Question 1

How do I get a criminal background check in California?

Accepted Answer

An official California criminal background check runs through the **California Department of Justice (DOJ)** at https://oag.ca.gov/fingerprints. **The process**: (1) Get a Live Scan fingerprint capture at any participating vendor — IdentoGO https://www.identogo.com, Certifix Live Scan https://www.certifixlivescan.com, A1 Live Scan https://a1livescan.com, or any participating police/sheriff records counter. Find a vendor at https://oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/locations. (2) Complete the **BCIA 8016RR form** at https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/media/BCIA-8016RR.pdf — Personal Record Review. (3) Pay the **$25 California DOJ state fee** plus rolling fee at the vendor (typically $20–$50, total $45–$90). For an FBI national-level check, add the federal fee (~$17). **Fee waiver** at https://oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/record-review/fee-waiver. Turnaround 5–10 business days; results mailed only — no email or PDF. **Court records** (separate from criminal history): each county Superior Court has its own portal — California Courts directory at https://www.courts.ca.gov/find-my-court.htm. **Sex-offender check**: California Megan's Law at https://meganslaw.ca.gov. **For employment use**, you cannot pull someone else's CA DOJ record without permissible-use justification under Penal Code § 11105 — vendors (Checkr, Sterling, GoodHire) wrap state, FBI, court, county, and MVR into one FCRA-compliant report. **California Fair Chance Act** (Gov. Code § 12952): employers with 5+ employees cannot ask about convictions until after a conditional offer. **Limits**: CA DOJ check covers California convictions only; federal cases need PACER ($0.10/page); juvenile and sealed cases excluded. **Accuracy disputes**: form BCIA 8706. Sources: California DOJ, BCIA 8016RR, Penal Code § 11105, Cal. Gov. Code § 12952

Question 2

Where can I find out why some cases are investigated while others are not?

Accepted Answer

Why some California cases are investigated and others are not is a function of **prosecutorial discretion**, **agency case-screening policies**, and **resource constraints** — all rooted in California law and standard practice. **Decision-making framework**: (1) **Initial investigation** — the responding officer or detective decides whether the report warrants further investigation based on (a) likelihood of solvability (witness availability, physical evidence, suspect identification), (b) seriousness of offense, (c) available resources. Most departments use a **Case Screening Form** following IACP standards. (2) **District Attorney charging decision** — even if police investigate and recommend charges, the **San Luis Obispo County DA** at https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/District-Attorney decides whether to file under California Penal Code §§ 691, 1382, and the **California Rules of Professional Conduct 3.8** (Special Responsibilities of a Prosecutor). The DA must believe there is probable cause AND a reasonable likelihood of conviction beyond a reasonable doubt. (3) **Common reasons cases are NOT pursued**: insufficient evidence, statute of limitations expired (varies by offense — Penal Code §§ 799–805), uncooperative victim/witnesses, victim recantation, conflicting evidence, jurisdictional issues, suspect deceased or fled, low priority for limited investigative resources. (4) **Right to know status of your case**: file a CPRA request under Cal. Gov. Code § 7920 with the investigating agency or DA. As a victim or complainant under Marsy's Law (Cal. Const. Art. I § 28), you have a right to be notified of the case's status. **Paso Robles** falls under Paso Robles PD (https://www.prcity.com/167/Police-Department) and SLO County Sheriff at https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/Sheriff-Coroner. **For an unprosecuted case you believe should be pursued**: contact the DA Victim/Witness Assistance program; consider a **citizen's complaint**; consider a **civil suit** (lower burden of proof than criminal — preponderance of the evidence). Sources: California Penal Code §§ 691, 799–805; California Rules of Professional Conduct 3.8; Marsy's Law (Cal. Const. Art. I § 28); San Luis Obispo County DA; Cal. Gov. Code § 7920

Question 3

How do I find arrest records in Barstow?

