What Are Santa Barbara City Public Records?
According to the California Public Records Act (CPRA), Santa Barbara City public records are any form of information gathered, filed, maintained, and issued by public departments in the local and state agencies, except restricted by law. These records include transcripts, reports, images, and electronic files. Nevertheless, certain parts of a public record may be exempted or redacted from public inspection and duplication if it contains:
- Private information infringing on personal privacy
- Information related to an active law enforcement investigation
- Preliminary drafts, notes, and memorandums
- Information containing private financial data and tax
- Information containing personnel or medical information
- Information invading attorney-client privilege
Santa Barbara City Crime Statistics
The Santa Barbara Police Department annually collates crime statistics, indexes, and crime reports for the city. Crime data for 2019 reveals the city recorded a total of 2,518 reported crimes and 567 cleared cases. Property crime was the most common crime with 2118 cases with larceny-theft recorded as the most criminal property act with 1,686 recorded incidents.
Compared with 2018 crime data, the city experienced a decline of 2.3% in total crime rate and an increase of 0.58% in cleared cases. Data shows that reported crimes decreased from 2,748 in 2018 to 2518 in 2019. The decline was mostly accounted for due to a decrease of 2.15% in property crimes while violent crimes reduced by 0.15%. The total number of larceny and aggravated assault cases decreased by 2.08% and 0.04%, respectively.
Nonetheless, similar to the previous year, property crimes were the most reported criminal cases, with 254 burglary cases, 178 motor vehicle theft cases, and 10 arson incidents.
Are Santa Barbara City Criminal Records Public?
Not all Santa Barbara City criminal records are open to the public for inspection and duplication. For instance, the California Department of Justice only grants access to the subject and does not grant third-party requests, except to a few authorized agencies for official purposes. Individuals may also review their local criminal history information or clearance letters through the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office for $25 and $17, respectively.
For Santa Barbara criminal records from the Sheriff’s Office, download and complete the criminal history/clearance letter request form. Submit the filled form in person or send via U.S. Mail, fax, or email to:
In-person:
4434 Calle Real,
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
Mail:
P.O. Box 6427
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
Fax: (805) 681-5346
Email: records@sbsheriff.org
For DOJ background checks, applicants should provide a completed Live Scan Service request form and appropriate identification to Live Scan Operators who capture the applicant’s fingerprints electronically, forwards requests to the DOJ, and provides an applicant transaction identifier (ATI) number. Depending on the information contained, background check responses may take from two days to two weeks.
Lastly, individuals can get personal criminal history information filed with the Santa Barbara Police Department (SBPD) by sending filled request forms and proof of identification to:
Santa Barbara Police Department
215 E Figueroa Street,
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: (805) 897-2355
Requesters must also provide a self-addressed envelope and fees when required. The SBPD charges $10 for a “no record” result, $25 for records on file, and does not charge unauthorized requesters, peace officers, or the City of Santa Barbara Housing Authority.
Note: The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office and Santa Barbara Police Department provide fingerprinting and live scan services.
How to Obtain Santa Barbara City Police Reports and Arrest Records?
The Santa Barbara Police Department files and provides access to public Santa Barbara City arrest records and police reports to involved or authorized persons. For crime, collision, or arrest reports, qualified persons must submit a completed request or report form, including a signature and certification to prove authorization to obtain a report copy in-person, via mail or email:
Santa Barbara Police Department
Attn: Records Bureau/Report Request
215 E. Figueroa Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Fax: (805) 897-2434
Requesters must submit a government-issued valid photo ID and charge fees of $25 and $0.20 per additional page payable by cash, check, or credit cards. Send the form and other requirements via mail, email, or in-person.
The Records Bureau of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office also issues crime reports, incident reports, traffic accident reports, and other reports to eligible parties. Requests can be in person, via email, fax, or mail. Interested persons should send completed report request forms, fees, and other requirements to:
In-person:
4434 Calle Real,
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
Mail:
P.O. Box 6427
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
Fax: (805) 681-5346
Email: records@sbsheriff.org
Note: Santa Barbara City arrest records may not contain in-depth case information, especially on conviction. Therefore, these should not serve as a substitute for criminal records with disposition details.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Santa Barbara City
The California Department of Justice compiles and maintains an online sex registry that provides information on registered sex offenders residing in Santa Barbara and other cities in California. The registry contains related information such as names, aliases, sex, age, race, and photographs of sex offenders in the city.
How to Find Santa Barbara City Inmate Records
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office files and provides information on individuals incarcerated in the county’s jail through an online inmate locator system. Interested persons can obtain Santa Barbara inmate records by inputting the first name, last name, and inmate number in the locator tool.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Santa Barbara City Jail?
