Los Angeles County Background Check Records

Los Angeles County background check records are available through the LA County Sheriff Department and Superior Court system. This is the largest county in California with over 10 million residents. The sheriff runs Live Scan services at several locations across the county. Court records can be searched online through the LA Superior Court portal. This guide covers all the ways to access criminal history and court case records in Los Angeles County.

LA County Sheriff Live Scan Services

The Los Angeles County Sheriff Department offers Live Scan fingerprinting at its headquarters in Norwalk. The rolling fee is $25 per person. This is separate from the state DOJ and FBI fees you must also pay. The sheriff location serves anyone who needs prints for any purpose.

You can find the main Live Scan office at 12440 E. Imperial Highway in Norwalk, CA 90650. The phone number is (562) 465-7825. Call ahead to check hours and if you need an appointment. Many people in LA County also use private Live Scan operators since the county is so large. The DOJ site locator shows hundreds of certified operators across Los Angeles County. Prices at private sites vary from about $20 to over $50 for the rolling fee alone.

LA County is huge. It covers over 4,000 square miles. Finding a Live Scan site near you makes sense. The DOJ locator lets you search by zip code. Many cities within the county have their own police departments that offer Live Scan too. Long Beach, Pasadena, Burbank, and other cities have their own services.

Los Angeles County Court Criminal Records

The LA Superior Court has an online portal where you can search criminal case records. This is a free tool that lets you look up cases by defendant name or case number. You can see case details, hearing dates, charges, and dispositions. The court keeps records for cases filed in Los Angeles County.

Visit the LA Court Criminal Index to start your search. Type in the name of the person you want to look up. The system shows any matching cases. You can click on a case to see more details. This is one of the most robust online court systems in California.

Getting copies of court documents requires a trip to the clerk or a mail request. The court charges per page for copies. Certified copies cost more than regular ones. You can also request records through a third party service if you do not want to go in person.

Note: Online searches show case info but you need to request copies for official documents in LA County.

Background Check Services in LA County Cities

Los Angeles County has 88 cities plus unincorporated areas. Many larger cities have their own police departments with Live Scan services. If you live in one of these cities, their police department may be more convenient than going to the sheriff office in Norwalk.

Long Beach Police offers Live Scan at a $32 rolling fee. You need an appointment. Call (562) 570-5142 to schedule. Burbank has Live Scan through its management services at (818) 238-5340. They take cash only. Pasadena offers limited Live Scan for permit applicants at (626) 744-4501. Some cities like Torrance only do Live Scan for city matters, not the public. Glendale has suspended their fingerprint services. Always call first to check what a city offers.

Cities that contract with the sheriff for police services do not have their own Live Scan. Residents of those areas use the county sheriff or private operators. The DOJ locator is the best way to find all options near you in Los Angeles County. Private businesses often have longer hours than government offices. Some are open on weekends too.

Los Angeles County Background Check Fees

Fees for background checks in LA County include several parts. The DOJ state fee is $32. The FBI federal fee is $17 if you need that level of check. These are set by the state and apply everywhere. On top of those, you pay a rolling fee to whoever takes your prints.

Rolling fees in Los Angeles County range widely. The sheriff charges $25. Private operators charge from $20 to $50 or more. Some charge extra fees on top of the rolling fee. Always ask for the total cost before you go. Bring cash or check since not all locations take cards. Court record fees at LA Superior Court depend on what you need. Per page copy charges apply. Certified copies are $40.

How to Get Criminal Records in Los Angeles County

There are several ways to get criminal records in LA County. For your own record, request a Record Review from the DOJ. Fill out form BCIA 8016RR and go to any Live Scan site. The $25 fee plus rolling fee covers it. Results come back in a few days.

For court case records, use the online portal first to find the case. Then request copies from the clerk at the courthouse where the case was filed. LA County has multiple courthouses. The one in downtown Los Angeles handles many criminal cases. The clerk can tell you which location has the file you need. You can mail a request or go in person.

Some people hire a document retrieval service to get copies for them. This costs more but saves time if you are not local. The service goes to the courthouse, finds the records, and mails them to you. This works well for people outside Los Angeles County who need LA court records.

Nearby California Counties

Los Angeles County borders several other counties. Each has its own sheriff and court system for background checks. If you need records from multiple counties, you must contact each one separately.

Nearby counties include Orange County to the south, San Bernardino County to the east, Kern County to the north, and Ventura County to the west. Each county has different fees and procedures for criminal records and background checks.

Major Cities in Los Angeles County

These cities are located in Los Angeles County. Criminal court cases for residents are filed in LA Superior Court. Click a city for local background check resources.