Tehama County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Tehama County?

Public records in Tehama County are defined under California Government Code § 6252 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. This definition encompasses a broad range of documents maintained by county departments, courts, and state agencies operating within Tehama County.

The following categories of public records are currently available through various Tehama County offices and affiliated state agencies:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family law case files are maintained by the Superior Court of California, County of Tehama
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and official land records are held by the Tehama County Clerk-Recorder's Office
Vital records — Birth, death, and marriage certificates are filed with the County Clerk-Recorder; divorce records are maintained by the Superior Court
Business records — Fictitious business name filings, business licenses, and permits are processed through the Clerk and Recorder's Office
Tax records — Property tax assessments and related documents are maintained by the Tehama County Assessor-Recorder
Voting and election records — Voter registration data and election results are held by the County Clerk-Elections Division
Meeting minutes and agendas — Board of Supervisors minutes, agendas, and resolutions are available through the County Clerk's Office
Budget and financial documents — County financial reports and adopted budgets are published by the Tehama County Auditor-Controller
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are available through the Tehama County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — Planning permits, zoning maps, and environmental documents are maintained by the Tehama County Planning Department
Water resource records — Water rights and resource data affecting Tehama County may be accessed through the California Department of Water Resources directory

Is Tehama County an Open Records County?

Tehama County fully complies with California's open records framework, which establishes a strong presumption in favor of public access to government documents. Under California Government Code § 6253, public records are open to inspection at all times during the office hours of the state or local agency that retains them, and every person has the right to inspect any public record, except as specifically exempted by law.

The California Public Records Act (CPRA), currently codified at Government Code §§ 7920–7931 following its recodification effective January 1, 2023, governs the disclosure obligations of all county agencies in Tehama County. Key provisions of the Act include:

Agencies must respond to a records request within 10 calendar days, with a possible 14-day extension under unusual circumstances
Agencies bear the burden of demonstrating that a record is exempt from disclosure
Agencies must provide assistance to members of the public in identifying records responsive to their requests

Tehama County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance; all departments operate under the statewide CPRA framework. The county's Board of Supervisors meetings and related documents are additionally subject to the Ralph M. Brown Act, which mandates public access to local legislative body proceedings.

How to Find Public Records in Tehama County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Tehama County public records through several channels, depending on the record type and the agency that maintains it.

In Person: Requesters may visit the relevant county department during public counter hours and submit a verbal or written request. Staff are required to assist in identifying responsive records.

By Mail: Written requests may be submitted by mail to the appropriate department. Requests should include a clear description of the records sought, the requester's contact information, and any preferred format for delivery.

By Email or Online Portal: Several Tehama County departments accept electronic requests. The Clerk-Recorder's Office and other departments may be contacted via email addresses listed on their official websites.

For Court Records: Members of the public seeking civil, criminal, probate, or family court records may submit requests directly to the Superior Court of California, County of Tehama. The Judicial Branch of California also provides guidance on accessing court records statewide, including which records are available remotely and which require an in-person visit.

For Vehicle and Driver Records: The California Department of Motor Vehicles maintains statewide records of vehicle registrations and driver's licenses. Requests for vehicle or driver record information must be submitted directly to the DMV and are subject to the Driver's Privacy Protection Act.

Steps to submit a standard public records request:

Identify the department or agency that maintains the records sought
Prepare a written request describing the records with reasonable specificity
Submit the request in person, by mail, or electronically as accepted by the agency
Await the agency's response within 10 calendar days
Pay any applicable fees upon notification of record availability
Inspect records in person or receive copies as requested

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

Current fees for public records in Tehama County vary by record type and the office providing the copies. Under California Government Code § 6253(b), agencies may charge fees that reflect the direct cost of duplication, which generally means the per-page cost of photocopying.

