About Kings County
Kings County is located in the heart of California's San Joaquin Valley, approximately 200 miles north of Los Angeles and 200 miles south of Sacramento. Kings County Seat is Hanford, a historic agricultural community established in 1877. Kings County includes approximately 1,389 square miles and has a population of around 152,000 residents as of recent census estimates. Kings County was formed in 1893 from the western portion of Tulare County and named after the Kings River, which flows through Kings County. Major communities include Hanford, Corcoran, Lemoore, and Avenal.
Kings County is home to Naval Air Station Lemoore, the largest and most modern master jet air station in the Navy, which significantly impacts the local economy and culture. Kings County is predominantly agricultural, with dairy production, cotton, tomatoes, and alfalfa as leading commodities. Kings County features flat valley terrain ideal for farming, with the Coast Ranges visible to the west.
Kings County Recorder-Clerk-Registrar is located at 1400 West Lacey Boulevard in Hanford, CA 93230, maintaining property records, vital statistics, and election services. Kings County Assessor's Office, also located in the Government Center complex in Hanford, handles property tax assessments and parcel information. Kings County's historic downtown Hanford features the beautifully restored Hanford Fox Theatre and the historic Courthouse Square, showcasing Kings County's rich agricultural heritage and small-town charm.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Kings County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of Kings County. It manages Kings County Jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The office also runs several community-oriented programs, such as the Crime Prevention Unit and the Rural Crime Task Force, which focus on reducing crime and supporting the community relations.
Police Departments
In addition to Kings County Sheriff's Office, several municipal police departments operate within Kings County. These include the Hanford Police Department, Lemoore Police Department, Corcoran Police Department, and Avenal Police Department. Each department serves its respective city, handling local law enforcement and coordinating with the sheriff's office on major crimes and regional issues.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Kings County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 1444 West Lacey Boulevard in Hanford, CA 93230 (phone: 559-852-2720), is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of Kings County and operates Kings County Jail. The Sheriff's Office website at www.countyofkings.com provides information on jail operations, inmate searches, and department services.
- Written requests should specify the individual's name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest.
- Booking photos and mugshots are generally available through the Sheriff's Office jail records system and may be accessed online through the inmate search portal or by submitting a public records request.
- Response times vary but agencies must respond to requests within 10 days under California law.
- Fees may apply for copies of reports and photographs based on Kings County's fee schedule.
Citizens can search for current inmates at Kings County Jail through the online inmate locator system available on the Sheriff's website, which provides booking information, charges, bail amounts, and expected release dates. The jail facility houses both pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates. Municipal police departments serve incorporated cities within Kings County, including the Hanford Police Department (559-585-2540) serving Kings County Seat, the Corcoran Police Department (559-992-5151) serving Corcoran, the Lemoore Police Department (559-924-8000) serving Lemoore, and the Avenal Police Department (559-386-5506) serving Avenal.
Arrest records in Kings County are public records under the California Public Records Act (Government Code Section 6250 et seq.) and can be requested from the law enforcement agency that made the arrest or through the Sheriff's Office.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records ecosystem in Kings County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. Kings County Superior Court and Kings County Sheriff's Office maintain these records. Background checks can be conducted through the California Department of Justice, which provides full criminal history information for residents. The California Bureau of Investigation also helps with maintaining statewide criminal records accessible to Kings County residents.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Kings County are maintained by Kings County Sheriff's Office. Residents and attorneys can request these records by submitting a formal request to the office, following the guidelines set by the California Public Records Act. A Kings County arrest record typically includes the individual's personal information, details of the arrest, charges filed, and the arresting agency.
Jail & Inmate Records
Kings County Jail, located in Hanford, is the primary detention facility for Kings County. It handles the booking process for people arrested within Kings County. Inmate information can be accessed through Kings County Sheriff's Office website, which provides an inmate lookup tool. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, requiring appointments and adherence to strict guidelines. The bond and bail process follows California state law, allowing for the release of inmates pending trial under certain conditions.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Kings County are taken and retained by Kings County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These photos can be accessed through the sheriff's website or by submitting a request for public records. California does not have specific mugshot removal laws, but individuals can petition for removal if the charges are dropped or if they are acquitted.
