What are Los Angeles Public Records?
Los Angeles public records, in accordance with the California Public Records Act (CPRA), include any information produced, prepared, used, or maintained by state or local agencies, except where lawfully limited. Los Angeles public records can consist of information typewritten or handwritten. These public records can also provide photographs or email-transmitted material. Some portions of a public record may be restricted or redacted from public view. Circumstances that warrant this include:
- Private personal data which is in violation of personal privacy
- Pending litigation details (attorney work product)
- Data associated with an ongoing investigation by law enforcement
- Juvenile information
- Preliminary drafts, notes, or annotations
- Confidential information
- Trade secrets
- Data for taxpayers and private financial data
Los Angeles Crime Statistics
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) provides crime statistics yearly for the city of Los Angeles. In 2019, Los Angeles reported a total number of 125,104 crimes, including 29,400 violent crimes and 95,704 property crimes. The violent crimes include 256 murders, 2,274 rapes, 9,652 robberies, and 17,216 aggravated assaults. The property crimes include 13,809 burglaries, 66,253 larcenies, 15,642 motor vehicle thefts, and 1,672 arson.
These figures represent an increase in the total crime rate between 2015 and 2019 in Los Angeles City. Between 2015 and 2019, rape (3%), robbery (8%), aggravated assault (26%), larceny (8%), and arson (48%) rates increased in Los Angeles. Whereas murder (9%), burglary (15%), and motor vehicle theft (3%) rates dropped.
Are Los Angeles Criminal Records Public?
Some Los Angeles criminal records fall under the umbrella of public records. Some others are not public records. For example, access to information on criminal records generated and collated by local law enforcement authorities is limited to a small category of employers, such as security guard firms, child care centers, law enforcement agencies, and companies of public utilities. Persons arrested or detained by the LAPD can, however, request copies of their criminal records by contacting the custodial office. Similarly, access to criminal background checks and records is restricted at the state level. The California Department of Justice conducts background checks for all of California. This service is available only to persons who want to search their own criminal records, law enforcement agencies, and employers in the state.
How to Obtain Los Angeles Police Reports and Arrest Records?
The Records and Identification Division of the LAPD maintains Los Angeles arrest records, police reports, and criminal records in the city of Los Angeles. A police report is accessible to the victim, the victim’s representative, or based on the provisions of Section 6254 of the Government Code. Requests for police reports or arrest records are to be mailed to:
Los Angeles Police Department
R&I Division
Document Processing Unit
P.O. Box 30158
Los Angeles, CA 90030
ATTN: Document Processing Unit
(213) 486-8130
To obtain a crime report, a requester needs to provide the following information:
- The name(s) and addresses(es) of the victim(s)
- The insurance policy number and claim number (if the requester is an insurance company)
- The type of report
- The date of occurrence
- The location of occurrence
- A report (DR) number or incident number (if known)
- Evidence of relationship for parents of the minor victim or the spouse or relative of a deceased victim
This service costs $27, payable with a check or money order to the LAPD.
Persons interested in getting copies of a Los Angeles traffic collision report can make online or mail requests. Reports that have incidents or involvements of arrest, fatality, or juvenile cannot be accessed through online requests, but by mail. To submit a mail request, complete the Traffic Collision Request form. Mail the completed form with payment of $18 (check or money order payable to the LAPD) to:
Los Angeles Police Department
Records and Identification Division
Document Processing Unit
P.O. Box 30158
Los Angeles, CA 90030
For persons that cannot access the form, write a request with the following information:
- Type of report – Traffic
- The requester’s name, address, and telephone number
- The requester’s date of birth
- LAPD Report (DR) Number and/or Incident Number (if known)
- Name(s) of party(ies) mentioned in the report
- Time and date of the incident
- Location of the incident
- License plate number and state of registration of the involved vehicle(s)
- The requester’s interest in the report (i.e. involved party, authorized representative, insurance company, or parent/guardian). Include release forms for authorized parties and insurance companies and proof of relationship for parents/guardians.
