About Solano County
Solano County is located in the northeastern San Francisco Bay Area of California, positioned between the Sacramento Valley and the North Bay region. Solano County seat is Fairfield, and Solano County includes approximately 906 square miles with a population exceeding 450,000 residents. Solano County was established in 1850 as one of California's original 27 counties and named after Chief Solano of the Suisun tribe. Major cities include Vallejo, Fairfield, Vacaville, Benicia, Suisun City, Dixon, and Rio Vista. Solano County is strategically located at the crossroads of Interstate 80 and Interstate 680, acting as a vital transportation corridor connecting the Bay Area to Sacramento and the Central Valley. Notable landmarks include Travis Air Force Base, the Mare Island Naval Shipyard historic site, and the Jepson Prairie Preserve. Solano County Recorder-Clerk's office is located at 675 Texas Street, Suite 1900, Fairfield, CA 94533. Solano County Assessor's office operates at 675 Texas Street, Suite 1700, Fairfield, CA 94533. Solano County's unique geography includes the Suisun Marsh, the largest contiguous brackish water marsh in the continental United States. Solano County's economy blends military installations, agriculture, biotechnology, and commuter populations serving both Sacramento and the Bay Area. The Napa River forms part of the western boundary, while the Sacramento River Delta defines the eastern edge, creating diverse ecosystems and recreational opportunities.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Solano County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of Solano County. It operates Solano County jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. Notable programs include the Sheriff's Emergency Response Team and the Marine Patrol Unit, which focuses on the waterways within Solano County's jurisdiction.
Police Departments
Solano County is served by several law enforcement agencies, including Solano County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments in cities like Fairfield, Vallejo, Vacaville, Benicia, and Suisun City. Each city department handles law enforcement within its respective city limits, while the Sheriff's Office covers unincorporated areas. These agencies collaborate on major crimes and participate in joint task forces to enhance public safety and crime prevention across Solano County.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Solano County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 530 Union Avenue, Fairfield, CA 94533, provides law enforcement services to unincorporated areas and contract cities within Solano County. Inmates can be located through the Sheriff's Office website at www.solanocounty.com/depts/sheriff, which provides an online inmate locator service with booking information, charges, bail amounts, and expected release dates.
- Arrest records in Solano County are public records subject to the California Public Records Act (Government Code Section 6250 et seq.) and can be requested from the arresting agency or the Sheriff's Office.
- Written requests should specify the individual's name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest.
- Mugshots and booking photos are typically available through the Sheriff's online inmate search system for current inmates, while historical booking photos require a formal public records request.
- Processing fees may apply for copies of arrest reports and related documents.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
Criminal records in Solano County, CA are maintained by local law enforcement agencies and the court system. Background checks are typically obtained through state-level repositories or authorized vendors. For an authoritative source, see Records and Warrants Bureau | Solano County, California.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Solano County, CA are public under most state public-records laws unless sealed or expunged by a court. They are maintained by the arresting agency, primarily the County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments.
Jail & Inmate Records
The Solano County jail is operated by the County Sheriff's Office and houses pretrial detainees and short-sentence inmates. Inmate locator tools allow public searches by name or booking number.
- Look up current inmates and booking information at Solano County Inmate Search.
- Sheriff's Office: Solano County Sheriff's Office | State of California - Department of Justice - O.
- The bond and bail process allows release of detainees under conditions set by the court; inquiries about recently arrested individuals can be directed to the jail's administrative office.
Courts & Case Records
The Superior Court of California, County of Solano, is the trial court of general jurisdiction handling all criminal, civil, family, probate, juvenile, and traffic matters. The court operates multiple locations with the main courthouse at 600 Union Avenue, Fairfield, CA 94533 Additional court facilities include the Vallejo Justice Center at 321 Tuolumne Street, Vallejo, CA 94590, and the Benicia satellite court.
- Filing fees vary by case type, with civil unlimited jurisdiction cases requiring approximately $435 and limited civil cases $225.
- Certified copies of court documents cost $25 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page.
- Small claims jurisdiction extends to disputes valued up to $10,000 for people and $5,000 for businesses.
The court's website at www. Solano.courts.ca.gov provides online case search capabilities through the Public Case Access portal, allowing users to search civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases by party name, case number, or attorney. Access to court records is governed by California Rules of Court, Rule 2.500 et seq, which establish presumptive public access to most court records unless sealed by court order or protected by statute. The court maintains a self-help center to assist litigants with family law, small claims, unlawful detainer, and civil harassment matters.
Probate matters, including estate administration and conservatorships, are heard at the Fairfield courthouse. Traffic citations can be paid online or contested through written declaration or court appearance. The court offers online services for traffic ticket payment, jury service information, and calendar inquiries.
Remote video appearances are available in certain case types pursuant to court rules implemented during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Property & Public Records
Solano County Recorder-Clerk's Office, located at 675 Texas Street, Suite 1900, Fairfield, CA 94533, maintains official land records including grant deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, reconveyances, liens, judgments, easements, maps, and vital records. The office website at www.solanocounty.com/depts/rcd provides access to the Official Records Online system, where users can search and view recorded documents dating back to the early 1900s. Document images can be searched by recording date, document type, grantor/grantee name, or book and page number.
- Certified copies cost $11 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page, while uncertified copies are $1 per page.
- Recording fees for most documents are $15 for the first page and $3 for each additional page.
- The Treasurer-Tax Collector's Office, handles property tax collection and provides online payment services and secured and unsecured tax information.
The Recorder-Clerk's office accepts documents for recording Monday through Friday during business hours and offers drop-box service. Property tax information is managed separately by Solano County Assessor's Office at 675 Texas Street, Suite 1700, Fairfield, CA 94533, website www.solanocounty.com/depts/assessor. The Assessor maintains assessment rolls, parcel maps, ownership information, and property characteristics.
