Requests for Social Services Agency (SSA) Records
The release of records or disclosure of client information will be subject to existing federal, state and county regulations. Each request/subpoena will be evaluated according to the type of request, the program or service provided to the client and whether or not the records are confidential, in which case they will not be released.
Generally, the fact that an individual is a past or present client of SSA or has applied for benefits is confidential and will not be disclosed. Further, in most cases, SSA is prevented by law from releasing records relating to SSA clients.
Subpoenas for IHSS provider records should be served to IHSS Public Authority located at 2020 W. Walnut St., Santa Ana, CA 92703; 714-834-2873. Subpoenas should be served to the window on the left side of the lobby.
Adult Protective Services records are not subject to subpoena and require a court order for release.
Please note that for Children and Family Services (CFS), unless the requestor is a party to a pending dependency case in Orange County Juvenile Court, the requestor must first file a Welfare & Institutions Code § 827 petition and obtain authorization to receive copies of CFS records from the Presiding Judge of Orange County Juvenile Court before SSA will release any CFS records, including child abuse investigations. The necessary forms and more detailed instructions can be found at the below links:
Click on “Browse All Forms” in court’s website where you can download blank 827 Petition forms. Go to the “Select a Category” pulldown menu, choose “Juvenile” and click “see forms.” Scroll down to form #’s JV-569, JV-570, JV-571 and JV-572
Instructions and samples of the required forms can be viewed/printed by clicking the above link.
Records pick up by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, please contact us at 714-541-7722.
Subpoenas
Subpoenas for records of SSA clients and appearance of SSA staff must be personally served along with all applicable fees at:
- Custodian of Records
500 N. State College Blvd., Orange, CA 92868
Phone: 714-541-7722
Fax: 714-541-7744
Hours of operation: 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Subpoenas for appearance in DEPENDENCY MATTERS should be served no less than 5 working days prior to the hearing.
FOR FAMILY LAW MATTERS, subpoenas must be issued by an attorney or the Orange County Clerk of the Court. If you do not have an attorney, you can find information on pre-issued subpoenas by visiting the Superior Court of Orange County website at the below links:
Fees - Checks should be made payable to the County of Orange
Production of Records
The production of records pursuant to a subpoena requires an advance minimum payment of $15.00, however, a reasonable cost may also apply, such as: payment of 15 cents per page for photocopying, 20 cents per page for copying from microfilm, postage, clerical costs for locating and making records available not to exceed $24 per hour, calculated to the nearest quarter hour, or any actual costs charged by any third person for retrieval/return of records.
Court Appearance
Generally, an advance deposit fee of $275 per day is required at the time of service of a civil subpoena for appearance at a trial or hearing. A demand for payment for the full amount (should appearance be required for more than 1 day) will be billed to the requesting party after the testimony is complete.
Public Records Act Requests
To submit a Public Records Act request to the Social Services Agency, click on the below link:
