Daly City, California Public Records

This court has jurisdiction over all felony criminal cases, misdemeanor cases, civil cases (including unlimited and limited jurisdiction civil matters with disputes over $25,000 and under $25,000 respectively), family law matters (divorce, custody, support), probate and conservatorship cases, guardianships, and small claims cases (disputes up to $10,000 for individuals, $5,000 for businesses). Traffic infractions and more serious traffic-related criminal charges are also processed through this court. The court also maintains a Northern Branch at 1050 Mission Road, South San Francisco, CA 94080 (phone: 650-877-5400), which handles certain criminal arraignments, traffic matters, and some civil cases. California court records can be searched online through the San Mateo County Superior Court's case search portal at https://www.sanmateocourt.org/online_services/case_search.php, which provides access to civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic case information including case numbers, parties, filing dates, case status, and hearing schedules. Some records, particularly those involving juveniles, sealed cases, or confidential matters, are restricted from online access. To obtain certified copies of court documents, requesters must visit the court clerk's office in person or submit a written request by mail. Fees for certified copies are $25 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page, as set by California Government Code Section 70626. Copies of court file documents are $0.50 per page. Electronic documents may be available through the court's online portal for parties with case access. Remote access fees may apply for certain services.

The Assessor's online property search tool at https://www.smcacre.org/assessor-property-search allows users to search by address, parcel number (Assessor's Parcel Number or APN), or owner name to access property details including current assessed value, property tax information, square footage, year built, and sales history. This searchable database is free and updated regularly. For Daly City properties, typical APN formats begin with numbers in the 009, 010, 011, 012, and 013 series depending on the specific neighborhood. The San Mateo County Recorder's Office, part of the same department at 555 County Center, maintains official recorded documents including grant deeds, deeds of trust, reconveyances, liens (mechanics liens, judgment liens, tax liens), easements, maps, and other documents affecting real property title. Recorded documents dating back to the 1850s are maintained, with many recent documents available for free viewing online through the Official Records Search at https://www.smcacre.org/official-records-search. Users can search by document type, recording date, book and page, or document number. Images of recorded documents from approximately 1994 forward are available for free online viewing. Certified copies of recorded documents cost $10 for the first page and $3 for each additional page. The county also maintains a Geographic Information System (GIS) portal at https://www.smcgov.org/gis providing interactive parcel maps, aerial imagery, zoning information, and other geographic data layers for Daly City and throughout the county. Property owners can view parcel boundaries, flood zones, and other planning information through this free tool.

Major employers include Seton Medical Center, a full-service acute care hospital on the border with Colma employing over 500 staff; the Serramonte Center, a major regional shopping mall with hundreds of retail workers; Jefferson Union High School District and Jefferson Elementary School District, which together employ hundreds of teachers and staff; and the City of Daly City government itself with approximately 500 municipal employees. The city's proximity to San Francisco International Airport (approximately 5 miles north) and downtown San Francisco (directly adjacent to the north) makes it an attractive location for residents commuting to higher-wage jobs in San Francisco's technology and financial services sectors. Daly City has a significant concentration of Filipino-owned businesses, restaurants, and professional services, reflecting the city's status as home to one of the largest Filipino-American populations in the United States. The median household income in Daly City is estimated at approximately $95,000-$105,000, somewhat lower than the San Mateo County median but reflective of the city's working-class and middle-class character compared to wealthier communities further south on the Peninsula. The city's housing stock consists largely of moderate-density residential developments built in the 1950s-1970s, with limited space for new commercial or industrial development due to geographic constraints from San Bruno Mountain and existing development patterns. Retail and service businesses concentrated along Mission Street, Serramonte Boulevard, and the Westlake Shopping Center serve both local residents and regional customers. Recent economic development has focused on revitalization of older commercial corridors and modernization of the Serramonte Center. Daly City's sales tax revenue and property tax base support municipal services, though the city, like others in California, faces fiscal challenges from limited revenue growth and increasing pension obligations. The city's economy is closely integrated with the broader San Mateo County and San Francisco Bay Area economy, benefiting from regional economic growth while facing challenges of housing affordability and competition for commercial development.

