offices in Placerville and South Lake Tahoe. The County Clerk-Recorder handles vital records, property deeds, and business filings. The Superior Court maintains case files for civil, criminal, and family law matters. You can search many records online or visit offices in person. Birth, death, and marriage certificates cost $24 per copy as of 2026. Court documents cost $0.50 per page plus any certification fees. Most records are public under California law. Some require proof of identity or relationship to obtain copies. Processing times vary from same day for in-person requests to several weeks for mail orders in El Dorado County.

El Dorado County Clerk-Recorder

The Clerk-Recorder serves El Dorado County from two locations. The main office is in Placerville at 360 Fair Lane. A branch office operates in South Lake Tahoe at 924 Emerald Bay Road. Both offices handle vital records, property documents, and business name filings. Hours vary by location so call ahead to confirm someone will be available when you visit.

You can search some records online at edcgov.us/Government/ClerkRecorder to find property documents and business names. The website also has forms for ordering vital records. Many services let you start online and finish by mail. In-person visits are best if you need certified copies right away in El Dorado County.

Birth certificates cost $24 per certified copy. Death certificates cost $24. Marriage certificates cost $24. These fees went up by $2 in January 2026 due to Assembly Bill 64. Only certain people can order vital records under state law. You need ID and proof of relationship to the person on the certificate. Call (530) 621-5490 for the Placerville office or (530) 573-3412 for South Lake Tahoe with questions about El Dorado County vital records.

Property records include deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements. Anyone can search these documents. The recorder maintains an index by property address and owner name. You can look up documents online or visit in person. Certified copies cost extra beyond the base page fee for El Dorado County documents.

Superior Court Case Files

El Dorado County Superior Court operates courthouses in Placerville and South Lake Tahoe. The main courthouse is at 495 Main Street in Placerville. South Lake Tahoe is at 1354 Johnson Boulevard. Each location handles different case types. Call to find out where your case is filed or where you need to search for specific records.

Court records cover civil lawsuits, criminal cases, family law, probate, traffic, and small claims. Most are public but some have limits. Juvenile cases stay confidential. Sealed files cannot be viewed. Some family law details are hidden to protect privacy. Check with court staff about access rules for specific case types in El Dorado County.

Search the case index online at eldorado.courts.ca.gov for basic case information. The website lists case numbers, parties, filing dates, and hearing schedules. Full documents require a visit to the courthouse or a formal request. Copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies have an extra fee on top of the per-page charge.

The California Courts public records portal explains access rules for all 58 counties. You can view case files at the courthouse during business hours. Bring ID and be ready to pay copy fees. Staff can help you find files but cannot give legal advice about your case or someone else's case in El Dorado County.

Real Estate and Assessment Records

The County Recorder keeps official records of all property transactions. When you buy a home, the deed gets recorded here. Mortgages, liens, and other documents affecting real estate are also recorded. This creates a public chain of title for every parcel in El Dorado County. You can search by address, parcel number, or owner name to find property documents.

Online searches are available through the county website. You can view scanned images of many recorded documents. Some older records may not be digitized yet. Visit the recorder office to access all historical documents. Staff can help you search indexes and order copies for a per-page fee.

The Assessor Office keeps separate records about property values. They assess real estate for tax purposes each year. You can look up assessed values, square footage, lot size, and ownership details. This information is public and searchable online at edcgov.us/Government/Assessor for free. The assessor data helps buyers research property before making offers in El Dorado County.

Use both recorder and assessor records together for complete property research. The recorder shows legal ownership and liens. The assessor shows value and characteristics. Between the two offices you can get a full picture of any property in El Dorado County.

Note: Property records for the Lake Tahoe area may have unique features due to environmental regulations and state park boundaries.

Birth, Death, and Marriage Certificates

El Dorado County issues vital records for events within county borders. This includes births at local hospitals, deaths in the county, and marriages performed here. Each certified copy costs $24 as of January 2026. The fee increased by $2 due to state law changes. Both the Placerville and South Lake Tahoe offices can process vital record orders for El Dorado County.

Only certain people can get vital records. Parents can get their children's birth certificates. Adult children can get their parents' death certificates. Spouses can get each other's records. Legal representatives with power of attorney may also qualify. Bring valid ID when you apply. Staff will verify your relationship before releasing certificates in El Dorado County.

