Criminal Statistics
The FBI publishes annual crime index statistics reported by various state and county law enforcement agencies as part of its Uniform Crime Reporting program. According to the 2017 report, Imperial County recorded a net total of 778 reported index crimes. Property crimes were the most popular, accounting for 80% of the recorded incidents.
A further breakdown reveals that larceny was the most recurring crime with 358 reported incidents, while there were 218, 65 and 14 reported incidents of burglary, motor vehicle theft, and arson, respectively. Aggravated assault was reported to be the most recurring of all violent crimes with 119 reported incidents. On the other hand, there were fewer than 20 reported incidents of manslaughter, robbery, and rape combined.
Criminal Records
The California Department of Justice is tasked with maintaining the statewide criminal record repository and as such provides criminal record and background check related services to state residents. Similarly, the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office maintains county-level criminal history information of residents and provides access to them upon request.
How to Get Criminal Records, Arrest Records, and Police Reports
The Records Unit of the Imperial County Sheriff's Office is the primary custodian of all criminal records and crime-related reports of the county. The Unit personnel processes requests for copies of local criminal history records, arrest records and reports, police/incident reports. Individuals interested in obtaining local criminal history records are required to complete a Criminal History Request Form, which should be submitted in person along with valid identification and any applicable fees to:
Imperial County Sheriff's Office
Records Unit
328 Applestill Road,
El Centro, CA 92243
Requests for police and incidents may also be directed to the Records Unit of the Sheriff's office. However, the requesting party will be required to one of the Records Forms and submit/send the application along with a cheque or money order payment of $22 to the address above.
How to Find Sex Offender Information
Sex offender information is maintained by the state Department of Justice and managed on the California Megan Law Website. Interested persons may search the registry by name or location to obtain information about sex offenders resident in Imperial county. The website is also useful for obtaining information about the compliance of offenders and their proximity to specific addresses.
How to Find Inmate and Jail Information
The Imperial County Sheriff's Office provides public access to information regarding current inmates of the Imperial County Jail using the Who is in Jail Tool. Using the tool, incarcerated persons can be searched by name or arrest date, and the information provided will include the primary charges and the inmate number of the individual. Information regarding inmate welfare, visitation and contact information can be obtained from the Corrections Information Page of the Sheriff's Office website
Court Records
Where and How to Get Court Records
Imperial county court records are managed by the office of the Clerk of Imperial County Superior Courts, which generates and preserves records of cases heard within its jurisdiction. The office provides access to non-confidential records to persons with reasonable intent.
To access records maintained by the Superior Court, interested persons may make in-person queries or send a written request to:
County of Imperial Superior Court
939 W. Main Street
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 482-2250
Email: publicrecordsrequest@imperial.courts.ca.go
The requesting party will be required to provide relevant information with which to trace the requested record such as the name of the plaintiff/defendant, the case file number or the date the case was filed.
Location of all Courts in County
Listed below are the addresses and contact information of all the courthouses in Imperial County California:
Imperial County Superior Court - Brawley
220 Main Street,
Brawley, CA 92227
(760) 336-3550
Imperial County Superior Court - El Centro
939 West Main Street,
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 482-2200
Imperial County Superior Court - Jail Court
328 Applestill Road,
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 336-3575
Imperial County Superior Court - Juvenile Court
324 Applestill Road,
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 336-3581
Imperial County Superior Court - Valley Plaza Infractions Court
1625 West Main Street,
El Centro, CA 92243
Phone: (760) 336-3500 (Civil)
Fax: (760) 336-3592 (Civil)
Phone: (760) 336-3500 (Criminal)
Fax: (760) 336-3593 (Criminal)
Imperial County Superior Court - Winterhaven
2124 Winterhaven Drive,
Winterhaven, CA 92283
(760) 336-3500
Where and How to Get Property Records
The Imperial County Recorder’s Office is responsible for the recording of deeds, mortgages, and decrees of court relating to real property. To request copies of property records, interested persons may make in-person requests to the Recorder's Office or send a written request indicating the name of the instrument as well as the date of the recording and recording number to:
Imperial County Clerk / Recorder
940 W. Main Street,
Suite 202
El Centro, CA 92243-2839
Tel: (442) 265-1076
Fax: (442) 265-1091
Vital Records
The California Department of Public Health is the central repository of vital records for the state and the primary issuer of these records. However, vital records are also maintained locally in Imperial County and can be obtained from the County Clerk/Recorder's Office. The County Clerk division is concerned with issuing and maintaining records of marriage licenses and divorce decrees while the Recorder's office is the local custodian of birth, death and marriage records.
