Glenn County Public Records

Glenn County public records are available through local government offices in Willows. The County Clerk-Recorder handles vital records including birth, death, and marriage certificates as well as property deeds and business filings. The Superior Court maintains case files for civil, criminal, and family law matters. You can search some records online while others require in-person visits or mail requests. Fees apply for most copies, with vital records costing $24 per certificate and court documents priced at $0.50 per page. Processing times vary from same day for walk-in requests to several weeks for mail orders. California law makes most government records public, though some have access restrictions to protect privacy in Glenn County.

Clerk-Recorder Office

The Glenn County Clerk-Recorder is located at 516 West Sycamore Street in Willows. This office serves as the central repository for vital records, property documents, and business name filings. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The office may close for lunch breaks, so call ahead to confirm staff availability. Phone (530) 934-6412 for information about specific records in Glenn County.

Vital records cost $24 per certified copy as of January 2026. This fee applies to birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage certificates. The price increased by $2 due to Assembly Bill 64 which took effect statewide. Only certain people can obtain vital records under California law. You must show valid ID and prove your relationship to the person on the certificate before copies are released in Glenn County.

Property records are open to the public. The recorder maintains indexes of all real estate transactions in Glenn County. You can search by property address, owner name, or document number. Some older records may require manual searching through index books. Staff can help you locate documents and order copies for a per-page fee. Certified copies cost extra if needed for legal purposes in Glenn County.

Fictitious business name statements are filed with the County Clerk. Any business operating under a name other than the owner's legal name must file. These records are public and searchable. You can verify business name ownership by checking the files at the clerk office in Glenn County.

Superior Court Records

Glenn County Superior Court is located at 526 West Sycamore Street in Willows. The court handles all case types including civil lawsuits, criminal prosecutions, family law, probate, traffic, and small claims. Court staff can help you search for cases and obtain copies of documents filed in the official record for Glenn County cases.

Most court records are public. Exceptions include juvenile cases, sealed files, and certain family law details that are confidential to protect privacy. You can search the case index at the courthouse during business hours. Staff cannot give legal advice but can explain how to access files and what fees apply for Glenn County court documents.

Copies of court documents cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies have an additional fee beyond the per-page charge. If you need multiple pages or a full case file, the costs can add up. Ask about total costs before ordering copies in Glenn County. Some courts accept payment by cash, check, or credit card but confirm accepted payment methods before your visit.

The California Courts public records portal provides statewide information about court record access. These policies apply to all 58 counties including Glenn County. You have the right to view most case files at the courthouse. Some courts offer limited online access for basic case information. Check with the Glenn County court directly to see what is available electronically.

Real Estate Documents

Property records in Glenn County are maintained by the County Recorder. Any document affecting real estate ownership gets recorded here. This includes deeds when property changes hands. Mortgages and trust deeds are filed when homes are financed. Liens appear when there are debts against property. Easements, covenants, and other instruments also become part of the public record for Glenn County parcels.

You can search property records by address, parcel number, or owner name. The recorder office has index systems to help you find documents. Older records may be in bound books. Newer records are in computer systems. Some counties have online searching but smaller counties like Glenn may require in-person visits for detailed searches of historical documents.

The Assessor Office maintains separate records about property values and characteristics. They assess all real estate for tax purposes each year. You can look up assessed values, square footage, lot size, and ownership details. This information helps buyers research properties before making offers. The assessor data is public and usually available at the assessor office in Willows for Glenn County properties.

Use both recorder and assessor records together for complete property information. The recorder shows legal title and encumbrances. The assessor shows value and physical details. Staff at both offices can help you understand the records and get copies of what you need for Glenn County real estate research.

Birth, Death, and Marriage Certificates

Glenn County issues vital records for events within the county. Birth certificates are available for births at local hospitals or homes. Death certificates document deaths that occurred in Glenn County. Marriage certificates are issued after weddings performed here. Each certified copy costs $24 as of 2026. The fee went up in January due to state legislation that added $2 to the previous price.

California law limits who can obtain vital records. Parents can request their children's birth certificates. Adult children can get their parents' death certificates. Spouses can obtain each other's records. Other relatives may qualify depending on circumstances. You must prove your identity and relationship before the clerk will release certified copies in Glenn County.

