Common Questions About Public Records in Compton
Real questions from people researching records in Compton. Each answer is verified against official agency sources — no third-party services.
💍 How do I get a copy of a marriage record in Los Angeles? ▼
Marriage records for Los Angeles County are held by the LA County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (RR/CC) at 12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk CA 90650, phone (562) 462-2137, https://www.lavote.gov/home/county-clerk/marriage-licenses-ceremonies. Two ways to obtain a copy: (1) Online via VitalChek at https://www.vitalchek.com/v/vital-records/california/los-angeles-county-registrar-recorder — express shipping option (~$15 service fee). (2) In person or mail at the RR/CC headquarters or any branch (Lancaster, Beverly Hills, San Fernando Valley, etc.). Certified copy fee under Cal. H&S Code § 103526 (effective Jan 1 2026 under AB 64): $34 per certified copy of any marriage record (was $32). Eligibility: anyone for public licenses 50+ years old; restricted to authorized parties (spouses, parents, children, legal representative) for newer records and confidential licenses. Photo ID required for authorized copies; informational copies (not for legal use) available to anyone. For a NEW marriage license (separate from getting a copy), 2026 fees after the LA County Sep 2025 increase: Public license $176 (was $91), Confidential license $220 (was $85), Civil ceremony at the Clerk $44 (was $35), Witness fee $26. Both parties must appear in person with valid government photo ID; license valid 90 days statewide. California marriages 1850–present are searchable at the LA RR/CC; older records may be at the California State Archives. Apostille for international use: get the certified copy first, then submit to California Secretary of State, 1500 11th St, Sacramento CA 95814. Confidential marriage licenses (under Cal. Family Code § 511): only the spouses can obtain copies absent a court order — even adult children cannot order. Sources: LA County RR/CC, AB 64 (2025), Cal. H&S Code § 103526, Cal. Family Code § 511.
Tagged: Los Angeles County · marriage
📜 How do I find a probated will in Los Angeles? ▼
A probated will in Los Angeles County is filed at the Los Angeles Superior Court, Probate Division — the largest probate court system in California. Three steps to find a will: (1) Find the case via LA Superior Court Online Services at https://www.lacourt.org — free name search by decedent's name. Returns case number, executor/administrator, asset summary, and document docket. (2) Order the will copy 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 at https://www.lacourt.org. (3) Visit in person if the case is older than ~20 years and not yet digitized. LA Probate has multiple locations: Stanley Mosk Courthouse, Probate Division at 111 N Hill St, Los Angeles CA 90012 — central probate filings. Branch courthouses also handle probate: Antelope Valley (42011 4th St West, Lancaster), Pomona North (350 W Mission Blvd), Long Beach (275 Magnolia Ave), Torrance (825 Maple Ave). Probate filing fees (LA County 2026 schedule): Petition for Probate $435 (Cal. Gov. Code § 70650); Probate Referee fee ~0.1% of appraised non-cash assets (minimum $150); statutory attorney/executor fees under Cal. Prob. Code § 10810: 4% of first $100K, 3% of next $100K, 2% of next $800K, etc. (a $1M estate yields ~$23K each to attorney + executor). Small estate alternative: estates under $184,500 in personal property + $61,500 in real property can use simplified procedures (Cal. Prob. Code § 13100) — no court filing required for personal property; small Affidavit for real property. 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 Superior Court Probate, SwiftProbate LA Guide, Settled Estate, Cal. Prob. Code §§ 10810 / 13100, Cal. Gov. Code § 70650.
Tagged: Los Angeles County · probate
📄 How do I find a divorce record in Los Angeles? ▼
Divorce records in Los Angeles County are held by the LA Superior Court, the largest trial court system in the U.S. Three ways to obtain a copy: (1) Online via LA Superior Court Divorce Judgment Documents 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. (2) In person or mail at the courthouse where the case was filed. Family Law branches: Stanley Mosk (111 N Hill St, downtown), Norwalk Courthouse (12720 Norwalk Blvd), Antelope Valley Courthouse (42011 4th St West, Lancaster), Pomona North (350 W Mission Blvd), Long Beach (275 Magnolia Ave), Torrance (825 Maple Ave), Van Nuys (6230 Sylmar Ave), Pasadena, San Fernando, Inglewood, plus several others. 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. (3) Archives & Records Center for older or pre-1990s divorces: 222 N Hill St, Los Angeles CA 90012, phone (213) 830-0198. Free public name search of cases at https://www.lacourt.org/pages/lp/access-a-case — covers all 50+ LA County courthouses; search by name and the system returns the correct courthouse. Filing fees for new divorces (for context): Petition for Dissolution $435; Response $435; both fees waivable under FW-001. California does NOT issue separate state-level divorce certificates for divorces 1985 onward — copies come ONLY from the Superior Court Clerk in the filing county. (CDPH issued divorce certificates only for divorces filed 1962–1984.) 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: LA Superior Court, LA County RR/CC, California Department of Public Health, Cal. Gov. Code § 70626.
Tagged: Los Angeles County · divorce
❓ How can I obtain records of my criminal report? ▼
To obtain records of your own criminal report in California, two routes depending on what you actually need. Path one — official statewide criminal history record review (Personal Record Review of your DOJ file). Fingerprint-based; runs through the California Department of Justice (DOJ) at https://oag.ca.gov/fingerprints. (1) Get a Live Scan capture at any local vendor (LAPD Records 100 W 1st St, LASD Records 4700 Ramona Blvd Monterey Park, IdentoGO, Certifix, A1 Live Scan); find one at https://oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/locations. (2) Complete BCIA 8016RR form at https://oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/record-review. (3) Pay $25 California DOJ state fee plus rolling fee ($20–$50 at vendor); FBI national check adds the federal fee. Fee waiver at https://oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/record-review/fee-waiver. Turnaround 5–10 business days; results mailed only — no email/PDF. Path two — local police incident or arrest report (the actual report officers wrote during your contact). File a CPRA request directly with the originating agency (LAPD, LBPD, Pasadena PD, etc.) under Cal. Gov. Code § 7920 — agencies must respond within 10 calendar days. As the direct party named in the report, most fees are waived; bring photo ID. LAPD report copy: $29 (https://www.lapdonline.org/get-a-copy-of-a-police-report/); other cities $5–$30 depending. Path three — court filings if charges were filed: LA County Superior Court at https://www.lacourt.org — free public name search. What's NOT released: active investigations, juvenile records, sealed/expunged matters, identifying victim/witness info in sex offenses or DV cases (Penal Code § 6254(f)). Body-cam footage: officer-involved shootings releasable within 45 days under SB 1421 / AB 748. For accuracy challenges: if your DOJ record contains an error, file form BCIA 8706 to dispute. Sealing: if eligible under PC § 851.91 (arrest without conviction) or PC § 1203.4 (post-conviction expungement), the record can be sealed/restricted. Sources: California DOJ, LAPD, LA County Superior Court, Cal. Gov. Code § 7920, Penal Code § 851.91.
Tagged: Los Angeles County · general
⚖️ Where do I search court records in California? ▼
California court records run through 58 separate county Superior Court systems — there's no statewide unified search portal. Start at the California Courts directory at https://www.courts.ca.gov/find-my-court.htm to find the relevant county's portal. Major-county portals: LA Superior Court https://www.lacourt.org (largest in U.S., ~600,000 filings/year); Orange County https://www.occourts.org; San Diego https://www.sdcourt.ca.gov; Sacramento https://www.saccourt.ca.gov; Alameda https://www.alameda.courts.ca.gov; Santa Clara https://www.scscourt.org; San Francisco https://www.sfsuperiorcourt.org; Riverside; San Bernardino https://sanbernardino.courts.ca.gov; Fresno https://www.fresno.courts.ca.gov; Kern https://www.kern.courts.ca.gov; Ventura https://www.ventura.courts.ca.gov; Contra Costa https://www.cc-courts.org; Stanislaus; Sonoma; Solano; San Joaquin; Tulare. What you can search: Civil, Criminal, Family Law, Probate, Small Claims, Traffic — by name or case number. What's not visible: sealed cases (juvenile, certain DV orders, expunged matters, family files involving minors), confidential CHRI. Document copies: order from the Clerk's office at the appropriate courthouse — certified copy fee $40 first 5 pages + $0.50 each additional (Cal. Gov. Code § 70626); non-certified $0.50 per page; search-record fee $50 for archived files. Federal cases (separate system): PACER at https://pacer.uscourts.gov, $0.10/page (capped $3/document). California has 4 federal districts: Central (LA), Northern (SF), Eastern (Sacramento), Southern (San Diego). Older cases (pre-2000) often require an in-person archive request. Self-help: https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov. Sources: California Courts directory, LA Superior Court, PACER, Cal. Gov. Code § 70626.
Tagged: California · court
🔒 Where do I look up someone in jail or prison in California? ▼
Locating someone in jail or prison in California splits across three systems. (1) County jail (pre-trial detainees and short-sentence inmates) — every county sheriff runs an online inmate locator. Examples: LASD at https://app5.lasd.org/ (213-473-6100); San Diego Sheriff at https://apps.sdsheriff.net; OC Sheriff at https://ocsheriff.gov; Riverside Sheriff; San Bernardino Sheriff; Sacramento Sheriff at https://www.sacsheriff.com; Alameda Sheriff at https://www.acgov.org/sheriff_app/; Santa Clara Sheriff; Fresno Sheriff; Kern Sheriff at https://www.kernsheriff.org/Inmate_Info; statewide aggregator (private) California Jail Roster at https://californiajailroster.com. (2) California state prison (sentenced felons) — California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) Inmate Locator at https://inmatelocator.cdcr.ca.gov — searchable by name or CDCR number, shows facility, parole eligibility, and case info. CDCR runs ~32 prisons including San Quentin, Folsom, Pelican Bay, Corcoran, Tehachapi, Wasco, Chuckawalla, Avenal. (3) Federal Bureau of Prisons at https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/ for federal inmates. California has multiple federal facilities: USP Atwater, FCI Mendota, FCI Lompoc, MDC Los Angeles, FCI Dublin (closed), FCI Herlong. (4) City jails (very short-term holds before transfer to county): LBPD jail (562-570-7260), Pomona PD jail, SF County Jail at 850 Bryant, Sacramento Main Jail, Oakland City jail. Court records for any case that produced a charge — the county Superior Court (California Courts directory at https://www.courts.ca.gov/find-my-court.htm). Visitation, deposit accounts, and inmate phone: most CA county jails use GTL/ViaPath at https://www.connectnetwork.com or Securus at https://securustech.net — register an account online before visiting. CPRA (Cal. Gov. Code § 7920): booking photos public per Penal Code § 13300; body-cam OIS footage releasable within 45 days under SB 1421/AB 748. Sources: CDCR, county sheriffs, Federal BOP, Connect Network.