Courts & Case Records
Kings County Superior Court, located at 1426 South Drive in Hanford, CA 93230 (phone: 559-582-3211 ext. 4700), handles all felony criminal cases, civil cases over $25,000, family law matters, probate, juvenile cases, and appeals from limited civil and small claims cases. The court website at www.kings.courts.ca.gov provides case information, filing procedures, fee schedules, and forms. California's trial court system was unified in 1998, consolidating municipal and superior courts into a single Superior Court in each county.
- Kings County Superior Court includes a Limited Civil Division handling civil cases under $25,000, a Small Claims Division for disputes under $10,000, and various specialized departments.
- The court provides online case access through the California Courts Case Access portal, where users can search civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases by party name or case number.
- Basic case information is available free of charge, though certified copies require in-person or mail requests with fees of $15 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page.
- Filing fees vary by case type, with civil unlimited filings costing approximately $435 and family law petitions around $435 as of current fee schedules.
Property & Public Records
Kings County Recorder-Clerk's Office, located at 1400 West Lacey Boulevard in Hanford, CA 93230 (phone: 559-852-4309), maintains official records of real property transactions including grant deeds, deeds of trust, reconveyances, mechanics liens, easements, maps, and other instruments affecting real property title in Kings County. The Recorder's Office website at www.countyofkings.com/departments/recorder-clerk provides information about recording requirements, fees, and services.
- Recording fees are $15 for the first page and $3 for each additional page, with various additional fees for special handling.
- Kings County Assessor's Office at 1400 West Lacey Boulevard, Hanford, CA 93230 (phone: 559-852-2471) maintains property tax assessment rolls, parcel maps, and ownership information.
- Certified copies of recorded documents are available for $1 per page plus the certification fee of $5.
Property records can be searched online through Kings County Official Records Search system on the Recorder's website, offering free public access to recorded documents from the 1970s to present, with images available for viewing and printing. The Assessor provides a free online Property Information System accessible through Kings County website, allowing searches by address, parcel number, or owner name, displaying assessed values, property characteristics, sales history, and tax information. Kings County maintains a Geographic Information System (GIS) with interactive mapping tools showing parcel boundaries, zoning, flood zones, and other spatial data layers.
Kings County Tax Collector, located in the same Government Center complex, handles property tax payments and can be reached at 559-852-2452. Original land patents and historical documents dating to Kings County's formation in 1893 are preserved in Kings County archives.
Vital Records
Birth and death certificates for events occurring in Kings County are maintained by Kings County Recorder-Clerk's Office, Vital Records Division, located at 1400 West Lacey Boulevard, Hanford, CA 93230 (phone: 559-852-4660). California vital records are governed by the California Health and Safety Code Division 102, which establishes confidentiality requirements and authorized requestor criteria.
- Death certificates cost the same amount with similar processing times.
- Requestors must provide valid government-issued photo identification and complete the appropriate application form.
- Marriage licenses are issued by Kings County Clerk at the same Hanford location, with fees of $70 for a public license and $80 for a confidential license, valid for 90 days from issuance.
- Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $15 each.
Certified copies of birth certificates cost $28 for the first copy and $14 for each additional copy ordered at the same time, with processing times of approximately 10-15 business days for mail requests and immediate issuance for walk-in requests if the record is on file locally. Only authorized individuals may obtain certified copies, including the registrant (for birth certificates), immediate family members, legal representatives, and others with tangible interest as defined by law. Divorce decrees are obtained from Kings County Superior Court where the dissolution was finalized.
For vital records from other California counties or for expedited service, requestors may contact the California Department of Public Health Vital Records Office in Sacramento (phone: 916-445-2684) or order online through VitalChek at www.cdph.ca.gov/certifiedcopies, though additional fees apply for state-level processing. Birth records less than 100 years old and death records less than 50 years old have restricted access under California confidentiality laws.
Business & Licensing
Business licenses in Kings County are issued by individual incorporated cities rather than at Kings County level. The City of Hanford Finance Department (phone: 559-585-2500) handles business licenses for businesses operating within Hanford city limits, while Corcoran, Lemoore, and Avenal maintain their own licensing departments.
- This free online search provides entity status, registration dates, agent for service of process, and filing history.
