California Phone Directory Lookup
California keeps dozens of free public record databases that help you find phone numbers, addresses, and contact details for people and businesses across the state. You can search the California phone directory through agencies like the Secretary of State, the Department of Consumer Affairs, and the state court system. Most tools cost nothing to use. A few charge small fees per search. This page covers every major California phone directory resource that you can use right now to look up a person or a business in the state.
California Phone Directory Quick Facts
California Business Phone Directory Search
The Secretary of State runs a free business search tool that works well for any California phone directory lookup. You type in a name or entity number. The site returns results fast. Each listing shows the company status, filing date, and the registered agent. That agent is the person who takes legal papers for the business. You can reach them if you need a contact at the company. A corporation entity number in California starts with C and has seven digits. LLCs use a twelve digit number with no letter at the front. The search runs all day and costs nothing. For anyone trying to find a business phone number or contact in California, this is a strong first step.
The Business Entity Search at the Secretary of State website shows all current business filings in the state.
Results also show if a company has been suspended or dissolved. You can check status for any firm in the California phone directory this way. The Secretary of State main office is at 1500 11th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. Call (916) 653-6814 if you need help with a search. They also keep a notary public listing that has names, business names, and mailing addresses for all active notaries in California. You can call the Notary Section at (916) 653-3595 for questions about that data set.
California also runs a Voter Registration Status check. You can see if someone is registered and what county they listed. It does not give out phone numbers. But it can help you confirm a name or check if a person lives in a certain part of the state. The Voter Hotline is (800) 345-VOTE. For people who want to look at campaign donations, the Secretary of State has a Power Search tool that finds all contributions to candidates and ballot measures in California.
Voter data has limits set by law. It can only be used for election, scholarly, or governmental purposes.
Professional License Phone Directory in California
The Department of Consumer Affairs runs a large license lookup at search.dca.ca.gov. It covers more than 3.4 million people who hold licenses in over 280 fields in California. You can search by name or license number. Each result shows the license status, any discipline on file, and the practice location. This is a solid way to find a phone directory listing for a licensed worker in the state. DCA covers accountants, barbers, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, and dozens more. Some boards run their own search pages outside the main tool, so check both if you need a specific California phone directory result.
The State Bar Attorney Search lets you find any lawyer in California. Search by name, firm, city, county, or even the language they speak. It covers all active and inactive attorneys in the state. The State Bar has offices in San Francisco at 180 Howard Street and in Los Angeles at 845 South Figueroa Street. Call (415) 538-2000 for San Francisco or (213) 765-1000 for Los Angeles. Results show the bar number, status, and address on file. If you need to look up a lawyer in the California phone directory, this is the most complete source you will find anywhere.
The search includes filters for practice areas and certified legal specialties across California.
The Medical Board License Verification works for doctors. Look up any physician and surgeon in California by name or license number. Results show the school they went to, their license status, and their practice location. The Consumer Information Unit is at (916) 263-2382. The toll free line is (800) 633-2322. The system also covers midwives and postgraduate training licenses. For finding a doctor's office phone number in the California phone directory, this tool gives the most reliable data since it comes right from the licensing board.
Check this tool before you visit any provider. It shows any history of disciplinary action on file.
The Contractors State License Board has its own search page for all licensed contractors in California. You can see if a license is active and if the contractor has insurance. The Bureau of Real Estate also runs a license lookup for real estate agents and brokers in the state. Both tools are free. They add depth to any California phone directory search for people in construction or real estate.
Contractor results show bond status and workers' comp insurance details on file.
Note: Some professional boards have their own search tools outside the main DCA site, so always check both sources for a complete California phone directory result.
Court and Safety Records in California
The California court system gives public access to case records through each county's Superior Court. Many courts now have online search tools. You can look up civil, criminal, family, and probate cases by name or case number. Case records often list names and addresses of the people involved. The state Judicial Council handles requests for administrative court records. Copies cost about 10 cents per page. Contact the PAJAR team at (415) 865-7796 or email PAJAR@jud.ca.gov for help. A new law, AB 1524, took effect on January 1, 2026. It lets anyone use their own phone or camera to photograph electronic court records at the courthouse. This makes it easier for people doing California phone directory research to grab the data they need at the court.
The California Department of Justice runs Megan's Law, a sex offender registry with data on more than 63,000 people. You can search by name, city, county, or zip code. Results show the person's name, aliases, age, and a physical description. You can also search near a park or school to find offenders in the area. Contact them at MegansLaw@doj.ca.gov or call (916) 210-3113. This is one of the more specialized databases in the California phone directory system.
This database updates often. It covers all 58 counties in the state.
The California DMV keeps driver and vehicle records you can request. An online driver record costs $2.00. Mail requests cost $5.00 each. Home addresses and social security numbers are not public. Under Vehicle Code Section 1810(b), the DMV must tell the person when someone pulls their record. Call (916) 657-8098 for records or email PRARequest@dmv.ca.gov. The State Controller also runs a public database of government employee pay covering about 2 million positions across 5,000 employers in California. It is free to search and download.
DMV records help verify a person's identity but come with strict privacy rules under state law.
California Phone Directory and Public Records Law
The California Public Records Act gives everyone the right to access public records held by government agencies. The law says that access to information about government business is a basic right of the people. It was recodified on January 1, 2023. The old sections at Government Code 6250 through 6270 moved to Section 7920.000 and after. This law is the base for most California phone directory access through state and local government offices. The California Constitution, Article I, Section 3(b), also sets up this right at the state and local level.
The CPRA applies to all state and local agencies in California.
Other laws put limits on certain types of records. Elections Code Section 2194 says voter data can only be used for election, scholarly, journalistic, or governmental purposes. It cannot be used for personal or commercial gain. The California Consumer Privacy Act has exceptions for data already in public records, but it still restricts how businesses handle personal information. If you are doing a California phone directory search, know that some records have rules about how you may use what you find.
Public Utilities Code Section 2891.1 protects unlisted phone numbers in California. A phone company cannot publish the number of someone who has an unlisted line. Breaking this rule opens the company to a lawsuit by the subscriber. The California State Archives at sos.ca.gov has historical records going back to the 1850s, including probate, marriage, birth, death, and naturalization records from 28 counties. These help with old California phone directory research and family history projects. The Research Room is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm at 1020 O Street in Sacramento.
Note: Always check the specific rules for each database before using California phone directory data for commercial or personal purposes.
Browse California Phone Directory by County
Each county in California has its own court system, clerk, and public record offices. Pick a county below to find local phone directory resources and contact details for that area.
Phone Directory for Major California Cities
Residents of major cities use their county court and clerk offices for most phone directory searches. Pick a city below to find local resources for that area.