- Include the declaration, “I declare this statement is true and correct, sign and date your request.”
In addition, persons arrested by the LAPD can request to get a summary of their LAPD arrests. This service costs $25. The summary of the arrests will include dates, charges, and dispositions. No arrests carried out by an outside agency will be included in the summary. Interested persons may request this criminal summary in person or by mail. To make an in-person request, visit the Police Administration Building, 100 West 1st Street, Room P1-137, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday to Thursday. A requester can want to pick up the summary of your arrest or have it mailed. The processing time of the arrest summary varies, depending on the number of requests submitted or how old the record is. To request the arrest summary by mail, provide the following information:
- A full set of fingerprints on a standard fingerprint card completed by a local Police or Sheriff’s Department, (or any approved fingerprinting service in Los Angeles), containing all personal details, including mailing address and zip code
- A letter requesting an arrest summary
- Payment
Mail this to:
Los Angeles Police Department
ATTN: R&I Division Watch Commander
P.O. Box 30158
Los Angeles, CA 90030
If the person has been arrested in different jurisdictions within California, they should request their criminal records from the California Department of Justice or call (916) 227-3822.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Los Angeles?
The California Department of Justice maintains the sex offender registry of the state. Through the searchable online registry, it provides general information on registered sex offenders living in Los Angeles and other parts of California. This registry includes details about sex offenders, such as the names (and any identified aliases), physical descriptions, and reported addresses. It also includes images (if available) and zip codes, as well as a mapping function that allows persons to use names or proximity to schools and parks to perform searches.
How to Find Los Angeles Inmate Records?
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department allows the general public access to information about inmates incarcerated in any of the Los Angeles jail centers. Access to this information is made available online. Interested persons can search for Los Angeles inmate records by providing the first, middle, or last name of the inmate, as well as the inmate’s date of birth.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Los Angeles Jail?
The Los Angeles Custody Services Division of the LAPD runs the operations of all ten jail facilities in the city. To visit an inmate in any of these facilities, contact the Custody Services Division with the information below:
180 North Los Angeles Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 356-3400
Court Records
The various branches and divisions of the Los Angeles County Superior Court are a part of the California Judicial Branch. They offer the public access to various types of Los Angeles court records and documents, such as civil records, criminal records, administrative records, probate records, domestic relations records, and traffic records. Los Angeles court records include information about the court proceedings handled by the Los Angeles County Superior Court. They include transcripts of trials, affidavits, submitted evidence, and case files.
Locations of Courts in Los Angeles
The 38 Los Angeles Superior Court branches and divisions in Los Angeles are located at:
Los Angeles County Superior Court - Central District
Stanley Mosk Courthouse
111 North Hill Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: (213) 830-0803 (Civil)
Fax: (213) 625-3244 (Civil)
Phone: (213) 830-0830 (Family Law)
Fax: (213) 633-1955 (Family Law )
Phone: (213) 830-0850 (Probate)
Fax: (213) 346-9811 (Probate)
