Criminal Records
The Butte County Sheriff’s Department serves as the local law enforcement agency for the county. Residents can view arrest records or public police information by visiting the office at 5 Gillick Way, Oroville, CA 95965, USA. County residents and employees can also obtain public criminal history records by contacting the office of the attorney general for the state. Requesters must submit fingerprint images and the applicable fee. Fingerprinting can be done at the Butte County Sheriff Office or any local police department.
Note: Third-party criminal record requests are not allowed. Requesters may only view their own records.
How to Obtain Sex Offender Information
The Office of the Attorney General for the State of California maintains a public registry that lists registered sex offenders in Butte County and other parts of the state. It provides general information such as the offender’s name, photograph, date of birth, physical description and the offense for which he/she was convicted. It also provides zip codes based on the last address.
Court Records
Butte County is home to a superior court, which presides over criminal and civil cases. The court is split into several divisions, including family, probate, juvenile, and traffic divisions. Records of cases filed in the court may be available for public view at the courthouse where the case was filed. Butte County has two courthouse locations:
Butte County Superior Court - Butte County Courthouse
Butte County Courthouse
1 Court Street
Oroville, CA 95965
Phone: (530) 532-7002
Butte County Superior Court - North Butte County Courthouse
North Butte County Courthouse
1775 Concord Avenue
Chico, CA 95928
Phone: (530) 532-7009 (Civil)
Phone: (530) 532-7014 (Compliance)
Phone: (530) 532-7008 (Family Law)
Phone: (530) 532-7010 (Juvenile Dependency)
Phone: (530) 532-7017 (Probate)
Phone: (530) 532-7005 (Traffic)
Residents can also search for court records or case information online using the court’s case search platform or the California unified appellate courts case information system. Searches can be filed by county or appellate district. In addition, requesters can search for cases by trial date, attorney or party information.
Vital Records
Butte County processes requests for vital records at the county and state level. Access to some records may be restricted to only the individual named on the record, immediate family members, and legal representatives. Requesters may also be required to submit an application form as well as provide a copy of a valid I.D.
How to Obtain Divorce Decrees
Copies of decrees granted in Butte County can be obtained by contacting the clerk of the superior court at the:
North Butte County Courthouse
1775 Concord Avenue
Chico, CA 95928
Phone: (530) 532-7008 (Family Law)
In addition, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) processes requests for verification letters for divorces granted between 1962 and June 1984. Interested parties can submit requests by completing an application form and mailing it to the California Department of Public Health.
Note: Divorce records for decrees issued after 2004 can be obtained at the originating courthouses where the divorce was filed.
How to Find Birth/Death Certificates
Records for births and deaths that occurred in the county can be obtained from the Butte County Public Health Vital Records Office. Requesters will be required to submit a completed birth certificate application form or death certificate application form. Records can be obtained in person at the office location situated at 202 Mira Loma Dr, Oroville, CA 95965, USA.
Requests can also be submitted by mail addressed to:
Butte County Public Health
202 Mira Loma Drive,
Oroville, CA 95965
Phone: (530) 538-7700
Phone: (530) 538-7023 (Facsimile)
Applications forms must include the applicant’s information, the full name of the person on the record, as well as the type of record required (certified or informational copy). A $25.00 fee per copy is charged for birth records and $21.00 per copy for death records.
How to Find Marriage Records
Records of marriage licenses issued in Butte County can be obtained from the Butte County Clerk-Recorder's Office. Requesters will need to submit a completed application form along with the applicable fee to the:
Butte County Clerk-Recorder
155 Nelson Ave.
Oroville, CA 95965
In compliance with state laws, the office issues two types of certified copies: certified copies of a confidential record and certified copies of a non-confidential (public) record. Certified copies of a confidential marriage record can only be issued to eligible persons, namely either of the parties named on the record or any requests backed by a court order. Non-confidential records can be obtained by named registrant and immediate family members, including siblings, parents, children, spouse or domestic partner.
Are Property Records Open to the Public in Butte County?
Under the California Public Records Act, all property records in Butte County are open for public inspection. The act allows all interested persons to request Butte County property records by submitting official applications and paying request fees as applicable.
Where and How to Find Property Records in Butte County?
The Butte County Assessor's Office keeps county property records. The Assessor's Office handles the assessment and appraisal of all real property in the county, and determines appropriate values for each property. Requestors may send official requests for this information to the Assessor's Office at either of the following locations:
Butte County Assessor's Office - Oroville
25 County Center Drive
Suite 100
Oroville, CA 95965
Phone: (530) 552-3800
Fax: (530) 538-7991
Email: assessorsoffice@buttecounty.net
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday
Butte County Assessor's Office – Chico
196 Memorial Way
Chico, CA 95926
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday
The Butte County Recorder's Office also maintains records of real property, including transactions, maps, financing statements, deeds, tax liens, mechanic's liens, reconveyances, and deeds of trusts. To obtain property records from the Recorder's Office, interested persons may submit applications by mail, email, or in person. Applications should contain contact information and include all known details of the record, including addresses, owner's names, grantor and grantee information, improvement details, etc.
Each regular copy costs $3.50 for the first page and $1.50 for each additional page. For certified copies, requestors are charged $6.50 for the first page and $2.50 for each extra page. The Recorder's Office also accepts credit card payments for an extra $6 handling fee. Persons may also choose an optional expedited mail (UPS) option for an additional $19. Requests should be submitted using the following information:
Butte County Clerk-Recorder's Office
Butte County Hall of Records
155 Nelson Avenue
Oroville, CA 95965-3411
Phone: (530) 552-3400, Option 2
Fax: (530) 538-7975
Email: recorders@buttecounty.net
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Mondays through Fridays
Closed between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month
How to Look Up Butte County Property Records
The Butte County Assessor's Office allows members of the general public to find property records online. Users should select the "Lookup Parcels, Values and Maps" button on the Assessor's website and then conduct property or document searches. Results may be restricted by specifying the document type and also providing the Assessor's Parcel Number, House Number, Direction, Street Name, Unit, and Suffix.
An alternative to the Assessor's Office's lookup function is the Recorder's Official Records Database Inquiry. Parties may input names, document types or titles, date ranges, book and page numbers, a sort order, and document IDs.
Location of Butte County Property Assessors
Butte County Assessor's Office - Oroville
25 County Center Drive
Suite 100
Oroville, CA 95965
Phone: (530) 552-3800
Fax: (530) 538-7991
Email: assessorsoffice@buttecounty.net
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday
Butte County Assessor's Office – Chico
196 Memorial Way
Chico, CA 95926
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday
