California
Statewide agencies, services, and property records, plus all its counties.
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Where to find things
- California property taxProperty records
In California the County Assessor values your home and land under Proposition 13 and the Treasurer-Tax Collector sends the bill. The Board of Equalization oversees the county assessors and explains the exclusions and exemptions.
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California's environmental agency: water quality, wetlands, waste and the permits that go with them.
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- NRCS wetland determinations and conservation complianceFarm wetland rules for USDA program participants. Before you drain, fill or clear a wet area in a farm field, ask NRCS at your local USDA Service Center for a wetland determination.
- Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) sign-up, USDA Farm Service AgencyHow the Conservation Reserve Program works, which sign-ups are open and what it pays. You enroll land in CRP at your county Farm Service Agency office at the local USDA Service Center.
- NRCS highly erodible land determinationsHow NRCS decides whether a farm field is highly erodible land, which affects USDA program eligibility and conservation plans. Requests go to NRCS at your local USDA Service Center.
- California floodplain and flood mapsFlood zones
California's floodplain program: the flood maps, the extra rules that apply to building or rebuilding near water, and who runs the program locally.
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- FEMA Flood Map Service CenterOfficial source for flood insurance rate maps. Enter an address to see the current flood zone and download the FIRM panel and letters of map change.
- FEMA Disaster DeclarationsSearch federal disaster and emergency declarations by state, county and incident to see whether an area was declared and what assistance was authorized.
- FEMA Increased Cost of ComplianceFlood insurance coverage that helps pay to elevate, relocate, demolish or floodproof a substantially damaged building.
- California state landsPublic land
State-owned land in California: who manages it, what you may do on it, and how leases and easements work.
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- USGS map of public and protected landNational map of federal, state, local and other public and protected land from the U.S. Geological Survey Protected Areas Database (PAD-US).
- California food assistanceFood assistance (SNAP and EBT)
Official California food-assistance program information, listed by USDA. Find application guidance and program contacts. Check the program for current eligibility, benefits, and EBT help.
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- USDA food assistance state directoryChoose a state or territory for official food-assistance program websites, applications, and EBT contacts.
- California unemployment benefitsUnemployment benefits
Official California unemployment insurance information. Find the program’s instructions for claims, eligibility, and ongoing benefits. Use its own guidance to choose where to file.
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- USAGov unemployment benefits overviewFind the state unemployment program and official filing guidance through USAGov. Where you worked can determine where you should file.
- California Medicaid and CHIPHealth coverage (Medicaid and CHIP)
Find California Medicaid application information and health-coverage contacts. Check the program for eligibility, renewals, and children’s coverage.
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- HealthCare.gov Medicaid and CHIP application guideFind Medicaid and children’s health-coverage application guidance and the official agency for your state or territory.
- California energy bill assistanceHeating and utility bill assistance
Find California energy-assistance information for heating, cooling, or utility bills. Follow the program’s application and local-provider instructions. Availability and eligibility are determined by the program.
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- USAGov help with energy billsLearn about help with heating, cooling, and energy bills, and find the official LIHEAP and weatherization program contacts.
- California WIC programWIC nutrition help
WIC nutrition, food benefits, breastfeeding support, and clinic application contacts.
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- USDA WIC application and clinic guideWIC nutrition, food benefits, breastfeeding support, and clinic application contacts.
- California CalWORKs child care assistanceHelp paying for child care
Child care payment assistance for qualifying CalWORKs families, application information, and county contacts. Check current eligibility and funding with the program.
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- ChildCare.gov help paying for child careChild care payment assistance, application instructions, and program contacts. Check current eligibility, funding, and waiting lists with the program.
- California rental assistance and public housingRent help and public housing
Learn about rental help and public housing programs, how to apply, and who to contact. Check current eligibility and waiting lists with the program.
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- HUD Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) and public housingLearn how Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) and public housing work, how to apply, and how to find your local public housing agency. Check current eligibility and waiting lists with your local agency.
- California emergency shelter and eviction helpEmergency shelter and eviction help
Find emergency shelter, homelessness services or help to avoid eviction, and see who to contact. Check current availability and eligibility with the program.
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- HUD Find ShelterSearch for nearby shelters, homeless services, food pantries and health clinics, or find your local homeless services network. Check current availability with each provider.
- California CalWORKs cash aidCash assistance (TANF)
Learn about cash assistance for families with children, how to apply, and who to contact about your case. Check current eligibility and rules with the program.
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- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash assistanceLearn how Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash help works and find the program that serves your state. Apply through your state or local office.
- California child support servicesChild support services
Open a child support case, get help establishing paternity or a support order, and find payment and contact information.
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- Child support helpLearn how to get help collecting child support and find the child support agency that serves your state or tribe.
- California Department of AgingSenior services and aging
Find state programs for older adults and family caregivers, such as help at home, meals, caregiver support, and how to reach your local aging office. Check current eligibility and waiting lists with the program.
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- Eldercare LocatorFederal Eldercare Locator for finding local help for older adults and caregivers, such as meals, help at home, transportation, and your Area Agency on Aging. Search by ZIP code or call the listed number.
- California Department of RehabilitationDisability services
Find state disability services, such as vocational rehabilitation for work and training, independent living help, and how to apply. Check current eligibility and waiting lists with the program.
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- State vocational rehabilitation agencies directoryFederal directory of state vocational rehabilitation agencies that help people with disabilities get ready for, find, and keep jobs. Use it to find your state agency and how to contact it.
- California veterans benefits helpVeterans benefits help
Get free help applying for federal and state veterans benefits, such as disability compensation, pension and survivor benefits, and find a veterans service officer near you. Check eligibility and office hours with the agency.
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- Get help from a VA accredited representative or VSOFind a VA accredited representative or veterans service organization (VSO) who can help you file a VA claim or appeal at no cost. Your state and county veterans service offices can also help.
- California unclaimed property searchUnclaimed money
Search the official unclaimed property list for money owed to you, such as forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, refunds and deposits, and file a claim. Searching is free, so be careful of anyone who asks for a fee.
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- Find unclaimed money from the governmentLearn how to search for unclaimed money held by state governments and federal agencies, such as old bank accounts, tax refunds, savings bonds and pensions. Searching is free, so be careful of anyone who asks for a fee.
- California driver and vehicle servicesDriver licenses and state IDs · Vehicle registration and titles
Official driver and vehicle services. Check the agency for renewals, appointments, document requirements, registration, and titles.
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- USAGov driver licensing and state ID guideOfficial guide to driver licenses and state identification, with links to state motor vehicle agencies.
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Official U.S. passport applications, renewals, document requirements, and acceptance facility information.
- USAGov Social Security benefits and replacement cardsSocial Security benefits and cards
Official guide to Social Security benefits, card replacement, and Social Security Administration services.
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Official Medicare enrollment, coverage, plan comparisons, and contacts for help with Medicare.
- IRS income tax filing and assistanceIncome taxes and filing help
Official federal income tax filing instructions, payment and refund information, and links to filing help.
- USAGov job search and career training guideJobs and career training
Official guide to public job training, career resources, and American Job Centers.
- USAGov federal student financial aid guideStudent financial aid
Official guide to FAFSA, federal student aid, and other ways to find help paying for education.
- California consumer protection officeConsumer complaints and scams
State consumer protection information, business complaints, and reporting contacts.
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- USAGov state consumer protection office directoryFind your state consumer protection office for business complaints and scam reporting.
- California emergency management and recovery contactsDisaster recovery assistance
State emergency management information and contacts for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Check the agency for available recovery programs.
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- USAGov disaster assistance application guideOfficial disaster assistance application information and links to FEMA and other recovery programs.
- USAGov legal aid and lawyer referral guideLegal aid and lawyer referrals
Find legal aid programs, lawyer referrals, and other sources of affordable legal help.
- USAGov federal, state, and local court directoryCourts and traffic tickets
Official guide to federal, state, territory, county, and municipal court websites.
- SBA business registration and startup guideStarting and registering a business
Official startup guide covering business registration, business structure, and federal and state tax IDs.
Other California resources
- California Geologic Energy Management DivisionThe state agency that permits oil and gas wells and keeps well, production and operator records. Mineral deeds and leases themselves are recorded with the coun…
- California septic system permitsCalifornia calls a septic system an onsite wastewater treatment system. The state sets the policy and your county or regional water board issues the permit. St…
- California coastal and shoreline rulesThe California coast: the coastal development permit, what counts as development, and which stretch of shore the Commission or your local government controls.
- California water wells and water rightsWater wells in California: the well completion reports, the well standards and the county that issues the drilling permit.
- California Geological SurveyCalifornia geology: landslide, earthquake and ground hazards, groundwater, minerals and geologic maps.
- California wildfire hazard mapSearch an address to see its Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Zones in the State Responsibility Area are the official adopted map (effective April 1, 2024); zones sh…
- California landslide mapInteractive map of landslides mapped by the California Geological Survey. Coverage is not statewide; it is a screening tool, not a site-specific assessment.
- California State Historic Preservation OfficeCalifornia's historic preservation office, the state survey of historic properties and the National Register listings.
- California statutesRead California state law, search it by chapter or keyword, and find the section behind a rule you have been quoted.
- California vital recordsOrder a California birth, death or marriage certificate, and see who is allowed to request one.
- California Department of TransportationState highways in California: road maps, projects, and the approach or access permit you need before you build a driveway onto a state road.
- California State ArchivesHistorical California government records, early land records, plats and maps.
- California local food-assistance officesFind a local office that handles food-assistance applications and case questions. Choose your county or service area in this official state directory.
- California earthquake-induced landslide zonesType an address to see if it is in an official Earthquake Zone of Required Investigation, including earthquake-induced landslide zones, fault zones and liquefa…
- California fire hazard severity zone finder with local contactsCAL FIRE map to find your Fire Hazard Severity Zone and responsibility area, with contact information for the local agency adopting the zones in Local Responsi…
- California landslidesCGS landslide page: landslide maps, the statewide deep-seated landslide susceptibility map and data downloads.
- California licensed land surveyor lookupSearch the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists for a licensed land surveyor by name or license number. Only a licensed …
- California building code and construction permitsThe California Building Standards Code, Title 24, applies statewide and is adopted by the Building Standards Commission. Your city or county building departmen…
Guides
- How property taxes work: who assesses, who collects
- How to get help buying food: SNAP and WIC
- How to file for unemployment benefits
- How to get Medicaid, CHIP or Marketplace health coverage
- Help paying energy bills: LIHEAP and weatherization
- Help paying for child care
- Help with rent and housing: Section 8, shelter and eviction help
- Cash assistance for families: TANF, SSI and general assistance
- How child support works
- Help for older adults and people with disabilities
- How to get help with veterans benefits
- How to find unclaimed money in your name
By county
Largest cities
- Anaheim
- Antioch
- Bakersfield
- Berkeley
- Burbank
- Carlsbad
- Carson
- Chico
- Chino
- Chula Vista
- Citrus Heights
- Clovis
- Compton
- Concord
- Corona
- Costa Mesa
- Daly City
- Downey
- El Cajon
- El Monte
- Elk Grove
- Escondido
- Fairfield
- Folsom
- Fontana
- Fremont
- Fresno
- Fullerton
- Garden Grove
- Glendale
- Hayward
- Hemet
- Hesperia
- Huntington Beach
- Indio
- Inglewood
- Irvine
- Jurupa Valley
- Lake Forest
- Lancaster
- Livermore
- Long Beach
- Los Angeles
- Manteca
- Menifee
- Merced
- Mission Viejo
- Modesto
- Moreno Valley
- Mountain View
- Murrieta
- Norwalk
- Oakland
- Oceanside
- Ontario
- Orange
- Oxnard
- Palmdale
- Pasadena
- Pomona
- Rancho Cordova
- Rancho Cucamonga
- Redding
- Rialto
- Richmond
- Riverside
- Roseville
- Sacramento
- Salinas
- San Bernardino
- San Buenaventura (Ventura)
- San Diego
- San Jose
- San Leandro
- San Marcos
- San Mateo
- San Ramon
- Santa Ana
- Santa Barbara
- Santa Clara
- Santa Clarita
- Santa Maria
- Santa Monica
- Santa Rosa
- Simi Valley
- South Gate
- Stockton
- Sunnyvale
- Temecula
- Thousand Oaks
- Torrance
- Tracy
- Vacaville
- Vallejo
- Victorville
- Visalia
- Vista
- West Covina
- Westminster
- Whittier
Counties
- Alameda
- Alpine
- Amador
- Butte
- Calaveras
- Colusa
- Contra Costa
- Del Norte
- El Dorado
- Fresno
- Glenn
- Humboldt
- Imperial
- Inyo
- Kern
- Kings
- Lake
- Lassen
- Los Angeles
- Madera
- Marin
- Mariposa
- Mendocino
- Merced
- Modoc
- Mono
- Monterey
- Napa
- Nevada
- Orange
- Placer
- Plumas
- Riverside
- Sacramento
- San Benito
- San Bernardino
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Joaquin
- San Luis Obispo
- San Mateo
- Santa Barbara
- Santa Clara
- Santa Cruz
- Shasta
- Sierra
- Siskiyou
- Solano
- Sonoma
- Stanislaus
- Sutter
- Tehama
- Trinity
- Tulare
- Tuolumne
- Ventura
- Yolo
- Yuba