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San Mateo Public Records
San Mateo County in California offers a variety of historic and recent records to the public. It officially dates back to 1856 and is connected to San Francisco. Most records are not restricted, although San Mateo County vital records are, for privacy reasons. To obtain San Mateo County public records like birth, death and marriage records, visit the County Clerk’s office or online. To view San Mateo County divorce records or court records, visit the Superior Court’s website. Here you may view civil court records and an index of criminal records, which can be viewed at the courthouse if not sealed.
To view historic public records in San Mateo County, visit the Cañada College Library, which is home to the San Mateo County Genealogical Society’s (SMCGS) collection of cemetery records, obituaries and vital records, which are available to the public to peruse.
About San Mateo County Public Records
California restricts who may request authorized versions of vital records. This is mostly because of the threat of identity theft. However, informational copies of San Mateo County vital records may be requested by anyone, since these cannot be used to establish identity. Most other California public records are open to the public without restriction. Searching public records in San Mateo County for genealogical purposes or for personal reasons is very convenient, with most records available locally or online.
Accessing San Mateo County Online Public Records
San Mateo County court records are readily available online, which is very convenient for anyone wishing to view this type of record. However, the San Mateo County Superior Court does not include criminal court records online; only a case number can be looked up. This can then be used to request the records in person or by mail. Otherwise, San Mateo County online public records are easily obtained through the open access public web portal.
Search Public Records in San Mateo County for Genealogy Purposes
For those who are performing genealogy research, San Mateo County has a bounty to offer. A public records search in San Mateo County performed at the Cañada College Library will yield San Mateo County cemetery records, obituaries and vital records. The SMCGS is also a great genealogy resource for those who might want some tips.