Order in person for fastest service. Mail orders take two to four weeks. Online ordering may be available through third-party vendors like VitalChek, but they add convenience fees on top of the county charge. Birth records are usually ready within a week after the event. Death records take longer because medical staff must complete paperwork first. Marriage records are available after the ceremony and filing in El Dorado County.

If a record cannot be found, the office issues a Certificate of No Record. They keep your fee as a search charge under state law. This happens when you order too soon after an event or when the event occurred elsewhere. Double check the date and location before ordering to avoid unnecessary fees for El Dorado County records.

CPRA Requests for Government Documents

The California Public Records Act gives you the right to see government documents. This includes records from El Dorado County departments. You can request emails, contracts, reports, budgets, and other files. Agencies have 10 days to respond to your request. They may extend by 14 days for complex searches in El Dorado County.

Send requests to the specific department that keeps the records you want. The county does not have one central records office. Each department maintains its own files. Be clear about what you need. Include dates or other details to help staff find the right documents. No reason is required for your request under California law.

Some records are exempt from disclosure. This includes personnel files, active investigations, attorney communications, and other categories listed in the law. The agency must cite a legal exemption to deny your request. If they refuse to provide records, they should explain which exemption applies. You can challenge denials if you believe they are improper for El Dorado County records.

The California Public Records Act is in Government Code Division 10. This law applies to all state and local agencies in California. Fees may apply for copying and staff time on large requests. Electronic records are often provided free or at low cost. Paper copies cost more per page in El Dorado County.

Types of Records Available

El Dorado County keeps many kinds of public records. Each type serves a different need. Here are common records people search for:

• Court cases including civil, criminal, family law, probate, and traffic
• Vital records such as birth, death, and marriage certificates
• Property deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements
• Fictitious business name statements for local businesses
• Maps and surveys filed with the county
• Marriage licenses issued by the County Clerk
• Environmental impact reports and land use documents

Each record type has specific access rules. Vital records require ID and relationship proof. Court records are mostly public except sealed cases. Property records are open to everyone. Some planning documents may be large and require special copying arrangements in El Dorado County.

Ways to Get Records

You can access El Dorado County records through several methods. In-person visits work best for complex searches or urgent needs. Go to the Placerville or South Lake Tahoe office based on which is closer to you. Bring ID and payment for fees. Staff will help you search indexes and make copies while you wait.

Online searches let you find basic information from home. The county and court websites have search tools for property records, business names, and case indexes. You can view some documents online. Others require you to visit in person or request copies by mail from El Dorado County offices.

Mail requests are good if you know exactly what you want. Write a letter with your request details. Include payment and return address. Send it to the right office. Allow two to four weeks for processing. This saves travel time but takes longer than visiting in person for El Dorado County records.

Phone calls help answer questions about fees, hours, and requirements. Staff cannot read documents to you over the phone. They can tell you whether a record exists and how to get it. Call before visiting to confirm the office has what you need and will be open when you plan to arrive.

Legal Basis for Public Access

California law provides broad access to government records. The Public Records Act applies to all state and local agencies. It says records are public unless a specific exemption applies. El Dorado County must follow this law like every other jurisdiction in California. Agencies that deny requests must explain why under the statute.

Court records follow California Rules of Court. These rules set access policies for case files. Most court records are public but some are confidential. Juvenile cases are sealed. Some family law details are hidden. Rule 2.503 covers case records at courthouses. Rule 2.540 addresses electronic access for government agencies in California.

Vital records have limited access under Health and Safety Code Section 103526. This protects privacy while allowing family members to get needed certificates. Only authorized persons can obtain certified copies. Property records are public by long tradition. Anyone can search and copy documents recorded with the county in El Dorado County.

If your records request is denied, ask for the legal basis. The agency should cite a specific statute or rule. You have options to appeal or seek legal help if you believe the denial is wrong. Most government records in California are public including those in El Dorado County.

Neighboring Counties

El Dorado County borders several other counties in the Sierra Nevada and Central Valley. If your records are in a different county, contact their offices directly. Each county has separate record systems and procedures.

Adjacent counties: Placer County, Sacramento County, Amador County, Alpine County

Note: The Lake Tahoe area spans multiple counties and states, so check jurisdiction carefully for records related to that region.