The criminal records of the State of California are maintained by the Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General. In order to view the page for criminal background checks, scroll down the home page and look under resources. Click the link for background checks to take you to that page, where you will find all the information you need for running different types of background checks. You can do the background search if this is required for your employment, licensing, or certification; or if you are going through foreign adoption, or you need the document for clearance when applying for a visa or for immigration purposes.
Different forms are used when requesting a background check for different purposes, so you are advised to download the correct form. For fingerprints, the state allows the submission of live scans, where the fingerprints are taken by authorized live scan operators and sent digitally to the department. The fees for live scans vary depending on the location, and you will be required to present recent photo identification to the live scan operator.
You can request your own criminal record through the Department of Justice, to ascertain the completeness and accuracy of your criminal record, as this is within your rights. The request should be done personally and no third party is allowed to make the request for you. The process for requesting your own criminal record is as follows:
Download the BCII 8016RR or the Live Scan Form and complete it. It is an online form that you can fill in and print out. In the Type of Application question, check the Record Review. It should also be stated in the Reason for Application line. Provide all the required personal information in the form and bring the form to any Live Scan site so you can have your fingerprints scanned or rolled. The fee for the criminal record request is $25 plus the cost of the fingerprinting services. You can go to a local police department or a sheriff's office, or to a public applicant Live Scan site available in several locations.
If you live out of state you can still request a copy of your criminal record by downloading and completing a BCII 8016RR form and a manual fingerprint card using form FD 258, which you can request by calling the Record Review Unit at (916) 227-3849. The fingerprint card should include your full name, date of your birth, gender, and your mailing address. Mail the forms and a personal check, certified check, or money order payable to the California Department of Justice:
California Department of Justice
Record Review Unit
P.O. Box 903417
Sacramento, CA 94203-4170
Inaccurate criminal records can be challenged by completing the Claim of Alleged Inaccuracy or Incompleteness or BCII 8706 form. This should be mailed to the address indicated in the form, along with your criminal history and the explanation as to why you claim that the criminal history is incomplete or inaccurate. You need to include proof to corroborate the claim.
Obtaining copies of California background checks and criminal records involves following the instructions below:
Step 1.
Download the California Background Check Request Form.
Step 2.
Fill out the form and and check of "Record Review" as the "Type of Application." Then, under "Reason for Application," write "Record Review."
Step 3.
Take your completed form with a $25 check to your local Live Scan site and have your fingerprints taken.
More information is available from the California Department of Justice through the contact information found below:
California Department of Justice
Record Review Unit
P.O. Box 903417
Sacramento, CA 94203-4170
(916) 227-3849
If you would like more information about California arrest records, then your first stop would be the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The Department provides an inmate's current location and CDC identification number to the public. However, it will not provide release date information.
To access California arrest records, follow the steps below:
Step 1.
Call the Identification Unit of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation at (916) 445-6713 between 8 AM and 5 PM Monday through Friday.
Step 2.
Provide the operator with the full name and complete birthday of the inmate or the CDC identification number.
Step 3.
Requests for California arrest records can also be faxed to (916) 322-0500.
If you need additional assistance accessing California arrest records, then you can contact the office using the information below:
California Department of Corrections
Office of the Ombudsman
1515 S Street, Room 540 North
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 445-1773
How to Access California Criminal Records
The California Department of Justice maintains the criminal record database. To get a copy of your California criminal record, you'll need to fill out a form, get your fingerprints taken at an approved Live Scan site, and pay $25.
Legally Obtaining California Criminal Records
California restricts access of criminal records and background checks to criminal justice agencies and approved employers. Individuals are allowed access to their personal California criminal record, but only to review it for accuracy.
Rectifying Mistakes on a Criminal Record
If your California background check turns up any criminal records, you will receive with your results the Claim of Alleged Inaccuracy or Incompleteness form in case you want to challenge any portion of your record. Fill out the form, provide any official supporting documentation, and mail back for review.
Public Records
Court Records
Criminal Records
Birth Records
Death Records
Marriage Records
Divorce Records
Genealogy Records