Lookup Free Los Angeles County Public Records: Criminal, Arrests, Marital, Property, Court & More

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Free Los Angeles County Public Records Search

Access Los Angeles County Records: marriage, divorce, warrants, arrests, probation, criminal, court, background checks, and all public records.

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Lookup free Los Angeles public records through official agencies in a matter of minutes.

Information that’s publicly available includes warrants, court documents, arrests, criminal records, property records and vital records such as marriage, divorce, birth, and death records; you just have to know which agencies host this information.

No matter what you’re seeking, this free guide will show you how to find public information in Los Angeles County so you can learn more about someone’s past or current situation.

How To Retrieve Arrest Records & Mugshots in Los Angeles County via Local Law Enforcement Agencies

The California Public Records Act ensures transparency pertaining to government documents and reports throughout the state.¹

Individuals can view public arrest-related records hosted by multiple agencies. When searching for recent arrest reports, it will benefit the searcher to know detailed information about the arrestee, such as the precise spelling of their first and last names and an estimate of when and where they were arrested.

Find Arrest Records Through the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office

Los Angeles County arrest records can be accessed through the inmate information center hosted by the Records Bureau of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD)–one of the largest police agencies in the country.²

This free arrest history search tool allows users to search for inmates by first and last name, with optional middle name and date of birth entries to help narrow down the search.

Although there is not a publicly available jail roster or list, the LASD inmate search will show individuals held in the Los Angeles County jail system. Both arrest and jail records are accessible through this free public resource.

Los Angeles County Jail
450 Bauchet St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Phone: +1(800)874-1151
Email: [email protected]
Hours: 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m

The electronic arrest logs provided by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s office include details of the arrest, court case information, the subject’s current detention facility, demographics, and information regarding bail and release dates, if applicable. Although the database is updated daily, arrest information takes 2 hours to be added to the portal.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD)
Hall of Justice
211 West Temple Street
Los Angeles, California 90012

Phone: 213.229.1700

Information on adult Los Angeles County bookings can also be requested by mail or in person, and then the desired records can either be picked up directly from the Public Services Section office or mailed back to the requester; juvenile records will not be disclosed.

In Person — Requesters who opt to visit in person will need to schedule an appointment in advance and give the following information:

• Address or Location of Incident
• Date of Birth
• Date of Incident
• Full Name & Known Aliases of Subject Listed on Record
• A valid Drivers License, Identification Card, or Passport.

The Public Services Section staff will indicate whether or not the record is available, if accessible, will schedule the requester for an appointment. On the date and time of the appointment, the individual should visit the address below with the valid, pre-approved identification and the appropriate record fees.

Los Angeles County Records & Identification Bureau
Public Services Section
12440 E. Imperial Highway
Ste. 120
Norwalk, CA 90650

Phone: 562.345.4441
Hours: Monday – Thursday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

By Mail —To request arrest records pertaining to Los Angeles County by postal mail, a written request must be submitted along with the above-mentioned information, a copy of a valid and notarized form of identification, and fees to the following address:

LASD Records & Identification Bureau
Attn: Records Inquiry Non-Law Enforcement
12440 E. Imperial Highway
Ste. 400 West
Norwalk, CA 90650

Phone: 562.345.4448

Acceptable forms of payment include cash, credit/debit cards, personal checks, and money orders written to the “Los Angeles County Sheriff Department” or “LASD”.

By Phone — In addition to the phone numbers and contact information listed above, searchers looking for a particular individual can find out if someone is in jail by calling 213.473.6100 (available 24 hours a day) and asking whether the person is in the custody of the LASD or the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)–the law enforcement agency that holds jurisdiction within the city of Los Angeles.

Access Arrest Information via Municipal Police Departments

Another way to find someone’s mugshot or review their arrest details is through the arresting police department. Police records can often be requested by mail, phone, in person, email, or electronic request form, but policies and costs of copies vary by agency.

