California Arrest Records | Free Public Arrest Lookup Guide

ByArrest Guider
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California · County bookings, superior courts, DOJ records and CDCR custody

Find a California Arrest and Verify What Happened Next

California does not provide one public search covering every county arrest. Begin with the jail in the county of arrest, verify the person and then search that county’s superior court. This guide also covers police reports, warrants, bail, jail visits, public defenders, victim assistance, CDCR custody, DOJ Record Review and arrest-record sealing.
Find the correct county jail Find the criminal court Search California state prison
CALIFORNIA RECORD ROUTER SEARCHING
COUNTY BOOKING LIVE
JAIL
COURT
DOJ
SUPERIOR COURT
OUTCOME FOUND
IDENTITY + DISPOSITION VERIFIED
Arrest is not conviction. A booking charge records an allegation received during arrest or jail intake. A prosecutor can decline, replace or amend it, and a court can dismiss the case or find the defendant not guilty.
Recent arrestSearch the county sheriff or detention agency.
Final outcomeSearch that county’s California superior court.
State prisonUse CDCR CIRIS, not the county jail locator.
Your DOJ record$25 plus the Live Scan rolling charge.
Official reviewProcedures checked July 16, 2026.
Record router

Which California system contains the record?

COUNTY JAIL Was the arrest recent?Booking number, charges, custody status, housing, bond, holds and release details. Search the county where the arrest occurred.
POLICE OR SHERIFF What did officers report?Incident report, arrest report, probable-cause narrative, evidence references and supplements. Request from the agency that created the report.
SUPERIOR COURT Were charges filed?Complaint, amended charges, hearings, warrants, pleas, judgment, sentence and final outcome. California has one superior court in each county.
CDCR CIRIS Is the person in state prison?CDCR number, institution, admission date, commitment counties and parole information. County pretrial detainees are not included.
CALIFORNIA DOJ What is on my state history?A fingerprint-supported California Record of Arrest and Prosecution for personal review. Another person’s complete DOJ history is not public.
Best sequence: Find the county booking, save every identifier, identify the arresting agency, search the superior-court case and locate the final disposition.

Go directly to the California task

Complete search workflow

How to search California arrest records step by step

Identify where the arrest occurred Search the county where officers took the person into custody, not only the county where the person lives.
Identify the arresting agency Determine whether the arrest involved city police, a county sheriff, California Highway Patrol or another agency.
Open the official county jail locator Use the sheriff, county corrections or county government website. Avoid paid name-search advertisements.
Start with the surname Add the first name, middle name or birth date only when the initial result is too broad.
Allow time for intake Identification, fingerprints, medical screening, property inventory and data entry can delay a new booking.
Open every plausible result Compare birth date, age, booking date, agency, facility and identifying numbers.
Save the official identifiers Record the booking number, jail ID, arresting-agency report number, court case number and CDCR number when available.
Read every charge and hold One booking can contain several allegations, warrants or agency detainers.
Search the county superior court California has 58 superior courts—one in each county. Find the correct California court
Locate the final disposition Read the docket for the complaint, amended counts, dismissal, plea, verdict, judgment and sentence.
58-county locator

Choose the California county connected to the arrest

Los Angeles region Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura
San Diego region San Diego and Imperial
Bay Area Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano and Sonoma
Central Coast Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz
Central Valley Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Tulare
Sacramento region Sacramento, El Dorado, Placer, Yolo, Yuba, Sutter and Nevada
North State Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lake, Shasta and Tehama
North Coast Del Norte, Humboldt and Mendocino
Mountain and rural Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Inyo, Lassen, Mariposa, Modoc, Mono, Plumas, Sierra, Siskiyou, Trinity and Tuolumne
Commitment county For state prisoners, CIRIS may list one or more counties connected to the sentence.

