Yuba County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Yuba County?

Public records in Yuba 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."

Yuba County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases through the Yuba County Superior Court
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, assessments, and property tax information
Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name statements
Tax Records: Property tax assessments and payment records
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration information and election results
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County Board of Supervisors and other county commission meetings
Budget and Financial Documents: County expenditures, contracts, and financial reports
Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with certain restrictions)
Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, permits, and environmental reports

The Yuba County Clerk-Recorder's Office maintains property records, vital records, and business filings, while court records are maintained by the Superior Court of California, County of Yuba. Law enforcement records are maintained by the Yuba County Sheriff's Department Records Unit.

Is Yuba County an Open Records County?

Yuba County adheres to the California Public Records Act (CPRA), which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under Government Code § 6250, the California Legislature has declared that "access to information concerning the conduct of the people's business is a fundamental and necessary right of every person in this state."

The CPRA mandates that public records be open for inspection during regular office hours of the governmental agency, with limited exceptions. Yuba County follows these state requirements and has established procedures for responding to public records requests in compliance with state law.

Key provisions of the CPRA that Yuba County follows include:

Public agencies must respond to requests within 10 calendar days, with a possible 14-day extension in unusual circumstances
Agencies must assist requesters in making focused and effective requests
Electronic records are subject to disclosure in any electronic format in which the agency holds the information

Yuba County also complies with the Ralph M. Brown Act, California's open meetings law, which requires that meetings of local government bodies be open and public, with agendas posted in advance.

The Yuba City Clerk's Office maintains specific procedures for handling public records requests for city records, while county records are handled through their respective departments.

How to Find Public Records in Yuba County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Yuba County may follow these steps to obtain the information they need:

Identify the appropriate agency: Determine which department or agency maintains the records you seek.
Submit a written request: While verbal requests are accepted for some records, written requests are recommended for documentation purposes. Requests may be submitted:
- In person at the appropriate department
- By mail to the department's address
- By email to the department's public records contact
- Through online portals where available
For court records: Visit the Yuba County Superior Court's online case access system or submit a request to:

Superior Court of California, County of Yuba
215 5th Street, Suite 200
Marysville, CA 95901
(530) 740-1800
Superior Court of California, County of Yuba

For property records, vital records, and business filings: Contact the County Clerk-Recorder's Office:

Yuba County Clerk-Recorder
915 8th Street, Suite 107
Marysville, CA 95901
(530) 749-7850
Yuba County Clerk-Recorder

For law enforcement records: Submit requests to the Sheriff's Department Records Unit:

Yuba County Sheriff's Department Records Unit
720 Yuba Street
Marysville, CA 95901
(530) 749-7778
Yuba County Sheriff's Department

For city records: Contact the Yuba City Clerk's Office:

Yuba City Clerk's Office
1201 Civic Center Blvd.
Yuba City, CA 95993
(530) 822-4817
Yuba City Clerk's Office

Be specific: Include dates, names, addresses, and any other identifying information that will help locate the records.
Allow processing time: Agencies have 10 calendar days to respond to requests, with a possible 14-day extension in unusual circumstances.

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

Pursuant to the California Public Records Act, Yuba County agencies may charge fees to recover the direct costs of duplication or electronic production of records. Current standard fees include:

Paper copies: $0.25 per page for standard letter/legal size documents
Certified copies: Additional certification fees apply
- Birth certificates: $32.00 per copy
- Death certificates: $24.00 per copy
- Marriage certificates: $17.00 per copy
Maps and large format documents: Varies based on size, typically $5.00-$15.00
Electronic records: Actual cost of production (storage media, programming)
Court records: $0.50 per page for copies, $40.00 for certified copies
Research fees: $15.00 per hour for records requiring extensive research (after first 15 minutes)

Payment methods accepted include:

Cash (in-person only)
Personal checks
Money orders
Credit cards (in some departments and for online services)

Under Government Code § 6253.9, agencies may charge for the cost of producing electronic records, including the cost to construct a record and the cost of programming and computer services necessary to produce the record.

Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances where the request serves the public interest. Requestors should inquire about fee waiver eligibility when submitting their request.

Does Yuba County Have Free Public Records?

Yuba County provides free inspection of public records during normal business hours at the respective agency offices, as required by the California Public Records Act. While copying fees may apply, the following records are available for free:

Online court case information: Basic case information is available through the Yuba County Superior Court's online portal
Property assessment information: Basic property information is available through the Assessor's online database
Board of Supervisors meeting agendas and minutes: Available on the county website
County budget documents: Available for download from the county website
Election results: Available on the Elections Department website

The Yuba County Clerk-Recorder's Office provides free access to historical indexes, including:

Deeds Index (1850-1928)
Official Records Index Grantee (1928-1988)
Official Records Index Grantor (1928-1988)

Additionally, the Yuba County Superior Court provides free access to judicial administrative records upon request, unless the records are exempt from disclosure.

Members of the public may inspect records at no charge during regular business hours, though appointments may be required for extensive research or to access certain historical records.

Who Can Request Public Records in Yuba County?

Under the California Public Records Act, any person may request public records from Yuba County agencies. According to Government Code § 6257.5, agencies may not limit access to public records based on the purpose for which the records are being requested.

Key eligibility information includes:

Residency requirements: California residency is not required to request public records
Identification: While basic contact information may be requested, agencies cannot require identification for most public records
Purpose statement: Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request for most records
Anonymous requests: Anonymous requests are permitted, though contact information is needed if copies are to be mailed

Special considerations apply to certain record types:

Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates): Access is restricted to individuals with a direct interest as defined by law, such as the person named in the record, immediate family members, or legal representatives
Criminal history information: Complete criminal history is available only to authorized agencies and the subject of the record
Juvenile records: Generally confidential and available only to the juvenile, parents/guardians, and authorized agencies
Personnel records: Access is limited to the employee and authorized personnel

When requesting your own records versus others' records, different identification requirements may apply. For example, requesting your own vital records requires valid identification, while requesting public meeting minutes does not.

What Records Are Confidential in Yuba County?

While Yuba 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:

Sealed court records: Records ordered sealed by a judge
Juvenile records: Court records, probation reports, and law enforcement records involving minors
Ongoing investigation records: Records pertaining to active law enforcement investigations
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, financial account information
Medical records: Health information protected under HIPAA and state law
Adoption records: Sealed adoption proceedings and related documents
Child welfare/protective services records: Reports of child abuse or neglect
Personnel records: Employee evaluations, disciplinary actions, and medical information
Trade secrets/proprietary business information: Confidential commercial or financial information
Security plans and infrastructure details: Information that could compromise public safety
Library patron records: Information about materials borrowed or accessed
Preliminary drafts and notes: Not retained in the ordinary course of business
Attorney-client privileged communications: Legal advice and strategy discussions

The Yuba County Superior Court specifically notes that certain judicial administrative records are exempt from disclosure, including records related to judicial deliberation processes.

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, agencies must redact the exempt information and release the remainder. Agencies must justify any denial of access by citing the specific exemption that applies.

Yuba County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Yuba County Clerk-Recorder
915 8th Street, Suite 107
Marysville, CA 95901
(530) 749-7850
Yuba County Clerk-Recorder

Public Counter Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Services Provided:

Recording of deeds, mortgages, and other property documents
Issuance of marriage licenses
Filing of fictitious business name statements
Issuance of certified copies of birth, death, and marriage certificates
Passport application processing (by appointment)
Notary public oaths and filings
Military discharge recordings

Additional Contact Information:
Fax: (530) 749-7854
Email: ClerkRecorder@co.yuba.ca.us

The Clerk-Recorder's Office maintains records dating back to 1850 when Yuba County was established. Historical indexes are available online, including deed indexes from 1850-1928 and official records indexes from 1928-1988.

Lookup Public Records in Yuba County

Online Case Access for Yuba County Superior Court

Yuba County Clerk-Recorder Historical Index Search

Yuba City Public Records Request Portal

Yuba County Sheriff's Department Records Unit

Yuba County Superior Court Administrative Records