Table of Contents
What is a Public Notice?
Public Notice Requirements: County-by-County
Sacramento County
Santa Clara County
San Joaquin County
Alameda County
Fresno County
Napa County
Tulare County
Stanislaus County
Kings County
Steps to Publish Public Notices
FAQs
5 Key Takeaways:
- County-Specific Requirements: Each California county has unique requirements for public notices, including specific newspapers of record and varying deadlines for publication, making it essential to follow local guidelines.
- Newspapers of Record: Don’t worry! We provide a list of newspapers of record for specific counties in California, ensuring that you submit your public notice in a legally recognized publication for compliance.
- Types of Notices: We explain the different types of public notices you may need to publish, including foreclosure notices, probate filings, fictitious business name statements, and government-related notices.
- Proof of Publication: For all notices, obtaining proof of publication (affidavit of publication) from the newspaper is necessary to submit to courts or government agencies as part of the legal process.
- Tools for Simplifying the Process: You can use Column’s platform as a tool to simplify the submission of public notices, streamline the process, and ensure compliance with county-specific regulations.
Introduction:
In California, public notices play a crucial role in ensuring transparency and compliance with legal and governmental actions. From foreclosures and probate cases to zoning changes and business developments, public notices inform local residents and businesses about important events. This guide focuses on publishing public notices in newspapers within key California counties: Sacramento, Santa Clara, San Joaquin, Alameda, Fresno, Napa, Tulare, Stanislaus, and Kings.
Public notices in these counties are not only a legal requirement but also a vital communication tool for residents, businesses, and local governments. Whether you’re a paralegal handling a probate case, an auctioneer organizing a sale, or a storage company notifying the public of a lien sale, this guide will help you understand the requirements and process for publishing public notices in these counties.
What is a Public Notice?
A public notice is an official announcement required by law to inform the public about legal proceedings, business actions, or governmental decisions. These notices must be published in newspapers to ensure the public is made aware of them.
Common types of public notices across California counties include:
- Foreclosure Notices: Required when a property is foreclosed upon, and the notice must be made public. Learn more about foreclosure notices here.
- Probate Notices: Necessary when managing the estate of a deceased person, informing creditors and heirs of the process. Learn more about Probate Notices here.
- Zoning Change Notices: When changes in zoning laws are proposed, public notices must be published to inform the community. Learn more about Zoning Notices in our guide.
- Business Notices: Notices related to business dissolutions, mergers, or name changes must be made public.
Public Notice Requirements in Sacramento, Santa Clara, San Joaquin, Alameda, Fresno, Napa, Tulare, Stanislaus, and Kings Counties
Each county in California has specific requirements for publishing public notices. The following sections provide information tailored to these counties, including guidelines for newspaper selection, deadlines, and legal compliance.
Sacramento County
In Sacramento, public notices must be published in approved newspapers such The Observer. Foreclosure notices must be posted 21 days prior to the sale, and probate notices are required to be published once a week for four weeks. For more on how to publish notices in Sacramento, see our detailed guide on Sacramento County Public Notice Requirements.
Santa Clara County
Santa Clara County requires public notices to be published in newspapers with significant circulation, such as the San Jose Mercury News. Zoning and business-related notices must comply with local deadlines and content guidelines. Read our guide on Santa Clara County Public Notices for more details. Do note that your public notices must be published in papers such as:
- San Jose Mercury News
- Saratoga News
- Sunnyvale Sun
- San Mateo County Times
- Daily News
- Palo Alto Weekly
- Cupertino Courier
- Milpitas Post
- Los Gatos Weekly Times
San Joaquin County
In San Joaquin, notices for foreclosures and probates must adhere to state guidelines, with specific publication windows based on the action being taken. Explore [San Joaquin Public Notice Requirements] for additional details. Notices must be published in papers like:
- Manteca Bulletin
- Escalon Times
- Lodi News-Sentinel
Alameda County
Alameda County has stringent rules for public notice publication, especially regarding foreclosures and business dissolutions. Visit [Alameda County Public Notices] for comprehensive requirements. Notices must be published in papers like:
- Pleasanton Weekly
- Alameda Journal
- The Argus
- Tri-Valley Herald
- Daily Review
- Oakland Tribune
- Berkeley Voice
- Valley times
- Alameda Star Times
Fresno County
In Fresno, public notices are essential for legal processes such as probate, foreclosures, and zoning changes. Learn more about [Fresno County Public Notices]. Notices must be published in papers like:
- Selma Enterprise
- Mid Valley Times
Napa County
In Napa County, legal notices must be published in local newspapers such as the Napa Valley Register. These notices ensure public awareness of zoning changes and estate processes. Visit [Napa County Public Notice Requirements] for a detailed overview.