Standard fees currently applicable include:

Standard photocopies: Typically $0.10 per page for black-and-white copies, consistent with statewide direct-cost standards
Certified copies of vital records: Fees are set by state statute; birth and death certificates are currently $25.00 per certified copy through the County Clerk-Recorder
Marriage certificates: Certified copies are currently $17.00 per copy through the County Clerk-Recorder
Recorded document copies: Fees for copies of deeds, liens, and other recorded instruments vary; the Clerk-Recorder's Office publishes a current fee schedule
Court record copies: The Superior Court charges per-page fees for copies of case documents; certification fees apply for certified copies

Accepted payment methods vary by department but generally include cash, check, and money order. Some offices may accept credit or debit cards. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances, such as for indigent requesters or when disclosure is determined to be primarily in the public interest, as provided under applicable state law.

Does Tehama County Have Free Public Records?

Members of the public are entitled under California law to inspect public records free of charge during regular office hours. Fees apply only when physical copies are requested. The following free access options are currently available:

In-person inspection: Any person may inspect non-exempt public records at the maintaining agency's office at no cost
Online county resources: The Tehama County official website publishes Board of Supervisors agendas, meeting minutes, adopted budgets, and other documents at no charge
Court records online: Basic case information for Tehama County Superior Court matters may be accessible through the court's online case management system without charge
Recorded document indexes: The Clerk-Recorder's Office provides index searches for recorded land documents, which members of the public may use to identify records prior to requesting copies
Election and voter information: Voter registration status and election results are publicly available through the County Clerk-Elections Division at no cost

Who Can Request Public Records in Tehama County?

Any person may request public records from Tehama County agencies under the California Public Records Act, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. The Act does not restrict access based on who the requester is or why the records are sought.

Specific provisions governing requester eligibility include:

Residency: Requesters are not required to be California residents or Tehama County residents
Identification: Agencies generally may not require requesters to provide identification as a condition of access to public records, except in limited circumstances involving records with restricted access
Purpose: Requesters are not required to state a reason for their request for most categories of public records
Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records about themselves, such as their own criminal history or vital records, may be subject to additional identity verification requirements to protect against unauthorized disclosure
Requesting records about others: Certain records pertaining to other individuals, including personnel files, medical records, and juvenile records, are subject to statutory exemptions regardless of who is requesting them

Non-residents retain the same rights of access as residents under current California law. Attorneys, journalists, researchers, and members of the general public are all treated equally under the CPRA framework.

What Records Are Confidential in Tehama County?

Not all government records in Tehama County are subject to public disclosure. California Government Code § 7929.000 et seq. enumerates categories of records that are exempt from mandatory disclosure, either because the Legislature has determined that privacy or other interests outweigh the public's right of access, or because disclosure is prohibited by other applicable law.

Records currently exempt from public disclosure in Tehama County include:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the public
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to minors involved in delinquency or dependency proceedings are confidential under California Welfare and Institutions Code
Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement investigative files for pending criminal matters are exempt to the extent disclosure would endanger investigations or individuals
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from disclosed records
Medical and health records: Protected under both California law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal procedures
Child welfare and protective services records: Confidential under California Welfare and Institutions Code § 827
Personnel records: Employee records are exempt except for certain information such as names, job titles, and salaries of public employees
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt where disclosure would cause competitive harm
Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Exempt to protect public safety

Where a record contains both disclosable and exempt information, agencies are required to segregate and release the non-exempt portions. California courts apply a balancing test in certain circumstances to weigh the public interest in disclosure against the privacy interests at stake.

Tehama County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Tehama County Clerk-Recorder's Office serves as the primary repository for recorded land documents, vital records, fictitious business name filings, and marriage licenses within the county.

Tehama County Clerk and Recorder 633 Washington Street, Room 11, Red Bluff, CA 96080 (530) 527-3350 Clerk and Recorder | Tehama County

Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding county-observed holidays. Members of the public may inspect recorded documents and vital record indexes during these hours. Certified copy requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or as otherwise specified by the office.

Superior Court of California, County of Tehama 633 Washington Street, Red Bluff, CA 96080 (530) 527-3350 Superior Court of California, County of Tehama

The Superior Court handles all civil, criminal, family law, probate, and small claims matters for Tehama County. Court records requests should be directed to the clerk of the court. Public counter hours vary by division.

Tehama County Sheriff's Office 22840 Antelope Boulevard, Red Bluff, CA 96080 (530) 529-7900

Tehama County Assessor-Recorder 444 Oak Street, Room B, Red Bluff, CA 96080 (530) 527-5931