Moraga, California Public Records

Moraga, Contra Costa County is served by several law enforcement agencies, including the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments such as the Concord Police Department, Richmond Police Department, and Walnut Creek Police Department. Each city department is responsible for policing within its respective city limits, while the sheriff's office handles law enforcement in unincorporated areas. These agencies often collaborate on major crimes and regional safety initiatives to ensure comprehensive public safety coverage across the county.

The main jail facility in Contra Costa County is the Martinez Detention Facility. This facility handles the booking process for individuals arrested within the county, where they are processed and held until they post bail or appear in court. Inmate lookup services are available online, allowing the public to search for current detainees. Visitation rules at the Martinez Detention Facility require scheduling in advance, and visitors must adhere to strict guidelines. The bond and bail process in California allows for the posting of bail through cash, bond, or property, and information on recently arrested individuals can be accessed through the sheriff's office website.

Moraga residents are served by the Contra Costa County Superior Court system, which handles all criminal, civil, family, probate, and small claims matters for the county. The nearest courthouse to Moraga is the Contra Costa County Superior Court - Walnut Creek Branch, located at 640 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek, CA 94596, phone (925) 646-2950. This location handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil cases under $25,000, small claims, traffic matters, and family law cases. For felony criminal cases and major civil litigation, cases may be heard at the Martinez Hall of Justice, located at 1020 Ward Street, Martinez, CA 94553, phone (925) 608-1000. The Martinez courthouse also handles probate matters, guardianships, mental health proceedings, and complex civil cases exceeding $25,000.

Court records for Contra Costa County can be searched online through the California Courts Online Case Access portal at https://www.cc-courts.org/online-services. The Superior Court's Online Case Index allows searches by party name, case number, or attorney name for civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases. While basic case information and docket entries are available free online, certain confidential matters (juvenile dependency, sealed records, mental health) are restricted. To obtain certified copies of court documents, requesters must visit the court clerk's office in person or submit a mail request. Filing fees as of 2024 include: $15 per certified document (first page) plus $5 for each additional page, $30-50 for civil case filing depending on case type, $435 for unlimited civil cases, and $75 for small claims cases under $1,500. Requests for case files or transcripts require completion of a Request for Copy of Official Record form available at https://www.cc-courts.org/forms.

The criminal records ecosystem in Contra Costa County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. These records are maintained by the Contra Costa County Superior Court and the sheriff's office. Residents can run a background check through the California Department of Justice, which provides statewide criminal history information. The California Bureau of Investigation offers additional resources for accessing criminal records, ensuring that residents have comprehensive access to necessary legal information.

Arrest records in Contra Costa County are maintained by the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office and local police departments. These records can be requested by residents and attorneys through the appropriate law enforcement agency. Arrest records typically include information such as the individual's name, date of arrest, charges, and booking details. Under the California Public Records Act, these records are accessible to the public, although certain restrictions may apply to protect privacy and ongoing investigations.

Property and land records for Moraga are maintained by the Contra Costa County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk's office in Martinez. The Contra Costa County Assessor's Office, located at 2530 Arnold Drive, Suite 100, Martinez, CA 94553, phone (925) 313-7400, website https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/assessor, maintains property tax assessment records for all parcels in Moraga. The Assessor's online database at https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/assessor allows free public searching by property address, assessor's parcel number (APN), or owner name. Searches reveal assessed land and improvement values, property characteristics, exemptions, tax history, and ownership transfer dates. The system includes sales comparison data and historical assessment information dating back multiple years.

The Contra Costa County Recorder-Clerk's Office, located at 555 Escobar Street, Martinez, CA 94553, phone (925) 335-7900, website https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/recorderclerk, records and maintains official documents affecting real property in Moraga, including grant deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, reconveyances, liens, easements, and subdivision maps. The County Recorder provides free online access to recorded documents through the Official Records Search at https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/recorderclerk - users can search by document number, recording date, grantor/grantee name, or APN. Scanned images of recorded documents from 1976 to present are available for free viewing and printing online, while older documents require an in-person visit or paid lookup service. Recording fees as of 2024 are $60 for the first page plus $3 for each additional page. The Recorder's office also provides a Geographic Information System (GIS) parcel viewer at https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/gis that displays parcel boundaries, zoning, flood zones, and other geographic data layers for properties throughout Moraga.

