Santa Cruz County Record Search

Santa Cruz County public records include court documents, vital certificates, property deeds, and government files maintained by various county offices. The County Recorder maintains real estate records and vital certificates for births, deaths, and marriages. Superior Court keeps case files for civil, criminal, family law, probate, and small claims matters. Many records are searchable online through county and court databases. You can also request documents under the California Public Records Act. Fees and processing times vary based on record type and how you submit your request to Santa Cruz County.

County Recorder Services

The Santa Cruz County Recorder maintains official documents for the county. As County Recorder, they file and preserve real estate deeds, deeds of trust, liens, and other property instruments. They also maintain vital records including birth, death, and marriage certificates. The office issues certified copies of vital records to authorized persons under state law.

The Recorder's office is at 701 Ocean Street, Room 310 in Santa Cruz. Hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The office closes for lunch from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Visit recorder.santacruzcountyca.gov for online services and information.

You can search property records online through the county's document search system. The database lets you find recorded documents by name, document type, or property address. Images of recorded documents may be viewable online depending on the date recorded. Recent documents are easier to access electronically in Santa Cruz County.

Birth certificates cost $24 per copy. Death certificates cost $24. Marriage certificates cost $24. These fees increased in January 2026 under Assembly Bill 64. Only authorized persons can order vital records. This includes parents, adult children, spouses, legal guardians, and estate representatives. Bring photo ID to prove your identity and relationship to the person on the certificate.

Superior Court Records

Santa Cruz Superior Court handles all trial court cases for the county. The court operates two main locations. The main courthouse is at 701 Ocean Street in Santa Cruz. A branch courthouse serves the Watsonville area. Each location handles different case types and serves different geographic parts of the county.

You can search court records through the court's online case access system. Basic case information appears in public indexes. This includes party names, case numbers, filing dates, and hearing schedules. More detailed documents may require in-person inspection or an account with the court's electronic filing system.

Civil cases include unlimited jurisdiction matters over $25,000 and limited civil under that amount. Criminal cases range from misdemeanors to felonies. Family law covers divorce, custody, support, and restraining orders. Probate handles wills, trusts, conservatorships, and guardianships. Small claims has a $10,000 limit for individuals and $5,000 for businesses in Santa Cruz County.

The court charges fees for copies and research. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. Online access may have fees for detailed records. Court staff can help you locate case files if you have party names and approximate filing dates. Some records must be viewed at the courthouse rather than accessed remotely.

Not all court records are public. Juvenile dependency and delinquency cases remain confidential. Sealed records require a court order to access. Family law cases show limited information online due to privacy protections. If you need sealed records, you must file a motion with the court and get permission from the judge.

Real Estate and Property Documents

Property documents are recorded with the County Recorder to give public notice. When you buy or sell real estate, the deed must be recorded. Mortgages and deeds of trust secure loans. Liens protect creditors. All these documents become part of the public record once filed in Santa Cruz County.

Search property records online or at the recorder's office. The index organizes documents by grantor, grantee, and property address. Each recorded document gets a unique instrument number. Use this number to retrieve the document image. Some older records exist only on microfilm or in paper files.

Recording fees depend on document type and page count. The first page costs more. Real estate transfers pay higher fees than simple releases. Documentary transfer tax may apply to sales. Check the fee schedule on the recorder's website before submitting documents for recording in Santa Cruz County.

The Assessor's Office maintains separate tax assessment records. These show property values and ownership for tax purposes. Assessment information is public. The Assessor does not record documents but tracks ownership changes for taxation. Property tax records are searchable through the Assessor's website.

Birth, Death, and Marriage Certificates

Santa Cruz County issues certified vital records for events within the county. Birth certificates cost $24 per copy. Death certificates cost $24. Marriage certificates cost $24. These fees reflect the January 2026 increase. Additional copies ordered at the same time cost less per copy.

You can order vital records online, by mail, or in person. Online orders through VitalChek include convenience fees. Mail orders take longer but have no extra fees. In-person service at the Recorder's office can provide same-day copies if the record is available. Bring valid photo ID and payment.

Only authorized persons can obtain certified copies. Parents can order children's birth certificates. Adult children can get their own or their parents' records. Spouses can order each other's death certificates. Legal guardians need court documents proving guardianship. Attorneys must show they represent an authorized person under Santa Cruz County procedures.

