Imperial County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Imperial County?
Public records in Imperial County are official documents, files, recordings, and other information created, received, or maintained by government agencies in the course of conducting public business. According to the California Public Records Act (CPRA), specifically under Government Code § 6252, 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."
Imperial County maintains numerous types of public records, including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, family law, probate, and small claims cases maintained by the Superior Court of California, County of Imperial
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, assessments, and property tax information maintained by the Imperial County Recorder's Office and Assessor's Office
- Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees maintained by the Imperial County Clerk-Recorder's Office
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, fictitious business name statements, and other commercial filings
- Tax Records: Property tax assessments, tax rolls, and payment records maintained by the Imperial County Treasurer-Tax Collector
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance disclosures maintained by the Imperial County Registrar of Voters
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of proceedings for the County Board of Supervisors, planning commission, and other county boards and committees
- Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, contracts, and financial statements
- Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with certain restrictions), and jail records maintained by the Imperial County Sheriff's Office
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, building permits, and environmental impact reports
Each record type is maintained by specific county departments with designated custodians responsible for record management and public access in accordance with state law.
Is Imperial County an Open Records County?
Imperial County fully adheres to California's open records laws, primarily the California Public Records Act (CPRA), codified under Government Code § 6250-6276.48. This comprehensive statute establishes the fundamental right of access to information concerning the conduct of public business.
The CPRA explicitly states in Government Code § 6253(a) that "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." This provision underscores the presumption of openness that guides Imperial County's approach to records management.
Imperial County has implemented policies and procedures to ensure compliance with state transparency requirements. The county maintains a systematic approach to records requests, providing reasonable assistance to members of the public seeking access to county records. County departments are required to respond to records requests promptly, typically within 10 days as mandated by Government Code § 6253(c), though complex requests may require additional time.
In addition to the CPRA, Imperial County also complies with California's Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code § 54950-54963), which ensures public access to meetings of local government bodies. Together, these laws create a framework of transparency that guides Imperial County's operations and public information practices.
The county's commitment to open government is further demonstrated through its online resources, which provide direct access to many commonly requested records without the need for formal requests.
How to Find Public Records in Imperial County in 2026
Members of the public seeking access to Imperial County records may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need. The county currently provides multiple pathways for records access:
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Online Access: Many records are available through the county's official websites:
- Court records can be searched through the Superior Court of California, County of Imperial electronic case access system
- Property records and assessments are searchable through the Assessor-Recorder's online portal
- Meeting agendas and minutes are posted on the County Board of Supervisors website
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In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours to inspect records:
- Identify the department that maintains the desired records
- Visit during public counter hours
- Complete any required request forms
- Present identification if required for specific record types
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Written Requests: Submit a written public records request to the relevant department:
- Clearly describe the records sought with reasonable specificity
- Include contact information for response
- Submit via mail, email, or fax to the appropriate department
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Specialized Searches: For specific record types:
- Court records: Use the named record search function on the Superior Court website
- Vital records: Submit applications to the County Clerk-Recorder with required identification
- Property records: Search by address, parcel number, or owner name through the Assessor's Office
- Business filings: Contact the Clerk-Recorder for fictitious business name statements
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Bankruptcy Records: For bankruptcy filings affecting Imperial County residents, contact the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of California, which serves both San Diego and Imperial Counties.
When making requests, individuals should provide sufficient detail to allow county staff to identify and locate the specific records sought. Pursuant to Government Code § 6253.1, county staff are required to assist requesters in making focused and effective requests that enable the agency to locate responsive records.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Imperial County?
Imperial 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 for public records in Imperial County includes:
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General Document Copying: $0.25 per page for standard black and white copies
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Certified Copies: Additional $1.75 per document certification
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Vital Records:
- Birth Certificates: $28.00 per certified copy
- Death Certificates: $21.00 per certified copy
- Marriage Certificates: $15.00 per certified copy
- Marriage License (public): $89.00
- Marriage License (confidential): $100.00
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Court Records:
- Case searches: $15.00 per name
- Court document copies: $0.50 per page
- Certified court documents: $25.00 plus copy fees
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Property Records:
- Recorded documents: $2.00 for first page, $0.50 each additional page
- Certified copies of recorded documents: $2.00 additional per document
- Maps and large format documents: $3.00 per page
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Electronic Records:
- Data compilation (when required): Actual cost based on staff time
- Electronic delivery: No charge when feasible
- Storage media (CD/DVD/USB): Actual cost of media
Payment methods accepted by most Imperial County departments include:
- Cash (in-person only)
- Personal checks (with proper identification)
- Money orders
- Credit/debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover)
- Electronic payment for certain online services
Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances where the request serves the public interest, as determined on a case-by-case basis. Additionally, inspection of records at county offices is generally provided without charge, though fees apply for any requested copies.
Special statutory fees may apply to certain specialized records not listed above. The county reserves the right to require advance payment before processing requests that involve substantial duplication costs.
Does Imperial County Have Free Public Records?
