Tehama County Records Search

Public records in Tehama County cover a broad spectrum of government documents held by local offices. The County Clerk's office processes vital records such as birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses for events occurring within the county. Real property records including deeds, mortgages, and liens are maintained by the County Recorder. Superior Court files hold case records from civil litigation, criminal prosecutions, family law proceedings, probate matters, and small claims disputes. Property assessment information comes from the Assessor's office. Many of these records can be searched online while others require visits to county offices in Red Bluff. California law provides public access to most government documents through the California Public Records Act and specific statutes governing different record types.

Tehama County Clerk-Recorder

The Clerk-Recorder serves as the central filing office for vital records and property documents. Birth, death, and marriage certificates are issued here for events in Tehama County. State law sets the fees. Birth and death certificates cost $24 per copy as of January 2026. This reflects a $2 increase under Assembly Bill 64. Marriage certificates also cost $24 per copy.

Only certain people can get vital records. For births, parents can order copies. So can the person named on the certificate once they reach adulthood. Spouses, children, grandparents, and attorneys representing these parties also qualify. Death certificates have broader access. Many people with a direct interest can get them. Bring ID when you request vital records. The office checks your relationship before releasing copies.

Property documents are recorded here too. Deeds transfer ownership. Mortgages secure loans with real estate as collateral. Liens enforce debts against property. All these become public records when filed. You can search the Tehama County Clerk-Recorder website for recorded instruments. The database holds indexes to help you find documents by name, date, or property location.

Marriage licenses are issued by the Clerk. Couples apply in person. Both must appear with valid ID. The license is good for 90 days. After the ceremony, the officiant returns the license for recording. Then you can order certified copies of the marriage certificate in Tehama County.

Superior Court Records

Court files document legal proceedings in Tehama County. Civil cases involve lawsuits between parties. Criminal cases charge defendants with offenses. Family law handles divorce, custody, and support. Probate administers estates of deceased persons. Small claims resolve minor disputes without lawyers.

The Superior Court maintains files for all these case types. Visit the court's website at tehama.courts.ca.gov for general information. Some records may be searchable online. Others require in-person visits to the courthouse. Case records are public unless sealed by law or court order.

Juvenile cases stay confidential. These include delinquency matters when a minor is charged with a crime. Dependency cases involve children removed from parents. Adoption records are sealed. Family law cases may have limited online access to protect privacy, especially when children are involved in Tehama County.

To get copies of court documents, go to the clerk's office at the courthouse. Bring the case number if you have it. Without a case number, provide names and approximate dates. Clerks will search indexes. Copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies need an additional fee for the court seal and certificate of authenticity.

The main courthouse is located at 1775 Yosemite Boulevard in Red Bluff. Hours are Monday through Friday except court holidays. Call ahead to verify hours before making a trip. Staff can answer questions about procedures but cannot give legal advice about your case.

Real Estate and Tax Records

Property ownership information exists in two main places. The Recorder files deeds when land changes hands. These show who bought property and when. Each deed describes the parcel and names the parties. Anyone can search these public records in Tehama County.

The Assessor keeps separate records for tax purposes. Check the Tehama County Assessor website to look up property by address or parcel number. You will see the owner's name, assessed value, and property characteristics. This helps with real estate research and tax appeals.

Liens show up in recorder files. Tax liens arise from unpaid property taxes. Mechanic's liens secure payment for construction work. Judgment liens enforce court orders for money owed. These all attach to land titles. Check recorder records before buying property to find any liens that might affect your purchase in Tehama County.

Get copies of recorded documents by contacting the Clerk-Recorder. You need enough information to locate the document. This might be a document number, book and page reference, or property address. Staff will search and print copies. Fees depend on page count. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. Most offices charge a base fee plus per-page charges.

Birth, Death, and Marriage Certificates

Vital records document important life events. Birth certificates prove age and identity. They are needed for school, passports, and many other purposes. Death certificates are required to settle estates and claim benefits. Marriage certificates show legal unions. All three types are available from the Clerk-Recorder in Tehama County.

You have several ways to order. Online ordering may use VitalChek. This third-party vendor adds convenience fees to the base county charge. Mail orders avoid extra fees but take longer. Send a letter with your request, payment, and proof of eligibility. In-person requests can sometimes get same-day service if the record is on file and you bring proper ID.

