Modoc County Background Check

Modoc County background check records are available through the sheriff and Superior Court. This remote northeastern California county has only about 9,000 residents, making it one of the least populated in the state. Alturas is the county seat and only incorporated city. The sheriff offers Live Scan at a $25 rolling fee. This guide covers how to access criminal records in Modoc County.

Modoc County Sheriff Live Scan

The Modoc County Sheriff provides Live Scan fingerprinting services. The rolling fee is $25 per person. Call (530) 233-4416 for hours and location information. Given the small population, call ahead to confirm availability.

On top of the rolling fee, you pay $32 to the state DOJ and $17 to the FBI for federal records. Total cost is about $74 for a complete check. The sheriff handles all law enforcement in Modoc County including the city of Alturas.

Private Live Scan operators are essentially nonexistent in Modoc County due to the tiny population. The sheriff is your only option. The nearest alternative locations are in Susanville (Lassen County) or Redding (Shasta County), both over 80 miles away.

Modoc County Court Records

Modoc Superior Court handles criminal cases for the county. The courthouse is in Alturas. Call (530) 233-6516 for court information. You can search cases and request copies of documents.

Certified copies cost $40 per document. Regular copies have per page fees. Criminal records are public unless sealed by court order. The court serves all of Modoc County with a very light caseload.

Modoc County is extremely rural and remote. The court handles relatively few criminal cases each year.

Services in Modoc County

Modoc County has one incorporated city: Alturas. It has about 2,700 people. All other communities are unincorporated. The sheriff provides all law enforcement for the county.

Alturas does not have a separate city police department. The sheriff handles everything. Services are concentrated in Alturas where most county facilities are located.

Note: Modoc County is one of California's most remote areas. The nearest major city is Redding, about 100 miles to the southwest.

Modoc County Background Check Fees

Fees in Modoc County include state charges plus local fees. The DOJ charges $32. The FBI charges $17. The sheriff rolling fee is $25.

Total costs for a full state and federal check run about $74 at the sheriff. Court fees follow standard California rates with $40 for certified copies.

Nearby California Counties

Modoc County is in California's far northeast corner. Highway 395 and Highway 299 are the main routes through the county.

Neighboring counties include Siskiyou County to the west, Shasta County to the southwest, and Lassen County to the south. The county also borders Oregon and Nevada.

Communities in Modoc County

Modoc County has one incorporated city and several small communities. All criminal cases go through Modoc Superior Court in Alturas.

• Alturas (only incorporated city, county seat)
• Cedarville
• Fort Bidwell
• Tulelake
• Canby