Criminal Records

Information on how to request copies of Criminal case records.

Fees and Costs for Copies

Fees and costs are required in order for the court to cover the cost of preparing copies of any record, proceeding, or paper on file in the clerk's office pursuant to Government Code sections 70627 and 70633. The specific fees and costs are listed below:

$.50 per page for non-certified documents
$1 per page for each document certified. This fee is in addition to the certification fee
$40 per certification of a document or record. This fee is in addition to the per-page fee
$50 per exemplification
$15 for searching records or files, which takes longer than 10 minutes (includes index search)

Some government agencies may be exempt from these fees and costs; however, the court does not contact requestors to advise if fees apply.

If you cannot afford the fees and costs, you may apply for a fee waiver, which can be found on the Forms & Fees page.

General Requests for Copies of a Court File

In order to receive copies of a criminal case record, you must first obtain the criminal case record number. You may be able to locate a case number by using one of the options below:

Search for criminal court records online.
Search criminal court records in person using the public access kiosks available in the Criminal Records lobby, located on the 2^nd floor of the Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye Sacramento Superior Court.

Once you have the case number(s), please refer to the "If You Have A Case Number" section below for information on how to request copies.

If you are unable to locate a case number and would like Criminal Records assistance, submit a Local Criminal Records Name Search Request (CR-278A) form in person, by mail, or by email to CrimRecordsRequests@saccourt.ca.gov. Each name search has a $15 fee and is due when the request is submitted. If certified copies are requested with a name search, the fee is $40 plus the $15 fee per name. If the applicable fee(s) are not included with your request, or the information is incomplete, the request will be returned to you at the mailing address provided.

If you are requesting a search for multiple names, attach a Local Criminal Records Multiple Name Search Request Attachment (CR-278A-1) and applicable fees.

If Criminal record case(s) are found, you may also request certified or non-certified copies at the same time by completing the Local Criminal Records Copy Request form (CR- 278C) and the applicable fees.

Note: The Court will only research Sacramento County criminal record information on cases dating from 1989 to the present. You must provide the precise data, such as a specific name or case number.

If your case is older than 1989, you can use the public microfiche located in the Criminal Records Unit, or you can contact the California Department of Justice.

If You Have a Case Number

Case files are housed in different locations as space is limited in the Criminal Records Unit located at the Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye Sacramento County Courthouse. Typically, three (3) years of files are available within the unit. If the case is needed and is stored at our off-site facility, filed orders may take up to 30 days.

Requests by Phone: You must already have your case number to order a file(s) over the phone. Once the file has been ordered, you will be responsible for contacting Criminal Records at 916-874-8881 to check the delivery status of the file(s). Once the files are received, they will be held at the courthouse for 10 days. Public copiers are available for use, or staff can make copies for you (see "Costs for Copies" below). Please note that the Court does not provide research services over the telephone and cannot confirm or deny dates of birth, social security numbers, or any other identifying information.

Mail/Email Requests: If you have a case number and would like copies of the file, submit a written request by U.S. mail, or email to CrimRecordsRequests@saccourt.ca.gov. Complete the Local Criminal Records Request Form with your request and submit it with the applicable payment (see "Payment Instructions" section below). If submitted by U.S. mail, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the Court to return the requested documents. If a self-addressed stamped envelope is not provided, postage will be charged in addition to the fees.

Payment Instructions:

For payment by Check/Money Order - Make check/money order payable to Sacramento Superior Court. Do not fill in the dollar amount.
For regular copies only, write “NOT TO EXCEED” $35**** on the memo line.
For certified copies, write “NOT TO EXCEED” $50**** on the memo line.
Note: Once the request has been processed, the clerk will complete the check and fill in the total amount due. The requested copies and a receipt will be mailed to the address provided on the form/envelope.
For payment by Credit Card, use the Credit Card Authorization Form (CR-500B).
Do not mail cash.

Submit your completed copy request and/or name search form(s) by mail, email, or hand delivery, along with the payment or Credit Card Authorization form to:

U.S. mail or in-person:
Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye Sacramento County Courthouse
Attention: Criminal Records Unit
500 G ST.
Sacramento, CA 95814

Email: CrimRecordsRequests@saccourt.ca.gov

If the appropriate fees are not submitted or your requested information is incomplete, the request will not be processed and will be returned.

Please note that submitting multiple requests for the same case records will cause undue delays in processing your records request, and you may be charged for each request processed. Criminal records copy requests are processed in the order received.

Facsimile (fax) requests from the public or non-government agencies cannot be accepted and will not be processed.

Government Agency Copy Requests

Government Agency Copy Requests may be submitted by fax, U.S. mail, email, or by hand-delivery. All Copy Requests must be submitted on agency letterhead and shall include form CR-500C, Government Agency Records Request and Billing Sheet, and must include a contact phone number with an extension and/or an email address.

In order to receive copies of a criminal case record, you must first obtain the criminal case record number. You may be able to locate a case number by using one of the options below:

Search for criminal court records.
Search criminal court records in person using the public access kiosks available in the Criminal Records lobby, located on the 2nd floor of the Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye Sacramento Superior Court.

Once you have the case number(s), complete your letterhead request and include all available identifying information such as case name(s), date(s) of birth, social security number(s), CII number(s), cross reference (xref) number(s), driver license number(s) and/or any other relevant identifying information pursuant to Penal Code 13300 to assist in processing the request.

Within your request, please list the documents you want copied and whether or not the copies are to be certified.

If there is an upcoming court appearance date, please include this information in the request as we will try to accommodate, but cannot guarantee the request will be processed in time for the court date provided.

If you are unable to locate a case number and would like Criminal Records assistance, submit a Local Criminal Records Name Search Request (CR-278A) form with your request for copies. Each name search has a $15 fee and is due when the request is submitted. If certified copies are requested with a name search, the fee is $40 plus $1 per page and the $15 fee per name search, if applicable to your agency.

If you are requesting a search for multiple names, attach a Local Criminal Records Multiple Name Search Request Attachment (CR-278A-1 ).

If the billing form is not submitted or the information is incomplete, the request will be returned to you at the mailing address provided.

Once your information is complete, submit your copy request and/or name search form(s) by fax, U.S. mail, email, or hand delivery, along with the billing form to:

By fax: (916) 530-2675

Email: CrimRecordsRequests@saccourt.ca.gov

U.S. mail or in-person:
Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye Sacramento County Courthouse
Attention: Criminal Records Unit
500 G St. 2nd Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814

By faxing your request to the Court, the agency/requestor is acknowledging and agreeing to pay all fees incurred for the copies being requested (see billing process/fees below).

Requests by fax cannot be accepted from individuals or non-government agencies.

Payment Process