Phone: (213) 830-0803 (Small Claims)
Fax: (213) 617-1835 (Small Claims)
Los Angeles County Superior Court - Central District
Central Arraignment Court
429 Bauchet Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: (213) 974-6075
Los Angeles County Superior Court - Central District
Central Civil West Courthouse
600 South Commonwealth Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90005
Phone: (213) 351-7599 (Complex Civil)
Fax: (213) 351-2487 (Complex Civil)
Phone: (213) 351-7598 (Family Law)
Los Angeles County Superior Court - Central District
Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center
210 West Temple Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: (213) 628-7900
Los Angeles County Superior Court - Central District
East Los Angeles Courthouse
4848 East Civic Center Way
Los Angeles, CA 90022
Phone: (323) 780-2025
Los Angeles County Superior Court - Central District
Hollywood Courthouse
5925 Hollywood Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Phone: (323) 856-5747
Los Angeles County Superior Court - Central District
Mental Health Courthouse
1150 North San Fernando Road
Los Angeles, CA 90065
Phone: (323) 441-1898 (Conservatorship)
Phone: (323) 441-1897 (Mental Health Counselor)
Los Angeles County Superior Court - Central District
Metropolitan Courthouse
1945 South Hill Street
Los Angeles, CA 90007
Phone: (213) 745-3202 (Criminal)
Phone: (213) 745-3201 (Traffic)
Los Angeles County Superior Court - Central Juvenile District
Alfred J. McCourtney Juvenile Justice Center
1040 West Avenue J
Lancaster, CA 93534
Phone: (661) 483-5924
Los Angeles County Superior Court - Central Juvenile District
Eastlake Juvenile Courthouse
1601 Eastlake Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90033
Phone: (323) 227-4399
Los Angeles County Superior Court - Central Juvenile District
Edmund D. Edelman Children’s Court
201 Centre Plaza Drive
Monterey Park, CA 91754
Phone: (323) 307-8095
Los Angeles County Superior Court - Central Juvenile District
Inglewood Juvenile Courthouse
110 East Regent Street
Inglewood, CA 90301
Phone: (310) 412-8343
Los Angeles County Superior Court - Central Juvenile District
Los Padrinos Juvenile Courthouse
7281 East Quill Drive
Downey, CA 90242
Phone: (562) 658-0799
Los Angeles County Superior Court - Central Juvenile District
Sylmar Juvenile Courthouse
16350 Filbert Street
Sylmar, CA 91342
Phone: (818) 256-1099
Los Angeles County Superior Court - East District
El Monte Courthouse
11234 East Valley Boulevard
El Monte, CA 91731
Phone: (626) 401-2298 (Criminal)
Phone: (626) 401-2299 (Traffic)
Los Angeles County Superior Court - East District
Pomona Courthouse South
400 Civic Center Plaza
Pomona, CA 91766
Phone: (909) 802-1198 (Civil Unlimited)
Phone: (909) 802-1199 (Criminal)
Phone: (909) 802-1197 (Family Law)
Phone: (909) 802-1195 (Juvenile)
Los Angeles County Superior Court - East District
West Covina Courthouse
1427 West Covina Parkway
West Covina, CA 91790
Phone: (626) 430-2598 (Criminal)
Fax: (626) 338-9596 (Criminal)
Phone: (626) 430-2599 (Traffic)
Los Angeles County Superior Court - North Central District
Burbank Courthouse
300 East Olive Avenue
Burbank, CA 91502
Phone: (818) 260-8497 (Civil)
Fax: (818) 953-9455 (Civil )
Phone: (818) 260-8498 (Criminal)
Phone: (818) 260-8499 (Traffic)
Los Angeles County Superior Court - North Central District
Glendale Courthouse
600 East Broadway
Glendale, CA 91206
Phone: (818) 265-6497 (Civil Unlimited)
Fax: (818) 548-5470 (Civil Unlimited )
Phone: (818) 265-6498 (Criminal)
Phone: (818) 265-6499 (Traffic)
Los Angeles County Superior Court - North District
Michael Antonovich Antelope Valley Courthouse
42011 4th Street West
Lancaster, CA 93534
Phone: (661) 483-5797 (Civil, Small Claims)
Fax: (661) 945-8173 (Civil )
Phone: (661) 483-5798 (Criminal)
Phone: (661) 483-5796 (Family Law)
Fax: (661) 753-0441 (Family Law )
Phone: (661) 483-5796 (Probate)
Fax: (213) 346-9811 (Probate )
Phone: (661) 483-5799 (Traffic)
