Lassen County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Lassen County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in Lassen County, California may access a broad range of publicly available information through official county, court, and municipal channels. LassenRecords.us serves as a directory resource that may assist users in locating relevant record categories and directing inquiries to the appropriate government offices. Lassen County maintains records across multiple departments, and the availability of specific documents depends on the record type, the custodial agency, and applicable state law.
Records that may be accessible through official channels include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family law)
- Property deeds, liens, and assessment records
- Vital records (birth, death, and marriage certificates)
- Business licenses and fictitious business name filings
- Building permits and inspection results
- Board of Supervisors meeting minutes and agendas
- Voter registration and election records
- Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted by law)
- Land use, zoning, and planning documents
Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by county and municipal agencies.
Online Access:
The Lassen County official portal provides access to Board of Supervisors agendas and minutes, building permit applications, and inspection results. The County Clerk-Recorder's office offers online processing for vital records requests. The Superior Court of California, County of Lassen, maintains the Case Index & Calendar Portal, which allows members of the public to search case information online. The City of Susanville operates a dedicated public records request portal through which requestors may submit inquiries, correspond with city staff, and track request status online.
In-Person Requests:
Members of the public may visit the Lassen County Clerk-Recorder's Office at 220 South Lassen Street, Suite 5, Susanville, CA 96130. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors should be prepared to identify the record sought with reasonable particularity.
Written/Mail Requests:
Written requests may be submitted to the Lassen County Clerk-Recorder at the address above. Under California Government Code § 6253, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within ten days, with a possible fourteen-day extension under unusual circumstances.
Phone/Email:
The Lassen County Clerk-Recorder's office may be reached by telephone at (530) 251-8234. The City of Susanville accepts public records inquiries through its online portal at the address referenced above.
What Are Public Records in Lassen County?
Public records in Lassen County are defined under the California Public Records Act (CPRA), codified at California Government Code § 7920.000 et seq., as 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 following record types are currently maintained by Lassen County departments:
| Record Type | Custodial Office |
|---|---|
| Civil, criminal, probate, family court records | Superior Court of California, County of Lassen |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | County Clerk-Recorder |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | County Clerk-Recorder |
| Fictitious business names, business licenses | County Clerk-Recorder |
| Property tax and assessment records | County Assessor |
| Voter registration and election records | County Clerk-Recorder |
| Board of Supervisors minutes and agendas | Lassen County official portal |
| Building permits and zoning records | County Planning and Building |
| Law enforcement incident reports | Lassen County Sheriff's Office |
The County Clerk-Recorder serves as the primary custodian for a wide range of official documents. Court records are maintained separately by the Superior Court of California, County of Lassen.
Is Lassen County an Open Records County?
Lassen County operates in full compliance with California's open records framework. Under the California Public Records Act, all state and local agencies — including county departments — are required to make public records available for inspection and copying upon request, unless a specific statutory exemption applies. As stated in the Act, "public records are open to inspection at all times during the office hours of the state or local agency and every person has a right to inspect any public record."
The California Attorney General's office affirms that "the people's right to access information concerning the conduct of the people's business is a fundamental and necessary right." This principle underlies the county's obligation to respond to records requests in a timely and complete manner. Lassen County does not maintain a separate county-specific open records ordinance; the state CPRA governs all public records access within the county's jurisdiction.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Lassen County?
The cost to obtain public records in Lassen County varies by record type and the office maintaining the record. Under California Government Code § 6253(b), agencies may charge fees that reflect the direct cost of duplication only, not the cost of staff time spent locating or reviewing records.
Current standard fees include:
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Standard paper copies | $0.10 per page (standard rate) |
| Certified copies of vital records (birth, death, marriage) | $21.00 per certified copy |
| Fictitious business name filing copies | Varies by document |
| Court record copies | Set by Judicial Council fee schedule |
| Electronic record copies | Direct cost of duplication |
- Inspection fees: No fee is charged for inspecting public records in person.
- Certification fees: Certified copies of vital records carry a statutory fee set by the California Health and Safety Code.
- Court fees: The Superior Court of California sets its own fee schedule pursuant to the Judicial Council's uniform fee structure.
- Payment methods: The County Clerk-Recorder accepts cash, check, and money order. The City of Susanville's online portal may accept electronic payment for certain requests.
- Fee waivers: Under state law, fee waivers may be available when disclosure is determined to be in the public interest and the requester is not seeking the records for a commercial purpose.
Does Lassen County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at Lassen County government offices during regular business hours. Under the California Public Records Act, no fee may be charged solely for the act of inspecting a public record; fees apply only when copies are requested.
Free access is available through the following official channels:
- Lassen County online portal: The county's official website provides free access to Board of Supervisors agendas, meeting minutes, and building permit information without registration.
- Superior Court Case Index: The Case Index & Calendar Portal allows free online searches of case information for matters filed in Lassen County Superior Court.
- Court records inspection: Members of the public may inspect court case files at the courthouse without charge; fees apply only when physical or electronic copies are requested through the court's records and information page.
- City of Susanville: The city's public records portal allows free searching of published records requests and documents.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: inspection at a public counter carries no cost, while reproduction of documents is subject to the direct-cost fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Lassen County?
Any person may request public records in Lassen County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. The California Public Records Act does not restrict access to California residents; non-residents retain the same right of access as residents of the state.
Under current law, requestors are not required to:
- Provide proof of residency or identification
- State the purpose of the request
- Demonstrate a personal interest in the records sought
Certain record types carry additional access requirements. Requestors seeking certified copies of vital records — such as birth or death certificates — must demonstrate a direct and tangible interest or an authorized relationship to the subject of the record, pursuant to California Health and Safety Code provisions governing vital statistics. Requestors seeking their own records may be required to provide identification to verify identity before release.
Restrictions apply to specific categories: juvenile court records, sealed records, and records subject to statutory exemptions are not available to the general public regardless of the requestor's identity or purpose.
What Records Are Confidential in Lassen County?
Not all government documents held by Lassen County agencies are subject to public disclosure. The California Public Records Act enumerates specific categories of exempt records. Under California Government Code § 7922.000 et seq., the following categories are exempt from mandatory disclosure:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the public.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile 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 compromise the investigation.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are protected from disclosure.
- Medical and health records: Records protected under HIPAA and California Confidentiality of Medical Information Act are exempt.
- Adoption records: Adoption proceedings and related documents are sealed by statute.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by child protective services are confidential.
- Personnel records: Employee personnel files are exempt, with limited exceptions for records of final disciplinary actions.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Submitted business information qualifying as a trade secret is protected.
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Documents describing vulnerabilities in public infrastructure are exempt.
When an agency withholds a record, it must provide a written explanation citing the specific statutory exemption. California courts apply a balancing test in certain circumstances to weigh the public interest in disclosure against the interest in confidentiality.
Lassen County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Lassen County Clerk-Recorder
220 South Lassen Street, Suite 5
Susanville, CA 96130
(530) 251-8234
Lassen County Clerk-Recorder
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
Superior Court of California, County of Lassen
2610 Riverside Drive
Susanville, CA 96130
(530) 251-8205
Superior Court of California, County of Lassen
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on court holidays.
As noted on the court's official website, "Lassen Superior Court is one of the fifty-eight subdivisions of the California trial courts and sits at the Lassen County seat of government in the City of Susanville." Court records requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or through the court's online records and information portal.
City of Susanville – Public Records
66 North Lassen Street
Susanville, CA 96130
(530) 257-1000
City of Susanville Public Records
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on city-observed holidays.