Yolo County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Yolo County?

Public records in Yolo County are defined as information that documents government business and is maintained by public agencies. According to the California Public Records Act (CPRA), specifically under Government Code § 6252(e), public records include "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."

Yolo County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases are maintained by the Superior Court of Yolo County. These include case filings, judgments, and court calendars.
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, assessments, and property transfers are maintained by the Yolo County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder. These documents establish ownership and encumbrances on real property within the county.
Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and domestic partnership registrations are maintained by the Clerk-Recorder's Office.
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name statements (DBAs) are filed with the Clerk-Recorder's Office.
Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax rolls are maintained by the Yolo County Tax Collector and Assessor.
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance disclosures are maintained by the Yolo County Elections Office.
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of proceedings for the Board of Supervisors, commissions, and other county bodies are maintained by the Clerk of the Board.
Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements are maintained by the Auditor-Controller's Office.
Law Enforcement Records: Certain arrest logs, incident reports, and crime statistics are maintained by the Yolo County Sheriff's Department and local police departments.
Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, permits, environmental impact reports, and zoning information are maintained by the Community Development Department.

The Yolo County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder/Elections Department (ACE) serves as the primary custodian for many of the county's most frequently requested public records.

Is Yolo County an Open Records County?

Yolo County fully adheres to the California Public Records Act (CPRA), codified under Government Code § 6250-6276.48. This comprehensive state law establishes the public's right to access government records.

The foundational principle of the CPRA is articulated in Government Code § 6250, which states: "In enacting this chapter, the Legislature, mindful of the right of individuals to privacy, finds and declares that access to information concerning the conduct of the people's business is a fundamental and necessary right of every person in this state."

Yolo County has implemented policies to ensure compliance with state transparency laws, including the Ralph M. Brown Act, which governs open meetings. The county maintains a commitment to providing public access to records while balancing privacy concerns and legal exemptions.

Under current county policy, all county departments are required to respond to public records requests promptly, typically within 10 days as required by Government Code § 6253(c). In some cases, the county may extend this period by an additional 14 days when unusual circumstances exist.

The California State Portal provides additional resources regarding open government initiatives throughout the state, including those implemented in Yolo County.

How to Find Public Records in Yolo County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Yolo County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:

Online Access: Many records are available through the county's online portals:
- Property records can be searched through the Official Records Search portal maintained by the ACE Department
- Court records can be accessed through the Superior Court of Yolo County case index
- Meeting agendas and minutes are available on the Board of Supervisors website
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours:
- For property, vital, and business records, visit the Clerk-Recorder's Office
- For court records, visit the Superior Court Clerk's Office
- For tax records, visit the Tax Collector's Office
Written Requests: Submit a formal public records request in writing to the specific department that maintains the desired records. Requests should:
- Clearly identify the records sought
- Provide contact information
- Specify preferred format (electronic or paper)
- Include any date ranges or other identifying information
Public Access Terminals: The Clerk-Recorder's Office and Superior Court provide public access terminals for searching records on-site without fees for viewing.
California Public Records Act Request: For records not readily available, submit a formal CPRA request to the appropriate department. The county must respond within 10 days, though complex requests may require an extension.

When making requests, it is advisable to be as specific as possible about the records sought. Vague requests may result in delays or difficulties in locating the appropriate documents.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Yolo County?

Yolo County charges standardized fees for public records in accordance with Government Code § 6253(b), which permits agencies to charge only the "direct costs of duplication" for most records. Current fees for common record types include:

Copies of General Records:
- Standard paper copies: $0.25 per page
- Certified copies: $1.75 per page
- Electronic copies (when available): $5.00 per file
Vital Records:
- Birth certificates: $28.00 per copy
- Death certificates: $21.00 per copy
- Marriage certificates: $15.00 per copy
- Marriage license (issuance): $85.00
Property Records:
- Recorded documents: $2.00 for first page, $0.50 each additional page
- Certified copies of recorded documents: $2.00 for first page, $0.50 each additional page, plus $1.75 certification fee
Court Records:
- Case file review: No charge for inspection
- Copies of court documents: $0.50 per page
- Certified copies: $25.00 plus copy fees
Research Fees:
- Records search conducted by staff: $20.00 per hour (first 15 minutes free)

Accepted payment methods include cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards (with a processing fee) at most county offices. Some departments may have different payment policies.

Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances, particularly when the request is deemed to primarily benefit the general public rather than the requester. Requests for fee waivers must be submitted in writing with justification.

Does Yolo County Have Free Public Records?

Yolo County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with state law. Under the California Public Records Act, members of the public have the right to inspect public records during normal business hours at no cost. Only the cost of duplication may be charged.

The following records are available for free inspection:

In-Person Record Review: All non-exempt public records may be inspected in person at the appropriate county office during regular business hours without charge. This includes:
- Property records at the Clerk-Recorder's Office
- Court case files at the Superior Court Clerk's Office
- Meeting minutes at the Clerk of the Board's Office
- Budget documents at the Auditor-Controller's Office
Online Resources: Several free online resources are maintained by Yolo County:
- Property assessment information (basic property details)
- Board of Supervisors meeting agendas and minutes
- County budget documents
- Election results and campaign finance reports
- County ordinances and codes
Public Access Terminals: The Clerk-Recorder's Office and Superior Court provide public access terminals where visitors can search records electronically at no cost.
Public Libraries: Yolo County libraries offer free internet access where residents can access online county records.

The Yolo County ACE Department maintains public access terminals where visitors can search official records indices at no charge, though printing or obtaining certified copies will incur fees.

Who Can Request Public Records in Yolo County?

Under the California Public Records Act, any person may request access to public records maintained by Yolo County. The term "person" is broadly defined and includes:

Individual citizens (regardless of residency status)
Corporations and business entities
Associations and organizations
Media representatives
Government agencies

Requesters are not required to:

Prove California or Yolo County residency
Provide identification for most record types
State the purpose of their request
Explain why they want the records

However, certain exceptions apply:

For vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates), requesters must demonstrate they are an "authorized person" as defined in Health and Safety Code § 103526. This typically includes immediate family members, legal representatives, or government agencies.
For criminal history information, access is restricted to the subject of the records or authorized representatives.
For certain property records containing social security numbers or other sensitive information, redacted versions may be provided to the general public.

When requesting your own records versus those of others, different standards may apply. For example, individuals have greater access rights to their own vital records, court cases, or personnel files than would be granted to third parties.

The California Judicial Branch provides additional guidance on accessing court records, which follow slightly different rules than administrative records.

What Records Are Confidential in Yolo County?

While Yolo County strives for transparency, certain records are exempt from disclosure under the California Public Records Act. Pursuant to Government Code § 6254, the following records are generally confidential:

Personal Privacy Information:
- Social Security numbers
- Driver's license numbers
- Financial account information
- Medical and health records (protected by HIPAA)
- Personnel records (except for specific information about public employees)
Law Enforcement Records:
- Active investigation records
- Confidential informant information
- Juvenile arrest and criminal history information
- Victim information in certain cases
Court Records:
- Sealed court records
- Juvenile court proceedings
- Family court mediation records
- Mental health proceedings
- Adoption records
Other Protected Records:
- Attorney-client privileged communications
- Preliminary drafts and notes not retained in the ordinary course of business
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information
- Critical infrastructure information (security systems, facility plans)
- Records protected by federal law
- Library patron records

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, Yolo County will redact the confidential portions and release the remainder, as required by law.

The county applies a balancing test in some cases, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the public interest in non-disclosure. This test is applied on a case-by-case basis when records do not fall clearly within a statutory exemption but may implicate privacy or other concerns.

Yolo County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Yolo County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder/Elections (ACE) Department
625 Court Street, Room B-01
Woodland, CA 95695
(530) 666-8130
Yolo County Clerk-Recorder

Public Counter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays

Services Available:

Recording of property documents
Issuance of vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates)
Filing of fictitious business name statements
Marriage license issuance and civil marriage ceremonies
Passport application processing
Notary public oath and bond filing
Military discharge recording

The Clerk-Recorder's Office maintains and provides access to official records dating back to the county's formation in 1850. Public access terminals are available during regular business hours for searching records indices. Document images for records from 1980 to present are available on these terminals.

For specific questions about record availability or filing requirements, members of the public may contact the office directly during business hours.

Lookup Public Records in Yolo County

Search official property records in the Yolo County ACE Department's online portal

Access court case information through the Superior Court of Yolo County

View official records and conduct searches at the Yolo County ACE Department

Request vital records and other official documents from the Yolo County Clerk-Recorder

Learn about California public records laws from the California Department of Justice

Access statewide government services through the California State Portal

Find information about the California court system from the Judicial Branch of California