Where to Look in California
The six most productive places to start a people search in California. Each links directly to the official record source.
Official California Sources
State-level databases and agency record portals.
California Courts
Dockets, civil & criminal case filings, judgments.
Property & Tax Records
Deeds, assessor data, owner history, liens.
Inmates & Offenders
State prison rosters, sex offender registries, jails.
Vital Records
Birth, death, marriage, divorce — certified records.
California FAQ
Laws, fees, turnaround, and common questions.
1Table of Contents
- 1. About People Search in California
- 2. Best Starting Points in California
- 3. Official State Sources
- 4. Court Records
- 5. Property and Tax Records
- 6. Business and Licensing Records
- 7. Corrections and Inmate Tools
- 8. Vital Records
- 9. Voter Registration
- 10. Archive, Genealogy, and Obituary Resources
- 11. County and City Resources
- 12. People Search Tips for California
- 13. Privacy and Legal Framework
- 14. Frequently Asked Questions
2About People Search in California
Conducting a people search in California requires navigating one of the most complex, decentralized public record architectures in the United States. The cornerstone of government transparency here is the California Public Records Act (CPRA), recently recodified in 2023 under Gov. Code § 7920 et seq. (formerly § 6250). This act mandates that government records remain open to the public, though actual accessibility varies wildly from county to county.
Unlike states with a single portal for all court cases, California relies on its 58 counties. Since the passage of Proposition 220 in 1998, California has operated under a unified trial court system, meaning every county has a single Superior Court handling civil, criminal, family, and probate matters. However, the data systems for these 58 Superior Courts are entirely separate.
Effective background and people research in California means understanding geographical and jurisdictional boundaries. Whether you are dealing with the massive Los Angeles County system or a rural court in Alpine County, knowing exactly where an individual lived, worked, or owned property is the mandatory first step to locating their records.
3Best Starting Points in California
When beginning a search in California, it is critical to cast a wide net using state-level aggregator databases before drilling down into specific county courts or recorders. Official state sources offer the most reliable starting points, free of the paywalls and data-broker inaccuracies common on the open web.
The Judicial Council of California and the California Courts public access portals provide structural guidance, but remember that actual case lookups must be performed at the county level. For state-level checks, start with the Department of Corrections, the Secretary of State, and statewide licensing boards.
4Official State Sources
California provides several centralized databases for specific types of records. These are maintained by official state agencies and should be the backbone of any professional people search.
https://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/
Maintained by the California Department of Justice, this registry provides information on registered sex offenders statewide. Users can search by name, address, or map.
What it's useful for: Statewide background checks and community safety verification.5Court Records
California operates 58 Superior Courts. While some counties have adopted unified systems like Odyssey (Court Connect), the rollout is piecemeal. Large jurisdictions like Los Angeles have fragmented systems for civil versus criminal cases.
For federal cases, researchers must use PACER. California is divided into four federal districts: Central (CDCAL), Eastern (EDCAL), Northern (NDCAL), and Southern (SDCAL). The California Courts of Appeal (6 districts) and the CA Supreme Court maintain their own separate appellate dockets.
6Property and Tax Records
California mandates a strict separation of duties regarding real estate. In every county, the County Assessor is responsible for property valuations and tax mapping, while the County Clerk-Recorder handles the official recording of deeds, liens, and ownership transfers.
To find property owned by an individual, you will typically need to search the Assessor's index. To find the actual deed or mortgage documents, you must query the Clerk-Recorder. Due to privacy laws, California prohibits searching for property by the owner's name on public web portals; researchers must typically search by Assessor's Parcel Number (APN) or property address.
7Business and Licensing Records
California has massive business and professional populations. The Secretary of State's bizfile Online is the central hub for researching corporations, LLCs, LPs, and UCC filings.
For professional licensing, the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) offers a unified license search spanning 40+ boards. This includes the Medical Board, the Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers, and the Contractors State License Board (CSLB). The State Bar of California operates a separate, mandatory search for all licensed attorneys.
8Corrections and Inmate Tools
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) oversees one of the largest prison populations in the country.
https://inmatelocator.cdcr.ca.gov/
This official tool allows the public to search for current inmates housed in California state prisons. It provides CDCR numbers, current locations, and parole eligibility dates.
What it's useful for: Locating individuals currently serving time in state penitentiaries.9Vital Records
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Vital Records office maintains statewide registries for births, deaths, and marriages dating back to 1905. Under California law, only "authorized individuals" (family members, legal representatives) can obtain certified copies of vital records. The general public can only obtain "informational copies," which are redacted.
10Voter Registration
California voter registration records are generally confidential and exempt from public disclosure under the CPRA to protect voter privacy. They are available only for specific political, journalistic, or academic purposes through the Secretary of State or county elections offices.
