Santa Ana's civic center has several different counters

Start with the job you need done, not just the words “civic center.” County Administration South is at 601 North Ross Street and houses the Clerk-Recorder and Treasurer-Tax Collector. The Clerk-Recorder handles birth, death, and marriage records, property recordings, and fictitious business names.

Complete the Clerk-Recorder service form before you arrive unless you are recording a real-property document. The Santa Ana counter is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on most weekdays. The Treasurer-Tax Collector handles tax bills and payments, but it does not set a property’s value.

Court business is separate at the Central Justice Center, 700 Civic Center Drive West. It handles traffic, criminal, civil, and small-claims cases. Expect full security and bag screening, and leave pocket knives, scissors, and pepper spray at home. Most public counters there are open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays.

A value or parcel question may not belong downtown at all because the Assessor’s public counter is at 500 South Main Street in Orange. Match the job to the office before you leave, finish any required form, and check the day’s hours and parking.