As an example, members of the public can request a police report from the City of Long Beach Police Department by mail or in person.

The Long Beach Police Department also operates the Long Beach City Jail, where non-sentenced inmates are held temporarily (up to 96 hours), and sentenced inmates are housed while they work voluntarily. For online searches, the Long Beach PD uses the same inmate search tool as listed above, as this is a county-wide resource.

Long Beach Police Department
Attention: Records Division
400 W. Broadway
Long Beach, California 90802

Phone: 213.473.6080

Individuals seeking arrestees in other cities within Los Angeles County can simply type “[city name] California arrest records” into a search engine and browse the results to find the relevant contact information or inmate search tool.

On the other hand, searchers can learn how to locate arrest information in other nearby counties by utilizing our resource on searching California state records for free–including comprehensive criminal history reports, warrants, probation details, court records, and more–as well as the agencies that host this information and the steps for obtaining it.

How To Track Down Los Angeles County Public Records Regarding Marriage & Divorce

Public records in Los Angeles County include vital records such as those pertaining to marriage and divorce.

By obtaining or reviewing these records, members of the public can check if someone is married or has since finalized a dissolution of marriage (divorce) within the county.

Order Los Angeles County Marriage Records From the County Recorder

Since Los Angeles public records include marriage records, they can be found through the LA County Recorder as long as the marriage occurred after 1852. Several types of records exist, and requesters will benefit from knowing which type best suits their needs and which ones are publicly available.

• Confidential marriage records in Los Angeles County are those that are only accessible by the person(s) named on the certificate or an individual authorized by court order.
• Public marriage records are certified and are often required as proof of marriage when changing an individual’s last name on their passport, license, bank account, and other official documents; these are only granted to those named on the marriage record, legal guardians of those listed, members of law enforcement (if necessary), attorneys representing someone named on the record, or anyone else authorized by court order to obtain a copy.
• Informational certified copies are publicly available but will have “NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY” printed across the page.

In Person — Individuals will not be charged for searches of either marriage certificates or indexes at the recorder’s office as long as they view 5 or fewer records, but a nominal fee will be charged for additional searches.

The recorder does not allow for random searches of the certificates of marriage or indexes; instead, interested parties must submit an application for each search, save the confirmation number, and then make an appointment (up to 3 weeks in advance).

At the appointment, a valid form of identification must be presented.

Requested records may be obtained at the scheduled appointment or up to 20 business days later, depending on the request and whether or not the marriage record needs to be certified. Certified copies of both public and confidential marriage records cost $17 per copy, payable by cash, debit, credit, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, check, or money order made payable to the “Registrar – Recorder & County Clerk.” Service fees apply to some payment options.

Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
12400 Imperial Highway
Norwalk, California 90650

Phone: 800.201.8999

By Mail — Marriage records can also be requested by mail from the recorder. Individuals can fill out either an Application for Public Marriage Record or an Application for Confidential Marriage Record, sign the applicable form and Certificate of Identity (at the bottom of the application) in front of a notary public, and have it notarized.

Note: Without the notarization, only an information copy will be disbursed. 

Applicants should mail all of the above documents–along with a $17 fee per record by check or money order–to:

LA County Registrar – Recorder & County Clerk
Birth, Death & Marriage Records Section
P.O. Box 489
Norwalk, California 90651 – 0489

The requested record, if granted, will be mailed within 20 business days from the day the application was received.

Online — Lastly, Los Angeles County marriage from 1852 to the present can be obtained online via VitalChek, an independent vital records service endorsed by the County Recorder. Marriage records purchased through VitalChek cost $17 plus a $9 handling fee on all credit card orders (VitalChek accepts American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa).

If the requestor’s identity cannot be verified or they are not authorized to receive a confidential record, an informational copy will be mailed within 20 business days.

In addition to the county custodians, the California Department of Health Vital Records Bureau provides certified certificates of marriage for $17 as long as the records are public.

