Common Questions About Public Records in San Bernardino
Real questions from people researching records in San Bernardino. Each answer is verified against official agency sources — no third-party services.
🎓 Where can I find a list of annual pensions for retired school superintendents? ▼
Annual pensions for retired California school superintendents are public records under both CalPERS and CalSTRS — California's two main public retirement systems. (1) Transparent California at https://transparentcalifornia.com — independent FOIA-built database covering all California state, county, city, school district, and special district employees and retirees with names, last salary, and current pension. Search 'San Bernardino County' or specific school district. (2) CalSTRS Member Pension Search — California State Teachers' Retirement System covers most retired school superintendents. Public pension data is FOIA-requestable from CalSTRS at https://www.calstrs.com — submit a public records request via https://www.calstrs.com/contact-us. (3) CalPERS Pensioner Database — for non-classroom administrative staff who participated in CalPERS instead of CalSTRS. https://www.calpers.ca.gov. (4) OpenTheBooks at https://www.openthebooks.com/california-state-employees/ — independent database of California state and local salaries and pensions. (5) California Secretary of State Form 700 at https://fppc.ca.gov/form-700.html — superintendents file annual Statements of Economic Interests disclosing income sources, investments, and gifts; not pensions but useful for context. (6) District-level public records request (CPRA, Cal. Gov. Code § 7920): file a written request with the school district where the superintendent retired — most districts are required to disclose. What's released: name, position, last salary, pension benefit. What's not released: home address, beneficiary info, medical records. Average California school superintendent pension: typical mid-sized-district superintendent retires with $120K–$220K annual pension after 25–30 years of service (CalSTRS 2% formula at age 62). Largest pensions for superintendents of large districts (LAUSD, San Diego Unified, San Bernardino City Unified) can exceed $300K/year. Sources: Transparent California, CalSTRS, CalPERS, OpenTheBooks, California FPPC Form 700, Cal. Gov. Code § 7920.
Tagged: San Bernardino · education
⚰️ Where do I order a death record in San Bernardino? ▼
Death certificates for San Bernardino, California come from two offices that share the same database. (1) San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk at https://www.sbcountyarc.org — issues certificates for deaths registered in San Bernardino County. Office at 222 W Hospitality Lane, 1st Floor, San Bernardino CA 92415, phone (909) 387-8306. Fee (effective Jan 1, 2026 under AB 64): $26 per certified copy (was $24); fetal-death certificates also $26. (2) San Bernardino County Department of Public Health, Vital Records — alternative office, same $26 fee. (3) California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Vital Records at https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/Vital-Records-Obtaining-Certified-Copies-of-Death-Records.aspx — slower (4–6 weeks) but covers any California death. Online ordering via VitalChek at https://www.vitalchek.com (express shipping, ~$15 service fee). Eligibility (Cal. H&S Code § 103526): spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, legal representative, person with documented direct interest. Photo ID required for authorized copies; Informational copies (not for legal use, marked 'INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY') available to anyone with sworn statement. Funeral home tip: order 6–10 copies if the deceased had multiple bank accounts, real estate, life insurance, or out-of-state assets — each agency typically wants its own original. Apostille for international use: get the certified copy first, then submit to California Secretary of State, 1500 11th St, Sacramento CA 95814. Free informal confirmations: Social Security Death Master File via FamilySearch.org, Find A Grave at https://www.findagrave.com, San Bernardino Sun obituaries archive. Sources: San Bernardino County Recorder-Clerk, CDPH Vital Records, AB 64 (2025), Cal. H&S Code § 103526.
