Sutter County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Sutter County?
Public records in Sutter 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."
Sutter County maintains numerous types of public records, including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases maintained by the Superior Court of California, County of Sutter
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments maintained by the County Recorder's Office
- 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 maintained by the Assessor's Office
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration information and election results maintained by the Elections Department
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of County Board of Supervisors and other county commission meetings
- Budget and Financial Documents: County financial reports, budgets, and expenditure records
- Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs and certain incident reports (with legally required redactions)
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, permits, and zoning information
The Sutter County Clerk-Recorder serves as the custodian for many of these records, while specialized departments maintain others according to their respective functions.
Is Sutter County an Open Records County?
Sutter County adheres to California's open records laws, primarily the California Public Records Act (CPRA), which is codified in Government Code § 6250-6276.48. This comprehensive statute establishes the public's right to access government records.
The foundational principle of the CPRA is stated in Government Code § 6250: "access to information concerning the conduct of the people's business is a fundamental and necessary right of every person in this state." This provision underscores California's commitment to governmental transparency.
Sutter County also complies with California's Ralph M. Brown Act, which governs open meetings for local government bodies. The county maintains a Public Records Request Policy that outlines procedures for requesting and obtaining public records.
The county's implementation of these laws reflects California's strong tradition of governmental transparency, with a presumption that records are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by law.
How to Find Public Records in Sutter County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in Sutter County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:
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Submit a Public Records Request: Individuals may submit formal requests to the appropriate county department. Requests may be made in person, by mail, or electronically through the county's online request portal.
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Visit the Appropriate Office: Many records are available for in-person inspection during regular business hours at the relevant county office:
- For property records, visit the County Recorder's Office
- For court records, visit the Superior Court Clerk's Office
- For vital records, visit the County Clerk's Office
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Use Online Resources: Sutter County provides several online databases for public access:
- The Superior Court's online case access system allows searches of court cases
- Property records can be searched through the Assessor-Recorder's online portal
- Board of Supervisors meeting agendas and minutes are available on the county website
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Contact the Records Custodian: If uncertain about where specific records are maintained, contact the County Clerk's Office for guidance on directing your request to the appropriate department.
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Submit a Written Request: For complex requests or records not readily available online, submit a written request specifying the records sought. Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(b), agencies must assist requesters in making focused and effective requests.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Sutter County?
Sutter County charges fees for certain public records in accordance with California law. Under Government Code § 6253(b), agencies may charge "fees covering direct costs of duplication" or a statutory fee, if applicable.
Current standard fees include:
- General Copying Fees: $0.25 per page for standard documents
- Certified Copies:
- Birth certificates: $28.00 per copy
- Death certificates: $24.00 per copy
- Marriage certificates: $17.00 per copy
- Property Records:
- Recorded documents: $2.00 for the first page, $0.50 for each additional page
- Certified copies of recorded documents: $2.00 additional fee
- Court Records:
- Case searches: $15.00 per name for searches requiring more than 10 minutes
- Copies of court documents: $0.50 per page
- Certified copies: $25.00 plus copy fees
The county accepts payment by cash, check, money order, and credit card (in most departments). Some departments may have additional convenience fees for credit card transactions.
Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances, particularly when the request is deemed to be in the public interest. Such determinations are made on a case-by-case basis by the records custodian.
Does Sutter County Have Free Public Records?
Sutter County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with California law. Under Government Code § 6253(a), public records are open to inspection during regular office hours at no charge.
Free public records services include:
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In-Person Inspection: Members of the public may inspect most non-exempt records at no cost during regular business hours at the appropriate county office. While inspection is free, copying fees may apply if the requester wants physical copies.
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Online Resources: Several free online databases are maintained by the county:
- The Superior Court's case information portal provides basic case information at no charge
- Board of Supervisors meeting agendas and minutes are freely available on the county website
- County budget documents and financial reports are accessible online without charge
- Election results and certain voter information are available at no cost
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Public Terminals: Computer terminals are available at certain county offices, including the Recorder's Office and the Superior Court, allowing free access to digital records that might otherwise require a fee for printed copies.
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Public Notices: Legal notices, ordinances, and regulatory information are published and made freely available as required by law.
While inspection is generally free, requesters should be aware that fees may apply for copies, certified documents, or extensive search services as outlined in the fee schedule.
Who Can Request Public Records in Sutter County?
Under California law, public records in Sutter County are available to any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status. The California Public Records Act establishes broad access rights with minimal restrictions on who may request records.
Key eligibility considerations include:
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No Residency Requirement: Requesters need not be California residents or U.S. citizens to obtain public records.
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Identification Requirements: For most general records, identification is not required. However, certain sensitive 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
- Court records with confidential components may require identification
- Law enforcement records may require identification for certain requests
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Purpose Statement: Generally, requesters are not required to state the purpose of their request. As specified in Government Code § 6257.5, "This chapter does not allow limitations on access to a public record based upon the purpose for which the record is being requested, if the record is otherwise subject to disclosure."
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Requesting Personal Records: Individuals requesting their own records may need to provide identification to verify their identity. Third-party requests for another person's records may be limited by confidentiality laws.
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Business Entities: Corporations, organizations, and other legal entities may request public records through authorized representatives.
The county may not discriminate between requesters or require justification for requests, except where specifically authorized by law for certain protected records.
What Records Are Confidential in Sutter County?
While Sutter County maintains a presumption of openness for public records, certain categories of information are exempt from disclosure under California law. These exemptions are primarily outlined in Government Code § 6254 and other specific statutes.
Records that are generally confidential include:
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Sealed Court Records: Cases sealed by court order, including certain juvenile proceedings, adoption records, and cases sealed under specific statutes
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Juvenile Records: Most juvenile court records and law enforcement records involving minors, protected under Welfare and Institutions Code
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Law Enforcement Records: Active investigation records, intelligence information, security procedures, and certain victim information
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Personal Identifying Information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, driver's license numbers, and other personal identifiers that could facilitate identity theft
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Medical and Health Records: Information protected under HIPAA and state medical privacy laws
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Personnel Records: Employee personnel files, including performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, and personal information (with limited exceptions for certain public employee information)
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Child Welfare Records: Child abuse reports and dependency case information
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Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and attorney work product prepared for the county
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Preliminary Drafts and Notes: Internal pre-decisional documents not retained in the ordinary course of business
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Private Personal Information: Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy if disclosed
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Critical Infrastructure Information: Details about public utilities, technology systems, or security measures that could compromise safety if disclosed
When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, Government Code § 6253(a) requires agencies to redact the exempt portions while releasing the remainder of the record.
Sutter County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Sutter County Clerk-Recorder
433 Second Street, Suite 100
Yuba City, CA 95991
(530) 822-7134
Sutter County Clerk-Recorder
Public Counter Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Services Provided:
- Recording of deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents
- Issuance of marriage licenses
- Filing of fictitious business name statements
- Issuance of certified copies of birth, death, and marriage certificates
- Processing of passport applications (by appointment)
- Maintenance of the county's official records
For specific questions about records availability or to confirm current hours of operation, members of the public are encouraged to contact the office directly.