Search Los Angeles County Divorce Records via the LA Supreme Court

Los Angeles County divorce records are publicly available unless legally sealed but are not hosted by the County Registrar – Recorder; instead, they can be found online through the Family Court case document search offered by the Los Angeles Supreme Court.

Users must input a case number to order copies of records, and can pay the required fees by credit card.

For in person inquiries, requesters can call 213.830.0198 and set an appointment (at least two days in advance to ensure enough time for record preparation) to visit the Archives & Records Center (ARC).⁵

Los Angeles Superior Court Archives & Records Center
222 N. Hill St.
Room 212
Los Angeles, California 90012

Phone: 213.830.0198
Hours: M – F 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Certificates of record for divorces can be obtained for $16 per copy through the California Department of Health Vital Records Bureau.

Third-party services can assist searchers with finding both public marriage and public divorce records nationwide, as they are not limited to county or even state jurisdictions and charge a low fee. However, these will not be official or notarized marriage or divorce certificates. As a last resort for marriage records dating back to before 1852, individuals seeking marriage records or tracing genealogy can check with churches near where the marriage occurred.

How Can I Find Los Angeles County Criminal Records?

Los Angeles County criminal records detail an individual’s entire criminal history and are much more extensive than arrest records as they include incidents of arrests and detainments but also hold information gathered from police reports, jails, court records, sex crimes, and both past and pending charges and convictions.

Access Criminal Court Case Information

In Los Angeles County, interested parties can check public records involving a person’s criminal history through any of the Los Angeles County criminal courthouse locations as long as the case was heard there.

Requesters will need to know the case number to perform a search and can easily look up the case number by the defendant’s name if unknown. Before visiting the courthouse, individuals may benefit from calling ahead to ensure that the record is hosted there and publicly available.

Los Angeles County courthouses are open for in-person walk-ins or appointments from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Record Fees:

• $0.50 Per Page
• $40.00 Per Certification
• $50.00 Per Exemplification (Notarization)

Mail-in requests for criminal case documents are also accepted; requesters can fill out a Request for Copies Form indicating the documents desired and mail the form to the appropriate location of the Los Angeles County criminal courthouses with the proper fee payable by check, credit card, or money order written to the “Los Angeles Superior Court.”

Note: Credit card payments submitted by mail must be accompanied by a Payment Submittal Form.

Felony criminal cases from 2004 and prior are sometimes held at the Archives & Records Center instead, which can be requested in person or viewed at the public courthouse kiosks electronically.⁵ Individuals can call the ARC at 213.830.0198 to check if if someone has a criminal record or criminal case case information and to schedule an appointment.

The Los Angeles Superior Court also hosts an electronic criminal court case/calendar search, which allows members of the public to perform a free criminal record check by conveniently viewing criminal case defendants and case summaries.

The Judicial Branch of California also offers access to electronic court records for a nominal fee per copy, but juvenile and other confidential records will not be disclosed.

If criminal history information or court proceedings cannot be found via any of these methods, individuals can contact the clerk’s office at the applicable courthouse by phone to check on a particular record or to schedule an in-person appointment.

Obtain Criminal Records Through County & City Law Enforcement Agencies

Criminal information–including arrest details, police records, and jail reports–can all be obtained through local law enforcement agencies in Los Angeles County.

Since these are simply the arresting agencies, their records will not be comprehensive criminal records but will show local public criminal history information on a subject.

Searchers can utilize the inmate information center–an online lookup feature operated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) or can contact the sheriff’s office by phone, mail, or in-person to request records by following the instructions under the heading above about obtaining arrest records.²

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD)
Hall of Justice
211 West Temple Street
Los Angeles, California 90012

Phone: 213.229.1700

Los Angeles County Records & Identification Bureau
Public Services Section
12440 E. Imperial Highway
Ste. 120
Norwalk, CA 90650

Phone: 562.345.4441
Hours: Monday – Thursday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Inquiries can also be made to city police departments such as the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), often through several methods such as mail, phone, email, or in person.