Tagged: California · inmate
❓ How can I find out about an upcoming court date in California? ▼
To find an upcoming court date in California, the county Superior Court's online case search is the fastest source. Steps: (1) California Courts directory at https://www.courts.ca.gov/find-my-court.htm — find the county where the case is filed. (2) Click through to that county's case-information portal. Examples: LA Superior Court https://www.lacourt.org/pages/lp/access-a-case; Orange County https://www.occourts.org; San Diego https://www.sdcourt.ca.gov; Sacramento https://www.saccourt.ca.gov; Alameda https://www.alameda.courts.ca.gov; Santa Clara https://www.scscourt.org; San Francisco https://www.sfsuperiorcourt.org; Riverside; San Bernardino https://sanbernardino.courts.ca.gov; Fresno https://www.fresno.courts.ca.gov; Kern https://www.kern.courts.ca.gov. (3) Search by name, case number, or attorney; the result page shows next hearing date, time, courtroom/department, and judge. (4) Tentative rulings for civil law-and-motion hearings are usually posted on the court's website 1–2 court days before the hearing — LA Superior at https://www.lacourt.org/tentativerulings; Fresno at (559) 457-4943; OC, SD, Alameda, Sacramento all post tentative rulings online. (5) Phone the court if the online portal is down or returns no result — every Superior Court has a Court Clerk's main line. (6) Traffic citations: California Courts traffic-ticket portal at https://www.courts.ca.gov/14430.htm — pay online, request trial, or check court date. (7) Family law and probate hearings often appear in the same online portal but are sometimes calendared separately — check the case file's 'Future Hearings' tab. Important: bench warrants for failure to appear are issued automatically when a defendant misses a calendared date, so confirming and attending is critical. Sources: California Courts directory, LA Superior Court, county Superior Court portals.
Tagged: California · general
Have a question about records in Compton? The agencies that hold these records are listed throughout this page — start there.
Records access in Compton
Law enforcement in Compton is primarily overseen by the Compton Police Department. Arrest and criminal records are carefully kept by the department, for public access and accessibility for residents. For those interested in checking inmate records or conducting a background check, individuals can visit the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department's website, which offers a user-friendly portal to search for inmates and access relevant public records. Compton has made strides in community policing efforts, aiming to foster trust and collaboration between law enforcement and residents, which is crucial in addressing crime in the area. Residents of Compton can access public records under the California Public Records Act (CPRA) by submitting requests to the appropriate offices. Vital records, such as birth, death, and marriage certificates, can be obtained through the Los Angeles County Clerk's office, which also offers online services for convenience. Property records can be accessed via the Los Angeles County Assessor's website, while court records are available through the Los Angeles County Superior Court. People can use these online portals to streamline their requests, ensuring easy access to important documents that aid in various personal and legal matters.
Crime statistics · Compton, CA · FBI UCR 2024
Reported offenses for the Compton jurisdiction, total population 99125. Source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting program.
| Violent crimes | Property crimes |
|---|---|
|
Total: 1623 Murder & non-negligent manslaughter: 37 Rape: 45 Robbery: 477 Aggravated assault: 1078 |
Total: 2865 Burglary: 847 Larceny / theft: 1443 Motor-vehicle theft: 1135 Arson: 82 |
Reporting period: calendar year 2024. Numbers reflect offenses known to law-enforcement agencies serving Compton.
Compton · Population & demographics
| Total population | 96455 |
|---|---|
| White | 25.9% |
| Black or African American | 32.9% |
| Asian | 0.3% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 65% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau decennial count.
California Public Records Act
Records held by Compton city offices, the Los Angeles County Sheriff, and the Los Angeles County Superior Court are subject to the California Public Records Act (Cal. Gov. Code § 7920 et seq.). Agencies must respond within 10 calendar days. Booking photos and arrest information are public per Sacramento Bee v. Yuba County and Penal Code § 13300. Body-cam footage related to officer-involved shootings is releasable within 45 days under SB 1421 and AB 748.
Where to file a records request in Compton
Police records: file with the Compton Police Department or via the Los Angeles County Sheriff for unincorporated areas.
Court records: Los Angeles County Superior Court handles criminal, civil, family, and probate matters. Felonies and most misdemeanors flow through the Superior Court system.
Booking and inmate records: Los Angeles County Sheriff publishes a public inmate roster including booking photos and charges.