Find Nevada County Public Records

Public records in Nevada County span court files, vital certificates, property deeds, and business names. The Clerk-Recorder office in Nevada City handles birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, and real estate documents. Superior Court operates locations in Nevada City and Truckee with case files for civil, criminal, family, and probate matters. Many records can be searched online through county portals. Visit offices in person for full access to files and certified copies. Fees vary by record type and range from free searches to charges for copies. Processing times depend on the service you need, from instant online results to weeks for mailed documents from Nevada County offices.

Clerk-Recorder Services

The Nevada County Clerk-Recorder manages vital records and property documents. This office records deeds, mortgages, and liens affecting real estate. They also issue certified copies of birth, death, and marriage certificates for events in the county. The main office is at 950 Maidu Avenue in Nevada City. Walk-in hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Call ahead if you have questions about specific records or need help with what to bring.

Birth certificates cost $24 per copy. Death certificates also cost $24. Marriage certificates are $24 too. These prices follow state law that changed in January 2026 under Assembly Bill 64. You can add fees for rush service if you need records faster from Nevada County offices.

Only eligible people can order vital records. State law restricts access to protect privacy. Parents, spouses, children, grandparents, and legal representatives qualify. You must show valid photo ID when you apply. Mail orders need a copy of your ID included with the application sent to Nevada County.

Vital records usually appear in the system within weeks of the event. Birth records take about two weeks. Death records can take eight weeks or longer. Marriage records arrive after the officiant returns the license. If you order too soon, the search finds nothing and you get a Certificate of No Record. The county keeps your fee as a search charge under state law for Nevada County.

Superior Court Case Files

Nevada County Superior Court hears civil, criminal, family, and probate cases. The main courthouse is in Nevada City. A second location operates in Truckee to serve the north county. Each courthouse has a clerk's office where you can search files and request copies of Nevada County court documents.

Online case access is available at nevada.courts.ca.gov/online-services/web-portal for name searches and case lookups. This tool shows basic information like case numbers, parties, filing dates, and hearing schedules. It does not display full documents. You must visit the courthouse or order copies by mail to see pleadings and exhibits filed in Nevada County cases.

Not all records appear online. Juvenile cases are sealed by law. Family law cases may have hidden details to protect children and abuse victims. Criminal cases can include confidential reports. If the online search finds nothing, the case might be sealed or filed in a different county, not Nevada County.

Copy fees follow state rules. Paper copies cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies add extra for the clerk's seal and signature. Some courts offer electronic copies at lower cost. Ask about current prices when you order documents from Nevada County courts.

Real Estate and Deeds

All property transactions in Nevada County get recorded with the Clerk-Recorder. Deeds transfer ownership. Mortgages secure loans. Liens protect creditors. These documents become public once recorded. Anyone can search and order copies from Nevada County.

The recorder's office maintains these documents in permanent files. You can search by owner name, property address, or document number. The system shows when each document was recorded and gives you a reference number. Use that number to order copies if you need them for title searches or research in Nevada County.

Property records help with title searches, background checks, and genealogy. They show who owned land over time. Loan documents reveal financing details. Foreclosure papers indicate defaults and sales. All this information is kept in Nevada County archives going back to the county's founding.

The Assessor's Office keeps separate property tax records. These show the assessed value, owner's mailing address, and property details. Search the assessor database to find current ownership and tax history. This office does not record new documents but tracks assessments for tax purposes in Nevada County.

Birth, Death, and Marriage Documents

Nevada County issues vital records for events within its borders. If a child was born here, the birth record comes from the Clerk-Recorder. Death certificates issue after someone dies in this county. Marriage licenses are filed after the ceremony and the officiant returns the signed document to Nevada County.

Order vital records in person, by mail, or sometimes online through third-party services. In-person orders let you get same-day service if the record is available. Mail orders take longer but avoid convenience fees. Online orders through VitalChek or similar services add extra charges on top of the county fee for Nevada County certificates.

