Frequently Asked Questions

Physical Location, Map & Driving Directions

1055 North Main Street

1st Floor

Santa Ana, CA 92701

Public Service Center Hours:

8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (except legal holidays)

(To guarantee services, you must arrive by 4:00 p.m.)

Only customers with scheduled appointments will be assisted during the hour of 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.

Cashier Hours:

7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

We are located on the corner of Main Street and 10th Street in the City of Santa Ana. The Public Service Center is on the first floor of the building. Convenient metered parking is available around the building's perimeter.

Map and Driving Directions

General Mailing Address

P.O. Box 22099

Santa Ana, CA 92702-2099

Telephone & Fax Numbers

Customer Connect: (866) 901-3212

Live operators are available from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday

(except legal holidays).

Our automated system is available 24 hours a day.

Fax: (714) 347-4811

Tele-Typewritter access: (866 399-4096)

If you are contacting us from outside the United States please call: (408) 273-0073.

Payment Mailing Address

State Disbursement Unit

P.O. Box 989067

West Sacramento, CA. 95798

Email Address

Existing customers, click here to access Customer Connect. Your inquiry will be reviewed and responded to by a Child Support Officer.

If you do not have an existing case with OC Child Support Services and:

Ombudsman Team

Telephone: (714) 347-4818

The Ombudsman Team assists parents, employers and the community. An Ombudsman will provide information about the child support program, resolve issues, answer questions, and explain your rights and responsibilities.The Ombudsman Team also helps parties through the Complaint Resolution process and State Hearing, and helps arrange for special accommodations and interpreters needed at State Hearings. The Ombudsman Team also evaluates customer satisfaction and suggests ways to resolve concerns and improve customer service.

Media Inquiries

Contact: Jesse Guillen

Public Information Office Direct Line: (714) 313-1952

Fax: (714) 347-4925

Email: jguillen@css.ocgov.com

Family Law Facilitator

Lamoreaux Justice Center
341 The City Drive
1st Floor, Room 101
Orange, CA 92868

Family Law Facilitators help parents obtain and complete court forms. Family Law Facilitators services are provided free of charge and are not connected with county Department of Child Support Services.

Paternity Opportunity Program (POP)

Telephone: (714) 347-8118
Robin Vann, Orange County POP Coordinator
E-Mail Address: rvann@css.ocgov.com

The Paternity Opportunity Program (POP) is a fast, free, and easy way to establish paternity. Through POP, unmarried parents can establish paternity by completing and signing a Declaration of Paternity at the hospital right after the baby is born. Once both parents complete and sign the form, the hospital files the form with California Department of Child Support Services and paternity is established. Parents may also choose to sign a Declaration of Paternity at a later date. Parents can visit the Orange County Department of Child Support Services for help with completing and signing the Declaration of Paternity form free of charge.

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Please begin by reviewing the job opportunities and "how to apply" information available online by clicking here. You may also contact Human Resources directly at (714) 834-5627.

For your convenience, a virtual application is available online. Step-by-step instructions are available by clicking here.

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The Orange County Clerk-Recorder Department performs civil wedding ceremonies at the Old Orange County Courthouse in Santa Ana and at the South County branch office in the Laguna Hills Civic Center.
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No, you can visit our office and have the license issued to you the same day. You do need to obtain a license prior to having a ceremony performed. For your added convenience, the Clerk-Recorder Department offers an Online Marriage License Application and Appointment System on our web site, located at www.ocrecorder.com. By completing the application and making an appointment, you will be received as priority customers when you arrive in our office to complete the process.
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For further assistance, please feel free to contact the Orange County Clerk-Recorder Department at (714) 834-2500 and speak with a customer service representative, or visit our web site at www.ocrecorder.com.
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OC Community Services' Housing division maintains a listing of numerous apartment communities and properties constructed throughout the county using bonds, tax credits, low interest loans and other incentives that promote affordable housing. Owners of such properties entered into a commitment to keep rents affordable in a specified number of rental units within each property.

Some of properties are subsidized and based on tenant income, while others offer rents that are less than the "open market" costs and available to households earning up to 80% of the county median income. This list is updated on a semi-annual basis by receiving input from all 34 cities in the county. The list may not represent 100% of the deed restricted units in Orange County due to the limitations of gathering the information. It is simply an effort to assist you in finding an affordable unit by providing the most comprehensive list currently available.