LAPD Headquarters
100 W. 1st St.
Los Angeles, California 90012

Phone: +1(877)275-5273
Email: [email protected]

If the LAPD has previously arrested you, you can get a copy of your criminal record for $25 by mail or in person, but these will only include your LAPD arrests–not criminal history details from any other agency.

How To Utilize State Resources To Obtain California Criminal Records

On top of the local custodians mentioned above, searchers may be curious as to whether they can look up someone’s criminal record at the state level.

Although the California Department of Justice serves as the state’s public records repository of criminal history, individuals can only request their own records and cannot review others’.⁷

Aside from the subject of the record, only authorized law enforcement agencies and certain licensing and employment agencies can access California criminal records.⁸

Those who would like to obtain their own criminal record will need to submit a Criminal History Report Application, have their fingerprints taken on an official card at any of the live scan fingerprinting sites (fingerprinting fees can vary between locations), and pay a $25 fee to the Department of Justice.⁹

Certified copies are not available to individual requesters but can be obtained by law enforcement agencies, certain authorized entities, and the District Attorney.¹⁰

Search tools and databases that can prove extremely helpful in searching for criminal history information on others include:

The California Department of Corrections (CDCR) inmate locator is a California state prison inmate search tool searchable by last name or CDCR number; upon viewing relevant search results, inmate profiles will include information such as the subject’s age, CDCR number, current facility, name, and parole eligibility information.¹¹

The Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate search allows members of the public to look up individuals incarcerated in federal facilities by name or BOP number; searchers will be able to view each inmate’s age, name, BOP register number, race, sex, and release date (if applicable).¹³

The National Sex Offender Public Website maintained by the United States Department of Justice is the federal sex offender registry–an online directory of subjects convicted of sex crimes throughout the U.S.¹⁴ This lookup tool is free to use and searchable by name or location with a specified radius up to 3 miles.

The California Megan’s Law website contains Los Angeles county public records in relation to sex offenders and can be browsed by name or address and radius (up to 10 miles).¹⁶ Offender profiles on the Megan’s Law website show the following information:

• Alias(es)
• Date of Birth
• Ethnicity
• Eye Color
• Hair Color
• Height
• Last Reported Address
• Mugshot
• Offense Code & Description
• Offender Name
• Risk Assessment
• Scars, Tattoos & Other Physical Descriptors
• Sex
• Weight
• Year of Last Conviction
• Year of Last Release

How To Perform a Background Check in Los Angeles County, California

Background checks can be done for a variety of reasons and include both personal and professional purposes.

Although both types provide insight into an individual and their past, they are done for different reasons and are held to different standards depending on the intent of the investigation. The primary differences between personal and professional checks are outlined below:

Personal Background Checks:

• Can be done with relatives, coworkers, coaches, neighbors, etc.
• The person conducting the background check is not required to get consent
• Information obtained from the check cannot be used to intimate, stalk, threaten
• Can be performed by obtaining relevant arrest records, court documents, criminal history information, running warrant searches, or simply going through a third-party service to streamline the process and provide comprehensive and affordable results efficiently (these services can also provide much broader checks on a national scale)

Professional Background Checks:

• Are used for approval to purchase firearms, security clearance, adoption, licensing, employment, and housing
• Give in-depth insight into the subject’s history of employment, education, crime, court proceedings, warrants, detention, and more.
• Require the subject to be notified, and their permission is given prior to the background check.
• The subject of the check has the opportunity to dispute false or inaccurate information disclosed in the background check results.
• Primarily available in two forms in California: Level 1 fingerprint-based checks run by the Department of Justice and Level 2 fingerprint-verified checks submitted to the FBI for an accurate match (described below)
• Must abide by state and federal background check laws
  • Fair Chance Act: Prohibits employers from asking about an applicant’s criminal history until a job offer has been made; individuals who feel they have been discriminated against in this manner can file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department
  • Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA): Ensures transparency and accuracy and prevents fraud regarding consumer information disclosure; if violated, citizens can report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
  • Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): Protects applicants, trainees, and employees from discrimination based on demographic factors, including race, ability, sex, gender, and religious beliefs; those who have been wronged can file a charge of employment discrimination with the EEOC
  • State Labor Offices or the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights can also be contacted if these rights have been violated or employment discrimination has occurred

Los Angeles County does not offer background checks, but they can be requested at the state level only if authorized by state statute. 