Find the live county action page

Search the county government website Look for Sheriff, Corrections, Inmate Locator, Who Is in Custody, Booking Log or Jail Information.
Confirm the domain belongs to government Verify the county, sheriff or official government identity before entering a date of birth.
Use the county officials directory when needed The California Secretary of State publishes a current County Officials Directory. Open the official California Roster
Find the related superior court Use the Judicial Branch directory to open the criminal-record system for that county. Open all California superior courts
Agency split: A city police department may create the arrest report while the county sheriff creates the jail booking and the county superior court creates the criminal case.
Booking decoder

What California county jail fields mean

Booking fields, limits and next actions
Field What it identifies What it does not prove Next action
Booking number One jail intake or custody event. The final charge or court outcome. Use it for jail calls and record requests.
Inmate or jail ID The person in that county detention system. Guilt or conviction. Use it for visits, mail and deposits.
Arrest date When law enforcement initiated custody. When the alleged conduct occurred. Compare it with the police report.
Booking date When jail processing began. When a court case was filed. Use it to separate multiple bookings.
Arresting agency The department responsible for the arrest. The sheriff created the incident report. Request reports from the listed agency.
Booking charge An allegation entered at arrest or intake. What the prosecutor ultimately filed. Read the superior-court complaint.
Bail amount A monetary release entry or court order. Payment clears every charge or hold. Confirm current release conditions first.
Hold or detainer Another court or agency may control release. The local bail amount controls the booking. Ask which agency owns the hold.
Release date When the displayed custody event ended. Dismissal, acquittal or innocence. Search the criminal docket.
Mugshot A photograph created during jail intake. Identity alone, prosecution or guilt. Match birth date and official numbers.
Identity safeguard

Verify the right person before using the record

Full first and last name match
Middle name, alias or suffix is consistent
Date of birth or age matches
Booking date matches the known arrest
Arresting agency matches the location
Booking number matches another record
Court case follows the same event
Physical descriptors are reasonably consistent
Minimum identity rule: Match at least two independent identifiers before sending money, publishing an allegation or treating a result as belonging to a specific person.
No-result troubleshooting

Why a California arrest may not appear

Intake is incomplete Identification, fingerprints, medical screening and data entry can delay a recent booking.
The wrong county was searched Search where the arrest occurred, not only the person’s residence.
The name is recorded differently Try the surname alone, maiden name, former surname, suffix or alternate spelling.
The person was released Some active rosters remove released people and require a historical-booking request.
The person was transferred Check another county, CDCR, federal custody or a medical facility.
The record is restricted Juvenile, sealed, automatically restricted or otherwise protected information may be unavailable.
Custody call script
I am trying to confirm the custody status of [full legal name], date of birth [date]. The arrest may have occurred on [date] through [agency] in [city or county]. Can you confirm whether the person is being booked, held, released, transferred or listed under another identifier?
Arrest-to-court lifecycle

What happens after a California arrest?

Police investigation Law enforcement may create an incident report, arrest report, probable-cause narrative, evidence record and supplements.
County jail booking The jail records identity, fingerprints, property, initial allegations, bail entries and holds.
Charging deadline A jailed person generally cannot be held longer than 48 hours, excluding days when court is closed, without criminal charges being filed.
Prosecutor review The district attorney reviews the police report and decides which charges, if any, to file.
Arraignment The judge addresses the charges, counsel, plea and pretrial release or detention.
Pretrial proceedings The case can include discovery, motions, negotiations, amended charges and additional hearings.
Disposition The case may end by dismissal, plea, acquittal, conviction, judgment or sentence.
County or state custody A sentenced person may remain locally, enter CDCR custody or receive probation or another court-ordered disposition.
Correction or record relief Inaccurate information can be challenged, and some arrests or convictions may later qualify for sealing or dismissal relief.
Correct record holder

Which California office maintains each record?

