Merced County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Merced County?

Public records in Merced 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), codified in Government Code § 7920.000 et seq. These records document the business of government and belong to the people of California.

Merced County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases are maintained by the Superior Court of California, County of Merced. These include judgments, case filings, and court calendars.
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments are maintained by the Merced County Recorder's Office. These documents establish ownership and encumbrances on real property within the county.
Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees are available through the Merced County Clerk-Recorder's Office. Certain vital records are also available through the California Department of Public Health.
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name statements are maintained by various county departments, including the Clerk-Recorder and the Community and Economic Development Department.
Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax rolls are maintained by the Merced County Assessor's Office and Tax Collector.
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance disclosures are maintained by the Merced County Registrar of Voters.
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of proceedings for the Board of Supervisors, planning commission, and other county boards are maintained by the Clerk of the Board.
Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, financial reports, and expenditure records are maintained by the Auditor-Controller's Office.
Law Enforcement Records: Certain arrest logs, incident reports, and crime statistics are maintained by the Merced County Sheriff's Office, subject to legal restrictions.
Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and permit applications are maintained by the Community and Economic Development Department.

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

Is Merced County an Open Records County?

Merced County fully complies with the California Public Records Act (CPRA), which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under Government Code § 7921.000, "access to information concerning the conduct of the people's business is a fundamental and necessary right of every person in this state."

The CPRA establishes a presumption in favor of disclosure, requiring that all government records be made available for public inspection unless specifically exempted by law. This principle is reflected in Merced County's commitment to transparency and open government.

Key provisions of the CPRA that apply to Merced County include:

Government agencies must respond to records requests within 10 days, with a possible 14-day extension in unusual circumstances.
Agencies must assist requesters in making focused and effective requests.
Electronic records are subject to the same disclosure requirements as paper records.
Agencies may charge only direct costs of duplication or statutory fees.

Merced County has implemented policies to ensure compliance with both state open records laws and the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code § 54950 et seq.), which governs open meetings. The county maintains a commitment to transparency by providing public access to county records and judicial documents through both in-person and online channels.

The county's compliance with these "sunshine laws" ensures that residents have access to information about government operations, decision-making processes, and official actions.

How to Find Public Records in Merced County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Merced County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need. The county provides multiple access points for different record types:

For Court Records:

Visit the Superior Court of California, County of Merced website to access the online case information system.
Submit a request in person at the courthouse public terminals.
File a written request with the specific court division (civil, criminal, family, or probate).
For certified copies, submit a request form with appropriate identification and payment.

For Property and Vital Records:

Visit the Merced County Clerk-Recorder's Office in person.
Submit a written request by mail with required identification and payment.
Check the county's online property information portal for certain property records.
For vital records, complete the appropriate application form with identification and payment.

For Business and Tax Records:

Contact the appropriate department directly (Assessor, Tax Collector, or Community Development).
Submit a Public Records Act request specifying the records sought.
Visit the department's public counter during business hours.

For Meeting Minutes and Government Documents:

Visit the Merced County website to access publicly available documents.
Contact the Clerk of the Board for Board of Supervisors records.
Submit a formal Public Records Act request for specific documents.

For Voting and Election Records:

Visit the Merced County Elections website for publicly available election information.
Submit a written request to the Registrar of Voters for specific election data.

To submit a formal Public Records Act request, individuals may:

Submit a written request clearly describing the records sought.
Include contact information for correspondence.
Specify preferred format (electronic or paper copies).
Submit the request to the appropriate department or the county's designated Public Records Act coordinator.

Requests should be as specific as possible to facilitate prompt and accurate responses. County staff are available to assist requesters in identifying the records they seek and narrowing overly broad requests.

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

Merced County charges fees for certain public records in accordance with Government Code § 7922.530, which permits agencies to recover the "direct costs of duplication" when providing copies of public records. The current fee structure for Merced County public records is as follows:

General Document Fees:

Standard paper copies: $0.25 per page
Certified copies: $1.75 per document plus $0.25 per page
Electronic records provided on CD/DVD: $5.00 per disc
Electronic records sent via email: No charge (when feasible)

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
Fictitious Business Name Statements: $40.00 for first business name and owner, $7.00 for each additional name
Property records: $14.00 for first page, $3.00 for each additional page
Maps and large format documents: $5.00 per page

Court Record Fees:

Case searches: $15.00 per name/case
Court document copies: $0.50 per page
Certified court documents: $25.00 plus copy fees

Payment methods accepted by Merced County offices include:

Cash (in-person only)
Personal checks
Money orders
Credit/debit cards (subject to processing fees)
Electronic payment for certain online services

Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances, particularly for requests that benefit the public interest rather than a private commercial interest. Individuals experiencing financial hardship may submit a request for a fee waiver, which will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

It is important to note that while fees may be charged for copies, the inspection of public records at county offices is generally provided at no cost during normal business hours.