Tagged: San Bernardino · death
🧹 What's the process to clear a criminal record in San Bernardino? ▼
California offers two main mechanisms to clear a criminal record: dismissal under Penal Code § 1203.4 / § 1203.4a (often called 'expungement') and automatic 'Clean Slate' relief under AB 1076 / SB 731. (1) Expungement (PC § 1203.4): file a petition in the San Bernardino County Superior Court at the courthouse where the case originated — main probation/clearance hub at the San Bernardino Justice Center, 247 W 3rd St, San Bernardino CA 92415-0210, phone (909) 521-3500. Other branches: Victorville District (14455 Civic Dr), Rancho Cucamonga (8303 Haven Ave), Fontana, Joshua Tree, Barstow. Filing fee in San Bernardino: typically $120 per petition (waivable on FW-001 if low-income); some counties (Riverside) waive entirely. The petition uses Judicial Council forms CR-180 (Petition) and CR-181 (Order). Eligibility (PC § 1203.4): completed probation (or earned early termination), all fines/restitution paid, no new pending charges, not currently on probation/parole. Most misdemeanors and many felonies qualify; serious offenses (sex crimes against minors, certain DUIs with injury) excluded. (2) Automatic 'Clean Slate' under AB 1076 / SB 731 (effective July 2023): California DOJ automatically seals eligible older convictions WITHOUT requiring a petition for many people. Check eligibility at https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/media/clean-slate-faq.pdf. (3) DA review: prosecutor has 15 days to oppose; if granted, the conviction is dismissed and 'set aside.' Hearing typically 60–120 days. Federal cases are NOT eligible — federal expungement is extraordinarily rare and runs through PACER / federal court. Resources: San Bernardino Public Defender's Clean Slate Program; California Self-Help at https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov; legal-aid clinics at the courthouse. Strong recommendation: work with a defense attorney or legal-aid clinic — eligibility is fact-specific. Sources: PC § 1203.4, AB 1076, SB 731, San Bernardino Superior Court, California Courts Self-Help.
Tagged: San Bernardino County · expungement
❓ Do I have a restraining order? ▼
To check whether you have a restraining order against you in California, four reliable sources. (1) Search the county Superior Court where the order was likely filed — restraining orders (TROs, DVROs, CHROs, civil harassment, workplace, elder abuse) are civil court filings and most are searchable on the public case-search portals. California Courts directory at https://www.courts.ca.gov/find-my-court.htm; LA Superior https://www.lacourt.org; OC https://www.occourts.org; SD https://www.sdcourt.ca.gov; San Bernardino https://sanbernardino.courts.ca.gov; Riverside https://epubaccess.riverside.courts.ca.gov. Search by your name as 'respondent.' (2) California Courts Protective Order Registry (CCPOR) at https://courts.ca.gov/partners/california-courts-protective-order-registry-ccpor — statewide registry of restraining/protective orders accessible to courts and law enforcement. NOT publicly searchable; you'd need to request your own info via the Clerk's office. (3) CLETS (California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System) — internal only; not public. Any law-enforcement officer can run your name and immediately see if you're a respondent. If you call your local PD or sheriff's records line, they can sometimes confirm informally. (4) California DOJ Personal Record Review at https://oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/record-review — fingerprint-based; $25 + rolling fee. While criminal-history-focused, it includes restraining orders that have triggered firearms restrictions or criminal violations. (5) Self-Help at https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/DV-restraining-order. Important: TROs are typically issued ex parte (without notice) and you may NOT be aware until served. The petitioner (or law enforcement) is required to personally serve you. Show up on background checks? Yes — most CA restraining orders show on civil-court searches and can affect employment. If you find one, contact a defense attorney before any court date — TROs become permanent (3–5 years) at the noticed hearing if you don't appear. Sources: California Courts directory, CCPOR, California DOJ, Cal. Self-Help (DV-restraining-order), AER Law Group analysis, Crone Israels Stark.
Tagged: San Bernardino County · restraining
🔍 How do I get a criminal background check in San Bernardino? ▼
An official San Bernardino, California criminal background check runs through the California Department of Justice (DOJ) — local SBPD and Sheriff cannot issue your statewide record. The process: (1) Get a Live Scan fingerprint capture. Local options: San Bernardino County Sheriff Records & ID Bureau at 655 E 3rd St, San Bernardino CA 92415, phone (909) 387-3700; San Bernardino PD at 710 N D St, San Bernardino CA 92401, phone (909) 384-5742; plus IdentoGO, Certifix Live Scan, A1 Live Scan vendors throughout the Inland Empire. 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 ($20–$50). For an FBI national 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. Court records (separate from criminal history): San Bernardino Superior Court at https://sanbernardino.courts.ca.gov — free public name search. 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. Sources: California DOJ, San Bernardino County Sheriff, San Bernardino PD, Penal Code § 11105.
Tagged: San Bernardino County · background check
⚖️ What's the right place to search court cases in San Bernardino? ▼
Court cases for San Bernardino County, California are with the San Bernardino County Superior Court — California's largest county by area, with multiple courthouses. Free public case search at https://sanbernardino.courts.ca.gov — covers Civil, Criminal, Family Law, Probate, Small Claims, Traffic; non-confidential, non-sealed cases. Search by name or case number. Major courthouses: San Bernardino Justice Center (247 W 3rd St, San Bernardino CA 92415-0210, 909-521-3500) — main hub; Victorville District (14455 Civic Dr, Victorville); Rancho Cucamonga District (8303 Haven Ave); Fontana District (17780 Arrow Blvd); Joshua Tree District; Barstow District; Big Bear District; Needles District; Twin Peaks District (mountain communities). Document copies: order from the Clerk's office at the appropriate courthouse — certified copy fee $40 first 5 pages + $0.50 each additional page (Cal. Gov. Code § 70626 + San Bernardino's local surcharge for courthouse construction per the 2026 statewide schedule, see https://courts.ca.gov/system/files/file/statewide-civil-fee-schedule-eff-01012026.pdf); non-certified $0.50 per page; search-record fee $50 for archived files. What's not visible: sealed cases (juvenile, certain DV orders, expunged matters, family-court files involving minors), confidential CHRI. Federal cases (separate system): U.S. District Court Central District of California, Eastern Division (Riverside) at 3470 Twelfth St, Riverside CA 92501; PACER at https://pacer.uscourts.gov, $0.10/page (capped $3/document). Older cases (pre-2000) often require an in-person archive request. Self-help: https://sanbernardino.courts.ca.gov/general-information/self-help. Sources: San Bernardino Superior Court, California Statewide Civil Fee Schedule 2026, Cal. Gov. Code § 70626.
Tagged: San Bernardino County · court
🔒 Where do I look up someone in jail or prison in California? ▼
Looking up someone in jail or prison in California splits across three layers. (1) County Jail (county-level, pre-trial and short-sentence inmates) — every county sheriff has an inmate locator. LA County at https://app5.lasd.org/ — covers Men's Central, Twin Towers, CRDF, North County (general info: 213-473-6100). San Diego at https://apps.sdsheriff.net; Orange County at https://ocsheriff.gov; Riverside at https://www.riversidesheriff.org; Sacramento at https://www.sacsheriff.com; Alameda at https://www.acgov.org/sheriff_app/ (Santa Rita Jail in Dublin); Santa Clara, Fresno, Kern, San Bernardino, Contra Costa all have public roster portals. (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 operates ~33 prisons housing ~95,000 inmates. (3) Federal Bureau of Prisons at https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/ for federal inmates (FCI Lompoc, FCI Dublin, FCI Mendota, FCI Victorville, MDC Los Angeles, MCC San Diego). (4) Court records for case info — county Superior Court at https://www.courts.ca.gov/find-my-court.htm. (5) Visitation, deposit accounts, and inmate phone: each facility uses different vendors — LA County uses GTL; CDCR state prisons use ViaPath/GTL via https://www.connectnetwork.com. Register an account online before visiting. (6) City jails (very short-term holds before transfer): LAPD, SFPD, OPD, SJPD, LBPD all operate Type I facilities. Sources: LASD, San Diego Sheriff, OC Sheriff, CDCR, Federal BOP.
Tagged: California · inmate
🏠 How do I search property ownership in California? ▼
California has no statewide property database — each of the 58 counties runs its own Recorder and Assessor offices. You'll usually deal with two offices for any given parcel. (1) County Recorder for the actual recorded documents (deeds, deeds of trust, releases, liens, plats, surveys). Most counties offer free online document search — examples: LA County RR/CC at https://www.lavote.gov/home/recorder; San Diego at https://www.sdarcc.gov; Orange County at https://cr.ocgov.com; San Francisco at https://www.sfassessor.org; Sacramento at https://assessor.saccounty.gov; Alameda at https://www.acgov.org/auditor/clerk/; Santa Clara at https://clerkrecorder.sccgov.org; Riverside at https://www.asrclkrec.com. (2) County Assessor for parcel valuation, ownership, and parcel maps — same county sites typically host both. Search by name, parcel number (APN/AIN), or address. (3) County Treasurer-Tax Collector for tax-payment status. Recording fees statewide (per Cal. Gov. Code § 27361): base $13 first page + $3 each additional; +$75 SB 2 fee per non-exempt real estate transfer (Building Homes and Jobs Act). For typical 1-page deed, plan on ~$88 first page. Documentary Transfer Tax: $1.10 per $1,000 of value, plus city-specific local taxes (LA Measure ULA adds $4.50 per $1,000; SF charges 0.5%–6% sliding scale). Certified copies $5 + $0.50 per page. Statewide aggregators (paid services covering all 58 counties): ParcelQuest at https://www.parcelquest.com (~13 million parcels updated daily); California Property Records at https://californiapropertyrecords.us; U.S. Title Records at https://www.ustitlerecords.com/california/. Free statewide directory: California State Board of Equalization at https://www.boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/assessors.htm lists every county Assessor. Property fraud alert: most county Recorders offer a free email notification when documents record under your name — strongly recommended for owners. Sources: ParcelQuest, California Property Records, Cal. Gov. Code § 27361, California State Board of Equalization.