Los Angeles County Superior Court - North Valley District
Chatsworth Courthouse
9425 Penfield Avenue
Chatsworth, CA 91311
Phone: (818) 407-2270 (Civil)
Fax: (818) 576-8687 (Civil)
Phone: (818) 407-2269 (Civil Unlimited)
Fax: (818) 576-8689 (Civil Unlimited)
Phone: (818) 407-2271 (Family Law)
Fax: (818) 576-8688 (Family Law)
Phone: (818) 407-2268 (Traffic)
Los Angeles County Superior Court - North Valley District
San Fernando Courthouse
900 3rd Street
San Fernando, CA 91340
Phone: (818) 256-1898 (Criminal)
Los Angeles County Superior Court - North Valley District
Santa Clarita Courthouse
23747 West Valencia Boulevard
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
Phone: (661) 253-5698 (Criminal)
Phone: (661) 253-5699 (Traffic)
Los Angeles County Superior Court - Northeast District
Alhambra Courthouse
150 West Commonwealth Avenue
Alhambra, CA 91801
Phone: (626) 293-2199 (Criminal)
Phone: (626) 293-2198 (Small Claims)
Fax: (626) 943-8552 (Small Claims)
Los Angeles County Superior Court - Northeast District
Pasadena Courthouse
300 East Walnut Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101
Phone: (626) 396-3397 (Civil)
Fax: (626) 568-3903 (Civil)
Phone: (626) 396-3393 (Criminal Felony)
Phone: (626) 396-3398 (Criminal Misdemeanor)
Phone: (213) 830-0835 (Family Law)
Fax: (626) 568-3903 (Family Law)
Phone: (626) 396-3399 (Traffic)
Los Angeles County Superior Court - Northwest District
Van Nuys Courthouse East
6230 Sylmar Avenue
Van Nuys, CA 91401
Phone: (818) 901-4799 (Civil Unlimited)
Fax: (818) 779-7713 (Civil Unlimited)
Phone: (818) 901-4795 (Unlawful Detainer)
Phone: (818) 901-4797 (Family Law)
Fax: (818) 779-7713 (Family Law)
Phone: (818) 901-4798 (Small Claims)
Fax: (818) 376-0639 (Small Claims)
Los Angeles County Superior Court - Northwest District
Van Nuys Courthouse West
14400 Erwin Street Mall
Van Nuys, CA 91401
Phone: (818) 989-6998 (Criminal)
Fax: (818) 989-6999 (Traffic)
Los Angeles County Superior Court - South Central District
Compton Courthouse
200 West Compton Boulevard
Compton, CA 90220
Phone: (310) 761-8657 (Civil)
Fax: (310) 639-8724 (Civil)
Phone: (310) 761-8658 (Criminal)
Phone: (310) 761-8657 (Family Law)
Phone: (310) 761-8658 (Juvenile Delinquency)
Phone: (213) 763-1644 (Traffic)
Los Angeles County Superior Court - South District
Catalina Courthouse
215 Sumner Avenue
Avalon, CA 90704
Phone: (562) 256-2314 (Criminal)
Los Angeles County Superior Court - South District
Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse
275 Magnolia Avenue
Long Beach, CA 90802
Phone: (562) 256-2316 (Civil)
Fax: (562) 256-8599 (Civil )
Phone: (562) 256-2315 (Civil Unlimited)
Fax: (562) 256-8599 (Civil Unlimited)
Phone: (562) 256-8599 (Civil Unlimited)
Phone: (562) 256-2314 (Criminal)
Phone: (562) 256-2317 (Family Law)
Fax: (562) 256-8599 (Family Law)
Phone: (562) 256-2312 (Juvenile Delinquency)
Phone: (562) 256-2313 (Traffic)
Los Angeles County Superior Court - Southeast District
Bellflower Courthouse
10025 East Flower Street
Bellflower, CA 90706
Phone: (562) 345-3398 (Criminal)
Phone: (562) 345-3399 (Traffic)
Los Angeles County Superior Court - Southeast District
Downey Courthouse
7500 East Imperial Highway
Downey, CA 90242
Phone: (562) 803-7044 (Civil)
Fax: (562) 803-6392 (Civil)
Phone: (562) 803-7050 (Criminal)
Phone: (562) 803-7053 (Small Claims)
Phone: (562) 803-7046 (Traffic)
Los Angeles County Superior Court - Southeast District
Norwalk Courthouse
12720 Norwalk Boulevard
Norwalk, CA 90650
Phone: (562) 345-0899 (Civil)
Phone: (562) 345-0897 (Unlawful Detainers)
Phone: (562) 345-0896 (Criminal)
Phone: (562) 345-0895 (Family Law)
Fax: (562) 863-8757 (Family Law)
Los Angeles County Superior Court - Southwest District
Inglewood Courthouse
One Regent Street
Inglewood, CA 90301
Phone: (310) 419-1398 (Criminal)
Fax: (310) 680-7055 (Criminal)
Phone: (310) 419-1396 (Small Claims)
Phone: (310) 419-1399 (Traffic)
Los Angeles County Superior Court - Southwest District
