Plumas County Records Lookup

Public records in Plumas County include court cases, vital certificates, property deeds, business filings, and government documents. The County Clerk-Recorder in Quincy handles birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, and real estate recordings. Superior Court maintains case files for civil, criminal, family, and probate matters. Some records can be searched online while others require in-person visits or mail requests. Fees vary by record type and service level. Processing times range from same-day service for walk-in requests to weeks for mail orders from Plumas County offices. This rural county serves a small population but maintains complete public records like all California counties.

County Clerk-Recorder Office

The Plumas County Clerk-Recorder manages vital records and property documents for this rural mountain county. This office records all deeds, mortgages, and liens affecting real estate. They also issue certified copies of birth, death, and marriage certificates for events in Plumas County. The office is at 520 Main Street in Quincy. Walk-in hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Call ahead if you need help finding a specific document.

Birth certificates cost $24 per copy. Death certificates cost $24. Marriage certificates are $24 too. These prices follow state law that changed in January 2026 under Assembly Bill 64. Rush service may be available for extra fees if you need records faster from Plumas County.

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 to Plumas 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 more. Marriage records arrive after the officiant returns the signed 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 in Plumas County.

Superior Court Case Files

Plumas County Superior Court hears all case types including civil, criminal, family, and probate. The courthouse is located at 520 Main Street in Quincy, in the same building as other county offices. The clerk's office helps you search files and request copies of court documents from Plumas County cases.

Some court records may be available through online portals or public access terminals at the courthouse. Basic information like case numbers, parties, and hearing dates often appears in searches. Full documents require you to visit the courthouse or order copies by mail from Plumas County.

Not all records are public. 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 search finds nothing, the case might be sealed or filed in a different county, not Plumas County.

Copy fees follow state law. Paper copies cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies add extra for the clerk's seal and signature. Ask about current prices when you order documents from Plumas County courts.

Real Estate Documents

All property transactions in Plumas County must be recorded with the County Clerk-Recorder. Deeds show ownership transfers. Mortgages secure loans against property. Liens protect creditors. These documents become public once recorded. Anyone can search and order copies from Plumas County.

The recorder's office keeps these documents permanently. 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 other purposes in Plumas County.

Property records help with title searches, background checks, and genealogy research. They show who owned land over time. Loan documents reveal financing details. Foreclosure papers indicate defaults and sales. All this information is kept in Plumas County archives going back to the county's formation in 1854.

The Assessor's Office maintains separate property tax records. These show the assessed value, owner's mailing address, and property characteristics. 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 Plumas County.

Birth, Death, and Marriage Certificates

Plumas 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 when the officiant returns the signed document to Plumas County.

Order vital records in person or by mail. In-person orders at the Quincy office let you get same-day service if the record is ready. Mail orders take longer. Some online services may be available through third-party vendors, but these add convenience fees on top of the county fee for Plumas County certificates.

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

State Record Resources

Some public records are maintained at the state level rather than by Plumas County. The California Department of Public Health keeps copies of vital records after they are recorded by counties. The Secretary of State maintains business entity filings. The State Archives holds historical government documents.

The State Archives at sos.ca.gov/archives holds historical government records from all counties including Plumas County. If you need very old documents that local offices cannot find, the state archives may have them. The research room in Sacramento is open 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

Criminal records are maintained by the California Department of Justice. Visit oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/record-review to learn how to request your own criminal history record. Individual criminal records are not public but people can get copies of their own records for review and correction if needed.

The California Courts website at courts.ca.gov/policy-administration/public-records explains access to judicial administrative records. This site provides information about what court documents are public and how to request them from Plumas County and other courts statewide.

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 County Clerk-Recorder handles these filings for businesses in Plumas 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 Plumas 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 Plumas County.

CPRA Requests

Plumas 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 Plumas 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 in Plumas 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 Plumas 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 Plumas County.

How to Get Records

Plumas County offers several ways to access public records. Choose the method that works for your situation.

Online searches may be available for some court and property records. Check county and court websites for search tools. Most basic searches are free. You pay when you order copies or certified documents from Plumas 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 site in Quincy.

Mail requests are good if you live far from Plumas County. 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 Plumas 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 making the trip to Quincy.

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 Plumas County and all other local agencies in California.

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 Plumas 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 Plumas County.

Property records have been public since early California. Recording laws require documents to be filed in the county where 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 Plumas County.

Communities in Plumas County

Plumas County is a rural mountain county with no cities over 100,000 population. Quincy is the county seat. Other communities include Portola, Chester, and Greenville. Most are unincorporated areas governed by the county. Contact county offices in Quincy for all public records regardless of where you live in Plumas County.

Note: Court cases and vital records go through county offices for all residents of Plumas County.

Bordering Counties

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

Adjacent counties: Lassen County, Sierra County, Nevada County, Butte County