To view the Affordable Housing List click here. Please call the number under CONTACT INFORMATION to find out if units are available. It is your responsibility to call the CONTACT and to make all arrangements if a unit is available.

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You can visit the Orange County Clerk-Recorder Department at any of our offices to apply for a marriage license.
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No, the license can be used within 90 days anywhere in California.
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No, but appointments are encouraged. You can make an appointment and fill out your application online at www.ocrecorder.com.
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A public marriage license is $61. A confidential marriage license is $66.
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A civil non-sectarian wedding ceremony is $28.
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Changing your maiden name to your married last name can be implemented through common usage; the proof of your name change is your marriage certificate.

You will need to present your marriage certificate to the agencies with which you wish to note the change (for example, the Social Security Office, the Department of Motor Vehicles, and your bank).
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To browse current job openings, please click here.

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The Orange County Clerk-Recorder Department maintains copies of birth, death, and marriage records for those that occurred in Orange County.

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Operation Santa Claus provides gifts and toys to Orange County children in need, including: children whom have been abandoned, neglected, and/or abused; children in transition; children whom are physically or mentally challenged; children who are homeless; and, children in foster care or group homes. Authorized by the Board of Supervisors, Operation Santa Claus is the county's only official, county-sponsored, holiday toy drive.

Operation Santa Claus distributes over 58,000 gifts annually and receives assistance with toy collections and distribution through the collaborative efforts of Orange County employees, the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve's Toys-for-Tots Program, community based organizations, local schools and churches, and private companies and individuals. Operation Santa Clause is coordinated and maintained by the Orange County Social Services Agency, working with other County agencies and departments, including, the Orange County Sheriff's Department, the Orange County Fire Authority's "Spark of Love Program," the Health Care Agency, the Probation Department, Housing and Community Services, Child Support Services, and Orange County Libraries, to name a few.

Over 350 volunteers from county agencies and the community have been the backbone of Operation Santa Claus since its inception. What originally began as a small attempt to meet the needs of a handful of children in 1962 has become a major event for the community. Each year residents continue to selflessly donate gifts and cash contributions to Operation Santa Claus at pickup sites throughout the county.

To see how you, too, can make a difference in the life of a child by volunteering or contributing to Operation Santa Claus, please call (714) 825-3159, to receive more information, or visit our website at http://www.ssa.ocgov.com/Be_A_Volunteer/Operation_Santa_Claus/default.asp.

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The County of Orange does not manage legal name changes. For assistance, you will need to contact the Superior Court of Orange County.

According to the Superior Court's web site, a child cannot petition to have their name changed. Only a parent or guardian can do this. The appropriate forms need to be filed in the Probate clerk's office.

Name changes are heard on Fridays at 1:45 p.m. in Department L73 of the Superior Court of Orange County. Minors 12 years-of-age and older must attend the hearing.

To change the names of multiple children, families may petition together on one form.

There is a filing fee of $320.

To view the court's requirements, please read this document prior to publication.

A copy of the filed Order to Show Cause for Change of Name must be published in an adjudicated Orange County newspaper.

To view a complete listing of Local Probate forms, please click HERE. To view a listing of Judicial Council Forms for Probate matters, please click HERE.

For additional assistance, please visit the Superior Court of Orange County's web site or e-mail feedback@occourts.org.

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You can file your statement by mail or in person. The Fictitious Business Name Statement form and instructions are available to download online at www.ocrecorder.com.
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Traffic tickets are not managed by the County of Orange, but by the Superior Court of Orange County.

According to the Superior Court's web site, if you were not the driver do not pay the citation if you intend on reporting the vehicle was driven by someone else. Follow the instructions provided to you by the law enforcement agency that issued the citation.

If you were the driver, you have the same options listed under "How do I find my options for handling my citation?"

If you received a photo enforcement citation, you may be given the opportunity to view the actual violation. To make this request, follow the instructions on the citation or call the following agency telephone number:

To learn more about your traffic ticket, please visit the Superior Court's web site by clicking here.

You may also e-mail the Superior Court of Orange County at feedback@occourts.org.

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You can search for property records online and in our office. Our department features a searchable Online Grantor/Grantee Index on our web site at www.ocrecorder.com, which provides a listing of recorded documents in Orange County from 1982 to present. Our department also has a complete index as well as all document images in our offices and available to the public to access.
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No, we do not require a blood test or residency to obtain a marriage license. You must provide a valid government-issued photo ID for identification.
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OC Parks is dedicated to the preservation and protection of the natural and cultural resources of Orange County, while providing safe and enjoyable places to recreate. The department currently has management responsibilities for more than 35,000 acres of open space. To assist with the management of these areas, an ancillary unit of dedicated volunteers, the Park Ranger Reserve Unit, was developed.

