OPEN PUBLIC RECORDS

Because You Need to Know

San Francisco County, California — Public Records

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

⚡ At a Glance

  • Superior Court: 400 McAllister St, San Francisco, CA 94102 — (415) 551-4000
  • Sheriff: City Hall, Room 456, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Pl, SF, CA 94102 — (415) 554-7225
  • Online search: sf.courts.ca.gov
  • County seat: San Francisco, 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 jail search and inmate information
🏛️ 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 Francisco operates four courthouse locations. The Civic Center Courthouse at 400 McAllister Street is the main courthouse for civil and probate cases. The Hall of Justice at 850 Bryant Street handles criminal cases. San Francisco is a consolidated city-county, so the Superior Court serves the entire jurisdiction.

OfficeDetails
Civic Center Courthouse400 McAllister St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Main Phone(415) 551-4000
Hall of Justice (Criminal)850 Bryant St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Polk Street Annex575 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Juvenile Justice Center375 Woodside Ave, San Francisco, CA 94127

The Civil Clerk's Office can be reached at (415) 551-4000. For civil filing support, email CivilSupport@sftc.org.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in San Francisco come from the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) for arrests within the city, or the San Francisco Sheriff's Department which operates the county jails. The Sheriff provides an online "Find a Person in Jail" search tool.

For arrest reports, contact the arresting agency directly. The Sheriff's office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

AgencyContactOnline
Sheriff's DepartmentCity Hall, Room 456, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Pl, SF, CA 94102sfsheriff.com
Main Phone(415) 554-7225Find a Person in Jail
Intake & Release Jail(415) 558-4443
Civil Processes(415) 554-7235
🔍 San Francisco Sheriff — Find a Person in Jail 🏛️ San Francisco Sheriff's Department Website

Use the official link above to access records or contact the office directly.

Other Public Records

San Francisco maintains other public records through the Office of the County Clerk (vital records, marriage licenses, fictitious business names), the Assessor-Recorder (property records), and other city departments. The city-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 Civic Center Courthouse at 400 McAllister St or the Hall of Justice at 850 Bryant St. Bring a valid ID.

Online: Visit the court's official website for online case search and e-filing options.

By mail or email: Submit a written request under the California Public Records Act to the office that holds the records. Contact the County Clerk at (415) 554-4950 for vital records inquiries.

About San Francisco

San Francisco is a consolidated city-county — the City and County of San Francisco are the same jurisdiction. There are no other incorporated cities within the county. San Francisco serves as both the county seat and the only municipality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the San Francisco County courthouse?
The Civic Center Courthouse is at 400 McAllister Street. The Hall of Justice (criminal cases) is at 850 Bryant Street. There is also a Polk Street Annex at 575 Polk Street and a Juvenile Justice Center at 375 Woodside Avenue. Call (415) 551-4000 for general information.
Can I look up someone's arrest in San Francisco online?
Yes. The San Francisco Sheriff's Department provides a Find a Person in Jail search tool on their website. You can also call the Intake & Release Center at (415) 558-4443.
How do I get a copy of a court record in San Francisco?
Visit the court's official website, call (415) 551-4000, or visit the Civic Center Courthouse Clerk's Office at 400 McAllister St.
What courts does San Francisco have?
San Francisco has one Superior Court with four locations: the Civic Center Courthouse (civil/probate), the Hall of Justice (criminal), the Polk Street Annex, and the Juvenile Justice Center. California has a unified trial court system with one Superior Court per county.
Is there a fee to search San Francisco court records online?
Basic case information search is available through the court's website. Certified copies require a fee. Contact the Civil Clerk's Office at (415) 551-4000 for current fees and procedures.
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