San Francisco County Public Records

What Are Public Records in San Francisco County?

Public records in San Francisco County encompass all information created, received, or maintained by county government agencies in the course of official business. Pursuant to the California Public Records Act (CPRA) § 6252(e), public records are defined as "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 Francisco County maintains numerous categories of public records, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings maintained by the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco. These include case documents, judgments, and court calendars accessible through the court's online services.
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, assessments, and property transfers recorded and maintained by the San Francisco Assessor-Recorder's Office.
Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and domestic partnership registrations maintained by the San Francisco Office of the County Clerk.
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name statements filed with the San Francisco Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector and County Clerk.
Tax Records: Property tax assessments, tax rolls, and payment records maintained by the Assessor-Recorder and Treasurer & Tax Collector offices.
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance disclosures maintained by the San Francisco Department of Elections.
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Official proceedings of the Board of Supervisors, commissions, and other public bodies as required by the Sunshine Ordinance § 67.7.
Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, financial reports, expenditure records, and contracts maintained by the Controller's Office.
Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with legally required redactions), and crime statistics maintained by the San Francisco Police Department.
Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning applications, environmental reviews, and planning documents maintained by the Planning Department and Department of Building Inspection.

Each record type is maintained by its respective department, with many records now available through digital access portals that facilitate public inspection.

Is San Francisco County an Open Records County?

San Francisco County adheres to and expands upon California's open records laws. Under the California Public Records Act § 6250, the 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." San Francisco County fully complies with this mandate.

The county has further strengthened transparency through the San Francisco Sunshine Ordinance (Chapter 67 of the Administrative Code), which enhances public access beyond state requirements. Section 67.1(a) of the ordinance states: "Government's duty is to serve the public, reaching its decisions in full view of the public... The public has a right to know what public servants are doing, and how decisions are reached."

Key provisions of San Francisco's open records framework include:

Broader access to records than required by state law
Shorter response timelines (typically 10 days instead of the state's 10-day initial response with possible 14-day extension)
Stronger requirements for electronic record access
Greater access to drafts and memoranda that would be exempt under state law
Sunshine Ordinance Task Force to hear complaints about access denials

The San Francisco Administrative Code § 67.21(a) specifically requires that "public records are open to inspection and copying by any person during regular office hours." This provision ensures that San Francisco County maintains its status as one of California's most transparent jurisdictions.

How to Find Public Records in San Francisco County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in San Francisco County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain documents. The county currently provides multiple access channels:

Online Access: Many records are available through department-specific online portals:
- Court records through the Superior Court's case information system
- Property records via the Assessor-Recorder's Records Manager tool
- Meeting agendas and minutes through the SF.gov Legislative Research Center
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate department during regular business hours:
- For court records, visit the Records Viewing Room at either the Civic Center Courthouse or Hall of Justice
- For property records, visit the Office of the Assessor-Recorder at City Hall
- For vital records, visit the County Clerk's Office at City Hall
Written Requests: Submit a written public records request to the specific department:
- Clearly identify the records sought with reasonable specificity
- Include contact information for response
- Departments must acknowledge requests within 24 hours and provide an estimated date of availability
Central Records Portal: The SF.gov public records portal allows submission of requests to multiple departments simultaneously

When requesting records, individuals should:

Specify the exact records needed (date ranges, names, addresses, case numbers)
Indicate preferred format (paper copies, electronic files)
Request fee information in advance if cost is a concern
Provide contact information for follow-up questions

Pursuant to the Sunshine Ordinance, departments must assist requesters in making focused requests that enable the department to identify responsive records.

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

San Francisco County charges standardized fees for public records based on the type of record requested and the format provided. Under California Government Code § 6253(b), agencies may charge only the "direct costs of duplication" for most records.

Current fee structures for common record types include:

General Copies: $0.10 per page for standard black and white copies
Certified Copies:
- Vital Records: $25 for birth certificates, $21 for death certificates, $15 for marriage certificates
- Court Records: $25 for first certification, $10 for additional certifications of the same document
- Property Records: $15 for first page, $3 for each additional page
Electronic Records:
- No charge for records provided via email or electronic download when already in electronic format
- Actual cost of media (CD/DVD/USB) when physical electronic media is provided
- Scanning fees may apply for converting paper records to electronic format
Specialized Records:
- Maps and Oversized Documents: $3.00 per page
- Police Reports: $25 per report
- Environmental Impact Reports: Actual cost of reproduction

Payment methods accepted by most San Francisco County departments include:

Cash (in-person only)
Credit/debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express)
Checks or money orders payable to specific departments
Electronic payment for online services

Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances. The San Francisco Sunshine Ordinance provides that fees may be waived when disclosure would benefit the public interest. Requests for fee waivers must be submitted in writing with justification for the public interest served.

Does San Francisco County Have Free Public Records?

