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Butte County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Butte County?

Public records in Butte County are documents, data, and other recorded information created or maintained by government agencies in the course of official business and made available for public inspection under California law. Pursuant to California Government Code § 6252, a "public record" includes any writing containing information relating to the conduct of the public's business prepared, owned, used, or retained by any state or local agency. The Butte County official government portal provides a centralized starting point for accessing many of these records.

The following categories of public records are currently maintained and accessible through various Butte County offices:

  • Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, family law, and small claims case files are maintained by the Butte County Superior Court
  • Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and recorded instruments are held by the Butte County Clerk-Recorder's Office
  • Assessment records — Property valuations and parcel data are maintained by the Butte County Assessor's Office
  • Vital records — Birth, death, and marriage certificates are filed with the Butte County Clerk-Recorder
  • Divorce records — Dissolution of marriage records are held by the Superior Court
  • Business records — Fictitious business name filings, licenses, and permits are available through the Clerk-Recorder and County Administrative Office
  • Tax records — Property tax bills and payment histories are maintained by the Butte County Tax Collector
  • Voting and election records — Voter registration data and election results are held by the Butte County Elections Office
  • Meeting minutes and agendas — Board of Supervisors minutes, agendas, and resolutions are published by the Clerk of the Board
  • Budget and financial documents — County budget documents and audited financial statements are available through the Butte County Auditor-Controller
  • Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are maintained by the Butte County Sheriff's Office and local police departments
  • Land use and zoning records — Planning permits, zoning maps, and environmental documents are held by the Butte County Department of Development Services

Is Butte County an Open Records County?

Butte County fully complies with California's statewide open records framework, making it an open records jurisdiction. Under the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6250 et seq.), all state and local agencies — including Butte County departments — are required to make public records available for inspection and copying upon request. The Act establishes a strong presumption in favor of disclosure, stating that access to information concerning the conduct of the people's business is a fundamental right of every person in California.

Key provisions currently in effect include:

  • Agencies must respond to a public 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
  • The Act was strengthened by Proposition 59 (2004), which enshrined public access to government records in the California Constitution under Article I, Section 3(b)

Butte County maintains a dedicated Public Records Act Request process accessible through the Butte County official website, where members of the public may submit requests directly to the appropriate department. The county does not currently maintain a single countywide ordinance that supersedes state law; all departments operate in accordance with the California Public Records Act as the governing standard.

How to Find Public Records in Butte County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Butte County public records through several official channels. The following steps outline the standard process:

  1. Identify the record type and the custodial agency — Determine which county department or court maintains the record being sought (e.g., the Clerk-Recorder for property and vital records, the Superior Court for case files)
  2. Search online portals first — Many records are available at no cost through agency websites; the Superior Court offers a searchable civil, criminal, and family law case lookup for non-confidential, non-sealed matters
  3. Submit a Public Records Act request — For records not available online, submit a written request to the relevant department via the county's online request portal, by mail, or in person at the agency's public counter
  4. Provide sufficient identifying information — Include the record type, date range, names of parties involved, and any file or parcel numbers to facilitate an accurate search
  5. Await the agency's response — The agency must acknowledge the request within 10 calendar days and indicate whether responsive records exist and when they will be made available
  6. Pay applicable fees and receive records — Upon notification, pay any assessed copying fees and collect records in person, by mail, or electronically as offered by the agency

Requestors are not required to explain the purpose of their request for most record types. Requests may be submitted in writing, by email, or through online forms where available.

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

Current fees for public records in Butte County vary by record type and the office providing the copies. Under Government Code § 6253(b), agencies may charge only the direct cost of duplication, which generally means the per-page cost of making a photocopy, not overhead or staff time, unless a specific statutory provision authorizes a higher fee.

