How to Search San Diego County Records (Start Here)
San Diego combines its Assessor, Recorder, and County Clerk into a single office — which simplifies property-related searches. Court records are separate.
- Court cases: San Diego Superior Court at sdcourt.ca.gov. The Online Case Search covers civil, criminal, family, mental health, and probate. You can also purchase document downloads through the Register of Actions.
- Property values, recorded documents, and marriage: All handled by the Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk at sdarcc.gov. Property ownership, assessed values, maps, sales history, and recorded deeds are all in one place.
- Criminal background: California has no free statewide criminal search. Court-level criminal cases are searchable on sdcourt.ca.gov. Full background requires Live Scan through the CA DOJ.
All sources below are official and free to search.
Criminal & Court Records
Jail & Inmate Records
Property & Tax Records
Business, Voter & Other
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Assessor and Recorder the same office in San Diego? ▼
Yes. San Diego combines the Assessor, Recorder, and County Clerk into one office (sdarcc.gov). Property assessments, recorded deeds, marriage licenses, and birth/death certificates are all handled by the same department.
How do I search San Diego court cases online? ▼
Go to sdcourt.ca.gov and use the Online Case Search. It covers civil, criminal, family court, mental health, and probate. You'll need either a case number or a party name to search.
Can I buy copies of San Diego court documents online? ▼
Yes — the Register of Actions on sdcourt.ca.gov lets you purchase document downloads for family law cases. Other case types may require an in-person visit or written request to view the full file.
Where do I find San Diego property sales history? ▼
The Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk at sdarcc.gov maintains property sales listings, assessed values, ownership details, and historical Tax Collector data — all searchable online.
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