The Santa Barbara County Main Jail is located in Santa Barbara City. To qualify for visits, individuals interested in visiting inmates housed in this facility must be on the visitation list provided by the inmate and approved by the jail administration. Eligible persons must also schedule visits according to the visitation hours and housing unit. To schedule a visit, prospective visitors must provide information, such as full name, identification number, and current home address.
Inmates can receive a maximum of two visitors per visit, including children. All visitors must check in an hour before scheduled visits, provide a valid government-issued photo ID, and submit to a search, as personal belongings are prohibited in the visiting area. Physical visits are conducted through a visit window with telephone handsets as touching is discouraged. Furthermore, a parent or legal guardian must accompany children, and all visitors must comply with the dress code and dress appropriately.
Information on general visitation rules, schedules, required identification, dress code, and contrabands are available online. For further details, contact the Sheriff's Office at:
Sheriff’s Office Headquarters
4434 Calle Real
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
Phone: (805) 681-4100
Email: info@sbsheriff.org
Court Records
The Santa Barbara County Superior Court manages and provides access to a variety of Santa Barbara court records. These records include civil records, criminal records, probate records, and administrative proceedings issued as written and electronic files. Listed below are the locations and contact information of some courthouses in Santa Barbara:
Santa Barbara County Superior Court - Anacapa Division
1100 Anacapa Street,
P.O. Box 21107
Santa Barbara, CA 93121
Phone: (805) 882-4520
Fax: (805) 882-4519
Santa Barbara County Superior Court - Figueroa Division
118 East Figueroa Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: (805) 568-3959
Fax: (805) 882-4647
Santa Barbara County Superior Court - Santa Barbara Juvenile Court
1108 Santa Barbara Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: (805) 882-4576
Santa Barbara County Superior Court - Santa Barbara Pretrial Services
County Jail
4434 Calle Real
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
Phone: (805) 681-5645
Fax: (805) 681-5641
Are Santa Barbara City Court Records Public?
Access to some Santa Barbara court records is restricted. The California state law prohibits the availability of some court records due to their confidentiality status. Examples of such records include:
- Juvenile delinquency records
- Child adoption and custody cases.
- Pending litigation and claims
- Preliminary drafts, notes, or memorandums
- Criminal history information
How to Obtain Santa Barbara Civil Court Case Records
The Santa Barbara County Superior Court files non-confidential civil court records. Interested persons may obtain certified copies of Santa Barbara civil case records via in-person, mail, or online requests. The court provides an online case search portal that requesters can use to search civil records by name, case number, filing dates, case type, case category, party type. However, the online portal includes cases from 1975 to the present.
To obtain a certified copy of Santa Barbara civil records, requestors may forward queries in-person or mail written requests to:
Santa Barbara County Superior Court - Civil Cases
1100 Anacapa Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93121-1107
Phone: (805) 882-4520
The court may charge $25 per certified copy and $0.50 for each additional copy. Payments for in-person requests are accepted through cash, check, and credit card.
How to Obtain Santa Barbara Criminal Court Records
Interested persons can obtain Santa Barbara criminal court records from the Santa Barbara County Superior Court in-person, by mail, or by email. Requesters can get criminal court records in person, by mail, or by email. To obtain certified criminal court cases, requestors may submit completed criminal record request form to:
Santa Barbara County Superior Court - Criminal/Traffic cases
118 E. Figueroa Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: (805) 568-3959
Additionally, mail requests should include a stamped self-addressed envelope the "Santa Barbara Superior Court" at:
ATTN: Records
118 E. Figueroa Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Certified copies may cost $25 and $0.50 for each additional copy. Acceptable forms of payment include cash, check, and credit cards.
What Are Santa Barbara Vital Records?
Santa Barbara vital records are official documents that provide information on life events such as births, deaths, marriages, and divorces of individuals schooling, working and residing within the city. The Santa Barbara County Vital Records Office is responsible for filing, maintaining, and issuing copies of vital records of residents living within the county. Similarly, the California Department of Public Health maintains a statewide registry of vital records of residents in its cities and counties.
Where and How to Obtain Santa Barbara Divorce Records
The Superior Court of California for Santa Barbara County files and manages records of divorces filed in the city and county of Santa Barbara. Requests for Santa Barbara divorce records may be made in person, by mail, or by email. To obtain Santa Barbara divorce records, requestors must submit a completed request form to the Records Division at:
Santa Barbara County Superior Court
118 E. Figueroa Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: (805) 882-4778
Email: SouthCountyRecords@sbcourts.org
Send mail-in requests to:
ATTN: Records
118 E. Figueroa Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Requestors should note that certified divorce copies are not receivable through email. The court charges a $15 fee for each requested copy and $0.50 for each additional copy payable by cash, credit card, or check.
