San Bernardino County Public Records

What Is Public Records in The San Bernardino County?

Public records in San Bernardino County encompass a wide range of official documents, files, and information maintained by county government agencies that are accessible to the public pursuant to the California Public Records Act (CPRA), Government Code § 6250-6276.48. These records document the business of government and are created, received, retained, maintained, or filed by county officials as part of their official duties.

San Bernardino County maintains the following categories of public records:

Property Records - Deeds, mortgages, liens, property tax assessments, and property ownership histories maintained by the County Assessor-Recorder-Clerk
Vital Records - Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and domestic partnership registrations
Court Records - Civil case files, criminal case files, probate records, family court records, and traffic citations available through the Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino
Business Records - Fictitious business name statements, business licenses, and professional licenses
Election Records - Voter registration data, election results, campaign finance disclosures, and ballot measures maintained by the Registrar of Voters
Financial Records - County budgets, expenditure reports, contracts, and financial audits
Tax Records - Property tax assessments, tax rates, and payment records available through the Treasurer-Tax Collector
Law Enforcement Records - Arrest records, incident reports, and crime statistics from the Sheriff's Department
Land Use Records - Zoning maps, building permits, environmental impact reports, and development plans
Public Health Records - Restaurant inspections, health code violations, and public health statistics from the Health and Human Services Agency
Meeting Records - Board of Supervisors meeting minutes, agendas, and video recordings

Is San Bernardino County an Open Records County?

San Bernardino County is an open records county that adheres to the provisions of the California Public Records Act (CPRA). The county's commitment to transparency is formalized in its Public Records Policy, which states that "all information in the County's possession is public unless specifically exempted by law."

Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(a), public records are open to inspection during regular office hours of county government agencies. The law stipulates that "every person has a right to inspect any public record," with certain exceptions established by statute. San Bernardino County has implemented this mandate through:

The creation of a centralized Public Records Portal for submitting and tracking records requests
Development of the Open Data Portal providing direct access to county datasets
Establishment of public access terminals at county facilities
Publication of records request procedures on department websites
Training county staff on public records compliance

The County Board of Supervisors has further demonstrated commitment to transparency through Resolution No. 2019-132, which directs all county departments to "maximize public access to government records while balancing the need to protect confidential information as required by law."

How Do I Find Public Records in San Bernardino County in 2025

Members of the public may access San Bernardino County records through multiple channels established to facilitate transparency and compliance with state law. The primary methods for obtaining public records include:

Online Access:

The San Bernardino County Public Records Portal allows users to submit requests electronically, track request status, and receive documents digitally
The County Recorder's Official Records Search provides access to property records, including deeds, liens, and maps
The Superior Court's Case Information Portal enables searches of court cases and dockets
The Open Data Portal offers downloadable datasets on county operations, finances, and services

In-Person Requests:

Individuals may visit the appropriate county department during regular business hours to inspect or request copies of records
The County Recorder's Office maintains public terminals for searching property records
The County Clerk's Office provides access to vital records and business filings
The Superior Court maintains public access terminals for court records

Written Requests:

Written requests may be submitted by mail to the specific department holding the desired records
Requests should include specific information identifying the records sought, contact information, and preferred delivery method
Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(c), agencies must respond to requests within 10 calendar days, with a possible 14-day extension for complex requests

Telephone Requests:

Some routine records may be requested by telephone, though written follow-up may be required
Staff can provide guidance on the appropriate request method for specific record types

How Much Does It Cost To Get Public Records In San Bernardino County?

San Bernardino County charges fees for certain public records in accordance with Government Code § 6253(b), which permits agencies to recover "direct costs of duplication" or statutory fees established by law. The fee structure for public records in San Bernardino County is as follows:

General Document Reproduction:

Standard paper copies: $0.10 per page (8.5" x 11" or 8.5" x 14")
Large format documents: $3.00 per page (maps, blueprints, etc.)
Electronic records provided on CD/DVD: $5.00 per disc
Electronic records provided via email or download: No charge

Vital Records (County Clerk):

Birth Certificate: $32.00 per certified copy
Death Certificate: $24.00 per certified copy
Marriage Certificate: $17.00 per certified copy
Marriage License (public): $89.00
Marriage License (confidential): $100.00

Property Records (Recorder's Office):

Recorded documents: $2.00 for first page, $0.50 each additional page
Certified copies of recorded documents: $2.00 for first page, $0.50 each additional page, plus $1.00 certification fee
Maps and plats: $3.00 per page

Court Records (Superior Court):

Case file copies: $0.50 per page
Certified copies: $0.50 per page plus $40.00 certification fee
Search of records: $15.00 per name/case
Complex or voluminous requests: Additional fees may apply

Payment may be made by cash, check, money order, or credit card (where available). Pursuant to Government Code § 6253.9(a)(2), if a request requires data compilation, extraction, or programming, the requestor may be charged for the cost of producing the record.