Accepted Answer

Arrest records for Barstow, California (San Bernardino County) come from one of two agencies depending on where the arrest happened. (1) **Barstow Police Department** for arrests inside Barstow city limits — 220 E Mountain View St, Barstow CA 92311, phone (760) 256-2211, https://www.barstowca.org/government/departments/police-department. CPRA records request via the city portal. (2) **San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office (SBSO), Barstow Station** for arrests in unincorporated areas surrounding Barstow — 225 East Mountain View St, Barstow CA 92311, phone (760) 256-4838. SBSO operates the **High Desert Detention Center (HDDC)** in Adelanto, where Barstow felony arrestees are typically transferred. (3) **SBSO Inmate Locator** at https://wp.sbcounty.gov/sheriff/corrections/inmate-locator/ — current detainees countywide. Records & ID Bureau at 655 E 3rd St, San Bernardino CA 92415, phone (909) 387-3700. (4) **SBSO Dispatch Call Log** at https://wp.sbcounty.gov/sheriff/media-center/dispatch-call-log-2/ — searchable public log of recent calls including Barstow County, Adelanto, Apple Valley, Big Bear, etc. (5) **Court records** for arrests that produced a charge — San Bernardino Superior Court at https://sanbernardino.courts.ca.gov; the **Barstow District Courthouse** at 235 E Mountain View St, Barstow CA 92311 hears felony, misdemeanor, traffic, family, and probate matters from the area. (6) **State prison**: CDCR inmate search at https://inmatelocator.cdcr.ca.gov. (7) **Personal record review**: California DOJ Live Scan at https://oag.ca.gov/fingerprints, $25 state fee. **CPRA** (Cal. Gov. Code § 7920): 10-day response window; booking photos public per Penal Code § 13300; body-cam OIS footage releasable within 45 days under SB 1421/AB 748. Sources: Barstow PD, San Bernardino County Sheriff, San Bernardino Superior Court, CDCR, Cal. Gov. Code § 7920

Question 4

Where do I look up probate records in Lancaster?

Accepted Answer

Probate cases for Lancaster, California are filed at the **Los Angeles County Superior Court, Antelope Valley Courthouse — Probate Department** at **42011 4th St West, Lancaster CA 93534**, phone (661) 974-7311. **Three steps**: (1) **Find the case** via LA Superior Court Online Services at https://www.lacourt.org — free name search of probate cases (decedent, conservator, guardian); returns case number and document docket. (2) **Order copies** at the Clerk's office — **certified copy fee $40 first 5 pages + $0.50 each additional page** (Cal. Gov. Code § 70626); non-certified $0.50 per page; **search-record fee $50** for archived files. Online ordering also available at https://www.lacourt.org. (3) **Visit in person** if the case is older than ~20 years and not yet digitized; the LA Probate Central operates out of the Stanley Mosk Courthouse downtown (111 N Hill St, LA), but Antelope Valley's local probate department keeps cases filed in Lancaster. **Probate filing fees** (LA County 2026 schedule, https://lascpubstorage.blob.core.windows.net/cpw/LIBSVCExecutiveSupport-397-2026FeeSchedule010126.pdf): **First-filed Petition for Letters of Administration or Letters Testamentary $435** (Cal. Gov. Code § 70650); **Probate Referee fee** ~0.1% of appraised non-cash assets (minimum $150). For estates **under $184,500 personal + $61,500 real property**, simplified small-estate procedures (Cal. Prob. Code § 13100) skip full probate. **Important**: a will alone does NOT transfer property — it must be probated to be enforceable. **Sealed**: family-conservatorship matters and certain juvenile probate guardianships are not publicly visible. Sources: LA County Superior Court Probate, LA 2026 Fee Schedule, SwiftProbate LA Guide, Cal. Gov. Code § 70650, Cal. Prob. Code § 13100

Question 5

How do I get a copy of a divorce decree in California?

