Kern County Background Check Search

Kern County background check records can be accessed through the Superior Court and sheriff department. Located in California's southern Central Valley, this county has about 900,000 residents. Bakersfield is the county seat and largest city. The court has an online portal for case searches. This guide explains how to find criminal records in Kern County.

Kern County Court Case Search

Kern Superior Court has an online system for case searches. Visit the court case search page to look up criminal cases. You can search by defendant name or case number. The portal shows case status, charges, and hearing information.

The court also has a separate portal at portal.kern.courts.ca.gov for more detailed searches. This shows additional case details. Criminal records are public unless sealed. Anyone can search without needing to explain why.

For copies of court documents, contact the clerk. Certified copies cost $40 like most California courts. Regular copies have per page fees. You can visit the courthouse in Bakersfield or submit mail requests.

Kern County Sheriff Services

The Kern County Sheriff provides law enforcement for the unincorporated areas and some cities. They offer Live Scan fingerprinting services. Contact them for current fees and hours. The sheriff serves a large geographic area from the Tehachapi Mountains to the southern Central Valley.

Private Live Scan operators also serve Kern County. They may have more convenient hours than government offices. Use the DOJ locator to find all certified sites in the county. Enter your zip code to see options near you.

Live Scan in Kern County Cities

Kern County has 11 cities. Bakersfield is by far the largest with over 400,000 people. Other cities include Delano, Wasco, Shafter, and Tehachapi. Each may have different options for fingerprinting services depending on their police arrangements.

Cities with their own police departments may offer Live Scan. Contact your local department to check. Private operators serve the Bakersfield area with various hours and prices. The DOJ locator shows all certified sites.

Note: Given Kern County's large size, finding a convenient location matters for residents in remote areas.

Kern County Background Check Fees

Background check fees in Kern County follow the standard California structure. The DOJ charges $32 for state records. The FBI charges $17 for federal records. Rolling fees vary by provider.

Total costs typically run $65 to $95 depending on the rolling fee charged. Court fees are standard with $40 for certified copies. Contact specific providers for current pricing.

Nearby California Counties

Kern County is one of California's largest counties by area. It includes parts of the Central Valley, Tehachapi Mountains, and Mojave Desert. Several counties border it.

Neighboring counties include Tulare County to the north, San Bernardino County to the east, Los Angeles County to the south, and San Luis Obispo County to the west.

Major Cities in Kern County

These cities are in Kern County. Criminal cases go through Kern Superior Court. Click a city for local background check info.