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. The county seat is Fairfield, and the county encompasses 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.
The county is strategically located at the crossroads of Interstate 80 and Interstate 680, serving 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. The the county Recorder-Clerk's office is located at 675 Texas Street, Suite 1900, Fairfield, CA 94533.
The 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. The 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
The Solano County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of the county. It operates the county jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The Sheriff's Office also provides patrol services, investigates crimes, and supports community safety programs. Notable programs include the Sheriff's Emergency Response Team and the Marine Patrol Unit, which focuses on the waterways within the county's jurisdiction.
Police Departments
Solano County is served by several law enforcement agencies, including the 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 the county.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
The Solano County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 530 Union Avenue, Fairfield, CA 94533, provides law enforcement services to unincorporated areas and contract cities within the county. The Sheriff's Office operates the Solano County Jail, also known as the Clay Bank Detention Facility, located at 1000 Clay Bank Road, Fairfield, CA 94533. 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 the region 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.
- The Sheriff's Office Records Division handles requests for incident reports, arrest records, and crime statistics.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
Criminal records in Solano County encompass felony, misdemeanor, traffic offenses, and the sex offender registry. The Solano County Superior Court maintains records of criminal proceedings, while the Sheriff's Office and local police departments handle arrest and incident reports. Background checks in California can be conducted through the California Department of Justice, which provides comprehensive criminal history information. The California Bureau of Investigation offers additional resources for residents seeking detailed criminal records.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Solano County are maintained by the Solano County Sheriff's Office and local police departments. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by submitting a formal request to the appropriate law enforcement agency. Arrest records typically include the individual's name, charges, booking details, and arresting agency. The California Public Records Act governs access to these records, ensuring transparency and public access to information while protecting individual privacy rights.
Jail & Inmate Records
The Solano County Jail, located in Fairfield, is the primary detention facility for the county. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of the arrestee. Inmate information can be accessed through the Solano County Sheriff's Office website, which provides an inmate lookup tool. Visitation rules require scheduling in advance, and visitors must adhere to strict guidelines. The bond and bail process follows California state law, allowing for the release of inmates on bail pending court appearances.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Solano County are taken and retained by the Solano County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office website or by submitting a request to the office. California law allows for the removal of mugshots from public websites under certain circumstances, such as if the individual was acquitted or the charges were dropped, but this does not apply to official law enforcement databases.
Courts & Case Records
The Superior Court of California, County of Solano, serves as 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, phone (707) 207-7450. 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 individuals and $5,000 for businesses.
The court's website at www.the local community.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
The Solano County Recorder-Clerk's Office, located at 675 Texas Street, Suite 1900, Fairfield, CA 94533, phone (707) 784-6290, 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, phone (707) 784-7485, 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 the Solano County Assessor's Office at 675 Texas Street, Suite 1700, Fairfield, CA 94533, phone (707) 784-6100, 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. The county maintains a comprehensive 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 the Solano County Recorder-Clerk's Office at 675 Texas Street, Suite 1900, Fairfield, CA 94533, phone (707) 784-6290. 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 the 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 this jurisdiction, not the Recorder-Clerk. The California Department of Public Health Vital Records Office in Sacramento serves as an alternative source for statewide vital records and can be reached at (916) 445-2684 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 the county level.
Fictitious business name statements (DBAs) are filed with the area Recorder-Clerk's Office at 675 Texas Street, Suite 1900, Fairfield, CA 94533, phone (707) 784-6290. 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 comprehensive 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 the county. The Solano County Department of Resource Management, located at 675 Texas Street, Suite 5500, Fairfield, CA 94533, phone (707) 784-6765, handles building permits, planning applications, zoning compliance, and environmental review for development projects in unincorporated areas.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Solano County are administered by the Solano County Registrar of Voters, located at 675 Texas Street, Suite 2600, Fairfield, CA 94533, phone (707) 784-6675, website www.solanocounty.com/depts/rov. Voter registration is available online through the California Secretary of State at registertovote.ca.gov, by mail using a paper registration form, or in person at the Registrar's office or Department of Motor Vehicles offices.
- Registered voters receive a sample ballot and voter information pamphlet approximately four weeks before each election.
- All registered voters in California automatically receive a vote-by-mail ballot, which can be returned by mail (postage-paid), at any ballot drop box throughout the county, or at any vote center.
- Individual voter history (participation, not choices) is available through formal public records requests.
- In the November 2024 general election, the county voter turnout was approximately 72% of registered voters.
- Under California Government Code Section 6250 et seq., the public may request voter data files, election results, and other election-related records.
California law requires registration at least 15 days before an election, though conditional voter registration is available during the 14-day period before and including Election Day at the Registrar's office or any vote center. Voters can find their polling place or vote center location by visiting the county website or calling the Registrar's office; this jurisdiction 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. The next major election will be held on November 3, 2026, featuring races for all U.S. House seats, one U.S.
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.
Economy & Demographics
Solano County's economy is characterized by diversity across multiple sectors including military operations, agriculture, biotechnology, logistics, and retail. Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield represents the largest employer in the county with approximately 13,000 active-duty personnel and civilian employees, contributing over $1.5 billion annually to the regional economy as the primary hub for military airlift operations in the western United States.
- The median household income in Solano County is approximately $88,000, slightly above the California median.
The former Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo has transitioned to a mixed-use development with manufacturing, technology, and maritime businesses. Agriculture remains significant with approximately 200,000 acres in production generating crops including tomatoes, almonds, walnuts, wine grapes, wheat, and hay, with annual agricultural production valued over $200 million. 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 the 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.
The 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.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Yes: Online | Property: Yes: Free Search Available | Arrest/Jail: Yes: Online Inmate Locator | Vital Records: Yes: Online Ordering Available | Business: Yes: Online DBA/State Search | Elections: Yes: Online Results & Registration | Overall Score: 9/10 — Solano County provides excellent digital access to public records with comprehensive online portals for most record types, robust GIS mapping, and user-friendly election information.
Official Government Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cities & Towns in Solano County
Explore public records for 10 cities and communities in Solano County, California.