San Francisco Directory Search

The San Francisco residents directory covers a unique city that also functions as its own county. San Francisco has around 870,000 residents packed into just 47 square miles. Finding someone here means searching through voter rolls, court records, property files, and vital records all managed by a single combined city-county government. Unlike most California cities, San Francisco handles both city and county record functions in one place. This page covers the local sources available to find people in San Francisco through the California residents directory.

San Francisco Vital Records

San Francisco County runs its own Office of Vital Records at 101 Grove Street, Room 105. This office handles birth and death certificates for events that took place in San Francisco. You can call (415) 554-2700 to check on a record or ask about fees. Birth records are useful for the San Francisco residents directory because they confirm a person's identity and place of birth. Death records show whether someone is still living at a San Francisco address.

Certified copies of birth certificates cost $28 each. Death certificates are $21. You can order these by mail, in person, or online. Authorized copies are restricted to the person named on the record or close family members. Informational copies are available to anyone. These show "informational, not a valid document" on the face but still contain the same data.

The California Department of Public Health vital records page covers statewide processing times for vital record requests that include San Francisco.

Statewide processing can take several weeks. Local requests at the San Francisco office are usually faster.

San Francisco City Records

San Francisco's combined city-county government keeps all public records in one system. The Clerk of the Board of Supervisors handles legislative records, meeting minutes, and ordinances. The Assessor-Recorder manages property ownership files and recorded documents. The Department of Elections maintains voter registration data. All of these feed into the San Francisco residents directory. You can request records from any department through the city's Sunshine Ordinance, which is even broader than the state Public Records Act.

The San Francisco Sunshine Ordinance gives the public stronger access rights than the California Public Records Act alone. Agencies must respond within 10 days. Some records must be provided within one day if they are already in electronic form. Denial of a request can be appealed to the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force. This local law makes San Francisco one of the most transparent cities in the state for people searches.

Note: San Francisco's Sunshine Ordinance applies to all city-county departments, boards, and commissions, giving broader access than many other California cities.

Search San Francisco Court Records

The San Francisco Superior Court handles all trial court cases in the city and county. Civil cases, criminal matters, family law, and probate all go through this court. Case records show names, filing dates, and case outcomes. You can search civil records online through the court's website. Criminal records need an in-person visit to the courthouse at 400 McAllister Street.

Court records are key for the San Francisco residents directory. Lawsuits, divorces, name changes, and criminal cases all list the names of people involved. Some records include addresses and dates of birth. Traffic court records are another source. San Francisco handles tens of thousands of traffic cases each year, and each one generates a record tied to a specific person.

Small claims cases are also public record. These show disputes between San Francisco residents and businesses. Filing fees range from $30 to $75 depending on the amount in question. Each filing creates a record with the names and addresses of both parties, which makes small claims data useful for people searches in San Francisco.

San Francisco Property Lookup

Property records are a strong tool for finding San Francisco residents who own real estate. The San Francisco Assessor-Recorder keeps ownership data for every parcel in the city. You can search by address or owner name online. Each record shows the owner, assessed value, and property details. The search tool is free and available to anyone.

San Francisco also maintains a recorded documents database. Deeds, liens, and other documents filed with the Recorder are searchable online. These records go back decades. Each document shows the parties involved in a real estate transaction, which can help you track down San Francisco residents through the directory. Recording fees for new documents follow the state schedule starting at $15 for the first page.

San Francisco Records Access

Public records in San Francisco follow both the California Public Records Act and the local Sunshine Ordinance. The combined law gives you broad access to government records. Response time is 10 calendar days under state law. Electronic records from city departments are usually free. Paper copies cost 10 to 25 cents per page at most offices.

Some records have restrictions. Personnel files, medical data, and home addresses of certain officials are protected. Juvenile court records and family law files require a courthouse visit. Voter data has its own rules under the Elections Code. Commercial use of voter information is a misdemeanor in California. San Francisco enforces these rules through its Elections Department.

Note: San Francisco's Sunshine Ordinance allows you to appeal denied records requests to the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force, which is a stronger remedy than most California cities offer.

Nearby San Francisco Cities

These cities are near San Francisco and also have residents directory pages. Each city has its own set of public records sources across different Bay Area counties.