What Are Berkeley Public Records?
Berkeley public records are government-generated documents of any form, which members of the public can view, inspect, and obtain copies of. These documents include handwritten, typed, taped, photographed, or computerized data gathered and maintained by different public bodies to provide information on government businesses that happened in the city. In compliance with the California Public Records Act, materials that are not under the umbrella of publicly accessible records include private records, investigative files, medical records, and other information deemed confidential by law.
Berkeley Crime Statistics
The Annual Crime Report of the Berkeley Police Department (BDP) shows that the City of Berkeley had a total of 6009 Part One crimes recorded in 2018. Part One crimes consist of property and violent crimes, divided into eight sub-categories. Violent crime statistics included 65 rapes, 170 aggravated assaults, 355 robberies, and zero homicides, whereas property crimes had 33 arsons, 548 auto thefts, 831 burglaries, and 4007 larceny thefts. Compared to the 2017 reports, the total Part One crimes reported in Berkeley reduced by 10.5%, reflective of the 10.4% and 11.9% decrease witnessed in property and violent crimes, respectively.
Are Berkeley Criminal Records Public?
Berkeley criminal records are not entirely public. For instance, information on juvenile offenses, child abuse victims, certain arrests, parole/probation details, and other sealed records are unavailable to the public. However, interested persons may obtain their criminal records, and authorized organizations may conduct criminal history checks for volunteering, employment, or licensing reasons. Although residents can obtain Berkeley criminal records or clearance letters from the Berkeley Police Department, the search range is limited to violations done within the city's jurisdiction. For a statewide search, requests must be made through the California Department of Justice.
How to Obtain Police Reports and Arrest Records
The Berkeley Police Department (BPD) maintains and provides access to incident records, collision reports, crime statistics, and other police reports on local violations. However, not all of these records are publicly available. Individuals can obtain copies of these records through the Records Bureau of the BPD located at:
Berkeley Police Department
2100 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way,
Berkeley, CA 94704
Phone: (510) 981-5900
Email: policerecords@cityofberkeley.info
Individuals interested in getting Berkeley arrest records should make requests for a Criminal History Printout, which contains information on persons arrested or detained in the city. The printouts cost $5 per document and are mainly available to the record subject. Interested persons may also obtain arrest information for free online through the Berkeley P.D. Arrest Log.
The Records Bureau issues clearance letters for $10, collision reports for $10, incident reports for $1 (mailed requests) or 10 cents (over-the-counter), local booking for $3, and certification stamp for $5. For an individual to get a report copy, they must provide enough specifying information such as case number, date, time, location of the accident/incident, and other information needed to facilitate the search. Requests often take two-three working days for processing but may be longer, especially for an extensive report which requires a large amount of redaction.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Berkeley
The California Department of Justice maintains statewide information on registered sex offenders and makes it publicly available through the Megan's Law website. Individuals may obtain a listing of sex offenders in the city by using the city search tools on the website or search by address, zip code, county, name, or device location. Results will include each matched offender's profile, including identifying data, physical description, photograph, offense description, addresses, and so on.
How to Find Berkeley Inmate Records
Records of incarcerated persons in the Berkeley Police Department's Jail Facility are available at the Records Bureau of the BPD. These records are available on file for at least three years and interested persons may make requests online, onsite, or via mail. For online information, individuals should use the BPD Jail Booking Log to obtain the inmate roster along with each inmate's name, DOB, sex, booking number, arrest date/time, charge status, case number, and disposition. For in-person or mailed requests, provide inmates details to the Records Bureau located at:
Berkeley Police Department
2100 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way,
Berkeley, CA 94704
Phone: (510) 981-5900
Email: policerecords@cityofberkeley.info
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Berkeley Jail?
The Berkeley Police Department allows detainees in the BPD Jail Facility to receive social visits from 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on weekends and holidays. To visit the jail, prospective visitors must be at least 18 years of age and present valid picture identification for clearance and search before entering the visiting area of the jail at:
Ronald T. Tsukamoto Public Safety Building
2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Way.
Berkeley, CA 94704
Phone: (510) 981-5766
Court Records
The Alameda Superior Court has jurisdiction over local cases filed in Berkeley Courts. It's also responsible for providing copies of non-confidential court records concerning all civil, criminal, traffic, and probate matters filed in the city. These include dockets, transcripts, affidavits, case files, and other documents that provide detailed descriptions of judicial and administrative actions that happened in the court.
Location of Courts in Berkeley
Superior Court of Alameda - Berkeley Courthouse
2120 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way,
Berkeley, CA 94704
Phone: (510) 647-4439
Fax: (510) 883-9359
Are Berkeley Court Records Public?
Not all Berkeley court records in the city are open to the public. According to state laws, clerks of courts may restrict public access to information concerning some family law cases, juvenile delinquency cases, victims and witnesses, attorney-client privilege, records placed under court seal, and others. Individuals may access closed or private court records if they present court orders, proof of valid claims, or legitimate interests in the material.
Can You Look Up a Berkeley Court Case Online?
