Kern County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Kern County?

Public records in Kern County are official documents and information created, received, or maintained by government agencies that are accessible to the public pursuant to the California Public Records Act (CPRA) under Government Code § 6250-6270. These records document the business of government and belong to the people of California.

Kern County maintains numerous types of public records across various departments:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, family law, and probate case files maintained by the Kern County Superior Court. These include judgments, orders, pleadings, and other filed documents.
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, assessments, and property tax information maintained by the Kern County Assessor-Recorder's Office.
Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees. Birth and death certificates are available through the Kern County Public Health Services Department, while marriage licenses and divorce records are handled by the County Clerk and Superior Court respectively.
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, fictitious business name statements, and other commercial filings maintained by the Kern County Clerk's Office.
Tax Records: Property tax assessments, tax rolls, and payment records maintained by the Kern County Assessor and Tax Collector.
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, campaign finance disclosures, and ballot measures maintained by the Kern County Elections Division.
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Official proceedings of the Kern County Board of Supervisors, planning commission, and other public bodies.
Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, contracts, and financial statements maintained by the Kern County Administrative Office.
Law Enforcement Records: Certain police reports, arrest logs, and incident reports maintained by the Kern County Sheriff's Office (subject to specific exemptions).
Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, building permits, and environmental impact reports maintained by the Kern County Planning Department.

Each record type is maintained by its respective department, with the Kern County Clerk-Recorder serving as the primary custodian for many official county records.

Is Kern County an Open Records County?

Kern County adheres to California's open records laws and operates in compliance with the California Public Records Act (CPRA). Under Government Code § 6253(a), public records are open to inspection during regular office hours, and every person has the right to inspect any public record except those specifically exempted by law.

The CPRA establishes 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 principle guides Kern County's approach to records management and public access.

Kern County has implemented specific policies to facilitate public access to records while protecting confidential information as required by law. The county maintains a decentralized records system, with individual departments serving as custodians for their respective records. This means that requests must be directed to the specific department that maintains the desired records.

In addition to the CPRA, Kern County also complies with California's Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code § 54950 et seq.), which ensures public access to meetings of local government bodies. This "sunshine law" requires that the public be informed of meetings and that most government business be conducted in open, public sessions.

The county's commitment to transparency is reflected in its online presence, where many records and resources are made available through department websites. However, not all records are available online, and some must be requested in person or through formal written requests.

How to Find Public Records in Kern County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Kern County may follow these procedures to access various types of public information:

For Court Records:

Identify the specific case or document needed.
Visit the Kern County Superior Court website to access the case information search for basic case information.
For copies of actual court documents, submit a document request through the court's online portal or visit the appropriate courthouse location in person.
Pay any applicable fees for copies or certified documents.

For Property Records:

Determine the specific property information needed (deed, lien, etc.).
Visit the Kern County Assessor-Recorder's Office in person or access their online portal.
Provide property address, Assessor's Parcel Number (APN), or name of property owner.
Request copies of relevant documents and pay applicable fees.

For Vital Records:

For birth or death certificates, submit an application to the Kern County Public Health Services Department.
For marriage licenses, contact the Kern County Clerk's Office.
For divorce records, submit a request to the Kern County Superior Court.
Provide required identification and pay applicable fees.

For General County Records:

Identify the department likely to maintain the desired records.
Submit a written request clearly describing the records sought. While not required by law, using the department's preferred request form may expedite processing.
Include contact information for follow-up questions or clarification.
Allow up to 10 days for an initial response, as provided by Government Code § 6253(c).

For records not available online, requestors may need to visit the appropriate department during regular business hours. Many departments accept requests by mail, email, or fax, though specific procedures vary by department.

When submitting requests, be as specific as possible about the records sought. Vague requests may result in delays or denials. County staff may assist in refining overly broad requests to facilitate more efficient processing.

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

Kern County charges fees for certain public records in accordance with California law, which permits agencies to recover the direct costs of duplication or statutory fees, but not costs associated with searching for or retrieving records. Current fee structures for public records in Kern County are as follows:

Standard Copy Fees:

Paper copies: $0.10-$0.25 per page (varies by department)
Certified copies: Additional $1.75-$2.00 per document
Large format documents (maps, plans): $5.00-$10.00 per sheet

Specific Record Type Fees:

Birth certificates: $28.00 per certified copy
Death certificates: $21.00 per certified copy
Marriage certificates: $15.00 per certified copy
Court records: $0.50 per page, $40.00 for certification
Property records: $10.00 first page, $3.00 each additional page
Digital records provided on CD/DVD: $10.00-$15.00 per disc

Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(b), fees are limited to "the direct cost of duplication" unless a statutory fee has been established for the specific record type. Special service fees may apply for expedited processing or extensive electronic data compilation.

Accepted payment methods include:

Cash (in-person only)
Personal checks (with proper identification)
Money orders
Credit/debit cards (in-person and for some online services)
Electronic payments (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. Requestors claiming hardship or public interest may submit a written fee waiver request with their records request, though approval is discretionary.