Does Merced County Have Free Public Records?

Merced County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with California law. Under the California Public Records Act, members of the public have the right to inspect public records during normal business hours at no cost. The following free record access options are currently available:

Free In-Person Inspection:

Court records may be viewed at public terminals in the Superior Court of California, County of Merced at no charge
Property records may be inspected at the Recorder's Office public terminals
Board of Supervisors meeting minutes and agendas are available for review at the Clerk of the Board's office
Planning and zoning documents may be inspected at the Community Development Department

Free Online Resources:

The Merced County Superior Court provides free online access to case information and calendars
The Merced County Elections Office offers free access to voter information, election results, and candidate filings
Board of Supervisors agendas and minutes are available on the county website
County budgets and financial reports are published online at no cost
Property assessment information is available through the Assessor's online portal

While inspection is free, requesters seeking copies of records may be charged the direct cost of duplication as outlined in the fee schedule. Additionally, certain statutory fees apply regardless of the format in which records are provided, particularly for vital records and officially certified documents.

Government agencies in Merced County maintain public viewing areas where individuals may inspect records during regular business hours without charge. Staff members are available to assist with locating records and operating public access terminals.

Who Can Request Public Records in Merced County?

Under the California Public Records Act, any person may request access to public records maintained by Merced County. The term "person" includes:

Individual citizens and residents
Non-residents of California
Corporations and business entities
Media organizations
Non-profit organizations
Government agencies
Foreign nationals

Requesters are not required to:

Provide identification (except for certain restricted records)
State the purpose of their request
Explain why they want the records
Be a California resident
Complete a specific form (though some departments offer optional forms)

However, certain record types have specific eligibility restrictions:

Vital Records (Birth, Death, Marriage Certificates):

Only authorized individuals may obtain certified copies of vital records
For birth certificates: The registrant, parents, legal guardians, children, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, spouse, or domestic partner
For death certificates: Family members, legal representatives, funeral directors, or those with a court order
Requesters must provide identification and complete a sworn statement

Law Enforcement Records:

Certain investigative records may be restricted to involved parties
Juvenile records have strict confidentiality protections under Welfare and Institutions Code § 827
Arrest records may be restricted based on case status and privacy considerations

Personnel Records:

Access to county employee personnel records is generally limited to the employee, authorized representatives, or pursuant to a court order

For most general government records, no special eligibility requirements exist, and the county cannot deny access based on the requester's identity or purpose. Anonymous requests are permitted for records that do not require verification of the requester's identity.

What Records Are Confidential in Merced County?

While Merced County strives for transparency, certain records are exempt from disclosure under the California Public Records Act. Pursuant to Government Code § 7927.000 through § 7927.700, the following records are generally confidential:

Court and Law Enforcement Records:

Sealed court records and proceedings
Juvenile court records (with limited exceptions under Welfare and Institutions Code § 827)
Grand jury transcripts and evidence (unless ordered disclosed by a court)
Records of ongoing criminal investigations
Intelligence information and security procedures
Confidential informant identities
Victim information in certain cases (domestic violence, sexual assault)

Personal and Private Information:

Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account information
Medical and mental health records protected under HIPAA and state law
Personnel records including performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, and personal information
Employment examination and testing materials
Personal contact information of public employees and officials

Sensitive Government Information:

Preliminary drafts and notes not retained in the ordinary course of business
Pending litigation records and attorney-client privileged communications
Deliberative process documents revealing pre-decisional discussions
Critical infrastructure information and security plans
Competitive bidding documents prior to contract award

Other Protected Records:

Adoption records (accessible only through court order)
Child welfare and protective services records
Library patron records and borrowing history
Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to the county
Records protected by federal law or state statutes

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, Merced County will redact the confidential portions and release the remainder when feasible. The county applies the "public interest balancing test" under Government Code § 7922.000, weighing whether the public interest in nondisclosure clearly outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

Confidentiality determinations are made on a case-by-case basis, and requesters have the right to appeal denials or seek judicial review of withholding decisions.

Merced County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Merced County Clerk-Recorder
2222 M Street, Room 14
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-7627
Merced County Clerk-Recorder

Public Counter Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Services Provided:

Recording of deeds, 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
Processing of passport applications (by appointment only)
Notary public oath and bond filings
Military discharge recordings

Additional Locations:

Los Banos Office
1033 B Street
Los Banos, CA 93635
(209) 710-6175

Public Counter Hours:
Tuesday and Thursday: 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Closed for lunch: 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM

For specific questions about records or services, members of the public may contact the Recorder's Office directly during business hours. The office recommends calling ahead for complex research needs or to confirm document requirements for specific transactions.