Solano County, California Records

Solano County, California (Map It) was created on February 18, 1850 as one of the original 27 counties . Solano County was named indirectly from that of the Franciscan missionary, Father Francisco Solano, whose name was given in baptism to the chief of one of the Indian tribes of the region. Before receiving the name Solano, the chief was called Sem-yeto, which signifies “brave or fierce hand.” At the request of General Mariano Vallejo, the county was named for Chief Solano, who at one time ruled over most of the land and tribes between the Petaluma Creek and the Sacramento River

Solano County is bordered by Contra Costa County (south), Sonoma County (west), Napa County (west), Yolo County (north), Sacramento County (east) .

Solano County Cities and Towns include Benicia, Dixon, Fairfield, Rio Vista, Suisun City, Vacaville, Vallejo .

Since its creation Solano County boundries have changed to include these:

  • Most of the territory has been in Solano County since 1850.
  • Mare Island, in Sonoma County from 1850 to 1853 was then added to Solano County.
  • Territory which at one time was in Solano County is now in Napa County and Yolo County

Solano County, California Courthouse Records

Solano County, California Courthouse
  • Save

Solano County, CA Courthouse
Old Solano County, California Courthouse
  • Save

Old Solano County Courthouse

The Solano County Courthouse is located in Fairfield, California. Land was added from Mare Island in Solano County in 1853. Learn More About State of California Court, Tax, Land and Probate Records.

Courthouse History - Solano's first courthouse, in Benicia, was used as the State Capitol in 1853 and 1854 before the Legislature moved to Sacramento. Four years later, the county government left Benicia for Fairfield, where a new courthouse was built in 1860. The building and its additions served the county until 1911, when an overcrowded jail and offices forced construction of a new building. A classical, granite courthouse was built on the same site. In 1970, the county converted a high school into a new Hall of Justice and the courts vacated the old building, which is still in use as county offices.

The Clerk's Office DOES NOT DO RESEARCH. Most staff will assist people in finding the materials, but it is up to the individual to do the research. Some early court records from the various courts may have been sent to the California State Archives. Besides court minutes and judgements, these records include tax lists, wills, deeds, estate inventories, and marriage bonds. The California State Archives has microfilm of selected county records, 1850–1919.

The following dates indicates what vital, land, probate, and court records are in Solano county. The date listed for each record is usually the earliest registration filed. The date does not indicate that there are alot records for that year and does not mean that all such events were actually filed with the clerk. Some counties encompass land settled in the eighteenth century; their records pre-date county formation. Land transactions and vital records recorded in the county are at the county recorder's office. The county clerk general has probate books and files from the county's superior court, civil court records, and naturalizations. Divorces may be in either place, depending on how filed.

  • Solano County Recorder-Clerk has Birth / Death Records from 1873, Marriage Records from 1850 and Land Records from 1848. The County Recorder-Clerk is s responsible for examination and recording of all documents presented for recording that deal with establishing ownership of land in the County or as required by statute; administers the real property transfer tax law and maintains a permanent record and indexes of all documents for public viewing plus providing certified copies requested by the public; recording of all lawful documents such as deeds, deeds of trust, judgments, liens, affidavits, Uniform Commercial Code Financial Statements, etc; and the filing of Births, Deaths, and Marriages.
  • Solano County Clerk of Superior Court has Probate Records from 1850 and Court Records from 1850. The County Clerk of Superior Court has probate books and files from the county's superior court, civil court records, and naturalizations. Divorces may be here or in the Recorders Office, depending on how it was filed.
  • Solano County County Treasurer / Tax Collector
  • Local Registrar of Births and Deaths, 275 Beck Avenue, MS 5-185, Fairfield, CA 94533-0677

Solano County, California Census Records

Solano County, California Vital Records

Solano County, California Resources

Solano County, California External Links

genealogybank
  • Save
  • Save
fold3
  • Save
newspaper
  • Save
Amazon Books
  • Save