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Santa Barbara
The Clerk-Recorder Office maintains and processes requests for the confidential marriage records that occurred within the county of Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara confidential marriage certificates can only be issued to the parties involved in the marriage or a court-authorized entity.
Qualified persons can obtain copies of confidential marriage records through in-person, fax, or mail. Requestors will be required to submit a completed application form, a sworn statement of identity, and charge fees of $15 to:
Santa Barbara Clerk-Recorder
1100 Anacapa Street
Hall of Records
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: (805) 568-2250
Where and How to Get Public Santa Barbara Marriage Records
The Clerk-Recorder Office maintains and processes requests for records of marriages that took place in the city and county of Santa Barbara from 1870 to the present. To obtain public Santa Barbara marriage records, requestors must fall under the category of authorized persons such as:
- The registrant
- A parent or legal guardian of the registrant
- A court-authorized entity.
- A legal representative of the registrant
- A member of a law enforcement agency
Authorized persons can get certified public marriage records through in-person, fax, or mail requests. To aid the marriage record search, requestors will be required to submit a completed public marriage certificate, a sworn statement of eligibility, and a fee of $15 payable by check, credit card, or money order to:
Santa Barbara Clerk-Recorder
1100 Anacapa Street
Hall of Records
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: (805) 568-2250
Mail requests to:
Santa Barbara Clerk-Recorder
P.O. Box 159
Santa Barbara, CA 93102-0159
California Vital Records Department processes requests of public Santa Barbara marriage records from 1905 to 2000 and 2008 to the present. However, copies are only accessible to authorized individuals such as the record’s subject, parents, descendants, and legal representatives. To obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate, qualified persons must submit a completed application form, a notarized sworn statement, and charge fees of $15 in-person or mailed to:
California Department of Public Health
Vital Records – MS 5103
1501 Avenue
P.O. Box 997410
Sacramento, CA 95899-7410
Where and How to Find Santa Barbara Birth Records
The Clerk-Recorder Office files and issues certified copies of birth records of individuals born within Santa Barbara county from 1850 to the present. The County Clerk-Recorder issues two types of birth certificates, namely, authorized and informational. Informational copies are issued to unauthorized persons and will be marked as “informational, not a valid document to establish identity.” Certified copies of Santa Barbara birth records are only obtainable by a group of authorized persons, including:
- The record’s subject
- Parents or legal guardian
- Children, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, and spouse of the subject
- A court-authorized entity.
- An attorney representing the subject or family members
- Member of a law enforcement agency
Qualified persons who wish to obtain certified copies of Santa Barbara birth records can submit queries in person, by mail, or fax. Requestors must provide a completed request form, valid government-issued photo ID, and a sworn statement of identity to:
Santa Barbara Clerk-Recorder
1100 Anacapa Street
Hall of Records
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: (805) 568-2250
Send mail-in requests to:
Santa Barbara Clerk-Recorder
P.O. Box 159
Santa Barbara, CA 93102-0159
The office charges a non-refundable fee of $28 for each requested copy, and the accepted methods of payment are cash, check, and credit card. Furthermore, certified copies of Santa Barbara birth records from July 1905 till present are available at the California Department of Vital Records.
Requests can be made in-person or by mail. However, requestors must be a member of the authorized persons. To get a birth record, requestors must submit a completed application form, a certificate of identity, and charge fees of $25 addressed to:
California Department of Public Health
Vital Records – MS 5103
1501 Avenue
P.O. Box 997410
Sacramento, CA 95899-7410
Where and How to Find Santa Barbara Death Records
The Santa Barbara Clerk-Recorder issues certificates for deaths that happened within the county from 1850 till the present. Santa Barbara death records are only available to authorized persons, including;
- A parent or legal guardian of the registrant (the individual named on the certificate)
- A child, grandchild, or grandparent
- A spouse or domestic partner
- A sibling or surviving next-of-kin
- Individuals with appointed rights as a legal representative or executor of the will
- Attorney(s) or empowered persons representing the registrant’s estate
To obtain Santa Barbara death records, authorized persons must submit requests via mail, fax, or in-person to:
Santa Barbara Clerk-Recorder
1100 Anacapa Street
Hall of Records
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: (805) 568-2250
Requestors are required to submit a completed application form, valid government-issued photo ID, a sworn statement of identity, and charge fees of $21 paid by cash, check, or credit card. For access to Santa Barbara death records filed from 1905 till present, authorized requestors can forward queries to the California Department of Vital Records in person or by mail to:
California Department of Public Health
Vital Records – MS 5103
1501 Avenue
P.O. Box 997410
Sacramento, CA 95899-7410
Requestors must send a completed application form, certificate of identity, and charge fees of $21 paid through check or money order.