Order vital records in person for fastest service. The Clerk-Recorder can often provide same-day copies if the record is already on file. Mail orders take longer, usually two to four weeks for processing and return delivery. Include payment and copies of your ID with mail requests. Birth records are typically available within a week after the event. Death records take longer because doctors must complete death certificates. Marriage records are ready after the ceremony and official filing in Glenn 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 can happen if you order too soon after an event or if the event occurred elsewhere. Verify the date and location before ordering to avoid unnecessary fees for Glenn County vital records.

Note: County offices process vital record requests faster than the state office for recent events.

CPRA Requests for Government Files

The California Public Records Act gives you the right to request government documents. This includes records from Glenn County departments and agencies. You can ask for emails, contracts, reports, meeting minutes, and other files. Agencies have 10 days to respond to your request. They can extend this deadline by 14 days for complex searches in Glenn County.

Submit requests to the specific department that maintains the records you want. There is no central records office for all county files. Each department keeps its own documents. Be specific about what you need. Include dates or other details to help staff locate the right files. You do not need to give a reason for your request under the law.

Some records are exempt from public disclosure. This includes personnel files, active investigations, attorney work product, and other categories protected by state statutes. The agency must cite a specific legal exemption to withhold records. If they deny your request, ask for the legal basis. You can challenge denials if you believe the agency is misapplying the law to Glenn County records.

The California Public Records Act is codified in Government Code Division 10. This law applies to all state and local government agencies in California. Fees may apply for copying and staff time on large requests. Electronic records are often cheaper than paper. Many agencies provide records for free or at minimal cost depending on the volume in Glenn County.

Types of Records Available

Glenn County maintains various types of public records. Each serves a different purpose. Here are the main categories 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
• Marriage licenses issued by the County Clerk
• Maps and surveys filed with the county

Each record type has specific access rules. Vital records require ID and proof of relationship. Court records are mostly public except sealed cases. Property records are open to anyone. Business filings can be searched by the public. Know which office maintains the records you need before visiting or requesting in Glenn County.

Some records are free to search but cost money to copy. Others charge search fees up front. Certified copies always cost more than plain copies. Ask about all fees before ordering to avoid surprises when you receive documents from Glenn County offices.

Ways to Access Records

You can obtain Glenn County records through several methods. In-person visits work best for complex searches or urgent needs. Go to the appropriate office in Willows based on what you need. Bring valid ID and payment for fees. Staff will help you search and make copies if the records are immediately available.

Online access may be limited in smaller counties. Check county and court websites to see what databases are available. You might find basic information online. Full documents often require visiting offices in person or submitting mail requests to Glenn County.

Mail requests work if you know exactly what you want. Write a letter describing the record you need. Include your contact information and payment. Send it to the correct office. Allow three to four weeks for processing. This method saves travel time but takes longer than in-person visits for Glenn County records.

Phone calls can 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 ahead to confirm offices will be open when you plan to visit in Glenn County.

Legal Basis for Access

California law provides broad public access to government records. The Public Records Act is the main statute governing disclosure. It says records are public unless a specific exemption applies. Glenn County must follow this law like all other California jurisdictions. The statute is found in Government Code Division 10.

Court records follow different rules established by California Rules of Court. Most case files are public but some are confidential. Juvenile cases are sealed. Some family law details are hidden to protect privacy. The rules try to balance public access with privacy protection under state law.

Vital records access is controlled by Health and Safety Code Section 103526. Only authorized persons can obtain certified copies. This includes parents, spouses, adult children, and certain other relatives. The law protects privacy while allowing legitimate access for family members. Property records are public by statute and long tradition. Anyone can search and copy recorded documents in Glenn County.

If an agency denies your records request, ask for the legal reason. They should cite a specific statute or rule. You have options to appeal or seek legal help if you think the denial is improper. Most government records in California are public including those in Glenn County.

Neighboring Counties

Glenn County borders several other counties in northern California. If your records are in a different county, contact their offices directly. Each county has separate record systems and procedures for public access.

Adjacent counties: Butte County, Tehama County, Colusa County

Note: Glenn County is located in the Sacramento Valley region of northern California.