Where and How to Get Divorce Records
Imperial county divorce records are managed and disseminated by the office of the Clerk of Imperial County Superior Courts. To obtain copies of divorce records, interested persons may make in-person queries or send a written request to:
County of Imperial Superior Court
939 W. Main Street,
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 482-2250
Alternatively, requests for divorce verifications can be directed to the California Department of Public Health. The requesting party is required to download and complete an application for a certified copy of divorce record which should be sent along with a $14 fee to:
California Department of Public Health
Vital Records – MS 5103
P.O. Box 997410
Sacramento, CA 95899-7410
Where and How to Get Marriage Records
Records of marriages licensed by the Imperial County Clerk/Recorder's office are maintained and issued by the office. To access copies of these records, the requesting party is required to have met all eligibility requirements indicated on the application for vital records form before making their request. If eligible to request the records, the requestor may then print, complete and notarize the form, and send it along with a non-refundable payment of $11 to:
Imperial County Clerk/Recorder
940 Main Street,
Suite 202,
El Centro, CA 92243
Telephone: (442) 265-1075
Fax: (442) 265-1091
Where and How to Get Birth and Death Records
Requests for birth and death records are processed by the Imperial County Clerk/Recorder's office. However, the office only makes certified copies of these records available to the following authorized persons as provided by state laws:
- The registrant
- Their parent, legal guardian, sibling, spouse or offspring
- A member of a law enforcement agency
- The legal representative of the registrant or their immediate family
- Persons authorized by law to obtain the record.
Eligible persons may request either record by completing an Application for Vital Records Form and sending it along with the fees stated on the form to:
Imperial County Clerk/Recorder
940 Main Street,
Suite 202,
El Centro, CA 92243
Telephone: (442) 265-1075
Fax: (442) 265-1091
In addition to government agencies, county public records may also be obtained from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. Users are able to search third-party websites remotely for multiple records at a time with just the name of the record subject and their last known location, including the city, county, or state. Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Are Property Records Open to the Public in Imperial County?
The California Public Records Act ensures that members of the general public can request access to Imperial County property records. The act requires county record keepers, such as the Clerk-Recorder's Office and the Assessor's Office, to allow public inspections of property records and produce copies when requested.
Where and How to Find Property Records in Imperial County
Property records are obtainable from the Imperial County Clerk-Recorder's Office. The office maintains information on all recorded property in the county and provides these records to the general public. Requestors are charged $2 for the first page of a requested record and $1 for each additional page. Certified copies cost an extra $2.50 per document. Persons requesting map copies of property records are also charged $2 for the first page and $1 for each extra page. The Clerk-Recorder's Office entertains in-person and mail requests. In-person requesters can visit to inspect records free of charge.
Each mail application requires a completed copy request form. The form should be filled with a book and page number or an identifying document number. Requestors should also indicate preferences for plain or certified copies. All requests are processed at the following address:
Imperial County Clerk/Recorder
940 W. Main Street
Suite 202
El Centro, CA 92243
Phone: (442) 265-1075
Fax: (442) 265-1091
Requestors may also contact the Imperial County Assessor's Office for desired property records. This office is responsible for the assessment and valuation of all properties within the county's boundary. Persons who need these documents may submit record requests to the:
Imperial County Assessor's Office
940 W. Main Street
Suite 115
El Centro, CA 92243
Phone: (442) 265-1300
Fax: (442) 265-8030
Email: assessor@co.imperial.ca.us
How to Look Up Imperial County Property Records
The Imperial County Clerk-Recorder's Office offers a Grantor/Grantee Search for public access to online court records. The online database contains county property documents that date back to 1986. Searchers can find records by name, document number, document type, recording date, book and page number, and assessor parcel number (APN). While only the last name is required for a name search, users are advised to add at least a partial first name if known. This reduces the amount of time required for a search, preventing a possible system time out. Users should note that property images are unavailable online.
Location of Imperial County Property Assessors
Imperial County Assessor's Office
940 W. Main Street
Suite 115
El Centro, CA 92243
Phone: (442) 265-1300
Fax: (442) 265-8030
Email: assessor@co.imperial.ca.us
