Public Records Act 

The City of Shafter supports the right to access public records that are created and maintained by the City in the normal course of business. It is the goal to provide timely access to requested records in accordance with the California Public Records Act (Government Code Section 6250-6270). If you would like to request something from the City of Shafter, the material below will help you to understand how the process works.

Any person may request to inspect or receive a copy of an identifiable public record, except those records that are exempt under the provisions of the law. 

Requests for Shafter Police Department records must be submitted through the Shafter Police Department Records Clerk, (661)746-8500, during normal business hours, Monday through Friday.

Please note that birth certificates, death records, and marriage licenses are held by the Kern County Recorders Office. More information can be found online at Kern County Hall of Records, by call (661) 868-6400, or at 1655 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301.

To expedite your request and allow an efficient procedure for processing, please provide your request in writing by providing clear and specific description of the information you are requesting such as dates, addresses, or titles of document(s) sought. 

After completion, you can submit it to the City Clerk's Office in person, via email to cityclerk@shafter.com or by fax (661) 746-0607. For more information about records available at the City of Shafter, please call the City Clerk Office during normal business hours at (661) 746-5000.

If you are ready to submit your request, please download The Public Records Request Form.

Guidelines for Access to Public Records

Requests can be submitted via email, telephone, or letter. Please provide the following information:

- The name of the requestor.
- A mailing address, telephone number and/or email address.
- A description of the records requested.

Transmittal and Cost

Responses will generally be made available for inspection or pick up in the Office of the City Clerk located at Shafter City Hall, or by mail.

Fees for copies are in accordance with Shafter Resolution.The cost for copies is $0.20 per page for letter size, legal size and ledge size. Additionally, pursuant to Government Code section 6253.9, subdivision (b), a fee is payable for providing documents in electronic form, as reimbursement of the actual cost for the time time spent by Staff to prepare and/or transmit the electronic record. Additionally, the City does not provide copies of documents greater than ledger size and requires you to engage the services of vendor of your choice for copying at City Hall. 

Timing

The City of Shafter strives to fully comply with the request within ten calendar days. The ten-day response period starts with the first calendar day after the date of receipt. If the request is received after 5 p.m. on a weekday, or on a weekend or holiday, the next business day will be considered the date of receipt. The City may take an extension of the standard 10-day time period pursuant to Government Code Section 6253(c). Staff will notify of such extension.