Certified proof of a conviction or final court outcome
Superior Court of California (County) Criminal Division
The court of record holds the official docket and disposition; certified copies come from the clerk.
What A California Criminal Records Search May Cover
- State criminal history maintained by the California Department of Justice (DOJ); generally available to the subject or authorized agencies, not as a public name search.
- County Superior Court criminal case indexes, dockets, calendars, and dispositions for misdemeanors and felonies filed in that county.
- County Sheriff jail bookings, current custody status, and recent arrest/booking logs, where posted.
- California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) inmate and parolee locator for state prison custody and parole status.
- Warrant status through county courts or Sheriff’s Office; public online warrant lists are limited and often require direct confirmation.
- Police incident or arrest reports from local police records units, subject to redactions and eligibility rules.
Best Starting Points
Choose the path that matches what you need to confirm or obtain.
Your own statewide California criminal history
California DOJ Criminal History (Live Scan request)
The DOJ is the state repository; individuals can request their own record directly.
Current jail or prison custody status
County Sheriff Jail/Inmate Search and the CDCR Inmate/Parolee Locator
Jails list county bookings; CDCR lists state prison custody and parole information.
Possible warrants or upcoming court dates
County Superior Court criminal calendar and the local Sheriff’s Office
Courts track active cases and hearings; warrant confirmation often requires the court or sheriff.
Details from a police incident or arrest report
Local Police Department Records Unit
Police reports are held by the originating agency and released per state law with redactions.
Official Source Map
| Source Or Office | Best For | Helpful Search Input | Verification Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| California Department of Justice (DOJ) Criminal History | Your own statewide criminal history record | Full name, DOB, government-issued ID, Live Scan submission | Not a public name search; results released to the subject or authorized requesters. |
| Superior Court of California (County) Criminal Division | Case dockets, charges, dispositions, certified copies | Name, DOB, case number, filing year, courthouse location | Court disposition controls over arrest or booking information. |
| County Sheriff’s Office Jail/Inmate Search | Recent arrests, bookings, current county custody status | Name, DOB, booking number, housing location | Booking logs show arrests and charges at intake and may change quickly. |
| California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) Inmate/Parolee Locator | State prison inmates and parole status | Name, CDCR number, DOB | Covers state prison custody, not county jail populations. |
| Local Police Department Records Unit | Incident and arrest reports, accident reports | Report number, date/time, location, involved names | Reports may be redacted; eligibility and processing vary by agency. |
| California Sex Offender Registry | Registered offender status and locations as allowed by law | Name, city, ZIP code, address | Registry information is separate from court dispositions and is not a full criminal history. |
Useful Search Inputs
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and, if available, middle name or suffix
- County or likely court location
- Approximate arrest, offense, or filing date range
- Case number or citation number
- Booking number, jail ID, or CDCR number if known
- Street address or city at the time of the event
- Report number for police records requests
- Driver’s license number if requested by the agency
Verification And Confirmation
Confirm key details before relying on search results.
- An arrest or booking record is not a conviction; verify the court disposition.
- Match identity using DOB, middle name, and other identifiers to avoid mixing records for similar names.
- The court docket and minute orders are the controlling record for charges, amendments, and final outcome.
- Request certified copies from the court clerk when proof is required for employment, housing, or licensing.
- California DOJ history is for the subject or authorized entities; Live Scan fingerprints are typically required.
- Custody and warrant information can change quickly; re-check with the holding agency for current status.
Official Records vs Background Check Services
Official sources are best for certified court dispositions, active custody details, warrants confirmation, and police reports. Background check services can help locate possible cases across multiple counties with name-based searches, but they may be incomplete or outdated and do not replace court dockets, sheriff or jail systems, the CDCR locator, or the California DOJ subject record.
Request And Confirm A Record
- Identify the record type and likely county: arrest/booking, court case, jail, prison, police report, or warrant.
- Search the appropriate index: county court portal, Sheriff jail roster, or CDCR inmate/parolee locator.
- Capture identifiers: case number, booking number, CDCR number, dates, and courthouse or facility location.
- Verify the disposition with the Superior Court docket; request certified copies from the clerk if needed.
- If you need your statewide history, complete a California DOJ Live Scan request and follow the DOJ response instructions.
- For police incident or arrest reports, submit a request to the originating Police Records Unit with the report number and date.
- Re-check with the court, jail, or CDCR for updates, especially after recent hearings or releases.
Limits And Accuracy Notes
- California has no public statewide trial court criminal case search; most checks require county-by-county review.
- Online court or jail portals may exclude older, archived, sealed, or juvenile records.
- Name-based results can include multiple people; confirm using DOB, case numbers, or official copies.
- Warrant information is often restricted online; confirmation typically requires the court or Sheriff.
- Data refresh cycles vary by agency; recent filings or releases may not appear immediately.
- Diversion, dismissals, or expungements may alter outcomes after initial arrest or filing.
California Criminal Records FAQ
Is there a public statewide California criminal background search?
No. The California DOJ maintains the statewide repository, but public name searches are not provided. Individuals can request their own DOJ record; otherwise, check county Superior Court criminal records where cases were filed.
How do I find out if someone is in jail or prison in California?
Check the relevant County Sheriff jail roster for county custody and use the CDCR Inmate/Parolee Locator for state prison custody or parole status. You may need the person’s name, DOB, or CDCR number.
Are arrest records public in California?
Booking logs and basic arrest information may be public through Sheriff or police sources, but full police reports are subject to redactions and eligibility rules. Always confirm outcomes with the court disposition.
How can I get my own California criminal history?
Submit a Live Scan request to the California DOJ for your criminal history record. Follow DOJ instructions for fingerprints and identification; results are released to you, not to third parties.
Do dismissed or diverted cases appear on a criminal record?
Court indexes may show the case with a disposition such as dismissed or diverted. The DOJ record for the subject will typically reflect the final outcome. Verify with the court docket for the controlling record.
How can I check for active warrants?
Start with the county Superior Court criminal division and the local Sheriff’s Office. Many jurisdictions do not publish warrant lists online; official confirmation usually requires contacting the court or sheriff.