11Archive, Genealogy, and Obituary Resources
Historical research in California is well-supported. The California State Archives in Sacramento holds vast collections of historical state government records. For genealogical and historical newspaper research, the California Digital Newspaper Collection (CDNC) is an invaluable free resource offering millions of pages of digitized historical newspapers.
12County and City Resources
Because California is highly decentralized, county-level research is paramount. Here is a breakdown of the major jurisdictions:
- Los Angeles County: The LASC is the largest unified trial court in the US, with 38+ courthouses. Key hubs include the Stanley Mosk Courthouse (civil) and Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center. Check the LA County Assessor and the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk in Norwalk.
- San Diego County: Divided into Central, East, South, and North divisions.
- Orange County: Key courts include the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana, Harbor, North, West, and Lamoreaux Juvenile.
- San Francisco County: A consolidated city-county with a unique Assessor-Recorder combined office.
- Other Major Counties: Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Clara (Silicon Valley), Alameda, Sacramento, Contra Costa, Fresno, and Kern.
13People Search Tips for California
14Privacy and Legal Framework
California possesses the world's strongest state consumer privacy laws. The CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act) and CPRA (California Privacy Rights Act) established the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA). Notably, the SB 362 "Delete Act" of 2024 requires data brokers to register with the state.
The California Data Broker Registry (cppa.ca.gov) allows consumers to see who is trading their data. Additionally, California's "Safe at Home" address confidentiality program protects survivors of domestic violence. Marsy's Law provides extensive constitutional rights to crime victims, often resulting in heavy redactions in police reports.
More California Record Tools
Combine a people search with California-specific record searches for a complete profile. These companion directories are already live on PublicRecordCenter.com:
Search People in Other States
Every state's public records system works differently. Click any state for its dedicated people-search directory.
Frequently Asked Questions — California
Is there a statewide criminal search in California?
No. California does not offer a free unified statewide criminal case search. Researchers must search the Superior Court index in each specific county.
How do I find property records in California?
Property searches require looking at two distinct county offices: the County Assessor for valuations and the County Clerk-Recorder for deeds and ownership history.
How do I search California court records?
California has no statewide court records portal — each of the 58 Superior Courts runs its own case search system. Start at courts.ca.gov for the directory, or go directly to the Superior Court website for the county where the case was filed.
How do I order a California birth or death certificate?
Through the CDPH Vital Records office at cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/Vital-Records.aspx, or from the County Recorder where the event occurred. Birth records are restricted to the registrant, parents, and immediate family; death records are public 18+.
How do I find a California inmate?
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation runs an Inmate Locator at inmatelocator.cdcr.ca.gov for state prison inmates. County jail rosters are maintained separately by each county sheriff.
Is the California sex offender registry public?
Yes. Megan's Law California at meganslaw.ca.gov is searchable by name, ZIP code, or city, with free public access. The site shows a partial set of registered sex offenders depending on offense level and statutory exclusions.
How do I verify a California business?
Use the California Secretary of State's bizfileOnline at bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov. The free search returns entity name, file number, agent for service, and status for any registered California corporation, LLC, or partnership.
Can I use California public records for an employment background check?
Only through an FCRA-compliant Consumer Reporting Agency. California adds the ICRAA (Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act) and the CCRAA on top of federal FCRA, plus stricter rules for using criminal history in employment under the Fair Chance Act.
Is California court information online for free?
Yes. The California Courts maintain a Find My Court tool at courts.ca.gov where each county Superior Court publishes its own free public-access portal. The Supreme Court of California also publishes its own opinions and dockets free at supreme.courts.ca.gov.
What is the California Public Records Act?
The California Public Records Act (CPRA), found at Government Code §§ 7920.000-7931.000, gives every person the right to inspect or copy public records held by California state and local agencies. The default presumption is openness, with limited statutory exemptions.
How do I run a California criminal background check on myself?
Through the California DOJ Record Review process at oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/record-review. You'll need a Live Scan fingerprint session and a fee. The DOJ does not allow third-party criminal-history searches except in specific authorized contexts.
Where is the California sex offender registry?
The Megan's Law California website at meganslaw.ca.gov, run by the California Department of Justice. Search free by name, address, or ZIP code.
How do I order a California birth or death certificate?
Through the California Department of Public Health Vital Records office at cdph.ca.gov, or from the County Recorder where the event occurred. Birth records are restricted; death records are publicly available.
Can California public records be used for tenant or employment screening?
Only through an FCRA-compliant Consumer Reporting Agency. California also adds its own ICRAA and CCRAA layers — investigative consumer reports require additional disclosure and consent under California law.