California Criminal Records
Find where to request official California criminal history, confirm court dispositions, and check custody status, using DOJ Live Scan, Superior Courts, CDCR, and county jail or police records.
On This Page:
Pick the path that matches the level of confirmation you need and the type of California record you’re checking.
Official statewide criminal history for employment, licensing, or your own record review
The DOJ is the state repository and issues fingerprint-based California histories; specific request types and authorization often apply.
Confirm the outcome of a specific criminal case
The court docket is the authoritative source for charges, dispositions, and sentencing.
Current prison or parole status
CDCR maintains state prison custody and parole information.
Recent county arrest or current jail custody
Bookings and local custody are managed at the county level and update frequently.
Registered sex offender status
This is the official statewide public registry for required registrations.
| Source Or Office | Best For | Helpful Search Input | Verification Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| California Department of Justice (DOJ) – Criminal History Record | Official fingerprint-based California criminal history for authorized requests or personal record review | Live Scan submission, full legal name, date of birth, and the correct ORI/request type | Applies only to the fingerprinted person; reflects California arrests and dispositions reported to the state. |
| Superior Court (by county) – Criminal Case Records | Charges, case numbers, dispositions, and sentencing in the county of filing | Full name, date of birth, case number, citation number, or date range | Confirm final disposition on the docket; request certified copies from the clerk if needed. |
| County Sheriff or Jail – Inmate and Booking | Recent arrests, bookings, custody status, and release information | Name, booking number, date of birth, or housing location | Custody status changes often; verify release or transfer details with the facility or related court case. |
| California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) – Inmate Locator | State prison incarceration and parole status | Last name, first name, or CDCR number | Covers state prison only; county jail inmates and probation are not included. |
| California Sex Offender Registry (Megan’s Law) | Registered sex offender status and public profile details | Name, ZIP code, city, or map area | Registry listings are separate from court records; verify underlying case and disposition with the court of conviction. |
| Police Records Unit | Arrest or incident reports for involved parties, subject to eligibility and redactions | Report number, date/time, location, and involved names | Reports are not convictions and may be limited to parties to the incident. |
Request your DOJ criminal history via Live Scan, then search Superior Courts in counties where you lived or had cases.
Identity matches, charges, dispositions, sentencing, and any record relief noted by the court
DOJ results are fingerprint-based; avoid relying on name-only hits from broad searches.
Follow the hiring or licensing agency’s Live Scan instructions with the correct ORI and verify any hits in the relevant county court.
Disposition details, sentencing terms, and that the record belongs to the candidate
Obtain written authorization when required and follow required notices if using a consumer report.
Search county Superior Court records where the person lives or previously lived and use a background check service for leads, then confirm with courts.
Identity, case numbers, and final dispositions
Do not base decisions on arrests or incomplete dockets; confirm with official records.
Identify the county of filing and access that Superior Court’s criminal index or contact the clerk for the docket and certified copies.
Correct person, charge level, disposition date, and sentencing
Online portals may limit details; verify with the clerk when necessary.
Use CDCR for state prison and the county jail search for local custody; cross-check with identifiers and case numbers.
Custody location, release/parole dates, and associated case numbers
Status changes quickly; re-check before relying on time-sensitive information.
Official California sources provide primary records: DOJ fingerprint histories, Superior Court dockets and certified copies, CDCR custody status, and local police or jail records. Commercial background check services compile name-based data across many jurisdictions and categories, useful for leads, but important results should be confirmed through the appropriate California agency or court.
No. Criminal case searches are handled by each county’s Superior Court. Some counties provide online indexes; others require in-person or clerk-assisted searches.
Generally, DOJ criminal history is released only for authorized purposes or to the person fingerprinted. Employers and licensing agencies use specific DOJ request types with authorization.
It may include California arrests, charges, and disposition information reported to the state, tied to the submitted fingerprints. It does not include events from other states and may omit sealed or restricted records.
Identify the filing county and review the Superior Court docket or ask the clerk for the official record. Request certified copies if you need formal proof.
For DOJ records, complete a personal record review and follow the DOJ’s process to challenge inaccuracies with supporting documents. For court records, work with the clerk of the Superior Court where the case was filed.