In the State of California, any Californian can request access to public records. This is in accordance with the Public Records Law which stresses out that all state agencies and institutions are held responsible for the citizenry. Such notion roughly creates a presumption that vital records created and maintained by the public entities are therefore public and are accessible to any member of the state in need. California public records comprise of vital and court records which are housed in the California Department of Health specifically in the Vital Statistics Division, and the Department of Justice.
Conversely, there are certain records in California that cannot just be obtained by anyone who wishes to. Criminal records and arrest, for instance, can only be accessed by legitimate law enforcement agencies, authorized applicant agencies, and those individuals who personally own the criminal history information. In case of background checks, certified copies of criminal or arrest records may not be available as request from third parties for such records will not be processed. Thus, for genealogical purposes and background checks, one may have to settle for an informational copy instead.
In requesting for a record, a written request is no longer needed according to California's Public Records Act. You can actually start by making an informal request over the telephone. However, id the agency information officer cannot grant your request with the method utilized, he should be able to provide you with the necessary steps for making a formal request. A formal request entails filling out an application or request form for each vital or court record you wish to obtain. Such forms can be downloaded online or directly from the aforementioned agencies' websites. You have to fill out such forms in its entirety with all the significant details asked.
The payment for the processing of such requests should be through check or money order payable to either the Bureau of Vital Statistics, California Department of Health, or to the Department of Justice. Such payment should be submitted along with the completed application or request form and other prerequisites.
The processing fee for birth record requests is $20. For death record requests, the fee is $16. The processing fee for criminal records is $25. For marriage certificate requests, the fee is $14 while divorce record requests require a fee of only $13. Birth and death records that date back to 1905 take 7 weeks to be processed. Those recorded from 1969 to present only take 4 weeks processing time. However, marriage and divorce records can exceed 6 months to be processed. These estimated turnaround times will still vary and may increase depending on the volume of requests received by such agencies. Unfortunately, these offices do not cater rush requests.
Government records can actually be obtained over the web. Several online record providers proffer the same services such as record reviews for only a minimal fee. Some record providers do not require a fee though. However, if you are the kind of person who wishes not only to cut costs but also ensures quality of the results, you can choose the independent service provider that charges a minimal fee but yields accurate and comprehensive records.
Conversely, there are certain records in California that cannot just be obtained by anyone who wishes to. Criminal records and arrest, for instance, can only be accessed by legitimate law enforcement agencies, authorized applicant agencies, and those individuals who personally own the criminal history information. In case of background checks, certified copies of criminal or arrest records may not be available as request from third parties for such records will not be processed. Thus, for genealogical purposes and background checks, one may have to settle for an informational copy instead.
In requesting for a record, a written request is no longer needed according to California's Public Records Act. You can actually start by making an informal request over the telephone. However, id the agency information officer cannot grant your request with the method utilized, he should be able to provide you with the necessary steps for making a formal request. A formal request entails filling out an application or request form for each vital or court record you wish to obtain. Such forms can be downloaded online or directly from the aforementioned agencies' websites. You have to fill out such forms in its entirety with all the significant details asked.
The payment for the processing of such requests should be through check or money order payable to either the Bureau of Vital Statistics, California Department of Health, or to the Department of Justice. Such payment should be submitted along with the completed application or request form and other prerequisites.
The processing fee for birth record requests is $20. For death record requests, the fee is $16. The processing fee for criminal records is $25. For marriage certificate requests, the fee is $14 while divorce record requests require a fee of only $13. Birth and death records that date back to 1905 take 7 weeks to be processed. Those recorded from 1969 to present only take 4 weeks processing time. However, marriage and divorce records can exceed 6 months to be processed. These estimated turnaround times will still vary and may increase depending on the volume of requests received by such agencies. Unfortunately, these offices do not cater rush requests.
Government records can actually be obtained over the web. Several online record providers proffer the same services such as record reviews for only a minimal fee. Some record providers do not require a fee though. However, if you are the kind of person who wishes not only to cut costs but also ensures quality of the results, you can choose the independent service provider that charges a minimal fee but yields accurate and comprehensive records.
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Finding State Of California Public Records Online can be tricky and potentially demoralizing but we know the smart way. Come and share our insights and tips at Free Vital Records.. This article, California Public Records Search is available for free reprint.
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