Standard fees currently in effect include:

  • Standard photocopies — Typically $0.10 per page for black-and-white copies from most county departments
  • Certified copies of vital records — Birth and death certificates: $25.00 per certified copy; marriage certificates: $17.00 per certified copy (fees set by California Health and Safety Code)
  • Recorded document copies — The Clerk-Recorder charges per-page fees for copies of deeds and other recorded instruments
  • Court record copies — The Superior Court charges fees established by the California Rules of Court; fees vary by document type and whether certification is requested
  • Electronic records — Where records are provided electronically, agencies may charge the actual cost of producing the electronic copy

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card at public counters. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances, such as when the request is made by a member of the news media or when disclosure is determined to be primarily in the public interest, as recognized under California law.

Does Butte County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Butte County, as California law requires agencies to permit members of the public to inspect non-exempt records at no charge. Copying fees apply only when a physical or electronic copy is requested.

The following free resources are currently available through official government sources:

  • Online court case search — The Superior Court of California, County of Butte provides free online access to non-confidential case information, including civil, criminal, family law, probate, and small claims matters
  • In-person inspection — Members of the public may inspect original records at the public counters of the Clerk-Recorder, Assessor, Tax Collector, and other county offices during regular business hours at no cost
  • Board of Supervisors agendas and minutes — Published at no cost on the Butte County website
  • County budget and financial documents — Available for free download through the Auditor-Controller's section of the county portal
  • Property assessment data — Parcel and assessment information is searchable at no cost through the Assessor's online database
  • Election results and voter information — Published free of charge by the Butte County Elections Office

Who Can Request Public Records in Butte County?

Any person may request public records from Butte County agencies, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. The California Public Records Act does not restrict access based on who the requestor is or why the records are being sought for most record types.

Specific eligibility provisions currently in effect include:

  • No residency requirement — Non-residents of Butte County and California have the same right to request public records as county residents
  • No identification required — Agencies generally may not require requestors to provide identification as a condition of access to public records
  • No purpose statement required — Requestors are not obligated to state the reason for their request for standard public records
  • Restrictions for specific record types — Certain records, such as certified copies of vital records, are restricted by California Health and Safety Code to authorized individuals (e.g., the registrant, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a court order)
  • Requesting your own records — Individuals seeking records about themselves may be entitled to access records that are otherwise restricted to third parties, such as certain law enforcement or personnel records, subject to applicable procedures

Members of the public who believe a request has been improperly denied may seek judicial review under Government Code § 6259, which authorizes a court to order disclosure of improperly withheld records.

What Records Are Confidential in Butte County?

Not all government records in Butte County are subject to public disclosure. California Government Code § 6254 enumerates numerous categories of records that are currently exempt from mandatory disclosure, either in whole or in part.

Records that are confidential or exempt from public access include:

  • Sealed court records — Records sealed by court order are not accessible to the general public
  • Juvenile records — Records pertaining to minors in delinquency or dependency proceedings are confidential under California Welfare and Institutions Code
  • Ongoing investigation records — Law enforcement records compiled during active investigations are exempt to the extent disclosure would endanger witnesses or impede prosecution
  • Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted or withheld
  • 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 through court order or specific statutory procedures
  • Child welfare and protective services records — Confidential under California Welfare and Institutions Code § 827
  • Personnel records — Employee records are generally exempt, with limited exceptions for records relating to the exercise of public duties
  • Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Exempt where disclosure would cause competitive harm
  • Security plans and critical infrastructure details — Withheld 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 or safety interests served by withholding.

Butte County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Butte County Clerk-Recorder's Office serves as the official custodian of recorded documents, vital records, fictitious business name filings, and related public records. Members of the public may inspect and obtain copies of these records at the office's public counter during regular business hours.

Butte County Clerk-Recorder 155 Nelson Avenue, Oroville, CA 95965 (530) 538-7691 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (excluding county holidays) Butte County, CA — Official Website

Butte County Superior Court — Main Courthouse One Court Street, Oroville, CA 95965-3303 (530) 532-7002 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Superior Court of California, County of Butte

North Butte County Courthouse 1775 Concord Avenue, Chico, CA 95928 (530) 532-7002 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Superior Court of California, County of Butte

Butte County Assessor's Office 25 County Center Drive, Suite 100, Oroville, CA 95965 (530) 538-7721 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Butte County, CA — Official Website

Lookup Public Records in Butte County