Torrance Courthouse
825 Maple Avenue
Torrance, CA 90503
Phone: (310) 787-3697 (Civil)
Fax: (562) 637-0731 (Civil)
Phone: (310) 787-3698 (Criminal)
Phone: (310) 787-3697 (Family Law)
Phone: (310) 787-3699 (Traffic)
Los Angeles County Superior Court - West District
Airport Courthouse
11701 South La Cienega Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90045
Phone: (310) 725-3025 (Felony)
Phone: (310) 725-3099 (Misdemeanor)
Los Angeles County Superior Court - West District
Beverly Hills Courthouse
9355 Burton Way
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Phone: (310) 281-2499
Los Angeles County Superior Court - West District
Santa Monica Courthouse
1725 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Phone: (310) 255-1963 (Civil)
Fax: (310) 576-1399 (Civil)
Phone: (310) 255-1962 (Family Law)
Fax: (310) 576-1399 (Family Law)
Phone: (310) 255-1964 (Traffic)
Are Los Angeles Court Records Public?
To promote freedom of information, the majority of Los Angeles court records are open to the public. However, not all documents from the court are accessible to the public. Public access to Los Angeles court records concerning classified or confidential cases is restricted by California state statute. Examples of instances that may fall under this category include:
- Cases of juvenile delinquency (when a minor is charged for committing a crime)
- Cases of juvenile dependency (where a child is separated from his parents)
- Civil cases of harassment
- Certain cases of divorce
- Instances in child custody
Can you look up a Los Angeles Court case online?
Online access to Los Angeles court records is available for Appeal, Civil, Family Law, Small Claims, Probate, and Criminal cases. The availability of Los Angeles court records online is decided on a case-by-case basis. Interested persons may also visit the courthouse to make a request and get copies of court records. Access to court records also depends on the format of the record. Some Los Angeles court records are in paper format, while others are in electronic format. The format available depends on the type of record and the year it was filed.
How to Obtain Los Angeles Civil Court Case Records?
Interested persons can request copies of Los Angeles civil records in person, by mail, or online. Online access provided for civil, family law, small claims, and probate cases. Requesters can search these portals by name, filing date, or case number to obtain court records. Alternatively, make in-person or mail requests by filling out the request form and submitting it to the courthouse where the case was decided. The court will provide information on the applicable fees.
How to Obtain Los Angeles Criminal Court Records?
Los Angeles criminal court records are available online, by mail, and in person. Interested persons should use the criminal case summary portal to carry out online searches. Requests can also be made by mail or in person by completing the request form and forwarding it to the court that handled the case.
What are Los Angeles Vital Records?
Los Angeles vital records consist of documented details such as Los Angeles birth certificates, death certificates, marriage records, and divorce decrees on life events held by the government. It is possible to access most documents by sending a request to the local custodian agency or department.
Where and How to Obtain Los Angeles Divorce Records?
Los Angeles divorce records are in the custody of the Superior Court of Los Angeles. Persons interested in getting copies of divorce records can request copies in person, by mail, or online. Online requests are made through the family law online case summary portal. Search this portal with the name of the parties, filing date, or case number. To make in-person or mail requests, complete the request form and submit it to the courthouse where the divorce was handled. The court will provide information on the applicable fees per copy requested.