Does San Bernardino County Have Free Public Records?

San Bernardino County provides certain public records at no cost to requestors in accordance with state law and county policy. The following records are available without charge:

Online Resources:

All records accessible through the San Bernardino County Open Data Portal are provided free of charge
Board of Supervisors meeting agendas, minutes, and video recordings
County budgets and financial reports
Election results and campaign finance disclosures through the Registrar of Voters
Property assessment information (basic ownership and value data)
Restaurant inspection reports and health code violations

In-Person Inspection:

Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(a), all public records may be inspected at no cost during regular business hours
Public terminals at county facilities allow free viewing of electronic records
Self-service research at the San Bernardino County Law Library provides access to legal resources

Fee Waivers:

Fee waivers may be granted when disclosure would primarily benefit the general public
Indigent individuals may qualify for fee waivers for certain vital records as specified in Health and Safety Code § 103628
Veterans may obtain free copies of certain records related to military service

Reduced Fees for Specific Groups:

Government agencies requesting records for official purposes
Non-profit organizations conducting research in the public interest (with proper documentation)
Academic researchers affiliated with educational institutions

Who Can Request Public Records In San Bernardino County?

The right to access public records in San Bernardino County extends to all persons, regardless of citizenship, residency, or purpose. Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(a), "every person has a right to inspect any public record" with certain statutory exceptions. The following entities may request public records:

Individual citizens and residents of any location
Business entities, corporations, and partnerships
Non-profit organizations and advocacy groups
Media organizations and journalists
Government agencies at local, state, and federal levels
Academic researchers and educational institutions
Legal representatives and attorneys
Incarcerated individuals (though subject to certain limitations)

Requestors are not required to:

Provide identification (except for certain records like vital statistics)
State the purpose of their request
Explain why they want the records
Be a resident of San Bernardino County or California
Be a United States citizen

The county may ask for contact information solely for the purpose of communicating about the request and providing the records. Anonymous requests are permitted for general public records, though certain statutory records may require identification verification.

What Records Are Confidential In San Bernardino County?

San Bernardino County maintains certain records that are exempt from public disclosure pursuant to specific provisions of the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6254) and other state and federal laws. These confidential records include:

Personal Privacy Protections:

Personnel records of county employees (§ 6254(c))
Medical and health records (§ 6254(c) and HIPAA)
Individual tax returns and financial information
Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and other personal identifiers
Juvenile court records (Welfare and Institutions Code § 827)
Adoption records (Family Code § 9200)
Confidential marriage licenses (Family Code § 511)

Law Enforcement and Security Records:

Active criminal investigation records (§ 6254(f))
Confidential informant information (§ 6254(f))
Security procedures and vulnerability assessments (§ 6254(aa))
Critical infrastructure information (§ 6254(ab))
Certain law enforcement personnel records (Penal Code § 832.7)

Legal and Administrative Exemptions:

Records protected by attorney-client privilege (§ 6254(k))
Pending litigation records (§ 6254(b))
Preliminary drafts and notes not retained in the ordinary course of business (§ 6254(a))
Records related to agency deliberative process (§ 6254(a))
Test questions and scoring keys for licensing examinations (§ 6254(g))

Other Protected Records:

Library patron records (Government Code § 6267)
Voter registration information for confidential voters (Elections Code § 2166)
Child abuse reports (Penal Code § 11167.5)
Elder abuse reports (Welfare and Institutions Code § 15633)
Certain environmental and natural resource location information (§ 6254.7)

Requests for exempt records will be denied with citation to the specific legal authority supporting the exemption. In some cases, records may be provided with exempt information redacted pursuant to Government Code § 6253(a).

San Bernardino County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-Clerk
222 West Hospitality Lane, First Floor
San Bernardino, CA 92415-0018
(855) 732-2575
San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-Clerk

Public Counter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays

Branch Offices:

Hesperia Branch Office
15900 Smoke Tree Street
Hesperia, CA 92345
(855) 732-2575

Apple Valley Branch Office
14955 Dale Evans Parkway
Apple Valley, CA 92307
(855) 732-2575

Services Provided:

Recording of deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents
Issuance of certified copies of birth, death, and marriage certificates
Filing of fictitious business name statements
Processing of marriage licenses
Notary public oath and bonds
Military discharge recordings (DD-214)
Mining claim recordings

Document Recording Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Research Services:
Public terminals for searching recorded documents are available during regular business hours. Historical records dating back to 1853 are accessible through the Recorder's Office.

Online Services:
The Official Records Search provides access to property records from 1980 to present. Certified copies of vital records may be ordered online through the county website.