How to Search Los Angeles County Public Records
Los Angeles County is the largest county in the U.S. by population (9.66M residents across 88 cities and 4,083 sq mi). Records are spread across 37 county departments plus city and federal agencies.
- Court cases: LA Superior Court — lacourt.ca.gov — civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic.
- Jail / inmate: LASD Inmate Information Center — app5.lasd.org/iic — current custody.
- Vital records: Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk — lavote.gov/home/recorder — birth, death, marriage.
- Property: Assessor (portal.assessor.lacounty.gov) parcels; Treasurer (ttc.lacounty.gov) tax; Recorder (rrcc.lacounty.gov) deeds.
- Health permits: Public Health — ehservices.publichealth.lacounty.gov — restaurant grades and food permits.
Population
9.66M
Cities
88
Square Miles
4,083
Founded
1850
Departments
37
Searching Los Angeles County: what to expect
Los Angeles County publishes almost nothing online itself — nearly every source indexed below is state-run. That's normal for smaller California countys, and it means your search leans on statewide systems, with the county offices handling the rest by phone or mail. California courts search county by county, and Los Angeles County has no public online docket listed — case records mean the clerk's office, or the statewide options on the California court records page.
SearchSystems Editorial
Edited by SearchSystems Editorial Team — verified against official government sources. About our editorial process.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: all Los Angeles County record-source URLs verified against the official local and California state publishers on the review date. 4 primary .gov / official sources cited below.
Los Angeles County — Key Numbers (2026)
Population, demographics, and county-seat data for Los Angeles County, California — verified against U.S. Census 2024 estimates.
9,757,179
Population
Census estimate
3,420,000
Households
Census estimate
$90,112
Median income
Annual household
$834,200
Median home value
Census ACS
Los Angeles
County seat
In California
Criminal records
1 source
Court records
1 source
Wants & warrants
see state portal
Property records
1 source
Vital records
see state portal
Voter records
see state portal
Professional licenses
see state portal
Recorded documents
see state portal
Count of verified official sources per record type. Multiple sources One source Use state portal
Los Angeles County Records at a Glance
| Record type | Los Angeles County verified sources |
|---|---|
| Court records | California Courts - Home | Judicial Branch of California |
| Criminal records | Crime Data | State of California - Department of Justice - O… |
| Wants & warrants | California's Most Wanted Fugitives | State of California - Department of Ju |
| Property records | EPIC-LA | DRP - LA County |
| Vital records | Vital Records - CDPH - CA.gov |
| Voter records | My Voter Status - California Secretary of State |
| Professional licenses | DCA License Search - CA.gov |
| Recorded documents | Affidavit of Identity Form Requirement Home Page - LA County Animal Care & Control COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES |
Count of officially verified .gov / .us record sources cataloged for Los Angeles County. Sources reviewed June 04, 2026.
What Changed in 2026 — Los Angeles County Records
2026
Los Angeles County court records portal verified
State court system links for Los Angeles County verified against the California judiciary portal in 2026.
2026
Los Angeles County criminal records access
State criminal records repository for Los Angeles County (statewide system, not county-specific) confirmed active in 2026.
2026
Los Angeles County property records online
Los Angeles County property assessment and recorder office online portal active in 2026.
2026
FBI Identity History Summary (federal complement)
For records that may exist outside California, the FBI Identity History Summary at fbi.gov complements all county-level state records.
The 4-Step Los Angeles County Records Pathway
1
Step 1 — Start at the Los Angeles County clerk/courthouse
For most local records (court cases, property deeds, marriage licenses), the Los Angeles County clerk's office is the first stop.
2
Step 2 — Use the California statewide systems
Criminal background, court case search, voter registration, and professional licensing are all run at the California state level — not by the county.
3
Step 3 — Federal sources for federal records
Federal court cases (PACER), federal tax liens (IRS), military records (NPRC), and immigration data (ICE) are all federal — not held by the county.
4
Step 4 — Cross-check before relying on data
Most county portals lag 24-48 hours behind the courthouse. For time-sensitive verification, call the clerk directly.
Five Things People Get Wrong About Los Angeles County Records
MYTH"Los Angeles County maintains all criminal records."
