San Diego County Background Check

San Diego County background check records are available through the county sheriff and Superior Court. With over 3 million residents, this is California's second largest county by population. The sheriff offers local criminal history requests for a $14 fee. Live Scan services are available at multiple locations across the county. This guide explains how to search and obtain criminal records in San Diego County.

San Diego Sheriff Local Criminal History

The San Diego County Sheriff has a local criminal history service. This is different from the state DOJ record. A local check shows only arrests and cases handled by San Diego County agencies. It does not include records from other counties or states. The fee is $14 and results take 3 to 10 business days.

To request a local criminal history, contact the sheriff records division at 858-974-2222. The service is useful when you only need to check San Diego County records. It costs less than a full state DOJ check. However, it will not show arrests that happened outside the county. Many people get both a local check and a state check for a complete picture.

The sheriff does not offer public Live Scan at this time. Most people in San Diego County use private Live Scan operators or city police departments for fingerprinting. The DOJ site locator shows many options throughout the county.

San Diego County Court Records

San Diego Superior Court maintains criminal case records for the county. The court has an online portal where you can search cases by name or number. This shows basic case information including charges, hearing dates, and outcomes. The system is free to search.

For official copies, you must contact the court clerk. San Diego Superior Court has multiple locations. The downtown San Diego courthouse handles many criminal matters. Fees apply for copies of documents. Certified copies cost $40 like most California courts. Regular copies are charged per page.

Court records are public in California. Anyone can request to view them. You do not need to be a party to the case. Some records may be sealed by court order. Juvenile cases are not public. But most adult criminal cases can be searched and copied by anyone in San Diego County.

Live Scan Locations in San Diego County

San Diego County has many Live Scan operators. Private businesses, police departments, and other agencies offer the service. Fees range from about $20 to $40 for the rolling fee. This is on top of the $32 state DOJ fee and $17 FBI fee.

The city of San Diego police does not offer public Live Scan. Residents typically use the county sheriff locations or private operators. Cities like Carlsbad, Chula Vista, and Escondido may have their own options. Carlsbad charges $58 to $72 for Live Scan. Chula Vista charges $18 for the rolling fee. Each city sets its own prices and hours.

Use the DOJ Live Scan locator to find sites near you. Enter your zip code to see all options. The locator shows addresses, phone numbers, and whether appointments are needed. Private operators often have more flexible hours than government offices. Some are open evenings and weekends.

Background Check Fees in San Diego County

Several fees apply when getting a background check in San Diego County. State fees are the same everywhere in California. The DOJ charges $32 for a state level check. The FBI charges $17 for a federal check. These go to the government.

Rolling fees vary by location. Private operators in San Diego County charge from $20 to $50 typically. City police departments have their own rates. Carlsbad is on the higher end at $58 to $72. Chula Vista charges only $18. Shop around if price matters to you. The local sheriff criminal history check costs $14. This only shows San Diego County records. It does not include state or federal history.

Note: Always confirm current fees before your visit since prices can change in San Diego County.

Getting Background Check Records in San Diego County

For your own criminal record from the DOJ, use the Record Review process. Fill out form BCIA 8016RR and go to any Live Scan site. The $25 DOJ fee plus rolling fee covers it. This gives you your full state record. Results usually come in 2 to 3 days but can take up to 2 weeks.

For court case records, search the San Diego Superior Court online system first. Find the case you need. Then contact the clerk to get copies. You can visit in person or mail a request. Include the case number and what documents you want. Pay the copy fees and they will process your request.

For local sheriff records only, call the records division at 858-974-2222. Pay the $14 fee. Wait 3 to 10 days for results. This is faster and cheaper than a full DOJ check but shows less information since it only covers San Diego County.

Nearby California Counties

San Diego County is in the far southwest corner of California. It borders Mexico to the south. Other counties are to the north and east. Each has its own systems for background checks and criminal records.

Neighboring counties include Orange County to the north, Riverside County to the northeast, and Imperial County to the east. If you need records from multiple counties, contact each one separately.

Major Cities in San Diego County

These cities are located in San Diego County. Criminal cases are handled by San Diego Superior Court. Click a city for local background check resources.