Placer County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Placer County?
Public records in Placer County encompass a wide range of documents and information maintained by county government agencies. According to the California Public Records Act (CPRA), codified in Government Code § 6250-6270, public records are defined as "any writing containing information relating to the conduct of the public's business prepared, owned, used, or retained by any state or local agency regardless of physical form or characteristics."
Placer County maintains numerous categories of public records, including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases processed through the Placer County Superior Court
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, assessments, and other real property documents maintained by the Placer County Clerk-Recorder's Office
- Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, fictitious business name statements
- Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax rolls maintained by the Placer County Assessor's Office
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance disclosures maintained by the Placer County Elections Division
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of proceedings for the Board of Supervisors, planning commission, and other county boards
- Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements
- Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with legally required redactions), and jail records
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, permits, environmental impact reports, and zoning maps
Each record type is maintained by specific county departments. The Placer County Clerk-Recorder serves as the primary custodian for many official records, while specialized departments maintain records relevant to their functions. Members of the public seeking records should direct their inquiries to the appropriate department for the most efficient service.
Is Placer County an Open Records County?
Placer County fully complies with the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6250-6270), which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under Government Code § 6253(a), "public records are open to inspection at all times during the office hours of the state or local agency and every person has a right to inspect any public record, except as hereafter provided."
The county's commitment to transparency is reflected in its comprehensive public records request procedures, which facilitate citizen access to government information. Placer County acknowledges that access to information concerning the conduct of the people's business is a fundamental right of every person in California, as stated in the CPRA.
In accordance with Government Code § 6253(b), Placer County is required to determine whether a request seeks copies of disclosable public records within 10 days of receiving the request. Under certain unusual circumstances, this time limit may be extended by written notice for an additional 14 days.
The county also adheres to California's open meeting laws, commonly known as the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code § 54950-54963), which ensures that the deliberations and actions of local government bodies occur openly with public access and input.
Placer County's commitment to open government extends beyond minimum legal requirements, with many records now available through online portals and databases to enhance public accessibility.
How to Find Public Records in Placer County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records from Placer County may utilize several methods to obtain the information they need. The county currently provides multiple access points for public records:
-
Online Access: Many records are available through the county's official website. Interested parties may access:
- Property records through the Recorder's online portal
- Court records via the Superior Court's case information system
- Meeting agendas and minutes through the Board of Supervisors' webpage
- GIS and parcel information through the county's mapping portal
-
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county department during regular business hours to inspect or request copies of records:
- For general county records: County Executive Office
- For property records: Clerk-Recorder's Office
- For court records: Superior Court Clerk
- For tax records: Assessor's Office or Tax Collector's Office
-
Written Requests: The public may submit formal written requests for records not readily available online. Written requests should:
- Clearly identify the records sought with reasonable specificity
- Include contact information for response
- Be addressed to the appropriate department
- Reference the California Public Records Act
-
Public Records Request Form: Placer County provides a standardized Public Records Request form that may be submitted to any county department.
-
Email Requests: Many departments accept public records requests via email. The county's website provides department-specific contact information.
County staff are required to assist requestors in making focused and effective requests that enable the county to identify responsive records. Pursuant to Government Code § 6253.1, staff must assist by describing the information technology and physical location of records, providing suggestions for overcoming practical barriers to disclosure, and identifying records responsive to the request.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Placer County?
Placer County assesses fees for certain public records in accordance with California Government Code § 6253(b), which permits agencies to charge "fees covering direct costs of duplication" or a "statutory fee if applicable." The current fee structure includes:
- Standard Document Copies: $0.10 per page for standard black and white copies (8.5" x 11" or 8.5" x 14")
- Color Copies: $0.25 per page
- Large Format Documents: $3.00 per page for maps, blueprints, and other oversized documents
- Electronic Records: $5.00 per CD/DVD for records provided in electronic format
- Certified Copies: Additional fees apply for certified copies of official records:
- Birth certificates: $28.00 per copy
- Death certificates: $21.00 per copy
- Marriage certificates: $15.00 per copy
- Real property records: $2.00 per page plus $1.00 certification fee
The county accepts payment by cash, check, money order, and credit card (Visa and MasterCard) for most transactions. Some departments may have limited payment options for in-person requests.
For extensive or complex requests requiring significant staff time for compilation, redaction, or programming, the county may charge additional fees based on actual costs. Prior to processing such requests, the department will provide a cost estimate for approval.
It is important to note that while fees may be charged for copies, inspection of public records is generally available at no cost during regular business hours, as required by Government Code § 6253(a).
Certain statutory fees for specific record types are set by state law and cannot be waived. However, the county may reduce or waive copy fees when the request is made by a nonprofit organization or when doing so would serve the public interest.
Does Placer County Have Free Public Records?