Yes, individuals can search for non-confidential information on civil or family cases filed in Berkeley by conducting searches on the Court DomainWeb site, such as name search, calendar search, case number search, public records search, etc. Individuals may also search the Odyssey Portal for criminal case information or order it online.
How to Obtain Berkeley Civil Court Case Records
Yes, individuals can search for non-confidential information on civil or family cases filed in Berkeley by conducting searches on the Court DomainWeb site, such as name search, calendar search, case number search, public records search, etc. When accessing Berkeley court case information online prove difficult, individuals should consider making in-person or mailed requests to the courthouse at:
Ronald T. Tsukamoto Public Safety Building
2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Way.
Berkeley, CA 94704
Phone: (510) 981-5766
When required, requesters will have to provide specific record descriptions, fees, and proof of identification before individuals may obtain copies of the document.
How to Obtain Berkeley Criminal Court Records
Yes, individuals can search for non-confidential information on criminal court cases filed in Berkeley by conducting searches on the Odyssey Portal or order it online. When accessing Berkeley court case information online proves difficult, individuals should consider making in-person or mailed requests to the courthouse at:
Ronald T. Tsukamoto Public Safety Building
2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Way.
Berkeley, CA 94704
Phone: (510) 981-5766
When required, requesters will have to provide specific record descriptions, fees, and proof of identification before individuals may obtain copies of the document. For criminal cases earlier than 1974, use the public microfiche in Room-107, 1227 Fallon Street, Oakland, or contact the Department of Justice.
What Are Berkeley Vital Records?
Berkeley vital records are official recordings of life events that happened in the city. These records provide summaries of happenings like divorces, deaths, births, marriages, and other vital moments documented by different government agencies in the city, state, or county. Berkeley vital records are mostly public information but getting certified copies or redacted details may require the provision of valid claim, authorization, or interest.
Where and How to Obtain Berkeley Divorce Records
Records of divorces granted in Berkeley are available at the Superior Court of Alameda - Berkeley Courthouse. Individuals can search for non-confidential information on divorce proceeding online or obtain copies of original decrees by making requests via mail or in-person at:
Ronald T. Tsukamoto Public Safety Building
2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Way.
Berkeley, CA 94704
Phone: (510) 981-5766
Making a request involves providing specific record details like party names, case numbers, and dates, as well as providing valid photo ID and standard fees when required. Contact the Family Law Clerk's Office at (510) 690-2700 for information concerning charges, mailing address, and other requirements. Records are also available at the state level through the Vital Records Unit of the California Department of Public Health.
Where and How to Obtain Confidential Marriage Records in Berkeley
Confidential licenses of marriages obtained in Berkeley are available at the Alameda County Clerk-Recorder's Office. Records can only be accessed by the married couple or other authorized parties. Eligible parties may request copies of confidential Berkeley marriage certificates by ordering them online, or by submitting/mailing notarized requests forms along with $17 per record to:
Alameda County Clerk-Recorder's Office
1106 Madison Street
Oakland, CA 94607
Where and How to Obtain Public Marriage Records in the City of Berkeley
The Alameda County Clerk-Recorder's Office maintains public records of marriages that happened in the county. It also grants informational copies to interested persons with little or no restrictions. Individuals may conduct requests online, or by submitting/mailing requests forms along with $17 per record to:
Alameda County Clerk-Recorder's Office
1106 Madison Street
Oakland, CA 94607
Berkeley marriage records are also available at the state level through the Vital Records Unit of the California Department of Public Health.
Where and How to Find Berkeley Birth Records
The Berkeley Office of Vital Statistics maintains and issues Berkeley birth certificates for two years after which individuals should direct queries to the Alameda County Recorder's Office. Individuals may obtain certified or informational copies of these documents locally by sending filled request forms (Spanish), along with $27 per copy to:
City of Berkeley – HHCS - PH Division
Office of Vital Statistics,
1947 Center Street,
Second Floor,
Berkeley, CA 94704
Email: vitalrecords@cityofberkeley.info
Phone: (510) 981-5320
For Berkeley birth records from the Alameda County Clerk-Recorder's Office at $30 per copy, interested persons may make requests online, or by submitting request forms for certified or informational copies along with fees to:
Alameda County Clerk-Recorder's Office
1106 Madison Street
Oakland, CA 94607
Records are also available at the state level through the Vital Records Unit of the California Department of Public Health.
Where and How to Find Berkeley Death Records
The Berkeley Office of Vital Statistics maintains and issues Berkeley death certificates for two years after which individuals should direct queries to the Alameda County Recorder's Office. Individuals may obtain certified or informational copies of these documents locally by sending filled request forms (Spanish), along with $23 per copy to:
City of Berkeley – HHCS - PH Division
Office of Vital Statistics,
1947 Center Street,
Second Floor,
Berkeley, CA 94704
Email: vitalrecords@cityofberkeley.info
Phone: (510) 981-5320
For Berkeley death records from the Alameda County Clerk-Recorder's Office at $23 per copy, interested persons may make requests online, or by submitting request forms for certified or informational copies along with fees to:
Alameda County Clerk-Recorder's Office
1106 Madison Street
Oakland, CA 94607
Records are also available at the state level through the Vital Records Unit of the California Department of Public Health.