Accepted Answer

Divorce decrees in California come from the **Superior Court** in the county where the divorce was filed. **Three ways to obtain a copy**: (1) **County Superior Court Clerk** — fastest. Find the right court via California Courts directory at https://www.courts.ca.gov/find-my-court.htm. **LA Superior Court** offers online ordering at https://www.lacourt.ca.gov/pages/lp/access-a-case/tp/os-access-court-documents/cp/divorce-judgment-documents — public ordering of divorce judgments without visiting the Archives & Records Center. **Orange, San Diego, Sacramento, Alameda, Santa Clara, San Francisco** all offer in-person/mail ordering at the courthouse where the case was filed. **Certified copy fee statewide: $40 first 5 pages + $0.50 each additional page** (Cal. Gov. Code § 70626); non-certified $0.50 per page; **search-record fee $50** for archived files. (2) **CDPH Vital Records** at https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/Vital-Records.aspx — issues divorce certificates ONLY for divorces filed **1962–1984**. From **1985 onward**, copies come ONLY from the Superior Court Clerk in the filing county; CDPH does NOT issue post-1984 divorce certificates. (3) **VitalChek** at https://www.vitalchek.com — express shipping option for the 1962–1984 CDPH certificates. **Filing fees** for new divorces (for context): Petition for Dissolution **$435–$450**; Response **$435**; both fees waivable under FW-001. **California does NOT issue separate state-level divorce certificates** for divorces 1985 onward — the Superior Court Clerk's certified copy IS the legal document. **Sealed cases** (DV-related, financial-disclosure orders, family files involving minors) are not visible to the public. **Apostille for international use**: get the certified copy first, then submit to California Secretary of State, 1500 11th St, Sacramento. Sources: California Courts directory, LA Superior Court, CDPH Vital Records, Cal. Gov. Code § 70626

Question 6

Where can I find a police case number?

Accepted Answer

A police case number (also called DR number, incident number, or report number) is the unique identifier assigned when officers create an incident report. **For Inglewood, California**, four ways to find it. (1) **Online via Inglewood PD's MyCaseNumber portal** at https://inglewoodpd.mycasenumber.us/ — submit a citizen police report online, get an immediate case number, and print a copy of YOUR own filed report for free. (2) **In person or by phone** with the **Inglewood Police Department Records Unit**, 1 W Manchester Blvd, Inglewood CA 90301, phone (310) 412-5246. Standard report-copy fee **$12.50** per report (per the city's official Report Request Form at https://www.cityofinglewood.org/1323/Report-Request-Form). (3) **CPRA request** via the Inglewood City Clerk under Cal. Gov. Code § 7920 — submit through https://www.cityofinglewood.org/438/Requests-for-Public-Records or via MuckRock at https://www.muckrock.com/place/united-states-of-america/california/inglewood/. **Note (Nov 2025)**: A Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled Inglewood PD 'systematically' violated state public-records laws by ignoring requests; if your CPRA request stalls, escalate to the City Attorney or media. (4) **If you reported the crime as a victim/witness**, the responding officer should have given you a **Receipt for Property Taken into Custody** or a card listing the case number. If you've lost it, the Records Unit can look it up by your name + date + general location. **Other LA-area lookups** by city: LAPD reports at https://www.lapdonline.org/get-a-copy-of-a-police-report/ ($29.00 fee); LASD at https://lasd.org/records-faq/. Sources: Inglewood PD, Inglewood City Clerk, LA Times Nov 2025 (Inglewood CPRA ruling), Cal. Gov. Code § 7920

Docket	Parties	Indexed
BANKRUPTCY 3:26-mj-02542-1	USA v. Black Apple iPhone Seizure No. 2026250600060901-0002 (Target Device 1)	06/10/2026
CIVIL 3:26-cv-03476	Regehr v. Plaza Home Mortgage, Inc.	06/10/2026
BANKRUPTCY 3:26-mj-02585-1	USA v. Black JimiloT VL110 GPS Tracking Device Seizure No. 2026250100019001-0001 IMEI 863767070007893(LA) ("Subject Device")	06/10/2026
BANKRUPTCY 3:26-mj-03451-1	USA v. Zamora Lorenzo	06/10/2026
BANKRUPTCY 3:26-mj-03444-1	USA v. Nunez-Valdivia	06/10/2026
BANKRUPTCY 3:26-mj-03452-1	USA v. Garcia-Ramirez	06/10/2026
BANKRUPTCY 3:26-mj-03446-1	USA v. Blu- Flip Phone Seizure No. 2026250600075701-0006 ("Target Device 2")	06/10/2026
BANKRUPTCY 3:26-mj-03445-1	USA v. Rojo Centeno	06/10/2026
BANKRUPTCY 3:26-mj-03453-1	USA v. Ruiz-Antonio	06/10/2026
BANKRUPTCY 3:26-mj-03454-1	USA v. Blue iPhone 17 for the Southern District of California Case No. JUN 10 REC'D Seizure No. 2026250600075701-0005	06/10/2026
CIVIL 3:26-cv-03477	Ahammed v. LaRose et al	06/10/2026
CIVIL 3:26-cv-03478	Morao Quero v. LaRose et al	06/10/2026