Imperial County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with California law. Under Government Code § 6253(a), all members of the public have the right to inspect public records during regular office hours without charge. The following free records access options are currently available:
Free In-Person Inspection:
- Most non-confidential county records may be inspected at no cost at the appropriate county office during regular business hours
- Court case files may be viewed at the courthouse without charge
- Board of Supervisors meeting minutes and agendas are available for review at the Clerk of the Board's office
- Planning and zoning documents may be examined at the Planning Department
Free Online Resources:
- Imperial County Superior Court provides free access to court calendars and basic case information
- County Board of Supervisors meeting agendas, minutes, and video recordings are available on the county website
- County budget documents and financial reports are posted online
- Election results and voter information guides are accessible through the Registrar of Voters website
- Public notices and announcements are published on the county's main website
Public Access Terminals:
- Computer terminals at the County Recorder's Office provide free access to certain property records
- Public computers at the Superior Court allow free searches of court case indexes
- The County Law Library offers public access to legal research materials and certain county records
While inspection is free, fees may still apply for copies, certified documents, or extensive searches requiring staff time. Additionally, some specialized databases or comprehensive searches may carry statutory fees regardless of whether copies are requested.
The Imperial County Library system also provides public computers with internet access that can be used to view publicly available online records at no cost.
Who Can Request Public Records in Imperial County?
Under California's Public Records Act, specifically Government Code § 6253, any person may request access to public records maintained by Imperial County. The term "person" is broadly defined and includes:
- California residents
- Non-California residents
- Foreign nationals
- Business entities
- Organizations and associations
- Media representatives
- Government agencies
Requesters are not generally required to:
- Provide identification (except for certain restricted records)
- State the purpose of their request
- Explain why they want the records
- Demonstrate a direct interest in the records
However, specific identification requirements do apply to certain record types:
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Vital Records: Pursuant to Health and Safety Code § 103526, certified copies of birth, death, and marriage certificates are available only to authorized individuals who can establish their identity and relationship to the person named in the record. Requesters must submit a sworn statement and valid identification.
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Criminal History Records: Access is restricted to authorized agencies and the subject of the records.
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Juvenile Court Records: Generally confidential with limited access to parties directly involved in the case.
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Medical and Mental Health Records: Subject to HIPAA and other privacy laws, with access typically limited to the patient or their authorized representative.
For most general county records, anonymous requests are permitted, though providing contact information is necessary if copies are to be mailed or if staff needs to communicate regarding the request.
Non-citizens and entities outside the United States maintain the same general rights to access public records as California residents, though practical limitations may exist regarding methods of request submission and record delivery.
What Records Are Confidential in Imperial County?
Imperial County maintains certain records that are exempt from public disclosure in accordance with California Government Code § 6254 and other applicable laws. These confidential records include:
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Personal Privacy Information:
- Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account information
- Home addresses and telephone numbers of public safety officers
- Medical and mental health records protected under HIPAA
- Personnel records containing personal data beyond name, position, and salary
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Law Enforcement Records:
- Active criminal investigation files
- Confidential informant information
- Juvenile arrest and criminal history records
- Intelligence information and security procedures
- Victim information in certain cases, particularly involving sexual offenses
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Court Records:
- Sealed court records pursuant to court order
- Juvenile dependency and delinquency proceedings
- Family court mediation reports
- Mental health commitment proceedings
- Adoption records
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Administrative Records:
- Preliminary drafts and notes not retained in the ordinary course of business
- Pending litigation records and attorney-client privileged communications
- Deliberative process materials reflecting pre-decisional discussions
- Test questions and scoring keys for licensing and employment examinations
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Other Protected Records:
- Child welfare and protective services records
- Library patron borrowing records
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to the county
- Critical infrastructure information related to public utilities and security systems
- Voter registration information (residential addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses)
California law requires agencies to apply a balancing test under Government Code § 6255 when considering disclosure of records not specifically exempt. This test weighs the public interest in disclosure against the public interest in nondisclosure. Even when records contain exempt information, Imperial County must release reasonably segregable non-exempt portions of the records when possible.
Individuals seeking access to their own confidential records may have greater rights of access than the general public, particularly for medical, employment, and certain court records, though specific verification procedures apply.
Imperial County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Imperial County Recorder's Office
940 W. Main Street, Suite 202
El Centro, CA 92243
(442) 265-1074
Imperial County 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, liens, and other property documents
- Issuance of marriage licenses
- Filing of fictitious business name statements
- Certified copies of vital records (birth, death, and marriage certificates)
- Military discharge recording (DD-214)
- Notary public oath and bond filings
- Mining claim recordings
Additional Contact Information:
Imperial County Clerk-Recorder
940 W. Main Street, Suite 202
El Centro, CA 92243
(442) 265-1076
Imperial County Clerk-Recorder
Superior Court of California, County of Imperial
939 W. Main Street
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 482-2200
Imperial County Superior Court
Imperial County Assessor's Office
940 W. Main Street, Suite 115
El Centro, CA 92243
(442) 265-1070
Imperial County Assessor
Imperial County Sheriff's Office
328 Applestill Road
El Centro, CA 92243
(442) 265-2021
Imperial County Sheriff
Lookup Public Records in Imperial County
Superior Court of California, County of Imperial
Online Services for Imperial County Court Records
Named Record Searches for Imperial County Court Cases
United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of California