The Daly City Police Department, headquartered at 333 90th Street, Daly City, CA 94015 (phone: 650-991-8119, website: https://www.dalycity.org/1097/Police-Department), serves as the primary law enforcement agency for the city's approximately 106,000 residents. The department maintains records of arrests, incident reports, traffic collisions, and calls for service. To request police reports, individuals can visit the Records Unit at the headquarters during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM) or submit written requests. There is typically a fee for copies of reports, and requesters must provide case numbers and valid identification. Reports involving ongoing investigations or juvenile records may be restricted. The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, located at 400 County Center, Redwood City, CA 94063 (phone: 650-363-4911, website: https://www.smcsheriff.com), provides countywide law enforcement services including operation of detention facilities, court security, and service of civil process, though Daly City itself is served by its own police department.

Arrest and jail booking records for individuals detained in San Mateo County can be searched through the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office Inmate Locator at https://www.smcsheriff.com/inmate-locator. This online database displays current inmates housed at the Maguire Correctional Facility in Redwood City and the Maple Street Correctional Center in Redwood City, showing booking dates, charges, bail amounts, booking numbers, and scheduled court dates. Mugshots may be available upon request. Under California's Public Records Act (California Government Code Section 6250-6270), law enforcement records are generally considered public unless they fall under specific exemptions such as ongoing investigations, confidential informants, or records that would endanger officer safety. The California Public Records Act requires agencies to respond to records requests within 10 days, though they may take up to 14 additional days if needed. Requesters should submit written requests specifying the records sought, and agencies may charge for actual duplication costs.

Death certificates for deaths in the county since July 1905 are available for $23 for the first copy and $15 for each additional. Processing typically takes 2-4 weeks for mail requests. Only authorized persons may request certified copies: the person named on the certificate (if 18 or older), parents, legal guardians, children, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, spouses, domestic partners, or legal representatives with proper documentation. Valid government-issued photo identification is required. For births and deaths that occurred elsewhere in California, the California Department of Public Health Vital Records office (phone: 916-445-2684, website: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/Vital-Records.aspx) maintains statewide records from July 1905 forward. Online ordering is available through VitalChek at https://www.vitalchek.com with expedited processing available for additional fees. Marriage licenses are issued by the San Mateo County Clerk-Recorder at 555 County Center, Redwood City; the fee is $110 for a public marriage license or $135 for a confidential marriage license. Couples must appear in person to obtain a license, which is valid for 90 days and must be used within California. Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $18 each. Divorce records are court records maintained by the San Mateo County Superior Court rather than the County Clerk; divorce decrees and dissolution judgments must be requested from the court where the case was heard. California law requires a minimum 10-day waiting period between issuance of a marriage license and the ceremony. Birth records less than 100 years old and death records less than 50 years old have restricted access under California Health and Safety Code Section 103526.

The city maintains a business license database, though it is not publicly searchable online; inquiries can be made by contacting the Finance Department. New businesses should apply before commencing operations, and applications can be submitted in person or by mail. Certain business types may require additional permits or zoning clearances from the Planning Division. Fictitious business name statements ("Doing Business As" or DBA filings) for San Mateo County are filed with the San Mateo County Clerk-Recorder at 555 County Center, Redwood City, CA 94063 (phone: 650-363-4500). The filing fee is $48 for one business name and one owner, with additional fees for multiple names or owners. After filing with the County Clerk, the statement must be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county once a week for four consecutive weeks. DBAs are valid for five years and must be renewed. Searches of existing fictitious business names can be conducted at the Clerk-Recorder's office or through their online database. State-level business entity searches for corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and other registered entities are conducted through the California Secretary of State Business Search at https://bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/search/business. This free database allows searches by entity name, entity number, or registered agent, displaying the entity's status (active, suspended, dissolved), registration date, entity type, registered agent information, and business address. Business entities must file statements of information periodically with the Secretary of State to maintain active status. Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) lien searches for secured transactions are also maintained by the California Secretary of State and can be searched at https://businesssearch.sos.ca.gov. Property tax information for commercial properties in Daly City can be accessed through the San Mateo County Assessor's property search tool at https://www.smcacre.org/assessor-property-search, allowing business owners to look up assessed values and tax obligations for commercial real estate.

Daly City voters are served by the San Mateo County Registration & Elections Division, located at 40 Tower Road, San Mateo, CA 94402 (phone: 650-312-5222, website: https://www.smcacre.org/elections). This office administers all federal, state, county, and municipal elections for Daly City residents, including voter registration, vote-by-mail ballots, polling place assignments, and election results reporting. California voters can register online at https://registertovote.ca.gov up to 15 days before any election, though California also offers Same Day Conditional Voter Registration at vote centers and county elections offices through Election Day. Registration requires providing a California driver's license or identification card number, or the last four digits of a Social Social Security number, along with residential address and date of birth. Eligible citizens must be 18 years old by Election Day, U.S. citizens, and residents of California.

Daly City, as an incorporated city, holds municipal elections for City Council and Mayor. The City Council consists of five members elected at-large to four-year staggered terms, with elections typically held in November of even-numbered years to coincide with statewide general elections. The next Daly City municipal election is scheduled for November 2026, when two or three council seats will be on the ballot depending on the election cycle. Candidates for City Council must file nomination papers with the City Clerk at Daly City City Hall (333 90th Street) during the nomination period, typically in July and August before the November election. Local ballot measures, such as tax increases or charter amendments, may also appear on Daly City ballots when placed by the City Council or through citizen initiative.

Daly City residents can find their assigned polling place or vote center location by using the San Mateo County polling place lookup tool at https://www.smcacre.org/polling-place-lookup or by calling the Elections Division at 650-312-5222. California has implemented the Voter's Choice Act in San Mateo County, which means all registered voters automatically receive vote-by-mail ballots, and traditional neighborhood polling places have been replaced with fewer but larger Vote Centers that are open for multiple days before Election Day, allowing voters to vote at any Vote Center in the county regardless of their residential address. Vote Centers are typically open for 3-11 days before Election Day and on Election Day itself.

In the November 2024 presidential election, San Mateo County reported voter turnout of approximately 78-82% of registered voters, reflecting strong civic engagement typical of the Bay Area. Detailed precinct-level results for Daly City are available through the Elections Division's election results portal at https://www.smcacre.org/election-results, showing vote totals by precinct, candidate, and ballot measure.

The November 3, 2026 general election will be critical for Daly City and San Mateo County voters. At the federal level, all 52 of California's U.S. House of Representatives seats will be on the ballot; Daly City is located in California's 15th Congressional District, currently represented in Congress, and that seat will be contested in 2026. There is no U.S. Senate seat from California up for election in 2026 (California's senators are elected in presidential years). At the state level, all 80 seats in the California State Assembly and 20 of the 40 seats in the California State Senate will be contested; Daly City voters participate in State Assembly District 19 and State Senate District 11, both of which will have elections in 2026. The Governor of California is not up for election in 2026 (gubernatorial elections occur in midterm years offset from presidential cycles, with the next gubernatorial election in 2026). At the county level, several San Mateo County Board of Supervisors seats representing different districts may be on the ballot, along with countywide offices such as Sheriff, District Attorney, Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder, and Treasurer-Tax Collector depending on the election cycle. As noted above, Daly City will also hold City Council elections in November 2026.

California is a universal vote-by-mail state; every registered voter automatically receives a ballot in the mail approximately 29 days before Election Day. Voters may return their ballot by mail (no postage required), drop it in an official ballot drop box located throughout the county (available 24/7 beginning 29 days before the election), or bring it to any Vote Center during the voting period. Voters can track the status of their mail ballot through the "Where's My Ballot?" system at https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/.

Public election records in California include voter registration information (names and addresses are public, but birth dates, driver's license numbers, and Social Security numbers are confidential), campaign finance disclosure reports filed by candidates and committees (searchable at the California Secretary of State's Cal-Access database at http://cal-access.sos.ca.gov and through local city and county filing offices), candidate statements and nomination papers filed with elections officials, and precinct-level election results. Voter history (whether a person voted in a particular election, but not how they voted) is also a public record. These records support transparency in the electoral process and are used by campaigns, researchers, and the media.