Sacramento County Background Check

Sacramento County background check records are available through the Superior Court and sheriff department. As California's state capital, this county has over 1.5 million residents. The court offers free online case searches. The sheriff has Live Scan but at a higher $42 rolling fee. This guide explains how to access criminal records in Sacramento County.

Sacramento County Court Case Access

Sacramento Superior Court has an online system for searching criminal cases. The court dropped fees for online searches, making it free to look up cases. You can search by defendant name or case number. Results show case status, charges, hearing dates, and outcomes.

Certified copies of court documents still cost $40. Regular copies have per page fees. You can request copies in person at the courthouse or by mail. The main courthouse is in downtown Sacramento. Staff can help you find specific case files and documents you need.

Criminal records are public in Sacramento County unless sealed by court order. Anyone can search the online system without fees. This is one of the more accessible court systems in California. Sealed records and juvenile cases remain private.

Sacramento County Sheriff Live Scan

The Sacramento County Sheriff provides Live Scan fingerprinting. The rolling fee is $42 per person. This is one of the highest rolling fees in California. On top of this you pay $32 to the state DOJ and $17 to the FBI. Total cost is about $91 for a complete check. Call (916) 875-9654 for current info.

Given the high sheriff fee, many people in Sacramento County use private Live Scan operators instead. Private sites often charge $25 to $35 for rolling fees. That saves money compared to the sheriff rate. The DOJ locator shows all certified operators in the area. Some have evening and weekend hours.

The city of Sacramento Police Department offers Live Scan services as well. Check their website or call for current fees and hours. Elk Grove Police has Live Scan at $15 per card. Call (916) 478-8100 for details. Shop around to find the best price near you.

Live Scan in Sacramento County Cities

Sacramento County includes the city of Sacramento plus suburbs like Elk Grove, Folsom, Citrus Heights, and Rancho Cordova. Several cities have their own police departments with Live Scan services.

Elk Grove offers Live Scan at $15 per card. Folsom and other cities should be contacted directly to check current options. Private operators are common throughout the county. They fill gaps where city services have limited hours or higher prices. The DOJ locator is the best tool to find all options.

Note: Sacramento has heavy demand for background checks due to state government workers and contractors.

Sacramento County Background Check Fees

Fees for background checks in Sacramento County include state charges plus local rolling fees. The DOJ charges $32. The FBI charges $17. Rolling fees vary widely in this county.

The sheriff charges $42 for rolling, which is high for California. Elk Grove Police is only $15. Private operators range from $25 to $40 typically. Total costs can be as low as $64 or over $90 depending on where you go. Court fees are standard with $40 for certified copies.

Nearby California Counties

Sacramento County is in California's Central Valley near the Sierra Nevada foothills. The American and Sacramento rivers run through the county. Several other counties surround it.

Neighboring counties include Placer County to the northeast, El Dorado County to the east, Yolo County to the west, and San Joaquin County to the south. Each has separate criminal record systems.

Major Cities in Sacramento County

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