An online property search tool allows public access to parcel data, assessed values, exemptions, and property characteristics at no charge. Solano County maintains a full Geographic Information System (GIS) portal at mapserver.solanocounty.com providing interactive parcel maps, zoning information, flood zones, and various data layers for public use without charge.
Vital Records
Birth and death certificates for events occurring in Solano County are available through Solano County Recorder-Clerk's Office at 675 Texas Street, Suite 1900, Fairfield, CA 94533 Birth certificates cost $28 for the first certified copy and $28 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously. Death certificates cost $21 for the first certified copy and $21 for each additional copy. Processing time is typically 10-15 business days for mail requests.
- Marriage licenses are issued by the Recorder-Clerk's Office with both parties present; the license fee is $88 and there is no waiting period or blood test required.
- Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $16 each.
- Online ordering of birth and death certificates is available through Solano County's vendor at www.solanocountyonlinerecords.com with additional convenience fees.
Authorized applicants include the registrant (for birth records), immediate family members, legal representatives, and persons with tangible interest as defined by California Health and Safety Code Section 103526. Valid government-issued photo identification is required, and applicants must complete the appropriate application form demonstrating their eligibility. Birth records are confidential for 75 years from the date of birth, while death records are public information but only authorized persons may obtain certified copies.
Divorce records (marriage dissolution decrees) are maintained by the Superior Court of Solano County, not the Recorder-Clerk. The California Department of Public Health Vital Records Office in Sacramento is an alternative source for statewide vital records and can be reached at or online at www.cdph.ca.gov/vitRec. Applicants must provide sufficient identifying information including full name, date of event, place of event, and parents' names for birth records or decedent information for death certificates.
Expedited service options may be available for urgent needs.
Business & Licensing
Business license requirements in Solano County vary by city, as each incorporated county administers its own business licensing program. The cities of Vallejo, Fairfield, Vacaville, Benicia, Suisun City, Dixon, and Rio Vista each maintain separate business license divisions within their respective finance or city clerk departments. Unincorporated areas of Solano County do not require a general county business license, but specific permits may be required for certain activities.
- The filing fee is approximately $35, and fictitious name statements must be renewed every five years.
- The Solano Economic Development Corporation (www.solanoedc.org) provides resources for businesses including site selection assistance, demographic data, and workforce development programs.
- Sales tax permits are obtained through the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA), not Solano County level.
Fictitious business name statements (DBAs) are filed with Solano County Recorder-Clerk's Office at 675 Texas Street, Suite 1900, Fairfield, CA 94533 After filing, the business must publish the statement in a newspaper of general circulation for four consecutive weeks. For state-level business entity information, the California Secretary of State maintains the full Business Search database at bizfilereview.sos.ca.gov where users can search for corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and other registered entities free of charge.
Professional licenses (contractors, real estate agents, cosmetologists, etc.) are issued by California state licensing boards, not Solano County. Solano County Department of Resource Management, located at 675 Texas Street, Suite 5500, Fairfield, CA 94533, handles building permits, planning applications, zoning compliance, and environmental review for development projects in unincorporated areas.
Official Government Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
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How do I register to vote in Solano County, California?
How do I look up property records in Solano County, California?
How do I get a birth or death certificate in Solano County, California?
How do I find business license records in Solano County, California?
Cities & Towns in Solano County
Explore public records for 10 cities and communities in Solano County, California.
Economy & Demographics
Solano County's economy is characterized by diversity across multiple sectors including military operations, agriculture, biotechnology, logistics, and retail. The former Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo has transitioned to a mixed-use development with manufacturing, technology, and maritime businesses. The median household income in Solano County is approximately $88,000, slightly above the California median. Major private employers include Kaiser Permanente, NorthBay Healthcare, Jelly Belly Candy Company in Fairfield, Genentech facilities in Vacaville, and numerous logistics and distribution centers capitalizing on Solano County's strategic location between the Bay Area and Sacramento.
The Port of Benicia handles bulk and break-bulk cargo. Biotechnology and pharmaceutical manufacturing have expanded, particularly in Vacaville, which hosts multiple biotech facilities. The unemployment rate fluctuates between 4-6% depending on economic conditions, generally tracking state averages.
Recent economic development initiatives include the Green Valley Innovation Center in Fairfield and expansion of business parks in Vacaville. Tourism contributes through historical attractions including Benicia's preserved downtown, wine tasting in the Suisun Valley, and recreational access to the Sacramento River Delta. Retail and service sectors serve both local residents and Interstate 80 travelers.
Solano County benefits economically from its bedroom community status, with many residents commuting to higher-wage jobs in San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, and Silicon Valley while spending locally.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Solano County are administered by Solano County Registrar of Voters, located at 675 Texas Street, Suite 2600, Fairfield, CA 94533, website www.solanocounty.com/depts/rov. Voters can find their polling place or vote center location by visiting Solano County website or calling the Registrar's office; Solano County has transitioned to a vote center model offering multiple locations with extended hours during the election period. The Registrar maintains numerous secure ballot drop boxes at locations including city halls, libraries, and county facilities.
Election records available to the public include voter registration statistics, precinct-level results, candidate and ballot measure filings, campaign finance disclosures (also filed with the California Fair Political Practices Commission), and vote-by-mail ballot tracking.
Senate seat, statewide constitutional officers including Governor (if applicable to election cycle), State Assembly, State Senate, and local offices including county supervisors, city councils, school boards, and special districts. California's top-two primary system means the March 2026 primary will determine which two candidates advance to the November general election regardless of party. Campaign finance records for local candidates are filed with the Registrar and available for public inspection.
The Registrar's office provides election night results online and updates continuing through the canvass period as vote-by-mail and provisional ballots are processed.