Moraga's economy is characterized by its role as an affluent residential suburb within the San Francisco Bay Area, with limited commercial development and a highly educated workforce. Saint Mary's College of California, located at 1928 Saint Mary's Road, is by far the town's largest employer, with over 500 faculty and staff supporting approximately 3,500 undergraduate and graduate students. The college contributes significantly to the local economy through employment, student spending, and cultural programming. The Moraga School District and Acalanes Union High School District collectively employ several hundred teachers and staff serving the town's highly-rated public schools. Major retail and service employers are concentrated at the Moraga Commons shopping center and Rheem Valley Shopping Center, including Safeway, Trader Joe's, CVS Pharmacy, restaurants, and professional services.

Moraga's median household income is approximately $165,000-$180,000, significantly above both Contra Costa County and California state averages, reflecting the town's educated professional workforce who largely commute to employment centers in San Francisco, Oakland, Walnut Creek, and the broader East Bay. The dominant industries among residents include professional services, technology, finance, education, and healthcare management. Recent economic developments include upgrades to the Moraga Commons retail center and ongoing discussions about limited mixed-use development to enhance the town's commercial tax base while maintaining its residential character. Property values in Moraga remain among the highest in Contra Costa County, with median home prices exceeding $1.5 million as of 2024. The town's economic character is that of a bedroom community prizing excellent schools, open space, safety, and quality of life, with minimal industrial or commercial activity and a strong commitment to maintaining semi-rural character despite proximity to major urban employment centers.

The Moraga Police Department operates as a division of the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office and serves the Town of Moraga from its station located at 329 Rheem Boulevard, Moraga, CA 94556. The department can be reached at (925) 284-5010, and non-emergency reports can be requested through the town website at moraga.ca.us. To obtain police reports or incident records, residents must submit a written request to the Moraga Police Department, identifying the incident date, location, and case number if available. Report copies typically cost $10-25 depending on the number of pages, with processing taking 10-14 business days. The Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office headquarters is located at 1980 Muir Road, Martinez, CA 94553, phone (925) 646-2441, website contracostasheriff.org. The Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement services to unincorporated areas and contract cities including Moraga throughout Contra Costa County.

Arrest and jail booking records for Moraga residents are available through the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office inmate locator at http://www.cccsheriff.org/inmatesearch. The online roster provides real-time information on individuals held at the Martinez Detention Facility (651 Pine Street, Martinez) and West County Detention Facility (5555 Giant Highway, Richmond), displaying booking photos, charges, bail amounts, booking dates, and anticipated release dates. Under California's Public Records Act (California Government Code Sections 6250-6277), arrest logs and booking information are generally public records unless sealed by court order or involving juvenile offenders. To request detailed arrest records or police reports, residents must submit a California Public Records Act request in writing to the Moraga Police Department or the Sheriff's Records Division at 1980 Muir Road, Martinez, CA 94553. Agencies have 10 days to respond to requests, though they may take a 14-day extension if needed to locate and review records.

Birth and death certificates for Moraga residents are issued by the Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder's Office, Vital Records Division, located at 555 Escobar Street, Martinez, CA 94553, phone (925) 335-7900. The office maintains birth records for births occurring in Contra Costa County and can process requests for deaths that occurred in the county. Birth certificates cost $28 for the first certified copy and $25 for each additional copy ordered at the same time; death certificates cost $21 for the first copy and $18 for additional copies. Processing time is typically 2-3 weeks for mail requests and immediate for walk-in requests if records are available. California law restricts birth certificate access to the registrant (if 18+), parents listed on the certificate, legal representatives, or persons with a court order or demonstrable direct tangible interest. Online ordering is available through the California Department of Public Health Vital Records office at https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/Vital-Records-Obtaining-Certified-Copies.aspx, where applicants can order birth certificates for $33.75 and death certificates for $26.75 with expedited shipping options available.

Marriage licenses for Moraga residents are issued by the Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder's Office at 555 Escobar Street, Martinez, CA 94553. The fee is $91 for a public marriage license or $100 for a confidential marriage license. Couples must appear in person together with valid government-issued photo identification; there is no waiting period, and licenses are valid for 90 days from issuance. Marriage certificates (proof of completed marriage) cost $18 for certified copies. Divorce records are not maintained by the Clerk-Recorder but are available through the Contra Costa County Superior Court where the dissolution was filed. Certified copies of divorce decrees cost $15 for the first page plus $5 per additional page and must be requested from the court clerk at 1020 Ward Street, Martinez, CA 94553. California vital records are maintained indefinitely, with digitized records generally available from the 1980s forward, though older records exist in microfilm or paper format.

