Citizens' Guide to Obtaining Information and Records from the City
This site is designed to facilitate your access to City records and contains many useful tools and resources to assist you in your search and retrieval of information and records. It is the City’s goal to provide the public with timely access to public information and records about their city and the business of city government.
The City will respond to citizen requests for information as quickly as possible. Many requests for information, particularly regarding city programs and services can be handled by phone, e-mail or at a department’s front counter. Additionally, many requests for public records can be made available for public review at the time a request is made or within 3 business days of a request. However, some requests for documents may take longer, such as requests for documents which involve interdepartmental coordination, extensive research, retrieval of records from off-site storage or the compilation of voluminous records.
How to Request Information or Records from the City
Tools to Assist You in Requesting Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Records Retention ScheduleThe Records Retention Schedule identifies records maintained by each department of the City. The schedule identifies retention periods for each type of record and whether the record, based on retention criteria, is likely to be located in off-site storage. Link -
Records Retention Schedule
Records Online
Records Online the City's online records portal available to the public to search for and download many types of public records. Click the link above to begin searching.
Payment Policy: The City Clerk Department accepts credit/ATM cards, cash, and checks/money orders. The City Clerk Department may not be able to give change for bills of $20 or greater. Only exact change or credit/ATM transactions are accepted after 4:30pm.
Materials created by the City are available in alternative formats upon request. Alternative formats include audio-format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc. Please contact the Disability Services Specialist and allow 7-10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.
Disability Services Specialist
Email:
engineeringdivision@cityofberkeley.info Phone: 1-510-981-6418
TTY: 1-510-981-6347
*PDF file opens in a new browser window. To read PDF files, download a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you are unable to access .pdf documents online, please contact us via email (clerk@CityofBerkeley.info), telephone (510) 981-6900, or TDD (510) 981-6903 so that we can provide an alternate format.