San Bernardino County Records

Public records for San Bernardino County are maintained by multiple county offices spread across the largest county by area in California. The Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk handles vital records including birth and death certificates, property documents, and marriage licenses. Court records go through the Superior Court system which has locations throughout the county. You can search many databases online. Some records require in-person visits or mail requests. Birth certificates cost $24 when ordered from the county office. Property records are searchable at no charge but copies have fees. The California Public Records Act lets you request documents from county departments. Response time is 10 days with possible extensions. San Bernardino County serves over two million residents across desert and mountain communities. Each office has its own procedures and fee schedules for accessing records.

Assessor, Recorder, and County Clerk

San Bernardino County combines these three functions under one elected official. The Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk office has multiple locations. The main office is in San Bernardino. Branch offices serve other parts of the county. As Assessor, they value property for tax purposes. As Recorder, they maintain property documents. As County Clerk, they issue marriage licenses and keep vital records.

Visit arc.sbcounty.gov to search official records online. The site has a database of recorded documents. You can search by name, date, or document number. Images of many documents are available online in San Bernardino County.

The Official Records Search portal at arc.sbcounty.gov lets you search property documents and other recorded files.

Staff can help you find records. They cannot give legal advice. Hours vary by location. Call ahead to confirm when offices are open. Bring ID when requesting vital records or sensitive documents.

Birth and Death Certificates

San Bernardino County issues certified copies of vital records for events within the county. Birth certificates cost $24 per copy. Death certificates cost $24 per copy. These are county fees. The state charges more if you order from Sacramento.

Only authorized people can order vital records. Parents can get their child's birth certificate. Adult children can get parents' death certificates. You must prove your relationship. Bring valid ID. The office verifies eligibility before releasing vital records in San Bernardino County.

Birth records are available about 10 days after birth. Death records take longer to process. If you order too soon, the record may not be filed yet. The county will search and issue a Certificate of No Public Record if nothing is found. They keep the fee as a search charge under state law.

Order vital records in person at county offices. You can request by mail. Some online services add convenience fees. Check the county website for order forms and instructions.

Health and Safety Code Section 103526 controls access to vital records. It lists who can get certified copies. This protects privacy while allowing legitimate access.

Superior Court Case Files

The San Bernardino County Superior Court operates courthouses across the county. Main locations are in San Bernardino, Victorville, and Rancho Cucamonga. Court records include civil, criminal, family law, probate, and small claims cases. The clerk maintains files at each courthouse.

The court website is at sb-court.org. You can search case information online. The system shows case numbers, parties, and basic details. Full documents may require a courthouse visit in San Bernardino County.

Copies of court documents cost $0.50 per page. Certification adds extra fees. Request copies from the clerk at the courthouse where the case was filed. Some documents are available electronically. Others exist only on paper.

Juvenile cases are confidential. Sealed records need a court order to access. Family law cases show limited information online to protect privacy. You can view full files at the courthouse if you are a party or have legal standing.

Note: California Rules of Court govern public access to case records at all California courthouses.

Property Documents and Deeds

Property records are kept by the County Recorder. When real estate is bought or sold, the deed gets recorded. This creates a public record of ownership. Mortgages, liens, and other documents affecting property also get recorded. These form a chain of title for every parcel in San Bernardino County.

You can search property records for free online. The Recorder's database lets you search by address, parcel number, or document number. Many documents are available as digital images. You can view them without visiting an office.

Copies cost money. The fee is per page. Plain copies are cheaper than certified copies. Certification proves the copy matches the original on file. Most real estate deals need certified copies. Order at a county office or request by mail in San Bernardino County.

The Assessor keeps separate property records for tax purposes. Assessed values and property details are public. Search the Assessor database to find ownership information and tax history.

• Grant deeds transfer property from one party to another
• Deeds of trust secure mortgages and loans
• Liens attach to property for unpaid debts
• Easements grant rights to use land for specific purposes
• Parcel maps show property boundaries and divisions

All recorded documents are public. Anyone can search and copy them. No permission is needed to access property records.

Fictitious Business Names

If you do business under a name other than your legal name, you must file a fictitious business name statement. The County Clerk handles these filings. The fee covers filing and publication in a local newspaper as required by law.

Fictitious business name statements are public. You can search them at the Clerk's office. This helps you check if a name is already in use. Statements expire after five years. Renew before expiration to keep using the name in San Bernardino County.

Changes to your business may require a new statement. When you stop using a name, file an abandonment. This keeps the public record accurate.

Public Records Act Requests

San Bernardino County responds to public records requests under the California Public Records Act. Each department keeps its own files. You must contact the right department for the records you want. Be specific about what you need. Include dates, subjects, or document types to help staff locate records.

The law gives 10 days for an initial response. Agencies can extend by 14 days if needed. They must tell you why. Complex requests take longer. Simple requests may be answered quickly in San Bernardino County.

You do not need to give a reason. No ID is required for most records. Fees apply for copying and staff time if the request is extensive. Electronic copies are often free or low cost. Paper copies cost more.

The California Public Records Act is codified in Government Code Division 10. It applies to all state and local agencies.

Some records are exempt. Personnel files, active investigations, and attorney work product are examples. The agency must cite a legal basis to withhold records. You can challenge a denial if you believe it is improper.

Ways to Access Records

Online searches work for many record types. The Recorder, Assessor, and court all have web portals. These let you search from home. Basic information is free. You pay for copies or certified documents.

In-person visits give you full access. Staff can help you locate files. Bring ID and payment. Some records can be viewed but not copied without paying fees. Ask about costs before ordering in San Bernardino County.

Mail requests work if you know what you need. Write a letter with your request. Include payment and return address. Processing takes longer by mail. Some offices have forms you can download.

Phone calls answer basic questions. Staff will not read files over the phone. They can tell you fees, hours, and how to request records. Call ahead to confirm requirements.

Record Fees and Costs

Fees vary by record type. Birth and death certificates cost $24 from the County Clerk. Court copies are $0.50 per page. Property record copies have per-page fees plus certification if needed. Some searches are free. Copies cost money.

Electronic delivery may be cheaper than paper. Rush service adds extra charges. Ask about all fees before ordering in San Bernardino County.

Payment methods include cash, check, money order, and credit card at some locations. Check what forms of payment are accepted before visiting or mailing requests.

Laws Governing Access

The California Public Records Act is the main law for government records. It is in Government Code Division 10. Records are public unless an exemption applies. The burden is on the agency to justify withholding.

Court records follow California Rules of Court. Rule 2.503 covers courthouse access. Rule 2.540 addresses electronic access for government agencies. Some case types are sealed by law. Juvenile cases are confidential under Welfare and Institutions Code sections.

Vital records access is controlled by Health and Safety Code Section 103526. Only authorized persons can get certified copies. This protects privacy while allowing legitimate access for those with direct interest.

Property records are public by tradition and statute. Anyone can search and copy recorded documents in San Bernardino County without giving a reason.

Cities in San Bernardino County

San Bernardino County includes many incorporated cities. Each city government maintains its own records separate from county records. City records include council minutes, permits, contracts, and departmental files. Most cities have public records request procedures.

Major cities in San Bernardino County with populations over 100,000: San Bernardino, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Victorville, Hesperia, Chino, Chino Hills, Rialto

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

Nearby Counties

San Bernardino County borders several other counties. If you need records from a neighboring jurisdiction, contact that county directly. Each has its own offices and procedures.

Adjacent counties: Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, Kern County, Inyo County