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San Diego County, California — Public Records

Use this page to find court records, arrest records, and other public records in San Diego County. Each section links to the office, online tool, or agency that holds the records.

⚡ At a Glance

  • Superior Court: 1100 Union St, San Diego, CA 92101 — (619) 844-2700
  • Sheriff / Jail: 9621 Ridgehaven Ct, San Diego, CA 92123 — (619) 409-5000
  • Online search: sdcourt.ca.gov — Online Case Search
  • County seat: San Diego, California
How to use this page: Pick a section below — court records, arrest records, or other records. Each one tells you where to go, who to contact, and what tools are available online.

Start here: Choose the type of record you need below, then follow the link to the official source.

⚖️ Court Records 🔍 Arrest Records 📋 Other Records ❓ FAQ

What You Can Find Here

⚖️ Superior Court case records (civil, criminal, family)
🔍 Sheriff inmate search and arrest records
🏛️ Traffic and small claims court records
📋 Property records and vital records contacts
What you will need:
  • Full name of the person or business
  • Case number, if you have one
  • Approximate date or location of the record

Court Records

The Superior Court of California, County of San Diego handles civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic, and small claims cases. The court operates multiple locations across the county. You can search case information online through the court's Online Case Search system.

OfficeDetails
Central Courthouse1100 Union St, San Diego, CA 92101
General Information(619) 844-2700
Older Records(619) 844-2400
Civil Business Office(619) 450-7275

San Diego Superior Court has multiple courthouse locations including Central, East County, North County, and South County. Visit sdcourt.ca.gov for a full directory.

⚖️ San Diego Superior Court — Online Case Search 🏛️ Superior Court of San Diego County Website

Use the official link above to access records or call (619) 844-2700.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in San Diego County come from whichever agency made the arrest. The San Diego County Sheriff's Department operates the county jail system. The San Diego Police Department handles arrests within city limits.

The Sheriff's Department provides a "Who's In Jail" online search for current inmates. For arrest reports, contact the arresting agency directly.

AgencyContact
SD County Sheriff9621 Ridgehaven Ct, San Diego, CA 92123 — (619) 409-5000
Custody Information(619) 409-5000
San Diego PD1401 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101 — (619) 531-2000

Other Public Records

San Diego County maintains other public records through the County Recorder's Office (property records, deeds), the County Clerk (vital records, marriage licenses), and other departments. The county operates under the California Public Records Act.

How to Request Records

Most records are handled by different offices — always contact the office listed in the section above.

In person: Visit the Central Courthouse at 1100 Union St, San Diego, CA 92101. Bring a valid ID.

Online: Use the court's Online Case Search to find case information.

By mail or email: Submit a written request under the California Public Records Act to the office that holds the records.

Cities in San Diego County

San Diego County includes the city of San Diego (county seat) and 17 other incorporated cities including Chula Vista, Oceanside, Escondido, Carlsbad, El Cajon, Vista, and Encinitas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the San Diego County courthouse?
The Central Courthouse is at 1100 Union Street in downtown San Diego. The court also has locations in El Cajon (East County), Vista (North County), and Chula Vista (South County). Call (619) 844-2700 for general information.
Can I look up someone's arrest in San Diego County online?
Yes. The San Diego County Sheriff provides a "Who's In Jail" online search at sdsheriff.gov for people currently in custody. You can also call (619) 409-5000 for custody information.
How do I get a copy of a court record in San Diego County?
Use the Online Case Search at sdcourt.ca.gov, call (619) 844-2700, or visit the Central Courthouse at 1100 Union St in San Diego. Older records can be requested by calling (619) 844-2400.
What courts does San Diego County have?
San Diego County has one Superior Court with multiple locations across the county. It handles all case types: civil, criminal, family law, probate, juvenile, traffic, and small claims. California has a unified trial court system.
Is there a fee to search San Diego County court records online?
Basic case information search is free. Document downloads and certified copies require a fee. Contact the Clerk's Office at (619) 844-2700 for details.
What this page does not show: Not all records are available online. Some require a written request, an in-person visit, or a fee. Court records and arrest data may be incomplete, delayed, or not yet entered into online systems.

This page is a guide to help you find official records — it is not the official database. All information comes from government sources. Verify details directly with the agency that holds the records.

Last updated: April 15, 2026