The mission of the City Clerk Department is to serve as the City’s source for informational, historical, legislative and election services for the community, the public and City agencies and to provide these services in an efficient, effective and friendly manner.

About The Department

The position of the City Clerk was established in 1888 with the incorporation of the City of Oceanside. The City Clerk was the first full-time, paid employee. The position has always been an elected office, with the first City Clerk elected on July 3, 1888. In earlier years, the City Clerk also served as the City’s Finance Officer and handled tax assessments and City insurance claims. Now the department consists of 4 programs, which oversee Legislative Services, Archive and Records Management, Document Imaging, and Elections and FPPC Reporting.

While the City Clerk is a full-time employee and department director, as an elected official the position reports to the public, rather than to the City Manager or Council. Office staff consists of 8 full-time employees and 1 part-time employee. They are divided between 2 locations: the administration and elections programs are located in City Hall, and the archive/records management and Document Imaging programs are located at the City Operations Center. With a history of the City available through the records maintained by this department; it is a great place for information for research projects!