Kern County Public Records

Public records in Kern County include court files, birth and death certificates, property deeds, and business documents kept by various county offices. The County Clerk maintains vital records while the Recorder handles real estate transactions. Superior Court operates locations in Bakersfield and other areas to serve residents across this large agricultural region. You can search many records online through official county portals or visit offices in person. Most documents are available to the public under California law. Some records require proof of relationship or legal interest. Fees vary by record type and whether you need certified copies. Processing times range from instant online searches to several weeks for mailed certificates from Kern County offices.

County Clerk and Recorder

The Kern County Clerk-Recorder maintains vital records and real estate documents for the county. This office issues certified copies of birth, death, and marriage certificates for events that took place in Kern County. As of January 2026, birth certificates cost $24 per copy. Death certificates cost $24. Marriage certificates also cost $24. These fees reflect increases under Assembly Bill 64 that went into effect statewide.

Real estate documents are filed with the Recorder division. Deeds, mortgages, liens, and other instruments affecting property must be recorded to provide public notice. You can search property records online or request copies by mail or in person. The office is located in Bakersfield at the County Administrative Center.

Vital records access is restricted by law. Only eligible persons can obtain certified copies. This includes parents, spouses, children, grandparents, and legal representatives. You must show valid ID and prove your relationship to the person named on the certificate. Birth records are confidential for 100 years. Death records have fewer restrictions but still require proper authorization in Kern County.

To order vital records, you can apply online through VitalChek, mail a written request with payment, or visit the office in person. Online orders include convenience fees charged by the vendor. Mail requests take longer but avoid extra costs. Walk-in service lets you get records the same day if they are immediately available. Call ahead to check if the record you need has been filed and is ready for release.

Kern County Superior Court

The Superior Court handles all trial court matters in Kern County. This includes civil cases, criminal prosecutions, family law, probate, juvenile, and small claims. The main courthouse is in Bakersfield with additional locations throughout the county to serve outlying areas. Court records are public unless sealed or made confidential by law.

You can search some court case information through the online portal at odyprodportal.kern.courts.ca.gov/portalprod if the system is available. The database allows you to look up cases by party name, case number, or other identifiers. Not all records appear online due to privacy rules or technical limitations. Juvenile cases do not show up in public searches. Sensitive family law information may be hidden to protect participants in Kern County.

To get copies of court documents, visit the clerk's office at the courthouse where the case was filed. Bring the case number if you have it. Staff can retrieve files and make copies while you wait. Copying fees are 50 cents per page for most documents. Certified copies cost extra. You may need to fill out a request form and pay in advance.

Remote access to court records has limits. The California Rules of Court restrict what can be published online. Registers of action and calendars may be available electronically. Full case files often require an in-person visit. If you live far from the courthouse, call to ask if the records you need can be mailed. Some courts offer copy services by mail for a fee in Kern County.

Note: Court records are separate from county administrative records and require different procedures to access.

Real Estate and Property Records

Kern County Recorder maintains official records of land ownership and interests. Every deed, mortgage, lien, easement, and similar document affecting real property gets recorded here. Recording provides legal notice to the public and establishes priority among competing claims. You can search these records to verify ownership, check for liens, or research property history.

Property records are public and open to anyone. No ID or reason is needed to search. The Recorder's office has computers available for public use. Staff can show you how to search by owner name, address, or legal description. You can also hire a title company to research property records if you need professional help in Kern County.

The Assessor's Office keeps related records about property values for tax purposes. Assessor records show who owns each parcel, assessed value, property characteristics, and exemptions claimed. These records help set property tax bills. You can view assessor information online or visit the office to inspect full files. Assessment rolls are public documents that anyone can review.

To order copies of recorded documents, provide the book and page number or document number if you know it. Staff can search by address if you do not have the exact reference. Copy fees depend on page count. The first page costs more, with lower fees for additional pages. Certified copies include an official stamp and cost extra. Most documents can be emailed as PDFs or sent by regular mail in Kern County.

Business Filings and UCC Records

Fictitious business name statements are filed with the County Clerk in Kern County. Any person or entity doing business under a name other than their legal name must file a statement. This creates a public record of who operates under that name. Statements are valid for five years and must be renewed. You can search to see if a business name is already in use before you file.