OC Park's Ranger Reserve Program is the only reserve program of its kind in Southern California.

To learn more, please visit this web site.

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It costs $23 to file a Fictitious Business Name Statement.
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Reservations for OC Sailing and Events Center can be made by calling (949) 923-2215. More information can be found by clicking here.
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It is $21 for a certified copy of a birth record, $14 for a certified copy of a death record and $14 for a certified copy of a marriage record. The fee for informational copies is the same. For a full list of fees, please visit www.ocrecorder.com and click on "Fees for Service."
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To apply for a business license, please contact the city in which the business principally operates. If the business is within an unincorporated area, please contact the Orange County Sheriff's Department at (714) 647-7000.
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The County of Orange does not maintain divorce records.

For divorce record information, please contact the Orange County Superior Court-Family Law Court Records Office at (657) 622-6069.

You may also e-mail the Orange County Superior Court at feedback@occourts.org for additional assistance.
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For further assistance, please feel free to contact the Orange County Clerk-Recorder Department at (714) 834-2500 and speak with a customer service representative, or visit our web site at www.ocrecorder.com.
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Please select the related agency or department from the Department Feedback topic under Step 1. Next, scroll down to Step 2 to enter your feedback and Step 3 to send. Thank you for your feedback.

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Commonly referred to as a "DBA - Doing Business As," a Fictitious Business Name is a business name that does not include the individual business owner or a name that suggests additional owners. Fictitious Business Name Statements are filed with the Orange County Clerk-Recorder Department. You must make sure that the name is not already in use in Orange County. You can search our database at www.ocrecorder.com to see if the name you want to use is available.
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The In-Home Supportive Services Program provides help to eligible, low-income persons who are aged, blind, and/or disabled, who are limited in their ability to care for themselves, and who cannot live safely at home without help, as well as eligible, low-income persons who would be able to return to their individual homes from a hospital, nursing home, or a board and care home if they had assistance.

To be eligible for the In-Home Supportive Services Program, a person must meet all of the following conditions:

• Must be disabled, blind, and/or age 65 years or older.


• Must be unable to live safety at home without help.


• Must meet financial need requirements.

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The name is valid for five years from the date it is filed, at which time you can renew or abandon your statement.
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iBistro is the catalog of all materials owned by OCPL. "My iBistro" is your personal portion of the catalog. Log into "My iBistro" by visiting www.ocpl.org to see your account. You can check your account, change your PIN and renew items.

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You can request a copy of a vital record by mail or in person. If you request a copy by mail, you must fill out the application form, sign a sworn statement under penalty of perjury, and have the form notarized. You can download a copy of the form from our web site at www.ocrecorder.com. You can also make an appointment online to pick up your copy of the record.
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Any business operator whose principal place of business is in Orange County can file a Fictitious Business Name statement.
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The County of Orange Board of Supervisors, with the establishment of an Ordinance on February 5, 2002, created the Orange County In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Public Authority. The OC IHSS Public Authority's general functions are: 1) to maintain a Registry of IHSS Providers and conduct Provider recruitment, pre-screening, and criminal background checks for IHSS Consumers who need assistance finding a Provider; 2) to offer free training and support to Consumers and Providers; and, 3) to provide information and referrals.

The OC IHSS Public Authority Registry is responsible for all recruitment efforts, which include conducting interviews, pre-screening and criminal background checks of all potential Providers, and maintains an up-to-date database of available Providers. Orange County IHSS Consumers in need of in-home care Providers can request that the OC IHSS Public Authority Registry database be searched to match a Consumer's needs with a Provider's location and home care skills. A list of available Providers who meet the Consumer's needs may then be sent to the Consumer for consideration. It is then the Consumer's responsibility to actually select and hire an appropriate Provider for his or her particular home care needs. However, although Consumers select and hire their own Providers, IHSS Providers are paid directly by the State of California.

Please visit http://www.ocgov.com/publicauth/index.asp to learn more.

