Riverside County Records Database

Public records in Riverside County include birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, court cases, real estate deeds, and business filings. The Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder office at 2724 Gateway Drive in Riverside handles vital records and property documents. Superior Court operates courthouses in Riverside, Indio, and other cities across the county with civil, criminal, family, and probate files. Search many records online through county portals. Visit offices in person to view full case files and order certified copies. Fees depend on the type of record you need. Some searches are free while certified copies cost money. Processing times vary from instant results to several weeks for mail orders from Riverside County.

Birth, Death, and Marriage Certificates

Riverside County maintains vital records for all births, deaths, and marriages that happen within county lines. The Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder issues certified copies to people who prove their right to get them. State law restricts who can order vital records. Parents, spouses, children, grandparents, and legal representatives qualify. You must show valid ID and explain your relationship to the person named on the certificate when you apply for Riverside County records.

Apply for vital records at rivcoacr.org/BirthDeathMarriageCertificates to start your order online or learn about in-person and mail options. The site lists current fees, required ID, and processing times. Online orders go through a third-party vendor that adds convenience fees. Mail and in-person orders avoid the extra charge but may take longer to complete in Riverside County.

Birth certificates cost $24 per copy. Death certificates also cost $24. Marriage certificates are $24 too. These prices follow state law and changed in January 2026 under Assembly Bill 64. Add more if you want rush service or special delivery methods from Riverside County offices.

Birth records usually show up in the system about two weeks after the event. Death records take longer, often eight weeks or more. Marriage records arrive after the officiant returns the signed license to the county. If you order before the record is filed, you will get a Certificate of No Record and the county keeps your fee as a search charge. Wait until enough time has passed before ordering from Riverside County.

Online Records Search

Riverside County offers web access to many types of public records. The records search portal lets you find property documents, vital records information, and other recorded papers. This tool is free to use for basic searches. You pay only when you order copies or certified documents from Riverside County.

Visit webselfservice.riversideacr.com/Web to access the search system. Enter names, dates, document numbers, or property addresses to locate records. Results show brief details about each document. Click through to see more information or request copies. Some records let you view images online. Others require you to place an order and wait for delivery from Riverside County.

The portal covers property deeds, mortgages, liens, vital record indexes, and business filings. It does not include court cases. For court records you must use the Superior Court website or visit a courthouse in person. The Clerk-Recorder and court system maintain separate databases in Riverside County.

You can search back many years. Older records may not have images available online. Call the Clerk-Recorder office to ask about historic documents and whether staff can retrieve them. Some very old records exist only on microfilm or paper in storage. These require special requests and may take time to locate in Riverside County archives.

Superior Court Case Files

Riverside County Superior Court hears cases in five locations. The main courthouse is in Riverside. Other courthouses serve Indio, Banning, Temecula, and other cities. Each location handles different case types. Civil, criminal, family, probate, and small claims all get filed in Riverside County courts.

Search court cases online through the county court portal. This free tool shows case numbers, parties, filing dates, and hearing schedules. It does not display full documents. To see pleadings, motions, and exhibits, you must visit the courthouse or order copies by mail from Riverside County.

Not all cases appear in public searches. Juvenile cases are sealed by law. Family law cases may have restricted information to protect children and victims of abuse. Criminal cases can have confidential reports. If the online search finds nothing, the case might be confidential or filed in a different county, not Riverside County.

Copy fees are 50 cents per page for paper. Certified copies cost extra for the seal and clerk signature. Some courts offer electronic copies at lower rates. Ask the clerk about current prices when you request documents. Processing times vary depending on how busy the courthouse is in Riverside County.

Real Estate Documents

All property deals in Riverside County must be recorded with the County Clerk-Recorder. Deeds show ownership. Mortgages secure loans. Liens protect people owed money. These papers become public once they are filed. Anyone can search and get copies.

The Recorder's office keeps these documents in a permanent archive. You can search by owner name, property address, or document number. The online system shows when each paper was recorded and gives you a reference number. Use that number to order copies if you need them for Riverside County properties.

Property records help with title searches, background checks, and research. They show who owned land over time. Loan papers reveal how properties were financed. Foreclosure documents indicate defaults and sales. All this is kept in Riverside County files going back to the 1800s.

The Assessor's Office keeps different records about property values and taxes. These show the current owner, mailing address, and assessed worth. Search the assessor database to find tax information. This office does not record new documents but tracks values for tax purposes in Riverside County.

Fictitious Business Names

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

Search for business name filings through the online records portal. Enter the business name or owner name to find active statements. Results show when the filing was made, when it expires, and where the business operates. FBN statements must be renewed every five years to stay valid in Riverside County.

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

CPRA Requests

Riverside County responds to California Public Records Act requests for government documents. Each department keeps its own files and handles requests for the records it maintains. The CPRA gives you the right to inspect and copy most public documents with some exceptions for things like personnel files and active investigations.

Submit requests to the specific department that has the records you want. County websites list contact information for each department. Write a clear description of what you are looking for. 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 Riverside County.

No reason is required for a CPRA 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 to fulfill. Ask about fees before they do the work. Some records are exempt from CPRA, like attorney work product and confidential investigations in Riverside County.

Ways to Get Records

Riverside County offers several ways to access public records. Choose the method that works best for what you need.

Online searches are fastest for basic information. Use county portals to find case details, property records, and vital record indexes. Most searches are free. You pay only when you order copies or certified documents from Riverside County.

In-person visits work when you need same-day service or want to see full files. Go to the courthouse for case files. Visit the Clerk-Recorder for property documents and vital records. Bring valid ID and payment for fees. Staff will help you locate records and make copies on site.

Mail requests are good if you live far away. Write what you need, include payment, and send it to the right office. Processing takes longer but saves travel. Check websites for current fees and mail addresses before sending requests to Riverside County.

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

Laws Governing Record Access

California law requires most government records to be public. The state constitution says public records shall be open. The Public Records Act in Government Code Division 10 sets the rules. These laws apply to Riverside 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 limits to protect people involved in Riverside 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, and legal representatives. Others cannot get certified vital records even with a CPRA request in Riverside County.

Property records have been public since California became a state. Recording laws require documents to be filed where the property is located. Once recorded, they are public for anyone to see. This protects buyers and lenders by showing claims against real estate in Riverside County.

Major Cities

Riverside County includes many cities. Each city runs its own government and keeps records about city business. City records include council meetings, permits, contracts, and police reports. Contact the city clerk for local government documents.

Cities in Riverside County with populations over 100,000: Riverside, Moreno Valley, Corona, Temecula, Murrieta

Note: Court cases and vital records go through county offices no matter which city you live in within Riverside County.

Bordering Counties

Riverside County shares borders with other counties. If you need records from a neighboring area, contact that county's offices directly.

Adjacent counties: San Bernardino County, Orange County, San Diego County, Imperial County