The Town of Moraga requires a business license for most commercial activities conducted within town limits. Business licenses are administered by the Town of Moraga Finance Department at 329 Rheem Boulevard, Moraga, CA 94556, phone (925) 888-7022. The annual business license fee varies based on business type and gross receipts, with a minimum fee of approximately $100 for home-based businesses and scaling upward for larger operations. Licenses must be renewed annually by January 31st. Applications can be obtained at https://www.moraga.ca.us or in person at Town Hall. The town does not maintain a publicly searchable online database of licensed businesses, but business license verification can be requested by calling the Finance Department.

Fictitious Business Name (DBA) statements for Moraga businesses are filed with the Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder's Office at 555 Escobar Street, Martinez, CA 94553, phone (925) 335-7900. The filing fee is $35 for the first business name plus $10 for each additional name on the same statement. DBAs must be renewed every five years and published in a newspaper of general circulation. The County Clerk maintains a searchable database of active fictitious business names at https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/recorderclerk, allowing searches by business name or owner name.

California corporations, LLCs, and other business entities are registered with the California Secretary of State. The Secretary of State Business Search portal at https://bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/search/business allows free searching of business entity names, status, registration dates, registered agents, and principal addresses. Users can verify active status, view entity numbers, and access statements of information. UCC financing statement searches (liens on business assets) are also available through the Secretary of State at https://www.sos.ca.gov/business-programs/ucc. Commercial property assessments for Moraga businesses can be searched through the Contra Costa County Assessor's online database at https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/assessor using the property address or APN to view assessed values and tax obligations.

Moraga voters are served by the Contra Costa County Elections Division, located at 555 Escobar Street, Martinez, CA 94553, phone (925) 335-7800, website https://www.contracostacore.us. The Elections Division administers all federal, state, county, and municipal elections for Moraga residents, including voter registration, ballot preparation, vote-by-mail services, and election night reporting. California offers online voter registration through the Secretary of State at https://registertovote.ca.gov, available to any eligible citizen with a California driver license or ID card. The registration deadline is 15 days before any election, though conditional voter registration is available at voting locations through Election Day. Voters need to provide name, residential address, date of birth, and the last four digits of their Social Security number.

Moraga holds municipal elections for Town Council seats and local ballot measures in November of even-numbered years, consolidated with statewide general elections. The Town Council consists of five members elected at-large to four-year staggered terms. The next Moraga Town Council election is scheduled for November 4, 2025, with three council seats up for election. Candidate filing information, local ballot measures, and town election results are available at https://www.moraga.ca.us under the Town Clerk section. Moraga does not have a directly elected mayor; instead, the Town Council selects a mayor from among its members annually.

Moraga residents can find their assigned polling location and vote center through the Contra Costa County Elections Division website at https://www.contracostacore.us or by calling (925) 335-7800. As of 2018, Contra Costa County transitioned to the Voter's Choice Act model, providing all registered voters with mail-in ballots automatically while also offering numerous vote centers open for multiple days before Election Day. Vote centers allow any county voter to cast a ballot at any location, rather than being assigned to a specific precinct.

In the November 2024 presidential election, Contra Costa County reported approximately 64% voter turnout, with over 475,000 ballots cast out of approximately 740,000 registered voters. The county leaned Democratic, consistent with Bay Area voting patterns. On November 3, 2026, Moraga and Contra Costa County voters will participate in the gubernatorial midterm election. Races on the ballot will include: Governor of California (Gavin Newsom's term expires in 2027, so this seat will be contested), all 52 U.S. House seats for California including District 11 which covers Moraga, California State Senate District 7, California State Assembly District 16, Contra Costa County Supervisor for District 2 (which includes Moraga), and various county offices including Sheriff, District Attorney, Assessor, and Superior Court judges. Local measures specific to Moraga or the Acalanes Union High School District may also appear on the ballot.

California election records that are public include voter registration rosters (available for purchase by qualified requesters), campaign finance disclosures through the California Fair Political Practices Commission at https://www.fppc.ca.gov, candidate statements of qualification and economic interest, and precinct-level election results published by the Elections Division at https://www.contracostacore.us. To request a vote-by-mail ballot in California, voters can apply online through the Secretary of State website, contact the Contra Costa County Elections Division directly, or simply remain on the permanent vote-by-mail list, which now includes all registered voters in the county automatically. Mail ballots for the November 2026 election will be sent beginning October 5, 2026, and must be postmarked by Election Day and received within 7 days to be counted.