Birth records appear in the system within days of the birth. Death records take several weeks after the death to process. Marriage records become available after the ceremony and certification by the officiant. If you order before the record is filed, you get a Certificate of No Record. The fee is kept as a search charge as authorized by state law.

For recent vital events, order from Santa Cruz County for faster service than the state. The California Department of Public Health takes 5 to 7 weeks to process requests. County processing is usually much quicker for local records.

Public Records Act Requests

The California Public Records Act gives you the right to inspect government records. Each county department maintains its own files. Direct your request to the correct agency. Many departments accept CPRA requests through email or online forms in Santa Cruz County.

Submit your request in writing. Be specific about what records you want. Include date ranges and subject matter. The agency has 10 days to respond. They can extend by 14 days if needed. No reason is required for your request. You do not need to provide ID for most CPRA requests.

Fees apply for copying and staff time. Electronic records usually cost less than paper. Simple requests may be free. Complex requests requiring extensive staff work can be expensive. Ask for a fee estimate before the agency spends significant time on your request in Santa Cruz County.

Some records are exempt from disclosure. Examples include personnel files, attorney-client communications, and active investigations. Medical records have privacy protections. The agency must cite specific legal authority to withhold records. You can challenge denials if you believe the exemption does not apply.

Types of Records Available

Santa Cruz County maintains many categories of public records. Each type has different access rules and fees:

• Civil, criminal, family, probate, and small claims court cases
• Birth, death, and marriage certificates
• Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
• Fictitious business name statements
• Marriage license applications
• Assessment rolls and property tax information
• Environmental health permits

Different offices manage different record types. Court records come from the Superior Court. Vital records and property documents come from the Recorder. Tax assessments come from the Assessor. Business licenses may come from individual cities rather than the county in Santa Cruz County.

Some records are free to search but cost money to copy. Others have search fees. Certified copies always cost more than plain copies. Ask about fees when you request records from county offices.

How to Obtain Records

Several methods exist to get public records in Santa Cruz County. Online searches work for basic information. The court has case search tools. The recorder offers property searches. These databases let you find information without visiting offices in person.

In-person visits provide full access to files. Visit the courthouse to review case files. Go to the recorder's office to examine property documents. Staff can help you find what you need. Bring valid ID and payment. In-person service is often the fastest option for Santa Cruz County records.

Mail requests work when you know exactly what you want. Write a clear description of the records. Include payment and your return address. Processing takes weeks for mail requests. Some offices require specific forms. Check the agency website before mailing your request to county offices.

Phone calls can answer basic questions. Staff cannot read files to you over the phone. They can tell you hours, fees, and required documents. Call ahead to confirm office locations and requirements before visiting in person.

Legal Authority for Record Access

California law provides broad public access to government records. The California Public Records Act is in Government Code Division 10. It applies to all state and local agencies including Santa Cruz County. Records are presumed public unless a specific exemption applies.

Common exemptions protect personnel privacy, attorney work product, and active investigations. Agencies must cite legal authority when withholding records. You can challenge denials through administrative appeals or court action. Courts review agency decisions for proper application of exemptions under state law.

Court records follow California Rules of Court. Rule 2.503 governs public access at courthouses. Some records are confidential by statute. Juvenile cases are sealed. Certain family law information is restricted. Courts can seal records for good cause after notice and hearing.

Vital records access is governed by Health and Safety Code Section 103526. Only authorized persons with direct interest can get certified copies. This protects privacy while allowing legitimate access. Property records are public by tradition. Anyone can search and copy recorded real estate documents in Santa Cruz County.

Cities in Santa Cruz County

Santa Cruz County includes four incorporated cities and unincorporated areas. Each city maintains local government records. City records include council minutes, permits, and contracts. Contact city offices for municipal records in Santa Cruz County.

Cities include Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Scotts Valley, and Capitola. None of these cities meets the 100,000 population threshold for dedicated pages on this site. You can search their public records through city halls or websites. Court cases and vital records for all cities go through county offices regardless of which city you live in.

Nearby Counties

Santa Cruz County borders several other California counties. If you need records from a neighboring jurisdiction, contact that county directly. Each maintains separate systems and procedures for public records.

Adjacent counties: Santa Clara County, San Mateo County, Monterey County, San Benito County