Send each request to the office that created or maintains the record
Record needed Likely custodian Information to provide Common mistake
Current county custody County sheriff or corrections department Name, birth date and booking number. Searching CDCR for a pretrial county detainee.
City police arrest report The city police department that created it Report number, date, location and involved name. Requesting it from the county jail.
Sheriff arrest report The arresting county sheriff Incident number, arrest date and location. Requesting it from California DOJ.
CHP report California Highway Patrol CHP report number, location and date. Assuming the booking county wrote the report.
Criminal court case Superior court in the filing county Court case number or accurate party details. Treating the booking charge as final.
State-prison custody California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Name, date of birth or CDCR number. Expecting CIRIS to show every county arrest.
Your statewide California history California Department of Justice Live Scan fingerprints and Record Review information. Trying to request another person’s summary history.
Police and sheriff reports

Request an arrest or incident report without delay

Identify the arresting agency Use the booking entry to determine which police, sheriff or state agency created the report.
Name the exact document Ask for the arrest report, incident report, probable-cause narrative and identified supplements.
Provide narrow identifiers Include the full name, incident date, location, report number, booking number and court case number.
Ask for electronic delivery Electronic delivery can reduce copying, mailing and staff-processing charges.
Set a cost limit Require approval before the office exceeds a stated amount.
Request the basis for withholding Ask the agency to identify the reason for each redaction or withheld record.
Copy-ready California records request
I request an electronic copy of the releasable incident report, arrest report, probable-cause narrative and releasable supplements concerning [full legal name], date of birth [if known], for the incident on or about [date and time] at [location]. Known identifiers are agency report number [number], booking number [number] and court case number [number]. Please provide a cost estimate before processing if the total will exceed $[amount].
Records may be delayed or redacted because of an active investigation, victim or witness privacy, juvenile information, medical data, confidential methods, body-camera review or an overly broad request.
Superior-court search

Find the filed charges and final case outcome

California has 58 trial-level superior courts—one in each county. Each court maintains its own criminal cases and decides which case records are available remotely, at a courthouse terminal or through a clerk request.
Identify the filing county The filing county is normally connected to the alleged offense and prosecuting agency.
Find the official superior court Enter a California city or ZIP code in the Judicial Branch locator. Find the correct superior court
Choose criminal case access Look for Criminal Case Search, Case Information, Online Services or Records.
Search by case number A court case number is safer than a common-name search.
Confirm the defendant and timeline Match the name, filing date, court location and charges with the booking.
Find the complaint The complaint identifies the charges formally filed by the prosecutor.
Check amended charges A later filing can replace, reduce, add or dismiss an earlier count.
Read warrant entries in order An issued warrant may later be served, recalled or quashed.
Locate the disposition Find the dismissal, acquittal, plea, judgment, sentence or other final order for each charge.
Order formal proof when needed Ask the court clerk for the exact document and certification required by the recipient.

Common California criminal-case terms

Terms that change the meaning of an arrest record
Term Practical meaning What to verify
Complaint The prosecutor’s formal criminal charges. Compare each count with the booking allegations.
Pending The case has not reached final disposition. Read the newest entry and next hearing.
Dismissed The court or prosecution ended a count or case. Confirm whether every count was dismissed.
Acquitted or not guilty The defendant was not found guilty of the resolved count. Check whether other counts remained.
Guilty or no-contest plea The defendant entered a plea resolving the identified charge. Read the plea, judgment and sentence.
Convicted A judgment of guilt was entered. Confirm the offense level and final sentence.
Closed The court no longer shows the case as active. Closed alone does not explain the outcome.
Sealed Public access has been restricted by law or court action. Specified government agencies may retain lawful access.
Court documents