Does Kern County Have Free Public Records?

Kern 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, though fees may apply for copies.

The following records are available for free inspection:

Board of Supervisors meeting agendas and minutes
County budgets and financial reports
Planning Commission documents
Environmental impact reports
Campaign finance disclosures
Property assessment rolls (viewing only)
County ordinances and resolutions

Several online resources provide free access to public information:

The Kern County Superior Court offers basic case information through its online case search
The Assessor-Recorder's Office provides limited property information online
The Elections Division publishes voting results and candidate information
The Board of Supervisors posts meeting agendas, minutes, and video recordings

For in-person inspection, visitors may review records at the respective department offices during regular business hours. Some departments require appointments for extensive record reviews or for accessing older or archived records. While inspection is free, any requests for copies will incur the standard duplication fees.

Digital access to public records continues to expand, with more documents becoming available online. However, not all public records are available digitally, and some sensitive or voluminous records may only be accessible through in-person inspection or formal requests.

Who Can Request Public Records in Kern County?

Under California law, any person may request public records from Kern County government agencies. The California Public Records Act establishes that access to information about governmental activities is "a fundamental and necessary right of every person in this state," and this right extends to all individuals regardless of citizenship or residency status.

Requestors need not:

Be California residents
Provide identification for most record types
State the purpose of their request
Explain why they want the records
Demonstrate any special interest in the records

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 defined in Health and Safety Code § 103526. Authorized individuals include immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with court orders.
Criminal History Records: Access is restricted to the subject of the records, authorized representatives, or specific agencies with statutory authority.
Juvenile Records: Generally confidential with access limited to the minor, parents/guardians, attorneys, and authorized agencies.
Medical/Mental Health Records: Access is governed by HIPAA and state privacy laws, typically limiting access to the patient or their authorized representative.

For records pertaining to oneself, identification is typically required to verify identity and prevent unauthorized disclosure of personal information. When requesting records about another individual, additional documentation may be required to establish legal authority or legitimate interest.

Business entities, media organizations, and nonprofit groups have the same rights as individuals to request public records, though they must designate a specific person to submit the request on their behalf.

What Records Are Confidential in Kern County?

Certain records maintained by Kern County are exempt from public disclosure pursuant to specific provisions of the California Public Records Act and other state and federal laws. Government Code § 6254 establishes numerous categories of exempt records, including:

Personnel Records: Employee medical information, performance evaluations, and personal contact information are generally exempt from disclosure, though certain information about public employees (such as salary) remains public.
Law Enforcement Records: Active investigation records, intelligence information, security procedures, and certain victim information are protected from disclosure.
Juvenile Records: Court records, probation reports, and law enforcement records pertaining to minors are confidential under Welfare and Institutions Code provisions.
Medical and Mental Health Records: Protected by HIPAA and state confidentiality laws, these records are exempt from public disclosure without proper authorization.
Child Welfare Records: Reports of child abuse, dependency case files, and adoption records are confidential under various provisions of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
Private Personal Information: Social Security numbers, financial account information, home addresses of certain officials, and similar sensitive personal data are protected.
Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and attorney work product prepared for the county are privileged and exempt from disclosure.
Preliminary Drafts and Notes: Documents not retained in the ordinary course of business that are preliminary to final agency action.
Trade Secrets and Proprietary Information: Confidential commercial or financial information submitted to the county by private businesses.
Critical Infrastructure Information: Details about public utilities, technology systems, or security measures that could compromise public safety if disclosed.
Sealed Court Records: Records ordered sealed by a court are not accessible through public records requests.
Test Questions and Scoring Keys: For licensing, employment, or academic examinations.

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, Government Code § 6253(a) requires agencies to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder. Kern County applies a balancing test when considering discretionary exemptions, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the public interest in nondisclosure.

Kern County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Kern County Assessor-Recorder's Office
1115 Truxtun Avenue, First Floor
Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661) 868-6400
Kern County Assessor-Recorder

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

Additional Locations:

Delano Regional Office
455 Lexington Street
Delano, CA 93215
(661) 721-3331

Ridgecrest Regional Office
995 California Avenue
Ridgecrest, CA 93555
(760) 384-5863

Lake Isabella Regional Office
7050 Lake Isabella Boulevard
Lake Isabella, CA 93240
(760) 549-2380

The Kern County Assessor-Recorder's Office maintains and provides access to vital records, property records, and other official documents. Services available at the Recorder's Office include:

Recording of deeds, liens, and other property documents
Issuance of certified copies of birth, death, and marriage certificates
Filing of fictitious business name statements
Recording of military discharge documents (DD-214)
Notary public oath and bond filings
Environmental impact documents

Document recording hours end at 4:30 PM daily to allow for processing. Research assistance is available during all public counter hours. The office recommends appointments for extensive research projects or for reviewing historical records.

Lookup Public Records in Kern County

Search Kern County court cases

Request court documents online

Access court records information

Visit the Kern County Superior Court website

Learn about California Public Records Act requests