Where and How to Get Public Los Angeles Marriage Records?
The Los Angeles Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk maintains Los Angeles public marriage records from 1852 to date. Each copy of a Los Angeles marriage certificate costs $15. Only eligible persons can request authorized copies of a public marriage record. Eligible persons include:
- One of the married parties
- A parent or legal guardian of one of the parties
- A child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or domestic partner of one of the parties
- A member of a law enforcement agency or a representative of any governmental agency established by law, that is conducting official business
- An attorney representing one of the parties or the party’s estate,
- Any person or agency empowered by statute or appointed by a court to act on behalf of one of the parties to the marriage or the party’s estate
Persons that do not fall under any of the above categories can still submit requests to obtain an Informational Certified Copy of the Marriage Record.
Los Angeles marriage records can be requested by mail only. Complete and notarize the Application to Request a Public Marriage Record form. Send the completed form, with a valid ID and payment made with check or money order to the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk to:
Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
Birth, Death and Marriage Records Section
P.O. Box 489
Norwalk, CA 90651-0489
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Los Angeles?
The Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk keeps copies of Los Angeles confidential marriage records from 1852 to date. They are accessible to the parties to the marriage or a person with a court order only. A copy of a confidential marriage record costs $15. To obtain a confidential marriage record, fill out the Application to Request a Confidential Marriage Record. Enclose a valid ID and check or money order payable to the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk at:
Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
Birth, Death and Marriage Records Section
P.O. Box 489
Norwalk, CA 90651-0489
Where and How to Find Los Angeles Birth Records?
Los Angeles birth records from 1866 to date are at the office of the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. Authorized certified copies of Los Angeles birth certificates are accessible to:
- The record’s subject
- A parent or legal guardian of the subject
- A child, grandchild, grandparent, sibling, spouse, or domestic partner of the subject
- A person with a court order empowered to get the record
- An attorney or a licensed adoption agency seeking the birth record to comply with the requirements of Section 3140 or 7603 of the Family Code
- A member of a law enforcement agency or a representative of any governmental agency established by law, that is conducting official business
- An attorney representing the record’s subject or their estate
- Any person or agency empowered by statute or appointed by a court to act on behalf of the record’s subject or their estate
Individuals who do not meet any of the above eligibility requirements may request an Informational Certified Copy of a Birth Record.
A Los Angeles birth record can be gotten by mail only at $28 per copy. A requester should complete and notarize the Application for Birth Record form. Include a valid ID and check or money order payment and mail it to:
Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
Birth, Death and Marriage Records Section
P.O. Box 489
Norwalk, CA 90651-0489
Where and How to Find Los Angeles Death Records?
The Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk keeps Los Angeles death records from 1877 to date. A copy of a death record costs $21. Access to Los Angeles death certificates is restricted to:
- A parent or legal guardian of the deceased
- A member of a law enforcement agency or a representative of any governmental agency established by law, that is conducting official business
- A spouse, domestic partner, child, grandchild, grandparent, or sibling of the deceased
- An attorney representing the deceased or their estate
- Any person or agency empowered by statute or appointed by a court to act on behalf of the deceased or their estate
- Any funeral director or agent/employee of a funeral establishment acting within the scope of their employment who orders certified copies of a death on behalf of any individual specified in paragraphs (1) to (5), inclusive of subdivision (a) of Section 7100 of the Health and Safety Code
- Any individual specified in paragraphs (1) to (8) inclusive of subdivision (a) of Health & Safety Code 7100
Individuals outside this categorization of persons can only request an "Informational Certified Copy of a Death Record."
Copies of Los Angeles death records are available by mail only. To make a mail request, fill out and notarize the Application for a Death Record form. Mail the filled-out form, check or money order payment, and a valid ID to:
Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
Birth, Death and Marriage Records Section
P.O. Box 489
Norwalk, CA 90651-0489
