Marin County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Marin County?
Public records in Marin County encompass all information created, received, or maintained by county government agencies in the course of official business. According to the California Public Records Act (CPRA), specifically defined 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."
Marin County maintains numerous types of public records, including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, family law, probate, and juvenile cases (with restrictions) maintained by the Marin County Superior Court
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, assessments, and property transfers maintained by the County Recorder
- 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 assessments, tax rolls, and payment records maintained by the County Assessor and Tax Collector
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance disclosures maintained by the Registrar of Voters
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of the Board of Supervisors, commissions, and other public bodies
- Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements
- Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with certain exemptions), and jail records
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, environmental impact reports, and building permits
The Marin County Clerk-Recorder's Office serves as the primary custodian for many county records, while specialized departments maintain records specific to their functions. The Marin County Department of Information Services and Technology oversees the county's electronic records management systems.
Is Marin County an Open Records County?
Marin County fully complies with the California Public Records Act (CPRA), which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under Government Code § 6253(a), "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."
The county adheres to the fundamental principle articulated in the CPRA that "access to information concerning the conduct of the people's business is a fundamental and necessary right of every person in this state." This commitment to transparency is reflected in the county's comprehensive records management policies.
Marin County has implemented specific procedures to facilitate public access to records while protecting confidential information as required by law. The Marin County Administrative Manual includes policies governing records retention, management, and public access.
Additionally, Marin County complies with California's open meeting laws, commonly known as the Ralph M. Brown Act, which requires that meetings of public bodies be open and public, with agendas published in advance.
How to Find Public Records in Marin County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in Marin County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:
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Online Access: Many records are available through the county's official websites:
- Property records can be searched through the Marin County Assessor-Recorder's online portal
- Court records are accessible via the Marin County Superior Court's case information system
- Board of Supervisors meeting minutes and agendas are available through the county's legislative information center
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In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours:
- For general county records, visit the County Administrator's Office
- For property and vital records, visit the County Clerk-Recorder's Office
- For court records, visit the Superior Court Clerk's Office
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Written Requests: Submit a formal public records request in writing to the specific department that maintains the desired records. The county provides a standard Public Records Act request form that may be submitted via mail, email, or in person.
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Electronic Requests: Many departments accept requests via email or through department-specific online portals.
Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(c), agencies must respond to requests within 10 calendar days, though this period may be extended by an additional 14 days under unusual circumstances. The response must indicate whether the agency possesses disclosable records responsive to the request and provide an estimated date when the records will be made available.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Marin County?
Marin 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 for common record types include:
- Photocopies: $0.10-$0.25 per page for standard documents
- Certified Copies of Vital Records:
- Birth Certificates: $28.00 per copy
- Death Certificates: $21.00 per copy
- Marriage Certificates: $15.00 per copy
- Property Records:
- Recorded Documents: $2.00 for the first page, $0.50 for each additional page
- Certified Copies: Additional $2.00 per document
- Court Records:
- Case File Copies: $0.50 per page
- Certification of Court Records: $25.00 per document
- Complex Record Searches: $15.00 per name/case
The county accepts payment by cash, check, money order, and credit card (in most departments). Some departments may require payment in advance before producing copies.
For extensive or complex requests requiring significant staff time, additional fees may apply based on actual costs. However, fees are limited to the direct cost of duplication and cannot include costs of staff time for search, retrieval, or redaction, except in specific circumstances authorized by statute.
Does Marin County Have Free Public Records?
Marin County provides free inspection of public records during normal business hours in accordance with the California Public Records Act. While fees may apply for copies, the public has the right to inspect records without charge. Several categories of records are available at no cost:
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Online Records: Many digital records are freely accessible through county websites, including:
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Public Terminals: Computer terminals are available at various county offices for free public access to electronic records, including:
- The County Clerk-Recorder's Office provides terminals for searching property records
- The Superior Court Clerk's Office offers terminals for accessing court case information
- The County Library provides public computers with access to many county resources
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Public Notices: Official notices, ordinances, and regulations are posted at designated locations throughout the county and on the county website at no charge.
The county is committed to maximizing public access to government information while balancing the need to recover direct duplication costs as permitted by law.
Who Can Request Public Records in Marin County?
Under the California Public Records Act, any person may request access to public records maintained by Marin County. The term "person" includes natural persons, corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, firms, and associations. Requestors need not:
- Be residents of Marin County or California
- Provide identification (except for certain restricted records)
- State the purpose of their request
- Explain why they want the records
However, specific record types may have additional requirements:
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Vital Records (birth, death, marriage certificates): Only authorized individuals as defined in Health and Safety Code § 103526 may obtain certified copies. This typically includes the person named on the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, and certain government agencies.
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Criminal History Records: Access is restricted to the subject of the records, authorized representatives, and specific agencies as outlined in Penal Code § 11105.
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Voter Registration Records: While certain voter information is public, access is limited to specific uses outlined in Elections Code § 2194.
For records with restricted access, requestors must provide appropriate identification and documentation establishing their right to access the records. Government agencies requesting records for official purposes may have broader access rights than members of the general public.
What Records Are Confidential in Marin County?
While Marin County strives for transparency, certain records are exempt from disclosure under the California Public Records Act. These exemptions are outlined in Government Code § 6254 and other statutes. Confidential records include:
- Personnel Records: Employee medical information, performance evaluations, and personal contact information
- Medical Records: Patient records protected under HIPAA and state medical privacy laws
- Juvenile Records: Court records and law enforcement files related to minors
- Sealed Court Records: Cases ordered sealed by a judge, including certain expunged criminal records
- Ongoing Investigations: Records pertaining to active law enforcement investigations
- Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and correspondence between county counsel and county officials
- Preliminary Drafts and Notes: Documents not retained in the ordinary course of business
- Personal Information: Social Security numbers, financial account information, and other personal identifiers
- Library Patron Records: Information about materials borrowed or accessed by library users
- Child Welfare Records: Reports and investigations related to child abuse or neglect
- Trade Secrets: Proprietary business information submitted to the county
- Security Information: Details about critical infrastructure, security systems, or emergency response plans
When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the county will redact the confidential portions and release the remainder. The county must justify any withholding by identifying the specific exemption that applies.
Under Government Code § 6255, the county may also withhold records if "the public interest served by not disclosing the record clearly outweighs the public interest served by disclosure." This "public interest balancing test" is applied on a case-by-case basis.
Marin County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Marin County Clerk-Recorder's Office
3501 Civic Center Drive, Room 232
San Rafael, CA 94903
(415) 473-6152
Marin County Clerk-Recorder
Public Counter Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county 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
- Passport application processing (by appointment)
- Notary public oath and bond filing
For property record searches, public terminals are available during regular business hours. No appointment is necessary for general recording services or vital records requests, though appointments are recommended for marriage licenses and passport services.
The Recorder's Office maintains records dating back to the county's formation in 1850. Historical records may require additional processing time to retrieve from archives.