Tagged: California · property
❓ How can I obtain a copy of my discovery in California? ▼
In California criminal cases, discovery is the prosecution's evidence and the police report — it is provided to your defense attorney, not directly to you, under Penal Code § 1054. The process: (1) If you have a defense attorney (private or public defender), discovery is automatically delivered to them by the prosecutor (DA's office) once arraignment occurs. Your attorney is required by State Bar rules to share it with you upon request. (2) If you're representing yourself (pro per), you can request discovery directly from the prosecutor — file a Penal Code § 1054.5 motion at the Clerk's office of the courthouse handling your case. The DA must comply within 15 days. County Superior Court directory at https://www.courts.ca.gov/find-my-court.htm — find your courthouse and use that Clerk. (3) What's included: police reports, witness statements, lab results, body-cam/dash-cam footage, surveillance footage, 911 audio, prior statements, expert reports, and any exculpatory evidence (Brady material). What's excluded: the prosecutor's mental impressions, work product, and confidential informant identities (unless the court orders disclosure). (4) For your own arrest report (separate from discovery): file a CPRA request with the arresting agency under Cal. Gov. Code § 7920. As the named subject, most agencies provide it for $5–$30 with photo ID. For body-cam footage of officer-involved use of force in your case: SB 1421 / AB 748 require release within 45 days. (5) California Penal Code § 1054.1 lists the 8 categories of mandatory disclosure by the prosecution. Strong recommendation: do not represent yourself in any criminal case beyond an infraction. The Public Defender's office is free if you qualify by income. Sources: Penal Code §§ 1054 and 1054.1 and 1054.5, Cal. Gov. Code § 7920, California Courts.
Tagged: California · general
Have a question about records in San Bernardino? The agencies that hold these records are listed throughout this page — start there.
Records access in San Bernardino
Law enforcement in San Bernardino is primarily managed by the San Bernardino Police Department, which is responsible for maintaining public safety and enforcing laws in the city. The department keeps full arrest and criminal records, accessible to the public, which can be requested through the department’s records division. For people interested in searching inmate records or conducting background checks, the San Bernardino County Jail is the main detention facility, housing those awaiting trial or serving short sentences. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department also is part of law enforcement in unincorporated areas. It's worth noting that the city has faced challenges related to crime rates, but community outreach programs and renewed policing efforts have focused on improving safety and building trust within the community. Residents seeking public records can easily navigate the process under the California Public Records Act (CPRA), which allows access to a wide array of documents maintained by public agencies. The San Bernardino County Clerk’s office is the go-to for vital records, including birth, death, and marriage certificates, and requests can typically be made in person or online. For property records, the San Bernardino County Assessor's office provides detailed information regarding property ownership and assessed values. Court records are accessible through the San Bernardino County Superior Court, where individuals can request case files and legal documents. Online portals are available, making it convenient for residents to find the information they need without needing to visit multiple offices.
Crime statistics · San Bernardino, CA · FBI UCR 2024
Reported offenses for the San Bernardino jurisdiction, total population 224283. Source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting program.
| Violent crimes | Property crimes |
|---|---|
|
Total: 2906 Murder & non-negligent manslaughter: 62 Rape: 158 Robbery: 974 Aggravated assault: 1790 |
Total: 10510 Burglary: 3164 Larceny / theft: 5358 Motor-vehicle theft: 3016 Arson: 120 |
Reporting period: calendar year 2024. Numbers reflect offenses known to law-enforcement agencies serving San Bernardino.
San Bernardino · Population & demographics
| Total population | 209924 |
|---|---|
| White | 45.6% |
| Black or African American | 15% |
| Asian | 4% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 60% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau decennial count.
California Public Records Act
Records held by San Bernardino city offices, the San Bernardino County Sheriff, and the San Bernardino 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 San Bernardino
Police records: file with the San Bernardino Police Department or via the San Bernardino County Sheriff for unincorporated areas.
Court records: San Bernardino County Superior Court handles criminal, civil, family, and probate matters. Felonies and most misdemeanors flow through the Superior Court system.
Booking and inmate records: San Bernardino County Sheriff publishes a public inmate roster including booking photos and charges.