California Background Checks

California Criminal Records

If you need California criminal records as part of California background checks, then you will need to request your record from the Office of the Attorney General. Only you can receive a copy of your California Criminal Records; third party requests will not be authorized or processed.

To receive a copy of your California criminal records, you will need to:

Step 1: Fill out the Application for Criminal History Records. Click Here.
Step 2: Download the Fingerprint request form from the California Department of Justice website and provide the relevant fingerprint images. All California applicants must submit Live Scan fingerprints in order to conduct California background checks.
Step 3: Take the completed form to any Live Scan site for fingerprinting services. Most local law enforcement agencies will offer these services, although some agencies will charge a fee. Step 4: Provide payment. On average, the cost of fingerprint rolling is $25; however, you should contact your local Live Scan site for the exact fees.

For more information regarding California criminal records, you can contact the office using the information below:

California Department of Justice
Record Review Unit
P.O. Box 903417
Sacramento, CA 94203
(916) 227-3849

Resource Links
California Criminal Records Requests
Request Form

California Court Records

If you require California court records for California background checks, then generally you will contact the California Courts. However, for cases involving divorce decrees, criminal records, complaints, judgments, and traffic tickets, you will need to contact the court where the case was originally filed.

For California court records that are part of public access, then you will need to contact the Administrative Office of the Courts, or the AOC. The AOC provides public information on the business of the judicial branch. Your request should be made in writing and will need to sufficiently describe the California court records needed so that staff can retrieve them. You will receive a response within 10 days of making your request, and if additional time is needed, the staff will inform you. Certain requests may be denied under the California Public Records Act. You will be charged a cost of 10 cents per page to receive copies.

To request court records by mail do the following:

Step 1: Contact the Clerk’s Office at the county where the court case was originally filed. For a listing of county clerk offices Click Here.
Step 2: Prepare a written request describing the court case. Provide identifying information such as names, dates, and case numbers if available.
Step 3: Submit your written request to the corresponding Clerk’s office.

For more information regarding California court records, you can contact the office using the information below:

Administrative Office of the Courts
Office of Communications
455 Golden Gate Avenue
San Francisco, California 94102
(415) 865-7740

Resource Links
California Court Case Search

California Jail Records

If you are looking for California jail records for California background checks, then you will need to contact the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The Identification Unit/Inmate Locator can provide you with a current location and CDC number of an inmate. However, you will not be able to find release information through this service.

The Offender Information Services Branch can give you more detailed adult population reports and statistics. This includes population reports, offender information and demographic, a list of prisoners and parolees, trends, and recidivism rates. Several reports are available online for download.

To access jail records do the following:

Step 1: Contact the California Department of Corrections Identification Unit at the phone number listed on their site. Click Here.
Step 2: Provide the inmate’s full name in addition to their date of birth or CDC identification number.
Step 3: Wait for the results of your inquiry. Information may not be available for up to 7 business days.

If you need more information regarding California jail records, then you can contact the office using the information below:

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Office of Research
1515 S. Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 323-3593

Resource Links
California Inmate Locator

California Driving Records

If you need your California driving records for a California background check, then you will need to contact the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Keep in mind that in most cases, you are the only person who can access your California driving record, with exceptions including law enforcement, parents of minor children, spouses living at the same location, and others who have been authorized by federal or state statutes.

To access your California driving record, you will need to:

Step 1: Visit your local DMV office. Making an appointment will allow you to receive faster service. Be sure to take your California driving license or identification card with you, along with your vehicle registration information. Step 2: Fill out a Request for Driver Record Information (form INF 1125). Step 3: Provide payment. There is a fee of $5 to access your California driving record. A fee is needed for each current record.

If you are currently out of state or otherwise cannot visit your local DMV office, then you may request your California driving record via mail by completing and mailing in the form and payment.

For additional information regarding California driving records, you can contact the office using the information below:

Department of Motor Vehicles
Office of Information Services
Public Operations Unit G199
P.O. Box 944247
Sacramento, California 94244
(800) 777-0133

Resource Links
California Driving Record Information

Additional Resources

California Sexual Offender Registry
California Attorney General