Records need time to become available after the event. Birth records usually file within 10 days. Death records can take several weeks depending on how fast the attending physician completes paperwork. Marriage records are available after the officiant returns the signed license. If you order before the record is filed, the office will search and find nothing. They keep your fee as a search charge. This is allowed under California Health and Safety Code provisions governing vital records in Tehama County.

For faster service on recent vital records, try the county office instead of the state. The California Department of Public Health in Sacramento has all state vital records. But they take 5 to 7 weeks to process requests. County offices often provide faster turnaround for events that occurred locally.

California Public Records Act

Government documents are generally public in California. The California Public Records Act gives you the right to inspect and copy most agency records. This applies to all Tehama County departments. Send requests to the office that keeps the records you want.

Be specific in your request. Describe the records clearly. Give date ranges if you can. Name people or topics involved. The more details you provide, the easier it is for staff to find what you want. No reason is required. You do not have to explain why you want the records. Agencies cannot ask about your purpose.

The law gives agencies 10 calendar days to respond. They must tell you if they have the records and when you can see them. If more time is needed, they can extend by 14 days. Extensions are only for unusual circumstances like very large requests or when records must be gathered from multiple locations in Tehama County.

Some records are exempt. Personnel files stay private. Attorney work product is privileged. Active investigation records may be withheld. Preliminary drafts and notes are not final public records. The agency must cite a specific law to deny access. You can challenge improper denials through legal action if needed.

Fees apply for copies and staff time. Electronic records sent by email are often free. Paper copies cost per page. Complex requests requiring hours of staff work can result in higher fees. Ask about costs before the agency starts searching. They should give you an estimate for large requests.

Note: Vital records and property documents are not CPRA requests. You buy those through normal procedures.

Available Public Records

Tehama County maintains many types of records. Each has different access rules and fees. Common categories include:

• Court cases from civil, criminal, family, probate, and small claims proceedings
• Birth, death, and marriage certificates
• Real estate deeds, mortgages, and reconveyances
• Property tax assessments and parcel information
• Fictitious business name filings
• Marriage licenses and applications
• Liens and judgments affecting real property

Records serve different purposes. Court files resolve disputes. Vital records prove identity. Property documents show ownership. Business filings establish legal entities. Tax records support assessments. Each type has its own procedures in Tehama County.

Access methods vary by record type. Some are searchable online for free. Others cost money to view or copy. In-person visits may be required for full files. Mail requests work if you know exactly what you need. Phone calls can answer questions but staff will not read files over the phone.

Getting Your Records

Multiple options exist for accessing records. Online databases work well for initial searches. County websites often have search tools. Courts post case indexes. Recorders provide document searches. Assessors show property data. These let you find basic information from home without visiting an office.

In-person visits give you access to full files. Go to the courthouse to view complete case files. Visit the Recorder to examine property documents. Bring ID if you plan to request vital records or sensitive information. Most offices are open Monday through Friday. Call ahead to confirm hours and bring enough money for copy fees.

Written requests work when you cannot visit in person. Mail a letter describing what you need. Include your contact information and payment. Check agency websites for current fees and mailing addresses. Allow several weeks for processing. Requests by mail always take longer than in-person visits to Tehama County offices.

Phone calls help with questions. Staff can explain procedures and fees. They can tell you what ID or forms are needed. But they cannot search files or read documents over the phone. Use phone calls to plan your visit or mail request.

Laws and Statutes

Several California laws govern public records access. The California Public Records Act appears in Government Code Division 10. This replaced the old structure in Chapter 3.5 of the Government Code. Read the full text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov to understand your rights under CPRA.

Court records follow California Rules of Court. Rule 2.503 covers what case records are available at courthouses. Rule 2.540 addresses government agency access to electronic court records. Juvenile confidentiality comes from Welfare and Institutions Code provisions. Family law restrictions appear in Family Code sections and court rules protecting children's privacy.

Vital records access is controlled by Health and Safety Code Section 103526. This section defines who can get certified copies. The law protects privacy while allowing access to those with legitimate needs. Clerks must verify your relationship to the person on the certificate before releasing records in Tehama County.

Property recording requirements come from Government Code sections. Once a document is recorded, it becomes public. Anyone can search and copy recorded instruments. This promotes transparency in real estate transactions and protects buyers from hidden claims against property.

Nearby Counties

Tehama County borders several neighboring counties. If you need records from another jurisdiction, contact that county's offices. Each county has its own procedures and fees.

Adjacent counties: Shasta County, Plumas County, Butte County, Glenn County, Mendocino County, Trinity County