FACTCriminal records for Los Angeles County are held by the California state repository, NOT the county. The county sheriff has only the local arrest log.
MYTH"Records sealed in Los Angeles County are gone everywhere."
FACTSealing removes records from public search but they still exist at the courthouse and may appear in FBI records (Identity History Summary).
MYTH"Free 'instant background' sites have Los Angeles County data."
FACTOnly the official California state repository has verified, current Los Angeles County data. Free sites often have stale data.
MYTH"The Los Angeles County assessor's value is what I'll sell my home for."
FACTThe Los Angeles County assessor's value is for property tax purposes only — usually below market value.
MYTH"All county records older than 50 years are public."
FACTPartially false. Public-records rules vary by record type AND state. Court records and deeds are usually older-public; vital records remain restricted longer (often 75-125 years).
Primary Sources and Official Record Portals
- courts.ca.gov — Court records — official source
- oag.ca.gov — Criminal records — official source
- case.planning.lacounty.gov — Property records — official source
- fbi.gov — FBI Identity History Summary (federal record)
Related — Los Angeles County & California Records
For records not specific to Los Angeles County, use California's statewide system or the national hub.
📍 California statewide record systems:
- California Court Records →
- California Criminal Records →
- California Property Records →
- California Vital Records →
- California Voter Records →
- California Wants & Warrants →
- California Licenses →
- California Recorded Documents →
🇺🇸 National hubs:
Related Public Records
California statewide records: Court records · Criminal records · Wants & warrants · Property records · Vital records · Voter records · Licenses · Recorded docs
National directories: Court records · Criminal records · Property records · Vital records · Federal databases
Most Los Angeles County searches end up needing one of these:
About Los Angeles County, California
Los Angeles County is the most populous county in the United States. Use the tabs below to access official records from the LA Superior Court, Sheriff's Department, Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, Assessor, Public Health, and other agencies.
County seat
Los Angeles
Los Angeles
Households
3,363,093
3,363,093
Median household income
$83,411
$83,411
Median home value
$732,200
$732,200
Below poverty line
13.7%
13.7%
Population density
2,403 per sq mi
2,403 per sq mi
Public libraries indexed
90
90
NCES schools indexed
2,348
2,348
California Courts - Home | Judicial Branch of California
Official Free
The largest judicial system in the country, bringing equal access to justice for all Californians .
LACourtConnect - Superior Court of Los Angeles County
Official Free
The official website of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County.
Crime Data | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General
Official Free
The California Attorney General has the duty to collect, analyze, and report statistical data, which provide valid measures of crime and the criminal justice process to government and the citizens of California. This site contains crime data submitted by county and local law enforcement agencies, as well as current and historical publications on crime, juvenile justice, homicide, and hate crimes in California.
EPIC-LA | DRP - LA County
Official Free
EPIC-LA (LA County’s Electronic Permitting & Inspection) Portal is your “one-stop shop” to submit applications, check on case status, and run reports. Click on the links below to take you directly to the page that will help you complete your desired task.
Interactive GIS Web Mapping Apps - LA County Planning
Official Free
The following GIS apps let you interact with GIS information so you can view and research land use and zoning information. You can also look at subdivision activity, aerial imagery, and many other features for unincorporated communities, or areas outside a city in Los Angeles County.
Los Angeles County Office of the Assessor Public Portal
Official Free
Property assessment records for California. Pair it with the recorder's index — values here, the deeds themselves there. Values follow the reassessment cycle, so a recent sale may not show immediately.
Treasurer and Tax Collector – Los Angeles County
Official Free
Please note, for security purposes, we cannot disclose your PIN over the telephone, via email or fax. The PIN is found on the upper left-hand corner of Secured Property Tax Bills.” X You are now leaving the County of Los Angeles Treasurer and Tax Collector website and linking to a website that may contain commercial advertising.
Traffic Counts - LA County Public Works
Official Free
Parcel and valuation data for Los Angeles County — ownership, assessed values, and property characteristics. It is an official government source.