Placer County provides free access to numerous public records in compliance with California Government Code § 6253(a), which states that "public records are open to inspection at all times during the office hours of the state or local agency." The following free records access options are currently available:
-
In-Person Inspection: Members of the public may inspect most non-exempt records at no charge during regular business hours at the appropriate county department. No appointment is necessary for general inspection, though advance notice may help staff locate records more efficiently.
-
Online Resources: The county maintains several free online databases and information portals:
-
Public Terminals: Computer terminals are available at several county facilities for public use in accessing electronic records, including:
- Clerk-Recorder's Office for property records
- Law Library for legal research
- Public libraries throughout the county
-
Public Meetings: Attendance at public meetings of the Board of Supervisors and other county bodies is free, with agendas provided at no charge.
While inspection is free, the county does charge for copies of records as detailed in the fee schedule. Additionally, certain specialized or voluminous records may incur costs for reproduction even when the underlying information is publicly accessible.
Who Can Request Public Records in Placer County?
Under the California Public Records Act, specifically Government Code § 6253(a), public records in Placer County are available to all persons, regardless of citizenship or residency status. The current eligibility requirements for requesting public records include:
-
No Residency Requirement: Requestors need not be residents of Placer County or California to obtain public records.
-
No Purpose Statement Required: For most records, requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request or explain why they want the information. Government Code § 6257.5 explicitly prohibits agencies from conditioning access to public records on providing identification or reason for the request.
-
Identification Requirements: While identification is generally not required for basic record requests, certain records may require verification of identity:
- Vital records (birth, death certificates) require proof of identity and, in some cases, proof of relationship to the subject
- Some court records may require identification for access to confidential components
- Records containing personal information may require verification that the requestor is authorized to receive such information
-
Anonymous Requests: Anonymous requests for public records are permitted for general information, though providing contact information is necessary if the records cannot be provided immediately.
-
Representatives: Attorneys, researchers, and other representatives may request records on behalf of clients, though authorization documentation may be required for certain protected records.
-
Commercial Use: Records may be requested for commercial purposes, though this does not affect the right of access (except in limited circumstances involving voter registration data).
-
Media Representatives: Journalists and media organizations have the same rights of access as any member of the public, with no special privileges or restrictions.
For requests involving confidential or restricted information, additional verification procedures may apply in accordance with relevant state and federal laws protecting privacy and confidentiality.
What Records Are Confidential in Placer County?
While Placer County strives for transparency, certain records are exempt from disclosure under the California Public Records Act, specifically Government Code § 6254, which enumerates specific exemptions. The following categories of records are generally confidential and not available for public inspection:
-
Personal Privacy Information: Records containing personal information, including:
- Social Security numbers
- Driver's license numbers
- Financial account information
- Medical information protected under HIPAA
- Personnel records containing private data
-
Law Enforcement Records: Certain investigative records, including:
- Active criminal investigations
- Confidential informant information
- Juvenile arrest and criminal history information
- Victim information in certain cases
- Records that would endanger witnesses or law enforcement personnel
-
Legal and Judicial Records:
- Sealed court records
- Grand jury transcripts (except as provided by law)
- Attorney-client privileged communications
- Records pertaining to pending litigation involving the county
-
Preliminary Drafts and Notes: Preliminary drafts, notes, or interagency memoranda not retained in the ordinary course of business
-
Child and Family Records:
- Adoption records
- Child welfare and protective services records
- Juvenile court records
-
Security Information:
- Critical infrastructure information
- Security procedures and protocols
- Information technology security data
-
Proprietary Information:
- Trade secrets
- Proprietary business information submitted to the county
- Competitive bidding information prior to contract award
-
Deliberative Process Materials: Records revealing the deliberative processes of county officials before final decisions are made
In accordance with Government Code § 6255, Placer County may also withhold records when "the public interest served by not disclosing the record clearly outweighs the public interest served by disclosure." This "catch-all" provision requires a balancing test applied on a case-by-case basis.
When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the county will redact the exempt portions and release the remainder, as required by Government Code § 6253(a).
Placer County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Placer County Clerk-Recorder's Office
2954 Richardson Drive
Auburn, CA 95603
(530) 886-5600
Placer County Clerk-Recorder
Public Counter Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Additional Service Locations:
Tahoe Office
3665 Coon Street
Kings Beach, CA 96143
(530) 546-1900
Open Tuesday and Thursday: 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
The Placer County Clerk-Recorder's Office serves as the official custodian of public records for the county, maintaining vital records, real property documents, and other official filings. The office provides recording services, issues marriage licenses, processes fictitious business name statements, and maintains birth, death, and marriage records.
Document recording is available during all business hours. Customers seeking certified copies of vital records are encouraged to submit requests early in the day to ensure same-day processing. The office recommends appointments for marriage license applications and ceremonies, though walk-ins are accommodated when possible.
For expedited service, many records can be requested online through the Clerk-Recorder's official website. The office also offers a subscription service for title companies and frequent users of recorded documents.