Get an ordinary or certified California court record

California Judicial Council staff cannot provide a county criminal case record. Contact the superior court where the case was filed.
Open the county superior-court website Use the statewide court directory for the correct clerk and records page. Open the California court directory
Identify the exact case and document Examples include Complaint, Dismissal, Minutes, Judgment, Sentence or Probation Order.
Ask whether online access is available Not every criminal document can be viewed remotely.
Confirm the required certification Ask the recipient whether an ordinary copy, certified copy or transcript is required.
Request a fee estimate Copy, certification, research, retrieval and mailing charges vary by court and request.
Complete the county court’s final process Submit the online, mail or in-person request required by that superior court.
Copy-ready court-record request
I request a copy of [exact document] in criminal case number [number], People of the State of California v. [defendant]. Please confirm whether an electronic non-certified copy is available and provide a cost estimate for an ordinary or certified copy before processing.
Warrant verification

Check a possible California warrant safely

Identify the issuing court or agency Use the booking, notice, citation or known criminal case.
Search the superior-court docket Look for warrant-issued, served, recalled or quashed entries.
Read the newest entry Do not rely on an older warrant line when later court action exists.
Check every possible county Separate cases can create warrants in different counties.
Confirm current status directly Contact the issuing court or responsible law-enforcement agency.
Use a lawyer when the warrant concerns you Counsel can explain appearance, surrender, bail and hearing options.
Never confront or attempt to detain anyone. Similar names, recalled warrants and delayed updates can cause dangerous mistakes.
Payment scam warning: Do not pay an unexpected warrant demand through gift cards, cryptocurrency, text-message links or QR codes. Contact the court independently.
Bail and pretrial release

Understand the California release decision

Own recognizanceThe defendant promises to return to court without posting money.
Supervised releaseThe defendant may be released with monitoring, home detention or other conditions.
Bail orderedThe court sets monetary bail and the defendant remains held until release requirements are satisfied.
DetentionThe judge may order continued detention without setting bail in an appropriate case.
California Courts explains that the judge considers the alleged crime, offense level, public safety and risk that the person will fail to appear.
Confirm the person and booking number Match the name, date of birth and current facility.
List every charge and case A person may have separate release conditions on separate matters.
Identify every hold Ask whether another county, state, federal agency or court controls release.
Confirm the newest court order Do not rely only on the initial booking display. Read the official arraignment and bail guide
Ask where payment must be made The jail, court or approved bond professional may have different procedures.
Verify a private bond professional Confirm licensing and obtain the premium, collateral and refund terms in writing.
Keep complete proof Save the receipt, agreement, payment confirmation and booking information.
Allow release processing Staff must verify the order, clear holds, finish paperwork and return property.
Bail-verification call script
I am calling about booking number [number] for [full legal name]. Please confirm every active charge, the current release condition for each charge, every outside hold, accepted payment methods and whether further court approval is required.
County jail visitation

Schedule a visit at a California county jail

No single statewide county-jail visitation rule exists. Each sheriff or county corrections department controls visitor approval, scheduling, providers, fees, clothing and cancellations.
Confirm current custody and facility A person can be transferred between intake, housing and court locations.
Open the official county visitation page Look for Inmate Services, Visiting, Video Visitation or Detention Information.
Check the visit type Determine whether the facility offers contact, non-contact, onsite video, remote video or several options.
Create the required provider account Use only the vendor linked by the official sheriff or jail page.
Complete visitor approval Provide the requested legal name, birth date, address and identification information.
Add minors correctly Check birth-certificate, relationship, consent and adult-supervision requirements.
Select the correct housing unit and appointment Visits may be limited by facility, unit, classification or day of the week.
Wait for confirmation A submitted request is not the same as an approved visit.
Recheck custody before traveling A release, transfer, court trip, medical movement or lockdown can cancel the appointment.
Arrive early with original identification Follow the jail’s screening, clothing and property rules.

County jail visit checklist

Original government-issued photo ID
Confirmed visitor approval
Correct jail and housing unit
Confirmed appointment date and time
Approved clothing
Required minor documentation
No phone, camera or smartwatch
No food, tobacco, weapons or contraband
County jail services

Check these rules before mailing, calling or depositing money

Visitor approval
  • Background or warrant screening may apply.
  • Former inmates may face a waiting period.
  • Probation or parole may require extra approval.
  • False information can cause denial.
Visit conduct
  • Video and in-person visits may be monitored.
  • No recording, photographing or livestreaming.
  • Threats or criminal communication can end access.
  • Visitors must follow staff instructions.
Dress code
  • Avoid transparent or revealing clothing.
  • Avoid gang, drug, weapon or offensive graphics.
  • Avoid clothing resembling jail or officer uniforms.
  • Bring an alternate outfit when traveling far.
Personal mail
  • Use the exact booking name and jail ID.
  • Use the jail’s published mailing address.
  • Confirm whether mail is scanned elsewhere.
  • Do not send cash or unapproved items.
Telephone and tablets
  • County inmates generally initiate outgoing calls.
  • Use only the county-approved provider.
  • Calls may be monitored and recorded.
  • Attorney calls require the legal-access process.
Money and commissary
  • Confirm the inmate and booking number.
  • Use only the jail-approved deposit service.
  • Review transaction fees before payment.
  • Keep the receipt and confirmation number.

Do not send these without checking local rules

Cash, personal checks or gift cards
Food, medicine or hygiene products
Polaroid or prohibited photographs
Stickers, glitter, glue or perfume
Books not sent by an approved seller
Original IDs or certificates
Legal papers through ordinary scanned mail
Escape, gang or contraband instructions
Defense representation

Get a public defender or private criminal lawyer

Court-appointed lawyer

A person charged with a misdemeanor or felony has a right to appointed counsel when unable to afford a lawyer.
  1. Ask for counsel at arraignment.
  2. Complete the court’s financial eligibility form.
  3. List income, assets and expenses accurately.
  4. Follow the court or public defender’s intake instructions.
  5. Do not discuss case facts on recorded jail calls.
An infraction does not normally carry a right to a court-appointed lawyer.

Private lawyer

  1. Use a State Bar-certified Lawyer Referral Service.
  2. Verify the lawyer’s active California license.
  3. Ask who will personally handle the hearings.
  4. Request the complete fee agreement in writing.
  5. Ask whether bail, motions, trial and appeal are included.
Find a certified lawyer referral service Check a California attorney’s license Find free or low-cost legal help
State Bar Lawyer Referral information California: 866-442-2529 Outside California: 415-538-2250
Victim assistance

Find a local or statewide victim advocate

Identify the county and prosecutor After charges are filed, contact the county district attorney’s Victim-Witness Assistance Program.
Provide the case identifiers Have the report number, court case number, defendant name and next hearing date.
Ask for notification assistance Request help with hearings, plea, sentencing, release and restitution information.
Discuss immediate safety needs Ask about safety planning, protective orders, shelter, relocation and counseling referrals.
Check state victim services California provides compensation, referrals and assistance through several agencies. Open California victim services
California Attorney General Victim Services Phone: 877-433-9069 Email: VictimServices@doj.ca.gov
CDCR Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services Phone: 877-256-6877 Email: victimservices@cdcr.ca.gov
California state-prison search

Use CIRIS only for current CDCR custody

CIRIS may display

  • Name and age
  • CDCR number
  • Current institution
  • Admission date
  • County or counties of commitment
  • Parole-eligibility information

CIRIS does not provide

  • Every California arrest
  • Current county jail detainees
  • Every released or discharged person
  • A complete official conviction history
  • Guaranteed complete or error-free information
Open CIRIS and accept the disclaimer The system is informational and should not replace an official court record. Open the CDCR CIRIS search
Search the full name Use age or other available information to separate similar results.
Save the CDCR number The number is required for visits, mail, money and many facility inquiries.
Confirm the current institution Use the facility locator for addresses and local contact information. Open the CDCR facility locator
Contact the Identification Unit when no result appears Provide the full name and date of birth when the name is common.
CDCR Identification Unit Phone: 916-445-6713 Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Pacific Time, excluding holidays
CDCR state-prison visitation

