San Mateo County Public Records

What Are Public Records in San Mateo County?

Public records in San Mateo County are defined as information that documents government business and is maintained by public agencies. According to the California Public Records Act (CPRA), codified in Government Code § 7920.000 et seq., 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."

San Mateo County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases maintained by the Superior Court of San Mateo County
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments
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 information and assessment records
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of county commission and board meetings
Budget and Financial Documents: County financial reports and expenditure records
Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs and incident reports (with statutory limitations)
Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, permits, and zoning information

The San Mateo County Clerk-Recorder's Office serves as the primary custodian for many county records, while specialized records are maintained by their respective departments. Court records are maintained by the Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo, which provides an online case access system for public use.

Is San Mateo County an Open Records County?

San Mateo County fully complies with the California Public Records Act, which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under Government Code § 7921.000, "access to information concerning the conduct of the people's business is a fundamental and necessary right of every person in this state."

The California Constitution, Article I, Section 3(b) further reinforces this right, stating: "The people have the right of access to information concerning the conduct of the people's business, and, therefore, the meetings of public bodies and the writings of public officials and agencies shall be open to public scrutiny."

San Mateo County has implemented policies to ensure compliance with these state transparency laws. The county maintains an open records policy that facilitates public access to government information while protecting confidential information as required by law. County departments are required to respond to public records requests promptly, typically within 10 days as mandated by Government Code § 7922.535.

The county also adheres to the Ralph M. Brown Act, California's open meetings law, which requires that meetings of local government bodies be open and public, with agendas published in advance. This commitment to transparency extends to municipalities within the county, which maintain their own public records access systems.

How to Find Public Records in San Mateo County in 2026

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

Online Access: Many records are available through the county's digital portals:
- Court records can be accessed through the Superior Court's Odyssey Portal
- Property records are searchable through the Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder's online database
- Meeting agendas and minutes are typically available on the County Board of Supervisors website
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours:
- For vital records: Visit the County Clerk-Recorder's Office
- For court records: Visit the Superior Court Clerk's Office
- For property tax records: Visit the Tax Collector's Office
Written Requests: Submit a formal public records request in writing to the relevant department:
- Clearly identify the records sought
- Provide contact information
- Specify preferred format (electronic or paper copies)
Telephone Inquiries: Contact the appropriate department to determine record availability and request procedures.

The county typically responds to requests within 10 calendar days as required by state law, though complex requests may require an extension of up to 14 additional days with written notice to the requestor.

For specialized records, contact the specific department that maintains them:

Health records: San Mateo County Health Department
Law enforcement records: San Mateo County Sheriff's Office
Environmental records: San Mateo County Environmental Health Division

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

San Mateo County charges fees for certain public records in accordance with Government Code § 7922.530, which permits agencies to recover "direct costs of duplication" or a "statutory fee, if applicable."

Current standard fees for common record types include:

Copies of Public Records:
- Standard paper copies: $0.10-$0.25 per page
- Certified copies: Additional $1.75-$2.25 per document
- Electronic records: May be provided at no cost if readily available in electronic format
Vital Records:
- Birth certificates: $28 per copy
- Death certificates: $21 per copy
- Marriage certificates: $15 per copy
- Marriage license (issuance): $79-$90
Court Records:
- Case searches: $15 per name/case
- Court document copies: $0.50 per page
- Certified court documents: $25 per document plus copy fees
Property Records:
- Recorded document copies: $2 for first page, $0.50 each additional page
- Recording fees: Vary by document type, typically $14-$75

Accepted payment methods include cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards at most county offices. Some departments may not accept all payment types.

The California Public Records Act prohibits agencies from charging fees for the time spent searching for or retrieving records. However, if electronic records require data compilation, extraction, or programming, the county may charge for the cost of producing such records.

Fee waivers may be available when disclosure would primarily benefit the general public, though such determinations are made on a case-by-case basis.

Does San Mateo County Have Free Public Records?

San Mateo County provides free inspection of public records during normal business hours in accordance with the California Public Records Act. While copying fees may apply, the public has the right to examine non-exempt records at no cost.

The following free public record resources are available:

In-Person Inspection: Members of the public may review records at the appropriate county office at no charge during regular business hours. Appointments may be recommended for extensive research.
Online Resources:
- The Superior Court's public portal provides free access to basic case information
- County Board of Supervisors meeting agendas and minutes are freely available online
- County budget documents and financial reports are accessible at no cost
- Election results and campaign finance disclosures are provided free of charge
Public Terminals: Computer terminals are available at various county facilities for public use in accessing digital records, including:
- Law libraries
- County clerk's office
- Public libraries throughout the county

While inspection is free, reproduction costs apply when copies are requested. Additionally, certain specialized searches or certified documents always carry statutory fees that cannot be waived.

The county maintains public viewing areas where individuals may examine records without charge, though staff assistance may be limited based on availability and the complexity of the request.

Who Can Request Public Records in San Mateo County?

Under the California Public Records Act, any person may request access to public records maintained by San Mateo County. The term "person" includes:

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

Requestors are not required to:

Provide identification (except for certain confidential records)
State the purpose of their request
Explain why they want the records
Be California residents

However, certain record types have specific eligibility restrictions:

Vital Records: Access to birth, death, and marriage certificates is limited to individuals with "direct and tangible interest" as defined in Health and Safety Code § 103526. This typically includes immediate family members, legal representatives, and those with court orders.
Criminal History Records: Complete criminal history information is restricted to authorized agencies and the subject of the record.
Juvenile Court Records: Access is generally limited to parties directly involved in the case, though certain information may be available to researchers and others with legitimate interest, subject to court approval.

When requesting your own records that contain personal information, identification is typically required to verify identity and prevent unauthorized disclosure. For general public records, anonymous requests are permitted, though providing contact information is necessary for the county to respond to the request.

What Records Are Confidential in San Mateo County?

While San Mateo County strives for transparency, certain records are exempt from disclosure under Government Code § 7927.000-7928.410, which establishes numerous categories of protected information. Records that are confidential in San Mateo County include:

Personal Privacy Information:
- Social Security numbers
- Driver's license numbers
- Financial account information
- Medical and health records (protected by HIPAA)
- Personnel records (except for specified 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 Information:
- 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 that could pose security risks
- Records protected by federal law

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the county will redact the confidential portions and release the remainder when feasible. The county applies a "public interest balancing test" under Government Code § 7922.000 when determining if certain discretionary exemptions should apply.

Confidentiality protections may be waived in certain circumstances, such as court orders or when disclosure is required by other laws. The county evaluates each request individually to ensure compliance with all applicable confidentiality requirements.

San Mateo County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

San Mateo County Clerk-Recorder's Office
555 County Center, First Floor
Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 363-4500
San Mateo County Clerk-Recorder

Regular Business Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county 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 vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates)
Processing of passport applications (by appointment)
Notary public registrations
Military discharge recordings

Satellite Office:
South San Francisco Branch Office
455 County Center
South San Francisco, CA 94080
(650) 877-8300

South San Francisco Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays