Crime Statistics
The San Bernardino Police Department compiles city-wide crime data and statistics. In 2017, the department recorded 11,208 reported crime incidents, divided into 2,805 cases of violent crime and 8.403 reports of property crime. Thefts accounted for 35.4% of total crime while auto thefts made up 20.2%. A further breakdown of the data shows that the total crime rate decreased by 19% compared to the previous year. In addition, the city average 14.13 daily crimes for every 100,000 residents, making it safer than 3% of the cities in the country. Its overall crime rate was 88% higher than the national average and 75% higher than the state average.
Police Reports and Arrest Records
The San Bernardino Police Department Records Bureau processes request for copies of police reports, including traffic collision reports, incident reports, and criminal reports.
Who Can Obtain Police Records
Access to police reports, in compliance with California state laws, may be restricted to only authorized applicants. Requests can be made by parties involved in an incident, including witnesses, victims, legal guardians of victims and representatives of victims. Records may also be exempted if they:
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Include confidential information (or sealed information)
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Include information that may deprive a person of a fair trial
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Include information that discloses investigation techniques
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Identify juvenile information
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Include information that may endanger the safety of a person or witness
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Identify victim information
How to Obtain Public Police Reports
Interested parties can apply for a report in person at the police headquarters at 710 North D Street, San Bernardino, CA 92401. The office opens between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. from Monday through Thursday. Requests can also be made via mail. To obtain a copy of a report, requesters must submit a completed request form, providing a case/incident number, name, contact details and the nature of their involvement with the case. Requests must include a copy of a valid photo ID as well as the appropriate fee.
How to Obtain Sex Offender Information
The California Department of Justice manages an online registry that provides general information on registered sex offenders. It’s updated regularly. Members can conduct searches using the sex offender database. Users can search for registered offenders using the subject’s name, address, city or zip code.
How to Obtain Inmate Information
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department manages records on inmates and county jail facilities. Information on persons currently held in facilities within San Bernardino or the rest of the country can be accessed via an online inmate locator tool. Members of the public can conduct searches, using a known booing number or by proving the last name, date of birth and gender or the inmate. In addition, the Sheriff’s office provides an out-of-custody search list.
How to Obtain Criminal Records (Clearance Letter)
Residents of San Bernardino can obtain criminal history summaries by contacting the California State Department of Justice (DOJ). Individuals are allowed to only request their own records. Third party requests for criminal records are not authorized. Applications must include live fingerprint scans. The department charges a $25 fee for this service.
Court Records
The Superior Court of California for San Bernardino County manages a vast database of court records, ranging from criminal records, civil records, family records, juvenile records, and probate records amongst others. The court provides remote access to document images from civil case filings. Searches are charged at $0.50 per page, with a maximum charge of $50.00 for each document. Certified records incur an additional $25.
How to Obtain Court Records
Residents can search for case information and court records in person at the courthouse location where the case was filed. Requesters can also obtain records via mail by sending a request to the court. Written requests should include a self-addressed stamp envelope for the return of the copies. Interested parties may be required to provide valid photo identification along with their request. Acceptable forms of identification include:
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United States Military ID
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United States Passport
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Driver’s License
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DMV-issued ID
Vital Records
Vital records for San Bernardino are processed at the county and state level. This includes birth certificates, death certificates, and records of domestic partnership. Residents may be restricted from obtaining certified records depending on their eligibility.
How to Obtain Divorce Records
Copies of divorce decrees that were issued in San Bernardino County can be obtained by visiting the Superior Court of California for the county. Requests can be made in person or by mail at the Family Law clerk's office. To obtain copies of a court record by mail, applicants must send a request to the:
Superior Court of California
County of San Bernardino
San Bernardino District – Attn: Family Law Clerk’s Office
351 N. Arrowhead Ave
San Bernardino, CA 92415-zip
Family Law: 92415-0245
Written requests must specify the type of document required, case number, requester’s name, and contact address. The court charges $15 for searches that take longer than 15 minutes and an additional $15 for certified copies of dissolutions ($10 for requests made by public agencies).
How to Obtain Certificate of Records for Divorce
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issues certificates of record for divorces granted between 1962 and June 1984. It includes the names of the involved parties, court case number, and the county where the divorce was filed. Requests can be made by completing an application form and mailing it to the California Department of Public Health.
Note: Divorce records for decrees issued after 2004 can be obtained at the originating courthouses where the divorce was filed.
How to Obtain Birth and Death Records
The San Bernardino vital records office maintains birth and death records for events that occurred in Bernardino and the rest of the county within the last 24 months. Copies may also be obtained from the Recorder-County Clerk's Office. Interested parties can obtain records in person or via mail by sending a request to the
San Bernardino County Recorder's Office,
222 West Hospitality Lane,
San Bernardino, CA 92415
Requesters parties must submit a completed application form with a copy of a government-issued ID and the appropriate fee. The county recorder-clerk charges $28.00 for birth certificates and $21.00 for death certificates. Requests by mail should include a check, postal order or money order made payable to the “San Bernardino County Recorder.” Birth, death and marriage records are also maintained by the California Department of Public Health Vital Records (CDPH). The office charges a $25.00 fee for birth certificates and $21.00 for death certificates.
Who may Obtain a Birth/Death Certificate
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The registrant listed on the certificate (for birth records).
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The parent or legal guardian of the registrant.
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The sibling, child, grandparent, grandchild, spouse or domestic partner of the registrant.
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A party authorized to receive the record by court order.
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A law enforcement agency or any representative authorized by law who is conducting official business.