Apply, schedule and prepare for a California prison visit

CDCR rules do not apply to county jails. Use this section only when CIRIS confirms that the person is housed at a California state institution.
Obtain approval to visit The visitor must receive approval from CDCR and the incarcerated person before scheduling. Start the CDCR visitation process
Check the current facility status Visiting can change because of operational, medical or security conditions. Check live facility visiting status
Confirm the scheduling method Most institution visits use the Visitation Scheduling Application. Some facilities or fire camps use email or telephone.
Claim or create the VSA account Select approved visitors, confirm the incarcerated person and choose an available appointment. Schedule the final CDCR visit
Check identification requirements Adults need current accepted photo identification.
Prepare minor documents Bring a certified birth certificate and any required guardianship or notarized parental-consent document.
Choose compliant clothing Avoid clothing resembling prison, law-enforcement or military uniforms.
Arrive early for processing Visitors complete a pass, identification check, eligibility check and security screening.

Accepted adult identification

Current driver license with photograph
Current state identification card
Armed-forces identification with photograph
Recognized federal immigration identification
United States passport
Foreign passport with photograph
Mexican Consulate photo identification
Other identification specifically accepted by CDCR

CDCR clothing restrictions

Do not resemble prison clothing
  • No blue denim prison-style combination.
  • Avoid orange or institution-specific colors.
  • Avoid forest-green and tan combinations.
Dress modestly
  • No strapless, halter or bare-midriff clothing.
  • No sheer or transparent material.
  • No very tight or form-fitting attire.
  • Shorts and skirts cannot expose more than two inches above the knee.
Clear security screening
  • Avoid underwire bras and excessive metal.
  • No camouflage without authorized military use.
  • No shower shoes.
  • Bring alternate clothing in the vehicle.
CDCR mail and contact

Send mail to a California state prisoner correctly

Find the CDCR number and institution Use CIRIS before addressing the envelope. Search CIRIS
Open the institution page The incarcerated person’s mail address may differ from the institution’s general street address. Find the institution mailing address
Address the envelope completely Include the full name, CDCR number, institution, housing P.O. box when known, city, state and ZIP code.
Do not include prohibited items Incoming correspondence is opened and inspected for contraband.
Use approved package vendors Family members cannot mail quarterly property packages directly. Check approved CDCR package vendors
Mail-address format
Incarcerated Person’s Full Name – CDCR Number Institution Name Housing P.O. Box or Approved Mailing Address City, CA ZIP Code
CDCR advises contacting the facility Public Information Officer or Identification Unit when the housing or mailing address cannot be confirmed.
CDCR calls, tablets and deposits

California state-prison communication and money rules

Telephone and tablet communication

Audio calls from California state prisons are free
The incarcerated person must initiate the call
Audio calls are generally limited to 15 minutes
Facility calling hours and restrictions still apply
CDCR is transitioning institutions from ViaPath to Securus during 2026
The correct provider depends on the current institution
During the 2026 provider transition, family members should check the institution’s current telephone and tablet provider before creating or funding an account.
Check the current tablet and telephone provider Review CDCR communication rules

Three ways to send money

CDCR trust-account deposit methods
Method Timing or fee Important steps
Electronic funds transfer Paid provider service; usually posts in 1–3 days Use a current approved CDCR vendor and the correct CDCR number.
JPay lockbox No deposit fee; personal checks held 10 business days Use the deposit coupon, make payment payable to JPay and do not include letters.
Mail to institution No deposit fee; 30-day hold Make payment payable to CDCR and include the full name and CDCR number.
Lockbox limit Maximum $999.99 per deposit form Use a separate compliant transaction when more is permitted and required.
Money sent for personal use may be subject to court-ordered restitution and administrative deductions. Family-visiting funds require separate facility instructions and should not be sent through ordinary electronic transfer.
Use the approved CDCR deposit process
Your California DOJ history

Request your own fingerprint-based criminal record

Access is personal. California DOJ will not process a third-party request for another person’s complete summary criminal history.

California resident

  • Use Live Scan Form BCIA 8016RR.
  • Select Record Review as the application type.
  • Enter Record Review as the reason.
  • Take the completed form to a public Live Scan provider.
  • Pay the $25 DOJ fee plus the provider’s rolling fee.

Outside California or the United States

  • Use Form BCIA 8705.
  • Submit a manual FD-258 fingerprint card.
  • Include full name, birth date, sex and return address.
  • Include the $25 payment in an accepted form.
  • Mail the complete packet to the DOJ Record Review Unit.
Download the correct Record Review form California residents use BCIA 8016RR. Open California DOJ Record Review instructions
Complete every personal-information field Use the identifying information requested by DOJ.
Locate a Live Scan provider Compare rolling fees, hours, appointment rules and payment methods.
Bring valid photo identification The Live Scan site verifies identity before taking fingerprints.
Pay the correct charges The DOJ processing fee is $25. The fingerprint rolling fee is separate and varies.
Keep the Live Scan copy Save the ATI or transaction information in case follow-up is needed.
Review the complete response Compare arrest, court disposition and identifying information for accuracy.
A DOJ fee waiver may be available. The DOJ Record Review is for accuracy review and cannot be used as a visa, immigration or foreign-country background check.
Employer rule: California DOJ warns that an individual cannot give this personal Record Review to an unauthorized employer or other unauthorized third party, and an unauthorized entity cannot require the person to provide it.
California DOJ Record Review Unit Phone: 916-227-3849 Out-of-state mailing address: California Department of Justice Bureau of Criminal Identification and Analysis Record Review & Challenge Section P.O. Box 160207 Sacramento, CA 95816-0207
Correct inaccurate information

Challenge an error in a California DOJ criminal history

Request your own Record Review DOJ requires the fingerprint-based record before a formal challenge.
Mark the exact disputed entry Identify the wrong arrest, charge, disposition, date or personal identifier.
Find the source of the problem Compare the DOJ entry with the arresting-agency record and superior-court disposition.
Obtain supporting documents Use a certified dismissal, corrected minute order, amended judgment or written agency correction.
Complete Form BCIA 8706 The Claim of Alleged Inaccuracy or Incompleteness is included when the Record Review contains criminal information.
Explain the correction precisely State what is wrong, what should replace it and which attachment proves the correction.
Mail the challenge as instructed Include the required copy of the criminal-history response and supporting proof.
Recheck local systems A DOJ correction may not automatically update a county jail page, court index or private database.
Arrest and disposition information can generally be changed only by a court order or at the direction of the arresting agency or prosecutor with jurisdiction.
California arrest-record sealing

Seal an arrest that did not result in conviction

California Courts states that an arrest with no conviction may qualify for sealing under Penal Code section 851.91. Some records may already have been automatically sealed by California DOJ.

Situations that may qualify

Arrest occurred but no charges were filed
Charges were filed and later dismissed
Diversion was completed and charges were dismissed
Deferred entry of judgment was completed and charges were dismissed
The defendant went to trial and was found not guilty
Another specific sealing law applies to the case
Obtain the arrest and court records Save the booking, agency report number, court case number and final disposition.
Check whether the arrest was automatically sealed A DOJ RAP sheet can help identify automatic relief, but obtaining it is not required before filing.
Review the eligibility guide Confirm that the arrest and outcome fit Penal Code section 851.91 or another sealing route. Open California Courts arrest-sealing instructions
Complete Form CR-409 Use Petition to Seal Arrest and Related Records and include every required case and arrest detail.
File in the proper superior court Use the court identified by the California Courts instructions and the case circumstances.
Serve the required agencies Follow the current proof-of-service requirements for the prosecutor and law-enforcement agency.
Attend the hearing when required Bring the petition, supporting records and proof of service.
Obtain the signed CR-410 order Keep certified copies and verify that the agencies update public access.