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For further assistance, please feel free to contact the Orange County Clerk-Recorder Department at (714) 834-2500 and speak with a customer service representative, or visit our web site at www.ocrecorder.com.
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The Volunteer Probation Officer (VPO) Program offers a unique opportunity to be part of the exciting and challenging field of criminal justice. VPO's receive 36 hours of classroom training, two on-site visits to the Orange County Probation Juvenile Institutions and 24 hours of on-the-job training. VPO's are enabled to perform duties similar to those of the department's Deputy Probation Officer. Participants will gain personal satisfaction, work experience and an opportunity to develop new skills in an exciting and challenging field.

Please visit this site to learn more.

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A Supplemental Tax Bill is levied on property as it exists on the date of the change in ownership or completion of new construction in accordance with Article XIII A of the California Constitution. Supplemental taxes represent the additional taxes due as a result of ownership change or new construction. If you purchased the property for less than the amount assessed on the tax roll and the current taxes are paid, you will receive a supplemental tax refund.

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Yes, you can request an "informational" copy if the record is a public record. However, unauthorized individuals will receive a copy that states it is not a valid document to establish identity.
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You may file a Civil Rights Complaint by e-mail (State only), writing, calling or in person (Orange County):

California Department of Social Services

Civil Rights Bureau (CRB)

P.O. Box 944243, M.S. 15-70

Sacramento, CA 94244-2430

(916) 654-2107 or toll free 1 (866) 741-6241

TDD/TTY Users may call direct at (916) 654-2098 or collect by calling 1 (800) 688-4486 or you may call via the California Relay Service operator at 1 (800) 735-2929

E-Mail: crb@dss.ca.gov

Orange County Social Services

Program Integrity

P.O. Box 22001
Santa Ana, CA 92702-2001

(714) 480-6501 (JoAnn Martinez)

(714) 480-6508 (James Tapia

In person at any Orange County Social Services office, with your worker or with us directly at:

Orange County Social Services

Program Integrity

1200 N. Main St.

Santa Ana, CA 92704

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The Orange County Clerk-Recorder Department has two offices, our main office in downtown Santa Ana (12 Civic Center Plaza, Room 101) and our South County branch office in Laguna Hills (Laguna Hills Civic Center, 24031 El Toro Road, Suite 150). A North County branch office is planned for downtown Fullerton. You can request a copy at any of these offices, and you can also request a copy by mail.
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The mission of the County Executive Office is to support and implement Board policy and direction through corporate action and leadership, communication and coordination of strategic and regional planning, and to ensure effective service delivery through efficient management of the County's workforce and resources, and to identify and respond to needs in a proactive style focused on customer service.

The County Executive Office (CEO) is the corporate administrative branch of Orange County government. The CEO is responsible for providing leadership, vision and knowledge of emerging trends and issues impacting Orange County. The CEO, in turn, supports and implements Board of Supervisors' policy and ensures that the County of Orange operates in an efficient, accountable and responsive manner. The County Executive Officer provides direction to all County agency/department heads directly assigned to him and also provides administrative oversight to those department heads who report directly to the Board of Supervisors. In addition, CEO staff also has oversight of a $4.97 billion budget.

The CEO has 106 employees who are divided into six groups: Infrastructure and Environmental Services, Information and Technology, Finance and Budget, Government and Public Services, Community/Media Relations and Administration.

To learn more about the County Executive Office, click here.

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Please click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions related to the Treasurer-Tax Collector's office.


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The Tax Collector collects all property taxes pursuant to Revenue and Taxation Code Section 2602. This represents approximately $4.3 billion for the County, Schools, Cities and Special Districts. For additional information, see the County of Orange Treasurer-Tax Collector Business Plan on our web page.

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For further assistance, please feel free to contact the Orange County Clerk-Recorder Department at (714) 834-2500 and speak with a customer service representative, or visit our web site at www.ocrecorder.com.
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Click here to request a copy of a report.

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Contact your realtor and have them provide you with comparable sales as close as possible to your property for the "lien date" timeframe. The lien date is January 1 of the year you are appealing. Your evidence (comparable sales) cannot be sales that occur 90 days after the lien date (January 1) but can go back in time. Evidence that is closest to the January 1 lien date will be the most credible evidence. Forms and our online appeal system that provide step-by-step help in completing your form are available on the Clerk of the Board's website at www.oc.ca.gov/cob/ under Property Assessment. Forms can also be obtained at most County Libraries and at the Clerk of the Board's office at 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Room 101, Santa Ana, CA 92701.
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