San Luis Obispo County Public Records

What Are Public Records in San Luis Obispo County?

Public records in San Luis Obispo 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."

San Luis Obispo County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

• Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases maintained by the Superior Court of San Luis Obispo County
• Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments maintained by the County Clerk-Recorder's Office
• Vital Records: Birth, death, and marriage certificates maintained by the County Clerk-Recorder
• Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name statements
• Tax Records: Property tax information and assessment records maintained by the County Assessor
• Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results maintained by the County Clerk-Recorder
• Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of County Board of Supervisors and commission meetings
• Budget and Financial Documents: County financial reports, budgets, and expenditure records
• Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs and certain incident reports (with statutory limitations)
• Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, permits, and environmental reviews maintained by the Department of Planning and Building

The San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder's Office serves as the primary custodian for many of the county's most frequently requested records, including property records, vital statistics, and fictitious business name filings. Court records are maintained separately by the Superior Court of California, County of San Luis Obispo.

Is San Luis Obispo County an Open Records County?

San Luis Obispo 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 state law 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." Under this law, San Luis Obispo County is required to make public records promptly available for inspection during regular office hours.

The county complies with California's Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code § 54950-54963), often called the "open meeting law," which ensures that the deliberations and actions of local government bodies occur openly with public access.

San Luis Obispo County has established specific procedures for handling public records requests in accordance with state law. County departments maintain their own records and respond to requests pertaining to their operations. The county's commitment to transparency is reflected in its public records request procedures that provide clear guidance on how to obtain various types of records.

While the county follows state open records laws, it also implements the statutory exemptions that protect certain confidential information from disclosure, balancing transparency with privacy and security concerns as required by law.

How to Find Public Records in San Luis Obispo County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in San Luis Obispo County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need. The county provides both in-person and online options for accessing public records.

For property records, vital records, and business filings, individuals may:

1. Visit the San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder's Office in person
2. Access the online recorded documents search portal for property records dating back to 1850
3. Submit a written request by mail specifying the records sought

For court records, requestors may:

1. Use the court's online case lookup system called re:SearchCA, which provides registered users with remote access to public court records
2. Visit the courthouse in person to review case files
3. Submit a records request form to the court clerk

For planning and building records, individuals may:

1. Submit a California Public Records Act request through the Department of Planning and Building's online portal
2. Email requests to PL_PRA-request@co.slo.ca.us
3. Submit requests by fax to (805) 781-5603
4. Mail or deliver requests in person to the department office

When submitting a public records request, requestors should:

• Clearly identify the specific records sought
• Provide date ranges when applicable
• Include contact information for follow-up
• Specify preferred format for receiving records (electronic or paper)

Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(c), agencies must respond to requests within 10 calendar days, though complex requests may require a 14-day extension with written notice.

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

San Luis Obispo County charges fees for certain public records in accordance with California Government Code § 6253, which permits agencies to recover direct costs of duplication or statutory fees. Current fee structures vary by record type and requesting department.

Standard fees for commonly requested records include:

• Vital Records:

  • Birth Certificates: $32.00 per copy
  • Death Certificates: $24.00 per copy
  • Marriage Certificates: $17.00 per copy

• Property Records:

  • Recorded Document Copies: $2.00 for first page, $0.50 for each additional page
  • Certified Copies of Recorded Documents: $2.00 additional certification fee

• Court Records:

  • Case File Copies: $0.50 per page
  • Certified Court Documents: $40.00 certification fee plus copy costs
  • Complex Document Searches: $15.00 per search

• Planning and Building Records:

  • Standard Copies: $0.10 per page for black and white, $0.25 per page for color
  • Large Format Plans: $5.00 per sheet
  • Electronic Records: No charge when provided via email or download

Accepted payment methods include:

• Cash (in-person only)
• Personal checks
• Money orders
• Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover)
• Electronic payment for certain online services

The county may waive fees when:

• The request is made by another governmental agency
• The total cost is minimal (typically under $5.00)
• Disclosure would primarily benefit the general public and the request is not commercial in nature

For extensive or complex records requests requiring significant staff time, additional fees may apply based on actual costs of data compilation and extraction. These fees must be communicated to the requestor in advance.

Does San Luis Obispo County Have Free Public Records?

San Luis Obispo County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with California law. Government Code § 6253 establishes the right to inspect public records during regular office hours at no charge, though copying fees may apply.

