Crime Statistics
According to records released for 2017, the city recorded a total of 3,340 reported incidents. Larceny-theft was the most common crime with 1,611 cases, making up 47.8% of total crimes. Aggravated assault was the most common crime with 422 cases. Compared to 2016, crimes in Palmdale decreased by 12%. Property crimes slid by 10% while violent crimes decreased by 17%. With an average of 5.79 daily crimes for every 100,000 residents, the overall crime rate in Palmdale was 23% lower than the national average.
Criminal Records
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department oversees local law enforcement in Palmdale and other parts of the county. Local requests for records can be made at the:
Palmdale Sheriff’s Station
750 East Avenue Q,
Palmdale, CA 93550
(661) 272-2400
Access to some records may be restricted to only persons connected to the case such as victims and witnesses. Members of the public may also be prevented from accessing records that contain confidential information.
How to Obtain Police Records
Police reports can be obtained at the station where the report was submitted. The department charges $23.00 for each report. Requesters will be required to provide the time, date, location, and the name of the parties involved to assist with the search. Most requests take an average of a week to process.
How to Obtain Public Records
Residents of Palmdale can obtain public records by submitting a record request form to the office of the City Clerk at:
City of Palmdale
Office of the City Clerk
38300 Sierra Hwy., Suite C
Palmdale, CA 93550
Forms submitted by mail must include the name of the requester and the requester’s contact details. Requesters can choose to either inspect the records in person or have them provided for pick up. A standard fee of $0.25 is charged per page for regular documents and $5.00 for DVDs.
How to Obtain Inmate Information
The Los Angeles County Sheriff Department provides access to public inmate records via an online inmate information search tool. Searches can be conducted using the inmate’s name and date of birth. In addition, the department provides information on general custody related questions as well as the regulations on visitations and depositing money.
How to Find Sex Offender Information
In compliance with state law, the State of California Department of Justice maintains an online registry of sex offenders residing in Palmdale and other parts of the state. Members of the public can obtain information on sex offenders using the online search tool. Searches can be filtered by name or city. Interested parties can also fine-tune results to reveal registrants located within a specific area.
Court Records
The city Palmdale falls under the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles County Superior Court. It provides online access to a variety of records, including civil court records, criminal court records, probate records, and small claims cases. Members of the public can search for public records using the court’s online Case Access platform. It allows for searches using a variety of options. Requesters can search for records by name or by case number. The platform also provides online case summaries for criminal, civil and family cases.
How to Find Divorce Records
Certified copies of marriage-dissolution decrees granted in Palmdale can be obtained by contacting the clerk at the courthouse where the case was filed. Interested parties may also be able to order divorce judgments online using the Los Angeles Superior Court’s web service. This option is only available for divorce records maintained electronically by the court. A $0.50 fee is charged per page for the first copy and a similar amount for additional copies. Certified copies can also be obtained using this platform but will incur an additional $15.00 fee. To assist with the search process, the court provides an online tool that the public can use to search through case numbers for family law cases filed from 1983 to present.
How to Find Divorce Verification/Certificate of Divorce
Divorce verifications for marriage dissolutions granted between 1962 and 1984 can be obtained by contacting the California Department of Public Health. However, unlike divorce decrees, which provide the details of the divorce agreement, divorce verifications only provide general information such as the name of the parties involved and the courthouse where the divorce was granted. Requests for divorce certificates can be made at:
California Department of Public Health
Vital Records – MS 5103
P.O. Box 997410
Sacramento, CA 95899-7410
(916) 445-2684
How to Obtain Birth, Death, and Marriage Records
The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk serves as the central repository for vital in Palmdale, California and the rest of the county. Its records include births from 1866, deaths from 1877, and records of marriage unions dating back to 1852. Interested parties can obtain records in person or via mail. However, only eligible individuals are permitted to receive authorized copies of birth or death record. An informational certified copy is provided to requesters who fail to meet eligibility. Mail requests must include a duly completed application form sent to:
Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
Birth, Death and Marriage Records Section
P.O. Box 489
Norwalk, CA 90651-0489
Records can also be obtained in person at any of the office’s locations.
Norwalk(Main Office)
12400 Imperial Hwy., 1st Floor
Norwalk, CA 90650
East Los Angeles
4716 E. Cesar Chavez Blvd., Building B.
Los Angeles, CA 90022
Florence/Firestone
7807 S. Compton Ave., Room 102
Los Angeles, CA 90001
Lancaster
44509 16th St. West, Suite 101
Lancaster, CA 93534
LAX Courthouse
11701 S. La Cienega Blvd., 6th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90045
Van Nuys
14340 W. Sylvan St.
Van Nuys, CA 91401