San Francisco County provides free access to numerous public records. Under both the California Public Records Act and the San Francisco Sunshine Ordinance, the public has the right to inspect records at no charge during regular business hours.

Free public record services currently available include:

In-Person Inspection: All public records may be inspected without charge at the appropriate department office during regular business hours. Departments must provide suitable facilities for inspection.
Online Access: Many records are available at no cost through department websites:
- Superior Court case information provides free access to basic case details
- Property records from 1990 to present can be viewed online without charge (downloading official copies incurs fees)
- Board of Supervisors meeting minutes, agendas, and legislation are freely accessible
- Campaign finance disclosures and lobbyist reports are available at no cost
Digital Records: Electronic records that can be transmitted via email or downloaded from a website are typically provided without charge when already in electronic format.
Public Terminals: Computer terminals are available at various county offices for free public access to digital records, including:
- Law libraries
- County Clerk's Office
- Assessor-Recorder's Office
- Department of Elections

The San Francisco Public Library also provides free access to many public records databases through their public computer systems and research assistance services.

While inspection is free, reproduction costs may still apply if copies are requested. Additionally, pursuant to the Sunshine Ordinance, departments must provide electronic copies of electronic records at no charge beyond the cost of any necessary physical media.

Who Can Request Public Records in San Francisco County?

Under the California Public Records Act and San Francisco's Sunshine Ordinance, any person may request public records from San Francisco County agencies. The term "person" is broadly defined and includes:

Individual citizens (regardless of residency status)
Corporations and business entities
Nonprofit organizations
Media representatives
Government agencies
Non-U.S. citizens

Requesters are not required to:

Provide identification in most cases
State the purpose of their request
Explain why they want the records
Be California residents
Have any connection to the records requested

However, certain exceptions apply to specific record types:

Vital Records: Birth, death, and marriage certificates are restricted to qualified individuals as defined in California Health and Safety Code § 103526. Requesters must demonstrate direct relationship or legal interest and provide identification.
Criminal History Records: Complete criminal history information is restricted to authorized agencies and individuals. Members of the public may only access specific case information through court records.
Juvenile Records: These are confidential under California law and generally not available to the public.
Medical Records: Protected by HIPAA and state privacy laws, these require authorization from the subject.

When requesting one's own records, identification may be required to verify identity and prevent unauthorized disclosure of personal information. For most general government records, however, San Francisco County may not require identification or justification as a condition of fulfilling public records requests.

What Records Are Confidential in San Francisco County?

While San Francisco County maintains a presumption of openness for government records, certain categories are exempt from disclosure under state and federal law. Pursuant to California Government Code § 6254, the following records are generally confidential:

Personnel Records: Employee medical information, performance evaluations, and personal contact information are protected, though certain information about public employees (such as salary) remains public.
Law Enforcement Records: Active investigation records, confidential informant information, and certain security procedures are exempt. Arrest records and incident reports are generally public, but with redactions for privacy and safety.
Juvenile Records: Court records, probation reports, and law enforcement records pertaining to minors are confidential under California Welfare and Institutions Code § 827.
Medical and Public Health Records: Individual medical information, including mental health records, substance abuse treatment, and public health records that identify individuals.
Library Patron Records: Information showing which materials individuals have borrowed or accessed.
Sealed Court Records: Records sealed by court order, including certain expunged criminal records, confidential settlements, and records sealed to protect privacy or safety.
Critical Infrastructure Information: Details about public utility systems, security measures, and infrastructure vulnerabilities that could pose security risks if disclosed.
Preliminary Drafts and Notes: Internal working documents not retained in the ordinary course of business (though San Francisco's Sunshine Ordinance narrows this exemption).
Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and attorney work product prepared for litigation.
Trade Secrets and Proprietary Information: Confidential commercial information submitted to the government.
Privacy-Protected Information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, home addresses of certain officials, and similar personally identifying information.
Deliberative Process Materials: In some cases, records revealing the deliberative processes of government officials before final decisions are made.

San Francisco County agencies must apply the "public interest balancing test" when considering exemptions. Under this test, records may be withheld only when "the public interest served by not disclosing the record clearly outweighs the public interest served by disclosure."

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

San Francisco Assessor-Recorder's Office
City Hall, Room 190
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 554-5596
San Francisco Assessor-Recorder

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

Document Recording Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Records Research Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco - Records Division
Civic Center Courthouse
400 McAllister Street, Room 103
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 551-3851
Superior Court Records

Records Viewing Room Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Closed on court holidays

Hall of Justice Records Division
850 Bryant Street, Room 101
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 551-0322

Records Viewing Room Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Closed on court holidays

San Francisco Office of the County Clerk
City Hall, Room 168
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 554-4950
County Clerk's Office

Public Counter Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Closed on weekends and legal holidays

Lookup Public Records in San Francisco County

Online Services for court records

Assessor-Recorder public records access

Superior Court records viewing information

Recorded documents online access tool

Case information search system