You must prove your eligibility to get vital records. This protects privacy while allowing access to those with direct need. Bring ID and show your relationship to the person on the certificate. The clerk checks your eligibility before releasing certified copies from Nevada County.

If the record is not yet filed, you will get a Certificate of No Record. The county keeps your payment as a search fee allowed by state law. Wait longer and try again if you know the event happened recently in Nevada County.

Fictitious Business Names

Businesses using a name different from the owner's legal name must file a Fictitious Business Name Statement. This is called a DBA for "doing business as." The Clerk-Recorder handles these filings for businesses in Nevada County.

Filing a business name costs a fee set by the county. You must also publish the statement in a local newspaper. After publication, bring proof to the Clerk-Recorder to complete the process. Staff will give you a stamped copy showing the filing is complete in Nevada County.

FBN statements must be renewed every five years to stay valid. Search the clerk's records to check if a business name is already in use. This prevents conflicts with existing businesses operating in Nevada County.

California Public Records Act Requests

Nevada County responds to public records requests under the California Public Records Act. This law gives you the right to inspect and copy most government documents. Each department handles requests for the records it maintains in Nevada County.

Submit requests to the specific department that has what you need. Write a clear description of the records you want. Include dates if you know them. The law allows 10 days for the initial response. An extension of 14 days is possible for complex requests that require searching many files in Nevada County.

No reason is required for your request. You do not have to explain why you want the records. The agency can charge for copying and staff time if your request takes many hours. Ask about fees before they start work. Some records are exempt, like personnel files and active investigations in Nevada County.

Birth, death, and marriage records are not CPRA records. You get those through normal vital records procedures. Court cases follow different access rules. Other government documents like contracts, emails, and reports usually fall under CPRA in Nevada County.

Ways to Access Records

Nevada County offers several ways to get public records. Pick the method that fits your situation.

Online searches work for court cases and some property records. Use county and court websites to find basic information. Most searches are free. You pay when you order copies or certified documents from Nevada County.

In-person visits work best for same-day service and viewing full files. Go to the courthouse for case files. Visit the Clerk-Recorder for property and vital records. Bring valid ID and payment. Staff will help you find records and make copies on the spot.

Mail requests are good if you live far from Nevada City or Truckee. Write what you need, include payment, and send it to the right office. Processing takes longer but saves travel time. Check for current fees and addresses before mailing to Nevada County.

Phone calls can answer basic questions about hours, fees, and requirements. Staff cannot read files to you over the phone. Call ahead to confirm details before visiting Nevada County offices.

Legal Basis for Access

California law requires most government records to be public. The state constitution declares that public records shall be open to inspection. The Public Records Act in Government Code Division 10 sets procedures. These laws apply to Nevada County and all other local agencies.

Court records follow California Rules of Court. Rule 2.503 says case files are public unless sealed or made confidential by law. Juvenile cases always stay sealed. Some family law and criminal records have restricted access to protect victims and children in Nevada County cases.

Vital records access is controlled by Health and Safety Code Section 103526. This law lists who can get certified copies. The list includes parents, spouses, children, grandparents, and legal representatives. Unauthorized persons cannot get certified copies even with a CPRA request in Nevada County.

Property records have been public since early California history. Recording laws require documents to be filed in the county where the property is located. Once recorded, they become public for anyone to see. This protects buyers and lenders by giving notice of claims against real estate in Nevada County.

Cities and Towns

Nevada County includes several small cities and towns. Most have populations under 100,000. Each incorporated city runs its own government and keeps records about city operations. Contact the city clerk for local government documents.

Note: Court cases and vital records go through county offices regardless of which city you live in within Nevada County.

Adjacent Counties

Nevada County borders several other counties. If you need records from a neighboring jurisdiction, contact that county's offices directly.

Bordering counties: Placer County, Yuba County, Sierra County, Plumas County