Humboldt County Public Records

Public records for Humboldt County are maintained at government offices in Eureka. The Clerk-Recorder handles vital records like birth and death certificates, property deeds, and business name filings. The Superior Court keeps case files for civil, criminal, family law, and probate matters. Many records can be searched online while others require in-person visits or mail requests. Vital certificates cost $24 per copy as of 2026. Court documents run $0.50 per page. Processing times vary from same-day service for walk-in requests to several weeks for mail orders. California law makes most government records public, though some have restricted access to protect privacy in Humboldt County.

Clerk-Recorder Services

The Humboldt County Clerk-Recorder operates from the County Courthouse at 825 Fifth Street in Eureka. This office serves as the central repository for vital records, property documents, and business filings. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The office may close for lunch or staff meetings, so calling ahead is a good idea. Phone (707) 445-7593 for information about records in Humboldt County.

You can find information online at humboldtgov.org/244/Clerk-Recorder to learn about services and fees. The website has forms for ordering vital records and information about property document searches. Some services let you start your request online and complete it by mail or in person at the Eureka office for Humboldt County.

The Humboldt County Clerk-Recorder website provides details about available services. You can learn about vital records, property recording, fictitious business names, and marriage licenses. The site explains fees, hours, and what documents you need to bring. This helps you prepare before visiting the office in Eureka.

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

Property records are open to the public. The recorder maintains an index of all real estate transactions in Humboldt County. You can search by property address, owner name, or document number. Some records are available online. Others require an in-person visit to view and copy. Staff can help you locate documents and order certified copies if needed for legal purposes.

Superior Court Case Files

Humboldt County Superior Court operates from the courthouse at 825 Fifth Street in Eureka. The court handles all case types including civil lawsuits, criminal prosecutions, family law matters, probate estates, traffic violations, and small claims. Court staff can help you search for cases and obtain copies of filed documents for Humboldt County cases.

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

Copies of court documents cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies have an additional fee beyond the base per-page charge. If you need a large case file, costs can add up quickly. Ask about total costs before ordering copies. The court accepts payment by cash, check, or credit card in most cases for Humboldt County documents.

Check the court website at humboldt.courts.ca.gov for information about court locations, hours, and services. The site may have limited online case search capabilities. For detailed records, you will need to visit the courthouse or submit a formal records request to Humboldt County Superior Court.

The California Courts public records portal explains statewide rules for court record access. These policies apply to all 58 counties including Humboldt County. You have the right to view most case files at the courthouse during business hours. Some sensitive information may be redacted or sealed to protect privacy interests.

Real Estate and Property Documents

Property records in Humboldt County are recorded with 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 debts exist against property. Easements and covenants also become part of the public record for Humboldt County parcels.

You can search property records by address, parcel number, or owner name. The recorder office has index systems to help locate documents. Some records are available online for free searching. Older documents may require an in-person visit to view. Staff can help you find what you need and order copies for a per-page fee in Humboldt County.

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 is public and helps buyers research properties before making offers. The assessor data also supports tax appeals if you believe your property is overvalued in Humboldt County.

Use both recorder and assessor records for complete property research. The recorder shows legal title and encumbrances like liens and easements. The assessor shows value and physical characteristics. Together these sources give you a full picture of any property. Both offices are located in the courthouse in Eureka for Humboldt County.

Birth, Death, and Marriage Certificates

Humboldt 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 Humboldt County. Marriage certificates are issued after weddings performed here. Each certified copy costs $24 as of 2026. The price increased by $2 in January due to state legislation.

California law restricts 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 close relatives may qualify in certain situations. You must prove your identity and relationship before the clerk releases certified copies in Humboldt County.

Order vital records in person for fastest service. The Clerk-Recorder can often provide same-day copies if the record is on file. Mail orders take two to four weeks for processing and delivery. Include payment and copies of your ID with mail requests. Birth records are typically available within days after the event. Death records take longer because doctors must complete death certificates. Marriage records are ready after the ceremony and official filing in Humboldt County.

If the office cannot locate a record, they issue 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. Verify the date and location before ordering to avoid unnecessary fees for Humboldt County vital records.

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

CPRA Requests in Humboldt County

The California Public Records Act allows you to request government documents. This includes records from Humboldt County departments and agencies. You can ask for emails, contracts, reports, meeting minutes, and other files. Agencies have 10 days to respond to requests. They can extend this by 14 days for complex or voluminous searches in Humboldt 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 find the right files. You do not need to explain why you want the records under California law.

Some records are exempt from public disclosure. This includes personnel files, active investigations, attorney work product, and other protected categories. The agency must cite a specific legal exemption to withhold records. If they deny your request, ask for the legal basis. You can challenge improper denials if you believe the agency misapplied the law to Humboldt 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 provided free or at minimal cost. Paper copies cost more per page in Humboldt County.

Common Record Categories

Humboldt County maintains many types of public records. Each serves different purposes. Here are the main categories people search for:

• Court cases for civil, criminal, family law, probate, and small claims
• Vital records including 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
• Environmental documents and permits

Each record type has specific access rules. Vital records need ID and relationship proof. 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 Humboldt County.

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

How to Get Records

You can access Humboldt County records through several methods. In-person visits work best for complex searches or urgent needs. Go to the courthouse in Eureka for most county records. Bring valid ID and payment for fees. Staff will help you search and make copies if records are immediately available.

Online searching is available for some record types. Check county and court websites to see what databases are accessible. You might find basic case information or property ownership details online. Full documents often require visiting offices in person or submitting mail requests to Humboldt 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 and return mail. This method saves travel time but takes longer than in-person visits for Humboldt County records.

Phone calls help answer questions about fees, hours, and procedures. Staff cannot read documents to you over the phone. They can tell you whether a record exists and how to obtain it. Call ahead to confirm offices will be open when you plan to visit in Humboldt County.

Laws Governing Record Access

California law provides broad access to government records. The Public Records Act is the main statute. It says records are public unless a specific exemption applies. Humboldt County must follow this law like all California jurisdictions. The statute is in Government Code Division 10 and applies to all state and local agencies.

Court records follow different rules set 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 balance public access with privacy protection under California law.

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

Neighboring Counties

Humboldt 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: Del Norte County, Siskiyou County, Trinity County, Mendocino County

Note: Humboldt County is located on the northern California coast and includes the Redwood National and State Parks region.