- St Helena Star
- Napa Valley Register
Tulare County
In Tulare, probate and foreclosure notices must comply with state law, including specific publication timeframes. Read more at [Tulare County Public Notices]. Notices must be published in papers like:
- The Sun-Gazette
- The Porterville Recorder
Stanislaus County
Public notices in Stanislaus are often published in the newspapers like the ones below, with strict requirements for legal compliance in business and zoning matters. Visit [Stanislaus County Public Notice Guidelines] for more. Notices must be published in papers like:
- Riverbank News
- Turlock Journal
- Ceres Courier
Kings County
Kings County requires all public notices to be published in widely circulated newspapers such as the Hanford Sentinel. Deadlines and publication rules for probate, zoning, and foreclosure are well-defined. Check out [Kings County Public Notice Requirements] for more information. Notices must be published in papers like:
- The Hanford Sentinel
Steps to Publish Public Notices in California Newspapers
1. Identify the Type of Notice
Determine whether your notice relates to a foreclosure, probate, zoning change, or business action. Each type has its own legal requirements. For more on the types of notices, check out the requirements in Your Simple Guide to Foreclosure, Probate, Zoning and Other Public Notices.
2. Select a Qualified Newspaper
Choose a newspaper that meets the circulation and approval criteria for your county. For a list of qualified newspapers in your California county, see our FAQ section or look at the section above! You can also check out a list in Column’s easy-to-use placement portal.
3. Draft the Notice
Ensure the notice includes all legally required information—such as dates, parties involved, and property descriptions. You can find templates for common notice types here. For help drafting your notice, refer to Public Notice Templates: How to Place Your Legal Ad.
4. Submit the Notice
Submit your notice to the selected newspaper, either online or via email, depending on the publication’s submission process. To quickly submit your notices online, you can use a platform like Column!
5. Review and Pay
Once submitted, review a proof of the notice for accuracy. Make payments according to the newspaper’s pricing. For more on the cost of public notice, see The Cost of Public Notice: What You Need to Know.
6. Obtain Proof of Publication
After publication, obtain a proof of publication document as legal evidence that the notice was properly published. See our article Why Affidavits Are Important for Public Notice for more on proof of publication.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Where can I publish public notices in these California counties?
A: Here are some approved newspapers by county:
- Sacramento County: The Observer
- Santa Clara County: San Jose Mercury News, Saratoga News, Sunnyvale Sun
- San Joaquin County: Manteca Bulletin, Escalon Times, Lodi News-Sentinel
- Alameda County: Pleasanton Weekly, Alameda Journal, The Argus, Oakland Tribune
- Fresno County: Selma Enterprise, Mid Valley Times
- Napa County: St. Helena Star, Napa Valley Register
- Tulare County: The Sun-Gazette, The Porterville Recorder
- Stanislaus County: Riverbank News, Turlock Journal, Ceres Courier
- Kings County: The Hanford Sentinel
Q: How much does it cost to publish a public notice?
A: The cost of publishing a public notice in California ranges from $200 to $600, depending on the length of the notice and the selected newspaper. For more on the cost of public notice, refer to The Cost of Public Notice: What You Need to Know. You can also use Column’s placement portal to get a price estimate in real time, based on your newspaper’s exact formatting, as you submit.
Q: How long must a public notice be published?
A: The publication period varies by notice type. For example, foreclosure notices typically need to be published at least 21 days before the sale date. For more on deadlines, see How to Meet Public Notice Deadlines in Newspapers. An online self-serve portal like Column also has your newspaper’s exact submission deadlines already programmed in!
Disclaimer: This blog is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice. While we strive to ensure the accuracy of the information, laws and legal processes can vary, and they are subject to change. We recommend consulting with a licensed attorney or legal professional for advice regarding your specific legal situation. Column and its authors are not responsible for any errors or omissions in this content, or for any actions taken based on the information provided in this blog.