- The Hanford Chamber of Commerce (phone: 559-582-0483, website: www.hanfordchamber.com) provides business resources, networking opportunities, and economic development information.
- Sales tax permits are obtained through the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration online at www.cdtfa.ca.gov.
Fictitious business name statements (doing business as or DBA filings) are filed with Kings County Clerk at 1400 West Lacey Boulevard, Hanford, CA 93230 (phone: 559-852-4309), with fees of approximately $40 for the first business name and $10 for each additional name on the same filing. DBA statements must be published in a newspaper of general circulation and remain valid for five years. The California Secretary of State maintains the full business entity database at bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov, where users can search for corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and other registered business entities operating in California, including those based in Kings County.
Professional licenses such as contractors, cosmetologists, and healthcare practitioners are issued by state licensing boards, not at Kings County level. Kings County Community Development Agency at 1400 West Lacey Boulevard (phone: 559-852-2670) handles building permits, planning applications, and zoning matters for unincorporated areas, with permit fees varying by project scope and valuation.
Elections & Voter Records
Kings County Registrar of Voters, part of the Recorder-Clerk-Registrar's Office at 1400 West Lacey Boulevard, Hanford, CA 93230 (phone: 559-852-4401), administers all federal, state, and local elections within Kings County. The elections division website at www.countyofkings.com/departments/recorder-clerk/election-information provides full voter information, candidate filing details, election results, and sample ballots.
- California voters can register online through the Secretary of State's website at registertovote.ca.gov, which offers a convenient portal accepting new registrations and address updates.
- Kings County elections office provides detailed results by precinct and contest following each election.
The voter registration deadline in California is 15 days before any election, though conditional voter registration is available during the 14-day period before Election Day and on Election Day itself at the Registrar's office or any vote center. Voters can verify their registration status and find their assigned polling location by visiting Kings County elections website or using the statewide tool at voterstatus.sos.ca.gov. Kings County implemented a vote center model, providing multiple locations where any county voter can cast a ballot during early voting periods and on Election Day, regardless of residence address within Kings County.
Election records that are public under California Elections Code include voter registration lists (without confidential information), campaign finance reports filed by candidates and committees, candidate statements, nomination documents, and precinct-level election results. In the November 2024 general election, Kings County reported a voter turnout of approximately 58%, consistent with historical patterns for presidential election years, though below the statewide California average. The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, featuring United States Senate and House of Representatives races, California statewide constitutional officers including Governor, State Legislature contests, county supervisors, and local measures.
All active registered voters in Kings County automatically receive vote-by-mail ballots for each election under California's permanent mail ballot system, though voters may still choose to vote in person at any vote center. Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within seven days to be counted, or they may be dropped in official ballot drop boxes located throughout Kings County until 8:00 PM on Election Day. California Elections Code Sections 6250-6254 establish the public's right to access election records, and the Registrar's office accepts public records requests for campaign documents, precinct rosters, and historical election materials.
The office maintains transparency through regular public logic and accuracy testing of voting equipment before elections and canvassing procedures open to public observation.
Economy & Demographics
Kings County's economy is fundamentally agricultural, ranking among California's top counties in dairy production, cotton, and processing tomatoes.The base is home to all Navy Strike Fighter Wing Pacific squadrons flying F/A-18 Super Hornets. The California Department of Corrections operates multiple facilities in Kings County, including California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility (SATF) and Avenal State Prison, collectively employing thousands of correctional officers and support staff. J.G.
- According to recent census data, the median household income in Kings County is approximately $55,000, below the California state median but reflecting Kings County's rural agricultural character.
- Other significant employers include Kings County Government, healthcare providers such as Adventist Health Hanford, and food processing facilities.
- The Corcoran area hosts substantial dairy operations and processing facilities.
- Kings County Economic Development Corporation works to attract manufacturing, logistics, and value-added agricultural processing businesses.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Yes: Online | Property: Yes: Free Search | Arrest/Jail: Yes: Online Inmate Lookup | Vital Records: Limited: In-Person/Mail Required | Business: Yes: State Online (DBA County) | Elections: Yes: Online Registration & Results | Overall Score: 8/10 — Kings County provides strong digital access to property records, court case searches, and inmate information, with elections information online, though vital records require direct contact with the county office.