Other California record-cleaning paths

Pre-filing diversionAn eligible arrest may use the process connected to Penal Code section 851.87.
Diversion dismissalCases dismissed after eligible diversion may use Penal Code section 1001.9 or another applicable provision.
Drug diversionAn eligible drug-diversion dismissal may use Penal Code section 851.90.
Factual innocenceA person claiming no reasonable basis for the arrest may pursue the more demanding factual-innocence process.
Misdemeanor dismissalAn eligible conviction may qualify for dismissal after probation and case requirements are completed.
Felony reliefSome felony convictions may qualify for dismissal, reduction, a Certificate of Rehabilitation or another form of relief.
Sealing restricts public access but does not erase every legal consequence. Some government agencies can still see sealed records, and disclosure may still be required for specified public office, peace-officer, licensing or lottery-related applications.
Choose the correct California record-cleaning path
Contacts and location

California arrest, court and corrections contacts

California DOJ Public Inquiry UnitCalifornia: 800-952-5225 Local: 916-210-6276
DOJ Record Review Unit916-227-3849 Use for personal California criminal-history review questions.
CDCR Main Office916-324-7308 Use the facility locator for institution-specific contacts.
CDCR Identification Unit916-445-6713 Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Pacific Time.
State Bar Lawyer Referral866-442-2529 Outside California: 415-538-2250
California Attorney General Victim Services877-433-9069 VictimServices@doj.ca.gov

California Department of Justice map

Do not travel to DOJ for a Record Review without instructions. California residents normally complete Record Review fingerprints through an approved Live Scan provider. Out-of-state applicants use the published mail process.
Official-source extraction

What this California guide brings into the page

California DOJPersonal Record Review access, $25 fee, Live Scan requirements, out-of-state process, employer restrictions and challenge instructions.
California Courts58-county court structure, criminal-case lifecycle, arraignment and bail options, public-defender rights and arrest-sealing procedures.
CDCRCIRIS fields, search limitations, visitor approval, scheduling, identification, clothing, mail, calls, tablets, money and package procedures.
Title-related questions

California arrest-record questions answered

Is there one statewide California arrest search?No. Recent bookings are usually maintained by the county sheriff or detention agency. California DOJ summary criminal histories are confidential.
How do I find someone arrested today?Identify the county of arrest, search its official jail locator and verify the birth date, booking date, agency and booking number.
Where do I find the final criminal charge?Search the superior court in the filing county and read the complaint and any amended charging documents.
How do I find the final outcome?Locate the dismissal, plea, verdict, judgment or sentence in the superior-court docket.
Why is a booking missing?Intake may be incomplete, the wrong county may have been searched, the person may have been released or transferred, or the record may be restricted.
Can I obtain another person’s California DOJ history?No. A complete DOJ summary criminal history is not a public name-search record. Record Review is for the person who is the subject of the history.
How much is a California DOJ Record Review?The DOJ processing fee is $25. California residents also pay the Live Scan provider’s separate rolling fee.
How do I correct an inaccurate record?Request your own DOJ Record Review, complete BCIA 8706 and attach certified court or agency proof supporting the correction.
Does CIRIS show county jail inmates?No. CIRIS is for selected people currently in CDCR state custody. County jails maintain their own inmate locators.
Can an arrest without conviction be sealed?Many qualifying arrests can be sealed under Penal Code section 851.91 using California Courts Form CR-409 and the required court process.
Accuracy, identity and legal-use notice Arrest Records is an independent informational guide. It is not California DOJ, CDCR, the Judicial Council, a superior court, county sheriff, district attorney, public defender or law firm. Booking, bail, holds, warrants, custody, release and court information can change. Verify multiple identifiers and obtain the current official record before making a legal, employment, housing, financial, safety or publication decision. Every arrested person is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. This guide provides procedural information and is not legal advice.

Last official-source review: July 16, 2026.

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