Records available for free inspection or access include:

• Board of Supervisors Meeting Records: Agendas, minutes, and video recordings are available at no cost through the county's website

• Property Assessment Information: Basic property assessment data can be viewed online through the Assessor's Office portal without charge

• Election Results and Campaign Finance Reports: Current and historical election information is freely accessible through the County Clerk-Recorder's elections division

• County Budget Documents: Annual budgets and financial reports are available for free download from the County Administrative Office

• Court Calendars and Case Indexes: Basic case information and court calendars can be viewed at no cost through the Superior Court's website

• Planning Commission Agendas and Staff Reports: These documents are freely available through the Department of Planning and Building

Members of the public may inspect these records during regular business hours at the respective county offices. While inspection is free, standard duplication fees apply if copies are requested. Additionally, certain specialized searches or certified copies may incur statutory fees regardless of the inspection right.

The county also maintains public computer terminals at various offices where visitors can access digital records at no charge, though printing from these terminals may incur standard copy fees.

Who Can Request Public Records in San Luis Obispo County?

Under the California Public Records Act, specifically Government Code § 6253(a), any person may request public records from San Luis Obispo County. The term "person" is broadly defined and includes:

• Individual citizens
• Non-citizens and foreign nationals
• Corporations and businesses
• Non-profit organizations
• Media representatives
• Government agencies
• Incarcerated individuals (with certain limitations)

Requestors are not required to:

• Prove California residency
• Provide identification for most record types
• State the purpose of their request
• Explain how they intend to use the information

However, certain exceptions apply to specific record types:

• Vital Records: Birth, death, and marriage certificates require the requestor to demonstrate a direct relationship or legitimate interest as specified in Health and Safety Code § 103526
• Criminal History Information: Access is restricted to authorized agencies and individuals with specific statutory authority
• Voter Registration Data: Commercial use is prohibited, and requestors must complete an application stating the intended use

When requesting records about oneself, individuals may need to provide identification to verify their identity, particularly for confidential or personally identifiable information. This requirement helps prevent unauthorized disclosure of sensitive personal information.

Requests may be submitted anonymously for general public records, though providing contact information is necessary if the requestor wishes to receive the records or communications about their request.

The county processes all valid requests regardless of the requestor's identity or motivation, except where specific statutory restrictions apply to certain record types.

What Records Are Confidential in San Luis Obispo County?

San Luis Obispo County maintains certain records as confidential in accordance with exemptions established under the California Public Records Act, specifically Government Code § 6254, and other applicable state and federal laws. These confidential records include:

• Personnel Records: Employee medical information, performance evaluations, and personal contact information are protected from disclosure, though certain employment information remains public
• Law Enforcement Records: Active investigation records, intelligence information, security procedures, and victim information as specified in Government Code § 6254(f)
• Juvenile Records: Court records and law enforcement files pertaining to minors, protected under Welfare and Institutions Code § 827
• Medical and Public Health Records: Individual medical information protected under HIPAA and California's Confidentiality of Medical Information Act
• Child Welfare Records: Reports of child abuse or neglect and related case files as protected under Penal Code § 11167.5
• Library Patron Records: Individual borrowing records and reading histories as protected under Government Code § 6267
• Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and litigation preparation materials
• Sealed Court Records: Cases sealed by court order, including certain family law matters and expunged criminal records
• Critical Infrastructure Information: Details about public utilities, technology systems, or security measures that could compromise public safety
• Private Personal Information: Social Security numbers, financial account information, and other personally identifiable information
• Trade Secrets and Proprietary Business Information: Confidential commercial or financial information submitted to the county
• Preliminary Drafts and Notes: Internal working documents not retained in the ordinary course of business

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the county will redact the confidential portions and release the remainder, as required by Government Code § 6253(a).

The county applies a "public interest balancing test" under Government Code § 6255 when considering certain discretionary exemptions, weighing whether the public interest in nondisclosure clearly outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

San Luis Obispo County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder
1055 Monterey Street, Suite D120
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408
(805) 781-5080
County Clerk-Recorder

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

North County Branch Office:
5955 Capistrano Avenue, 2nd Floor
Atascadero, CA 93422
(805) 461-6041

North County Office Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

The Clerk-Recorder's Office provides the following services:

• Recording of 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 (main office only)
• Notary public oath and bond filing
• Administration of elections and voter registration

Document recording is accepted until 4:00 PM daily. Customers arriving before 4:00 PM will be served even if processing extends beyond closing time. The office recommends arriving at least 30 minutes before closing for complex transactions such as passport applications or marriage license issuances.

For questions regarding specific records or services, members of the public may contact the office by telephone during regular business hours or submit inquiries through the department's online contact form available on the official website.

Lookup Public Records in San Luis Obispo County

County Clerk-Recorder services

Online case lookup for court records

Search recorded property documents

Superior Court of San Luis Obispo County

Submit a public records request