Public records requests
Find government records, request instructions and the agency that holds them.
Source checked October 14, 2026[4]www.ocgov.com
Opens this office’s own website. CountyWiki does not process applications, take payments or provide personal records.
Contact details & office locations ↓Online services & information
These links were found on official source pages. Each service is handled by the office.
Identify the agency holding the records. The shared NextRequest form covers only the departments listed by the county; Assessor, Sheriff and other unlisted departments use their own contacts.
Before you start
- Availability · Shared portal — listed departments only
- You may use this online form to submit records request for only these departments: Auditor-Controller, Clerk of the Board, County Executive Office, County Information Technology, County Procurement Office, Health Care Agency, Environmental Health, John Wayne Airport, Housing & Community Development, OC Animal Care, OC Community Services, OC Parks, OC Public Libraries, OC Public Works, OC Waste & Recycling, Probation, Registrar of Voters and Social Services Agency. [7]
- Availability · Records involving multiple departments
- If you have a request for records pertaining to multiple departments, please choose “County Executive Office” under the Department dropdown list via our online request portal, Next Request. Be sure to include the names of the departments in the description of your request. [8]
- Eligibility & access · Portal replies — contact information without requiring your name
- Although you are not required to provide your name, you must provide contact information in order for the responding agency to reach you. [9]
- Payments · Electronic public records — printed copies and media have different costs
- There is no cost for receiving records electronically (e.g., e-mail). [10]
- Processing time · CPRA copy requests — initial determination; this is not a record-delivery deadline
- within 10 days from receipt of the request, determine whether the request, in whole or in part, seeks copies of disclosable public records in the possession of the agency [1]
- Processing time · CPRA unusual circumstances — written notice must give reasons and the expected determination date
- The notice shall not specify a date that would result in an extension for more than 14 days. [2]
- Payments · CPRA copies — applicable duplication or statutory fees; inspection and special record products can differ
- payment of fees covering direct costs of duplication, or a statutory fee if applicable. [3]
Fees
Fees are quoted only when a source document supports the amount and conditions.
| Service | Amount | Conditions & source |
|---|---|---|
| Printed public record copy | $0.15per 8.5 by 11 inch page | County public records printed on request; electronic delivery has no cost. Media devices are charged at actual cost. Effective date is not stated.[6] |
These are individual fee items, not a quote for your total. Other charges or exemptions may apply; confirm the total with the office.
Forms & documents
Official forms and document pages for this office’s services.
Sources & last checked3 source pages · 10 citations
Sources were checked by an AI-assisted research process. A checked website does not mean every service or fee on it has been reviewed.
- [1] California Government Code — public records determination (opens in a new tab)
California Legislature · California Government Code 7922.535 (a)
Source reviewed October 14, 2026View supporting excerpt
Each agency, upon a request for a copy of records, shall, within 10 days from receipt of the request, determine whether the request, in whole or in part, seeks copies of disclosable public records in the possession of the agency and shall promptly notify the person making the request of the determination and the reasons therefor.
- [2] California Government Code — public records determination (opens in a new tab)
California Legislature · California Government Code 7922.535 (b)
Source reviewed October 14, 2026View supporting excerpt
In unusual circumstances, the time limit prescribed in this article and Article 1 (commencing with Section 7922.500) may be extended by written notice from the head of the agency or a designee to the person making the request, setting forth the reasons for the extension and the date on which a determination is expected to be dispatched. The notice shall not specify a date that would result in an extension for more than 14 days.
- [3] California Government Code — public records copy-fees (opens in a new tab)
California Legislature · California Government Code 7922.530(a)
Source reviewed October 14, 2026View supporting excerpt
upon payment of fees covering direct costs of duplication, or a statutory fee if applicable.
- [4] Orange County — public records request (opens in a new tab)
Orange County · Public records — To make a public records request, please select the department below in relation to your reques
Source reviewed October 14, 2026View supporting excerpt
To make a public records request, please select the department below in relation to your request.
- [5] Orange County — public records request (opens in a new tab)
Orange County · Public records — To make a public records request, please select the department below in relation to your reques
Source reviewed October 14, 2026View supporting excerpt
To make a public records request, please select the department below in relation to your request.
- [6] Orange County — public records request (opens in a new tab)
Orange County · Public records copy fee — Printed public record copy
Source reviewed October 14, 2026View supporting excerpt
the County does charge 15 cents per page (8.5" by 11”) when requested to print records.
- [7] Orange County — public records request (opens in a new tab)
Orange County · Public records requirement — Shared portal — listed departments only
Source reviewed October 14, 2026View supporting excerpt
You may use this online form to submit records request for only these departments: Auditor-Controller, Clerk of the Board, County Executive Office, County Information Technology, County Procurement Office, Health Care Agency, Environmental Health, John Wayne Airport, Housing & Community Development, OC Animal Care, OC Community Services, OC Parks, OC Public Libraries, OC Public Works, OC Waste & Recycling, Probation, Registrar of Voters and Social Services Agency.
- [8] Orange County — public records request (opens in a new tab)
Orange County · Public records requirement — Records involving multiple departments
Source reviewed October 14, 2026View supporting excerpt
If you have a request for records pertaining to multiple departments, please choose “County Executive Office” under the Department dropdown list via our online request portal, Next Request. Be sure to include the names of the departments in the description of your request.
- [9] Orange County — public records request (opens in a new tab)
Orange County · Public records requirement — Portal replies — contact information without requiring your name
Source reviewed October 14, 2026View supporting excerpt
Although you are not required to provide your name, you must provide contact information in order for the responding agency to reach you.
- [10] Orange County — public records request (opens in a new tab)
Orange County · Public records requirement — Electronic public records — printed copies and media have different costs
Source reviewed October 14, 2026View supporting excerpt
There is no cost for receiving records electronically (e.g., e-mail).