UCC financing statements are also filed at the county level for certain types of personal property collateral. These create security interests in goods, equipment, inventory, and other assets. Filing gives notice to other creditors and establishes priority. Search the UCC index to check for existing liens before lending money or buying assets.

For state-level business records like corporations and LLCs, check with the California Secretary of State. That office maintains the central registry of business entities formed in California. You can search for companies, view filing history, and order certificates of status at sos.ca.gov/business-programs/business-entities for statewide searches.

Public Records Act Requests

The California Public Records Act gives you the right to inspect and copy government records. CPRA applies to all county departments in Kern County. Each agency maintains its own files and responds to requests independently. There is no central records repository for the county. You must contact the specific department that created or holds the records you want.

To make a request, send a written description of the records to the department head or designated records officer. Be as specific as possible. Include date ranges, subject matter, and any other details that help locate the records. The agency has 10 days to respond. They can extend by 14 days in unusual circumstances. No reason is required for your request. You do not have to explain why you want the records in Kern County.

Some records are exempt from disclosure. Common exemptions include personnel files, attorney work product, preliminary drafts, active investigations, and trade secrets. The agency must cite a legal basis to withhold records. You can challenge denials if you believe they are improper. Courts can review whether an exemption was correctly applied under CPRA.

Fees apply for copying and staff time. Electronic records provided on a disk or by email may be free or low cost. Paper copies typically cost 10 cents per page. If staff must search and redact documents, the agency can charge for those services. Ask about fees before your request is processed to avoid surprise costs in Kern County.

Note: Vital records, court files, and recorded documents are not obtained through CPRA requests because they have their own access procedures.

How to Get Records

Online access is available for many Kern County records. Court case searches let you find basic information from home. Assessor databases show property values and ownership. Some offices offer online ordering for vital records and documents. Check the county website for links to available systems. Most searches are free but ordering copies costs money.

In-person visits give you the most complete access. Go to the office that holds the records you need. Bring ID and payment. Staff can help you search files and make copies. Hours are usually Monday through Friday during business hours. Some offices close for lunch. Call ahead to confirm hours and what forms of payment they accept in Kern County.

Mail requests work if you know exactly what you want. Write a letter describing the records. Include your contact information and payment. Send to the appropriate office. Processing takes longer by mail. Allow several weeks for a response. Some records require notarized signatures or specific forms when ordered by mail.

Phone inquiries can answer basic questions. Staff can tell you hours, fees, and requirements. They usually cannot search files or read documents over the phone. Call to get information about procedures before you visit or mail a request to Kern County offices.

Legal Basis for Records Access

Government Code Division 10 contains the California Public Records Act. It requires agencies to make records available unless an exemption applies. The law balances transparency with privacy and other interests. Court records follow California Rules of Court which set different standards. Rule 2.503 governs case records kept at the courthouse. Electronic access is limited to protect sensitive information in civil and criminal cases.

Vital records access is controlled by Health and Safety Code Section 103526. This statute lists who can obtain certified copies of birth, death, and marriage certificates. The restrictions protect individual privacy while allowing access for those with legitimate need. Property records are public by long tradition and statute. Anyone can view and copy recorded documents without showing cause in Kern County.

The Information Practices Act regulates personal information collected by agencies. It gives individuals rights to see and correct records about themselves. IPA supplements CPRA and applies to databases containing personal data. Some records may be subject to both laws depending on content and format in California.

Cities in Kern County

Kern County includes several incorporated cities. Bakersfield is the largest and serves as county seat. Each city operates its own government and keeps municipal records. City records include council minutes, permits, contracts, and department files. Most cities have their own procedures for public records requests separate from county offices.

Major city in Kern County with population over 100,000: Bakersfield

Note: County offices handle vital records and court cases for all residents regardless of which city they live in within Kern County.

Nearby Counties

Kern County borders several other counties. If you need records from a different jurisdiction, contact that county's offices directly. Each has its own systems and fees.

Adjacent counties: Tulare County, Kings County, San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, Ventura County, Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County, Inyo County