The California Department of Justice offers Fingerprint Background Checks that are considered Level 1 despite not being name-based as they are run by the DOJ (not forwarded to the FBI), but they also offer Level 2 FBI-verified checks if requested and authorized (such as for certain jobs and agencies).

Employers, licensing agencies, or other authorized entities can provide applicants with a BCIA 8016 Form, and the applicant will be able to complete the form and have their fingerprints taken at any Live Scan Fingerprinting Location. The Live Scan staff will forward the fingerprints electronically to the DOJ, and the initial requesting agency will likely have the results back within 72 hours of the scan.

For Level 2 checks–if requested and authorized–the DOJ will send the fingerprint images to the FBI to check for matches in the national criminal history database. If a match is found, the FBI will send back to the DOJ a cumulative criminal history report containing information from all states and agencies that have reported information on this subject to the FBI.

The applicant background check status can be checked by entering the subject’s Automatic Transaction Identifier (ATI) number and date of birth.¹⁸

How Can You Check for Warrants in Los Angeles County?

Los Angeles County public records include warrants and they can be found at the city, county, or state levels. The best way to check if someone has a warrant is by visiting a local sheriff’s office or police station to inquire.

Los Angeles County residents can check with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) in person or by phone.²

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD)
Hall of Justice
211 West Temple Street
Los Angeles, California 90012

Phone: 213.229.1700

Local police agencies can also be contacted about active Los Angeles County warrants, particularly for those issued within their jurisdiction. For example, the City of Pasadena Police Department will disclose warrant information by phone or in person. The Records Division can be reached at 626.744.4556 for warrant inquiries or visited in person during business hours at the address listed below:

Pasadena Police Department
207 North Garfield Avenue
Pasadena, California 91101

General Inquiries: 626.744.4501
Warrant Information: 626.744.4556
Hours: Weekdays 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Individuals seeking warrant information can ask for assistance or guidance from any of the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk locations as well or browse LA’s Most Wanted list for outstanding warrants on some of the most sought-after individuals in the county.

Concerned parties who want to check for their own warrant but do not want to interact with law enforcement to determine if they have one or not can opt to request their own criminal record via the Department of Justice as this will show outstanding warrants, but comes at a cost of $25.

How To Determine if Someone Is on Probation in Los Angeles County

Interested parties can check if someone is on probation (the release from jail to supervision in the community) by checking with any of the Los Angeles County Probation office locations in person or by phone. Juvenile probation offices may also be reached but cannot disclose certain information due to the legalities of confidential juvenile records.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation provides a CDCR inmate locator–a searchable directory that shows inmates’ parole information (regarding the release to community supervision from prison) but does not list probation details.¹¹ Individuals can browse inmate profiles by CDCR number or last name.

How To Search Court Records in Los Angeles County via the Archives & Records Center and Other Court Resources

The California court system is comprised of the California Supreme Court (the highest court in the state), the Courts of Appeal, and the Superior Courts. Los Angeles County judicial records can be accessed at each level of the court system, though the costs and processes vary some.

The best starting point for finding Los Angeles County court records is at the Archives & Records Center (ARC), the county’s primary court record custodian.⁵

Los Angeles Superior Court Archives & Records Center
222 N. Hill St.
Room 212
Los Angeles, California 90012

Phone: 213.830.0198
Hours: M – F 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

The Los Angeles County case search is an electronic search option that includes information on cases heard in civil, small claims, family law, and probate courts.¹⁹ This resource is searchable by case number and (optionally) the courthouse where the case was filed.

