Sonoma County Background Check

Sonoma County background check records are available through the sheriff and Superior Court. This North Bay wine country county has about 490,000 residents. Santa Rosa is the county seat and largest city. The court maintains criminal case files. This guide shows how to access records in Sonoma County.

Sonoma County Court Records

Sonoma Superior Court handles criminal cases for the county. The main courthouse is at 600 Administration Drive in Santa Rosa. You can search cases and request copies of documents. Criminal records are public unless sealed by court order.

Certified copies cost $40 per document. Regular copies have per page fees. Contact the clerk for specific pricing on what you need. You can visit in person or submit mail requests.

The court serves all of Sonoma County including Santa Rosa, Petaluma, and smaller cities. Case files are maintained at the main courthouse location.

Sonoma County Sheriff Services

The Sonoma County Sheriff provides Live Scan fingerprinting and other record services. Contact them for current fees and hours. The sheriff serves the unincorporated areas and some contract cities within the county.

Several cities have their own police departments. Santa Rosa and Petaluma have city police. They may offer Live Scan services independently. Contact your local department to check availability.

Live Scan in Sonoma County Cities

Sonoma County has nine cities. Santa Rosa is the largest with about 180,000 people. Petaluma is second largest. Other cities include Rohnert Park, Windsor, and Healdsburg.

Contact Santa Rosa Police or your local department to check Live Scan availability. Private operators also serve the county with various hours and prices. Use the DOJ locator to find all certified sites near you.

Note: Sonoma County wine industry creates demand for background checks among hospitality workers.

Sonoma County Background Check Fees

Fees in Sonoma County include state charges plus local fees. The DOJ charges $32. The FBI charges $17. Rolling fees vary by provider.

Contact the sheriff or city police for current rolling fees. Private operators may have different pricing. Court fees follow standard California rates with $40 for certified copies.

Nearby California Counties

Sonoma County is in the North Bay Area along the coast. It borders several other Bay Area and North Coast counties.

Neighboring counties include Marin County to the south, Napa County to the east, Lake County to the northeast, and Mendocino County to the north.

Major Cities in Sonoma County

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