Free links to official California state and county government records — courts, criminal histories, vital records, property, voter, business, and licenses across all 58 counties.
How to Search California Criminal Records (Start Here)
California criminal records come from two main sources: the state criminal history repository (maintained by the state police or equivalent agency) and individual county court systems. These are separate databases that may show different information.
What this page covers: California state-level criminal history searches, county court criminal case lookups, and sex offender registry searches. What it does not cover: Federal criminal cases (those require PACER) or arrest records that did not result in charges.
Where to start: For a broad criminal history check, start with the state repository. For specific case details (charges, dispositions, documents), go to the Clerk of the Superior Court in the county where the case was filed. For sex offenders, use the state sex offender registry.
Common mistake: A state criminal history search and a county court search are not the same thing. The state repository compiles conviction data from across the state. County courts have the actual case files with full detail. You may need both.
Edited by Sam Rokni — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: California repository URL, fee, and statute verified against the official California Department of Justice (DOJ) publisher on review date. 6 primary .gov sources cited below.
California Criminal Records — Key Numbers (2026)
DOJ has processed CA + FBI fingerprint-based background checks for decades. Record review request requires fingerprint submission.
$25 (plus LiveScan $15-25)
Public access fee
Per state-only check
Fingerprint LiveScan onl
Primary method
How to submit
California Department of
Issuing agency
Statewide repository
Cal. Penal Code §11105
Governing statute
State law citation
June 04, 2026
Last reviewed
By SearchSystems
What's in a state criminal check (typical %)
In-state arrests
100%
In-state convictions
100%
Out-of-state arrests
10%
Federal cases
5%
Sealed/expunged
0%
Juvenile records
15%
Unit: % included in a typical state-only check.
What Changed in 2026 — California Criminal Records
2026
California state-only check active
The California Department of Justice (DOJ) continues to process state criminal history checks via oag.ca.gov.
✓ Truth: False. The California Department of Justice (DOJ) check covers ONLY California arrests/convictions. Out-of-state and federal records are NOT included.
❌ Myth: "Free third-party 'instant' checks are accurate."
✓ Truth: False. Only oag.ca.gov (the official California repository) is authoritative. Data brokers often have stale data.
❌ Myth: "Sealed records will show on a check."
✓ Truth: False. Records sealed or expunged under California law are removed from public-facing checks. Law enforcement may still access them.
❌ Myth: "Arrest = conviction on my record."
✓ Truth: False. An arrest is not a conviction. Most California public checks distinguish arrests, dispositions, and convictions; the FCRA bars non-conviction arrests older than 7 years from employer checks.
❌ Myth: "State and FBI checks return the same data."
✓ Truth: False. The California state check shows California-only records. The FBI check is fingerprint-based and shows records reported by all agencies nationwide.
The Judicial Council’s Public Access to Judicial Administrative Records (PAJAR) team will respond on behalf of the Supreme Court and the Courts of Appeal to requests for copies of their administrative records.
Access to criminal history summary records maintained by the DOJ is restricted by law to legitimate law enforcement purposes and authorized applicant agencies. However, individuals have the right to request a copy of their own criminal history record from the Department to review for accuracy and completeness.
To receive a copy of YOUR criminal history record, individuals must submit fingerprint images, pay a $25 processing fee to the DOJ, and follow the instructions below . You may be eligible to apply for a fee waiver to cover the DOJ processing fees.
Summary of Condemned Inmates Who Have Died Since 1978 · Executed in California: 13 Executed in Missouri: 1 Executed in Virginia: 1 Total Executions: 15 Natural Causes: 126 Suicide: 32 Other: 18 Pending: 7 Total Non-Execution Deaths: 183 Total Deaths: 198
The California Incarcerated Records & Information Search (CIRIS) is an online tool to lookup individuals in CDCR custody. Search results include incarcerated person’s name, CDCR number, age, current location, commitment counties, admission date, Board of Parole Hearing dates and outcomes.
Beginning in 1967, as a result of various state and United States Supreme Court decisions, there were no executions in California for 25 years . In February 1972, the California Supreme Court found that the death penalty constituted cruel and ...
Californians have the right under the state Public Records Act and the California Constitution to access public information maintained by local and state government agencies, including the Department of Justice. The following are guidelines for accessing public, pdf records maintained by the California Department of Justice. To obtain records of another agency, please contact the agency directly. For information about your arrests and convictions regarding any of the following topics: ... Megan’s Law permits the public to obtain information on sex offenders.
Address: 315 4th Avenue Chula Vista, CA 91910 · Categories: City Jail Visits · Type of Visit Room for Inmate visitations from the public (friends and family). Questions or Need Help?
Crime Mapping is an interactive crime mapping program that allows the user to search the City of Norfolk by address, landmark or zip code in the City of Norfolk for certain types of crimes that have occurred over the previous 90 days .
Report an Inmate Concern · Report Staff Misconduct · Find a policy or form · Have a career with the BOP · Visit a federal inmate · Get Reentry Information · Locate a federal inmate · We are seeking applicants for the following positions: Chaplain · Clinical Psychologist ·
Close PACER Case Locator PACER Log in Manage PACER Account · An official website of the United States government ... Log in to... Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. ... Type the name of a federal court to find links to login to CM/ECF – or – search by other information unique to that court, like their contact information, RSS feed, county codes, and…
58 California counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net — top 28 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
How do I run an official California background check?▼
California's official statewide criminal-history check is administered by the California Department of Justice (DOJ). Begin the request at oag.ca.gov. Most state-level checks require submitting fingerprints (live-scan or ink) plus a processing fee, and the response covers convictions and certain non-conviction data permitted by California statute.
Are California criminal records public?▼
Most adult criminal-history information in California is considered public record, but access is restricted depending on the requester (self, employer, government agency) and the data type (arrest, conviction, sealed, juvenile). The California Department of Justice (DOJ) explains who can request what at oag.ca.gov. County-court records are also public and searchable through the trial-court system.
What's the difference between a state and an FBI background check in California?▼
A state check from the California Department of Justice (DOJ) (oag.ca.gov) covers only criminal activity within California. An FBI Identity History Summary (fbi.gov) is the nationwide check covering federal records and contributing states. Employers and licensing boards often require both.
Can I get someone else's California criminal record?▼
Generally, no — only the record subject (with their own ID and signature) or a specifically authorized requester (such as a credentialed employer under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a licensing board, or law enforcement) can pull a third-party criminal history from the California Department of Justice (DOJ). The California Department of Justice (DOJ) documentation at oag.ca.gov lists each authorized requester category.
How do I challenge or correct a California criminal record?▼
If you find an error on your California criminal history, the California Department of Justice (DOJ) offers a record-review and challenge process. Begin at oag.ca.gov — typical steps include fingerprint verification, a written dispute, and supporting court documents (such as a dismissal or expungement order) for each contested entry.