California's Most Wanted Fugitives | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General
Official Free
This Google™ translation feature is provided for informational purposes only · The Office of the Attorney General is unable to guarantee the accuracy of this translation and is therefore not liable for any inaccurate information resulting from the translation application tool
Wanted and Missing Persons - Los Angeles
Official Free
A listing of fugitives wanted by FBI Los Angeles for violent and non-violent crimes, suspected terrorism, kidnapping and missing persons cases, and cases for which the FBI is seeking more information .
🌐 fbi.gov
SDSInter Lac 1133987 GuidetoCountyServices ENG DIGITAL FINAL
Official Free
Official public records resource for Los Angeles County, California. Older material may require an in-person visit or a mailed request. Fees, where charged, are set by statute or published schedule, not discretion.
Vital Records - CDPH - CA.gov
Official Free
Birth, death, and marriage record requests for Los Angeles County route through this office. Searching the official side is free.
Superior Court of Los Angeles
Official Free
What records does Search for Case Number by Name contain? The online Search for Case Number by Name web site contains name index information for General Jurisdiction Civil (lawsuits greater than $25,000), Limited Jurisdiction Civil (lawsuits $25,000 or less, including Unlawful Detainer), Probate.
The faces of California's War Dead - California's War Dead - Los Angeles Times
Official Free
Ten years in the war in Afghanistan, 187 Californians have died as part of America's armed forces.
My Voter Status - California Secretary of State
Official Free
All California voters should check the address where they are registered. Check if you are registered to vote. Check where you are registered to vote. Check your political party preference. Check your language preference for election materials. Check the status of your vote-by-mail or provisional ballot. Find your polling place. Find information for upcoming local and state elections. Find contact information for your county
DCA License Search - CA.gov
Official Free
Licensing activity for Los Angeles County is tracked through this source. If a link breaks, the office homepage at search.dca.ca.gov carries the new path.
Affidavit of Identity Form Requirement
Official Free
In accordance with Section 17913 of the California Business and Professions Code, the following identifying information is · required to file a Fictitious Business Name Statement. This certificate must be signed in the presence of a Notary (mail/drop-off) OR Deputy County Clerk (in person)
Coastal Resilience Strategy | Beaches & Harbors
Official Free
The Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors (DBH) operates and maintains 18 public beaches along the Pacific Ocean coastline, mostly in the Santa Monica Bay, between the City of Malibu and San Pedro.
Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk 12400 Imperial Hwy.
Official Free
Recorded land documents for Los Angeles County, California — deeds, mortgages, and liens. Older instruments live in bound books at the office; staff pull what the online index doesn't reach.
eCompliance Login Page
Official Free
eCompliance Login Page ·   · Either your login failed or your session timed out.
Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector
Official Free
Pursuant to the County of Los Angeles (County) Code, any business, located in the unincorporated area of the County or in the cities of Malibu, Santa Clarita, or Westlake Village, that conducts a business activity that may have an impact on the health, welfare or safety of the public must hold a County Business License to conduct that activity.
Purchasing Voter Registration Files
Official Free
This is where Los Angeles County handles voter registration records and election operations. It is an official government source.
Adopt a Pet - LA County Animal Care & Control
Official Free
Please see our home page for promotions and discounts on adoption fees. Dog Breed Selector Quiz License Fee Schedule Fee Schedule · At the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC), we understand that circumstances can change.
Last reviewed:
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I look up court cases in Los Angeles County?
Los Angeles County court cases are filed with the Clerk of the Superior Court. Search the California Courts - Home | Judicial Branch of California portal: https://courts.ca.gov/. For federal matters, see PACER.
What's the difference between sealing and expunging a record in California?
In California, a sealed record is hidden from public view but still exists and remains visible to law enforcement, licensing boards, and some employers. An expunged record is treated by California law as if it never happened — though FBI and federal records may persist regardless of state action. The relief process runs through the sentencing court.
Does an active warrant show up on a background check in California?
Yes. Active warrants in California appear on name-based criminal background checks through the California Department of Justice system the moment they are entered. Some employers also run a separate NCIC warrant query, which catches federal warrants as well.
Are California criminal records public?
Mostly yes. California's public-records law makes adult arrests, court filings, and conviction histories accessible to anyone unless a specific statutory exemption applies. Juvenile cases and sealed records are generally excluded by statute.