Name	Date	Agency
BULL JENNILEE Sonoma County · age 77 · FEMA	2026-05-21	Sonoma County Sheriff
BODEN AUSTIN Sonoma County · age 28 · MALE	2026-05-21	Sonoma County Sheriff

Name	City
COLLABRIA CARE	NAPA
VINE DISCOUNT PHARMACY & MEDICAL SUPPLY	LOS ANGELES
SARAH ZICHELLA	SACRAMENTO
GEORGE STRATIGOPOULOS	SAN DIEGO
KIMBERLY PAGE	REDDING
EDEN MEDICAL CENTER	LOS ANGELES
EMERALD HOME HEALTH INC	SIMI VALLEY
BROADVIEW, INC.	LOS ANGELES

Date	Company	Issue
2026-05-21	TRANSUNION INTERMEDIAT	Incorrect information on your report
2026-05-21	TRANSUNION INTERMEDIAT	Problem with a company's investigati
2026-05-21	TRANSUNION INTERMEDIAT	Improper use of your report
2026-05-21	Experian Information S	Incorrect information on your report
2026-05-21	NAVY FEDERAL CREDIT UN	Closing an account
2026-05-21	Kriya Capital, LLC	Attempts to collect debt not owed

Name	Type
ACUPUNCTURE CHIROPRACTIC MEDIC LOS ANGELES · CHIROPRACTIC PRACT	1128b8
ADAMS SQUARE PHARMACY GLENDALE · OTHER BUSINESS	1128b4
ADVOQUE SAFEGUARD, LLC SAN JOSE · OTHER BUSINESS	1128a3
ALAMO MEDICAL SUPPLY & EQPMT VAN NUYS · DME COMPANY	1128b8
ALAN ROBERT SCHANKMAN, MD, INC N HOLLYWOOD · MEDICAL PRACTICE, MD	1128b8
ALEXANDER GERBAKHER, DMD, CORP ENCINO · OTHER BUSINESS	1128b7
ALLEN T FAN, D D S, INC MONTEREY PARK · DENTAL PRACTICE	1128b8
ALLIED WORLD MARKETING LOS ANGELES · DME COMPANY	1128b8

California Public Records

How to Request Public Records in California

Public Records Search

California gets a C.

Live data · checked just now

Sources checked

Currently Wanted by the FBI

Children Missing From California (Statewide)

Recent California Court Cases

Browse by County

Common Questions

Recently Indexed Court Cases

📊 Public Data Sources for CA

🔎 Crime Data & Public Safety Sources

📰 Recent Federal Law Enforcement News 8 items

🚔 Recent Public Arrest Records 10

🏥 Healthcare Providers (NPPES) 8

💰 CFPB Consumer Complaints 6

⛔ HHS-OIG Excluded Individuals 8

🎗 IRS Tax-Exempt Nonprofits 8

🏦 FDIC-Insured Banks 8

🏛️ Latest Government Feeds 12

Recent News in California

EIN	Organization
002293921	Lockman Foundation La Habra
002296179	Religious Science Church Center of San Diego San Diego
002296211	Assistance League of Ventura County Ventura
010104976	Saint Andrew Church Los Alamitos
010525400	Friends of Incontri in Terra Di Siena Inc. Encino
010531628	American Chesapeake Club Charitable Tr Santee
010548550	Southern Low Desert Resource Conservation and Dev El Centro
010548679	Tak-Ko Lu Foundation Redwood City

Bank	City
Farmers and Merchants Bank of Long Bea	Long Beach
Farmers & Merchants Bank of Central Ca	Lodi
Bank of Stockton	Stockton
City National Bank	Los Angeles
Mechanics Bank	Walnut Creek
Cathay Bank	Los Angeles
SMBC MANUBANK	Los Angeles
River City Bank	Sacramento