Kings County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Kings County?

Public records in Kings County are defined under the California Public Records Act (CPRA) as any writing containing information relating to the conduct of the public's business that is prepared, owned, used, or retained by a state or local agency. Under Government Code § 7920.530, a "writing" includes handwritten documents, printed materials, maps, photographs, electronic data, and any other recorded information, regardless of physical form or characteristics.

Members of the public may inspect or obtain copies of the following categories of records maintained by Kings County agencies:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family law case files maintained by the Kings County Superior Court Records Division
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and assessment data maintained by the Kings County Assessor and the County Recorder
Vital records — Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates maintained by the Kings County Clerk-Recorder
Business records — Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name filings maintained by the Kings County Clerk-Recorder and applicable municipal offices
Tax records — Property tax bills and assessment records maintained by the Kings County Tax Collector and Assessor
Voting and election records — Voter registration data and election results maintained by the Kings County Elections Office
Meeting minutes and agendas — Board of Supervisors meeting minutes, agendas, and supporting documents maintained by the County Clerk
Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, audits, and expenditure reports maintained by the Kings County Auditor-Controller
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where disclosure is permitted, maintained by the Kings County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — General plan documents, zoning maps, and permit applications maintained by the Kings County Planning Department

Is Kings County an Open Records County?

Kings County fully adheres to California's statewide open records framework, which establishes a broad presumption in favor of public access to government information. As affirmed by the California Department of Justice, Californians have the right under the state Public Records Act and the California Constitution to access public information maintained by local and state agencies. Under current law, all public records are subject to disclosure unless a specific statutory exemption applies.

Pursuant to Government Code § 7922.000, whenever a state or local agency determines that the public interest served by withholding a record clearly outweighs the public interest served by disclosure, the agency may decline to disclose the record. This balancing test places the burden of justification on the agency, not the requester. Kings County agencies are required to respond to public records requests within ten calendar days of receipt, with a possible fourteen-day extension under extraordinary circumstances. The California Secretary of State also processes Public Records Act requests for records within its custody at the state level, providing a parallel access mechanism for statewide documents.

How to Find Public Records in Kings County in 2026

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

Identify the custodial agency. Determine which county department or office maintains the record being sought. Court records are held by the Superior Court; property and vital records are held by the Clerk-Recorder; law enforcement records are held by the Sheriff's Office.
Submit a written request. Prepare a written Public Records Act request identifying the record with reasonable specificity. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or by email to the relevant agency's designated public records coordinator.
Search online portals. Members of the public may search case data and court-related information through the Kings Superior Court online case portal without submitting a formal request.
Visit the agency in person. Many records are available for in-person inspection at no charge during regular business hours. Requesters should contact the relevant office in advance to confirm availability.
Request certified copies when needed. For vital records, property documents, or court filings requiring official certification, requesters must submit the appropriate form and applicable fee to the custodial office.
Follow up on the response. Agencies must acknowledge requests within ten calendar days. If additional time is needed, the agency must notify the requester in writing and provide an estimated date of completion.

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

Current fees for public records in Kings County vary by record type and the office responsible for maintaining the document. Standard fees applicable across principal offices include the following:

Photocopies: Agencies may charge the direct cost of duplication, which is typically $0.10 per page for standard black-and-white copies
Certified copies of vital records: The Kings County Clerk-Recorder charges $25.00 for the first certified copy of a birth, death, or marriage certificate, with additional copies available at a reduced rate
Court record copies: The Superior Court Records Division charges fees established by the California Rules of Court, generally ranging from $0.50 to $1.00 per page for certified copies
Electronic records: Where records are provided in electronic format, agencies may charge the actual cost of producing the electronic copy, including any applicable data extraction costs

Pursuant to Government Code § 7922.530, agencies may not charge fees that exceed the direct cost of duplication for standard records. Fee waivers may be available for members of the news media, nonprofit organizations, or individuals who demonstrate that disclosure would primarily benefit the public interest. Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, and money order; some offices accept credit or debit cards.

Does Kings County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available at Kings County government offices during regular business hours. Under current California law, agencies are required to make records available for inspection at no charge; fees apply only when copies are requested. The following free access options are currently available:

In-person inspection at the Kings County Clerk-Recorder's Office, the Superior Court Records Division, and other custodial agencies, at no cost
Online case search through the Kings Superior Court case portal, which allows members of the public to search active and archived case data without charge
Historical government records accessible through the California State Archives, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State, which preserves and provides access to historical state and local government documents at no cost for basic research inquiries
Court public records policy information published by the Judicial Branch of California, which outlines statewide access rights and procedures for all 58 superior courts

Who Can Request Public Records in Kings County?

Any person may submit a public records request to a Kings County agency, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Under current California law, the right of access is not limited to county residents or California citizens. The following eligibility provisions apply:

Residency: Requesters are not required to be residents of Kings County or the State of California
Identification: Agencies generally may not require requesters to provide identification as a condition of access to public records, except where the nature of the record requires identity verification (e.g., requesting one's own confidential records)
Purpose: Requesters are not required to state the reason for their request for most categories of public records
Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records pertaining to themselves, such as criminal history or personnel files, may be subject to additional identity verification requirements and may access certain records not available to the general public
Restrictions for specific record types: Certain records, such as juvenile case files, adoption records, and sealed court documents, are restricted to authorized parties regardless of the requester's identity

Non-residents retain the same access rights as California residents for all non-restricted public records. Attorneys, journalists, researchers, and members of the general public are all entitled to submit requests under the same statutory framework.

What Records Are Confidential in Kings County?

Not all government-held information qualifies as a public record subject to disclosure. California law identifies numerous categories of exempt or confidential records that agencies are not required — and in some cases are prohibited — to disclose. The following records are currently exempt from public disclosure in Kings County:

Sealed court records — Documents sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the general public
Juvenile records — Records pertaining to minors involved in delinquency or dependency proceedings are confidential under the Welfare and Institutions Code
Ongoing investigation records — Law enforcement investigative files that, if disclosed, would endanger witnesses, compromise investigations, or deprive a defendant of a fair trial
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar information are redacted prior to disclosure
Medical and patient records — As noted by the California Department of State Hospitals, patient information and medical records are not public records and are subject to HIPAA disclosure protections and requirements
Adoption records — Sealed by statute and accessible only through court order or authorized channels
Child welfare and protective services records — Confidential under the Welfare and Institutions Code
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 — Exempt to protect public safety

Government Code § 7922.000 establishes the balancing test that agencies must apply when determining whether a record falls within a discretionary exemption. Where a specific statutory exemption does not apply, the agency must weigh the public interest in disclosure against the public interest in withholding the record.

Kings County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Kings County Clerk-Recorder's Office serves as the primary custodian of property records, vital records, and official documents for Kings County. Members of the public may visit the office in person or submit requests by mail during regular business hours.

Kings County Clerk-Recorder's Office 1400 W. Lacey Blvd., Hanford, CA 93230 (559) 852-2461 Kings County Clerk-Recorder

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding county holidays.

Kings County Superior Court — Records Division 1426 S. Drive, Hanford, CA 93230 (559) 582-1010 Superior Court of California, County of Kings — Records Division

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding court holidays.

Kings County Assessor's Office 1400 W. Lacey Blvd., Hanford, CA 93230 (559) 852-2486 Kings County Assessor