Broader access to court electronic records is also available through the California Judicial Branch website as a convenient online search method, but each courthouse can provide in-person assistance and records as well, for a small fee per copy or document. Certification and notarization will cost extra.

Record requests, court dates, and assistance with case filing can all be found at any of the Los Angeles County courthouse locations. Los Angeles County falls under the jurisdiction of the 2nd District Court of Appeals. The public can utilize the Appellate Case Search by entering search criteria such as the case number, party, attorney, or case caption (i.e., Matthews vs. Smith).

2nd District Court fees apply, but individuals can opt to take the more independent route and navigate the Appellate Self-Help Center.

The Superior Court of California: Los Angeles requires users to create an account to browse case information and court documents. Although creating a login is free, requesters will be charged for copies of documents downloaded from this electronic public index.

Los Angeles Superior Court Document Fees:

• Pages 1-5 of court documents – $1 per page
• Pages 6+ of court documents – $0.40 per page
• Maximum fee charged per document download – $40

How Can I Get Birth, Death & Other Vital Records in Los Angeles County, California?

In California, public records include documents relating to birth and death, but only individuals who meet certain stipulations can order authorized and certified copies. Interested parties who do not have the approval to receive authorized birth or death certificates can instead obtain an informational copy (cannot be used to prove relation legally, but can be helpful in tracing genealogy or simply for one’s own record keeping).

The following people meet the requirements to receive authorized certified copies of birth and death records:

• The person named on the record (birth record)
• A licensed adoption agency (birth record)
• A parent or legal guardian of the subject named on the record (birth and death records)
• An immediate family member, spouse, or domestic partner of the subject of the record (birth and death records)
• An individual authorized by court order to receive the record (birth and death records)
• An attorney representing the subject of the record or their immediate family (birth and death records)
• A member of local law enforcement or a government agency if relevant to official business (birth and death records)
• A funeral director or funeral home employee if operating within the limitations of their employment role (death record)

Both birth and death records can be ordered at any of the County Registrar-Recorder Branch Office Locations except for the Beverly Hills location.

Birth certificates are available from 1866 to the present and cost $32 per copy, while death records from 1877 and on are available and come at a fee of $24. Online vital record applications must be completed, proof of identity shown, and appointments set in advance.

These records can also be purchased online or by mail:

• Birth Record Online Request
• Birth Record Mail Request
• Death Record Online Request
• Death Record Mail Request

The California Department of Public Health Vital Records Bureau can also provide certified copies of birth records and certificates of death for $29 and $24 per copy, respectively.

Birth, death, and other vital records and documents can also be ordered through helpful third-party sites, but they will not be official or certified copies.

How To Find Property Records via the Assessor Portal for Los Angeles County

Individuals seeking property records in Los Angeles County can perform a free public records search by conducting their own online property lookup by Assessor’s Identification Number (AIN), address, assessment legal description, or by map view.

Searchers who cannot find the desired property information through this tool can opt to contact the office of the Los Angeles County Assessor or submit an electronic public records request.²¹

The assessor is the custodian of property assessment maps, land ownership transfers within the prior 2 years, and market information. In-person inquiries can be made at the Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office, but requesters should first schedule an appointment.

Los Angeles County Assessor
Public Service Section
500 W. Temple St.
Room 225
Los Angeles, California 90012

Phone (Toll-Free): 888.807.2111
Email: [email protected]

Historical property ownership records can also be obtained via the County Recorder in person or by mail, fax, or phone, but will come at a fee.

Los Angeles public records can be found through many record custodians such as the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (arrest and warrant information), Los Angeles County Probation office locations (probation details), the California Department of Justice (public criminal records), as well as the courts for case proceedings and to find out if someone is married or divorced.