What are Santa Monica City Public Records?
Santa Monica public records are defined under the California Public Records Act (CPRA). They include any written or electronic document produced and maintained by government agencies, except those stated by the Act as exempted. Records that are exempted from public access according to the Act include:
- Personnel records and files of employees
- Medical records
- Tests questions and assessment details for exams.
- Records of pending litigation why a public agency is a party.
- Confidential information
- Personal information of taxpayers and their financial data
In addition to official sources, public city records may also be accessible from third-party
websites. Record seekers may use these non-governmental platforms to search for a specific document or multiple city records. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search, such as:
- The address of the requestor
- A case number or file number (if known)
- The location of the document or person involved
- The name of the subject involved in the record (not juvenile)
- The last known or current address of the registrant
Government agencies do not sponsor third-party sites. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Santa Monica City Crime Statistics
The Santa Monica Police Department compiles records of crimes that took place in the city. These records are published annually in the FBI-Unified Crime Reporting program. Records published for Santa Monica City in the year 2019 show that the city had a total number of 4,628 reported crimes. Larceny-theft was the most recurring crime with 3,835 reported incidents. Compared with results for 2018, the city recorded a 16.30% reduction in the total number of crimes. Property crimes decreased by 16.23%, while violent crimes reduced by 16.70%. The incidences of larceny-theft, aggravated assaults, robbery, and arson reduced by 18.04%, 17.26%, 11.15%, and 9.52%, respectively. However, in contrast, cases of motor vehicle theft increased by 3.83%.
Are San Francisco City Criminal Records Public?
Access to Santa Monica City criminal records largely depends on the information contained in the record. Members of the public are not allowed to request copies of the criminal records of another person. Criminal records of residents compiled by law enforcement agencies are only released to specific employers or the person whose name appears on the record. Employers who are allowed to request criminal records in Santa Monica include law enforcement agents, security companies, public utilities, and child care facilities.
How to Obtain Santa Monica City Police Reports and Arrest Records
Santa Monica City police reports and arrest records are maintained by law enforcement agents, including the Santa Monica Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office in San Monica. These agencies provide free copies of Santa Monica Police reports to requestors. Individuals can make requests for police reports and arrest records to the Santa Monica Police Department via email, in person, or by mail. A requestor is required to complete and print an application for the release of law enforcement records. Police reports cost $1.00 per page. The completed form is to be mailed or taken in person to Santa Monica Police Department. Checks and money orders are to be addressed to:
Santa Monica Police Department
Attn: Records
333 Olympic Drive
Santa Monica,
CA 90401
Requestors can also visit the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office in Santa Monica at :
Los Angeles County Sheriff
1725 Main St,
Santa Monica,
CA 90401
(310) 260-3621
The California Department of Justice also compiles and maintains the criminal database. Requests can be made to the department of justice, and the department will supply the records if the requestor is eligible.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Santa Monica City
The California Department of Justice operates an online sex offenders registry. This registry provides information about sex offenders resident in Santa Monica City and other parts of the State of California. Search results from the sex offenders registry generally include names and aliases of the offender, addresses, and notable descriptions. The register supplies photos, zip codes, and other details that tell about the proximity of the registered offender to schools, parks, or other public places.
How to Find Santa Monica City Inmate Records
The Santa Monica Police Department provides information about all arrestees kept in custody at the Santa Monica County Jail. Members of the public interested in getting information about an inmate can call (213) 473- 6100, r visit the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Inmate Information Center.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Santa Monica Jail?
The Santa Monica Jail allows visitors to see relatives who are in their custody every day between the hours of 10:00 a.m-11.30 a.m. However, an inmate can only receive one visitor per day. An intending visitor is required to present a valid identification card. This can be a driver’s license, international passport, or military I.D card. Visitors below the age of 18 must come with an adult. The jail facility does not allow inmates to receive items such as clothes, food, and books from visitors. An intending visitor to Santa Monica Jail can call the jail facility, using (213) 473-6100 to secure a booking.
What are Santa Monica Vital Records?
Santa Monica Vital records are records of critical life events of members of the Santa Monica City community. These records are generated from the official functions of government agencies. They include birth records, death records, marriage records, and divorce records. Eligible persons can obtain these records by making requests to the applicable record custodians or agencies that took the record of the event.
Where and How to Obtain Santa Monica Divorce Records
The Los Angeles County Superior Court - West District hears all divorce cases in the city and maintains all records from these cases. The court is obliged by the California Government Code sections 68150 (a) (f) (g) to provide copies of these records to requesting members of the public. A requester does need to visit the Archives and Records Center(ARC) to get copies of divorce judgments. They will be required to search for the case number using the owner's name of the record. With the case number, they can place an order for the divorce record. The fee for each page of the record is $0.50. Certification of the document costs $15.00, and exemplification costs $50.00. Requests for divorce records can also be made by contacting the Superior Court in person at:
Los Angeles County Superior Court - West District,
Santa Monica Courthouse
1725 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Where and How to Get Public Santa Monica City Marriage Records
A Public Marriage license in Santa Monica City can be obtained by visiting the office of the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder and County Clerk-East Los Angeles. The office performs marriage ceremonies and maintains marriage records in Los Angeles County. It releases the records to requestors in accordance with the California Open Records Act. A requestor for a public marriage record in Santa Monica City can call the Los Angeles County Registrars’ office on (800) 201-899. They may also visit the County Registrars’ office in person between the hours of 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, on Mondays through Fridays at:
Los Angeles County Registrar's office,
Recorder and County Clerk,
4716 E. Cesar E. Chavez Ave.
Los Angeles CA 90022
Online requests for public marriage records can be made by using the Los Angeles County Registrar/ Recorder Online. Those that are permitted to receive an authorized copy of public marriage record are:
- Either of the parties to the marriage, parent or legal guardian to one of the parties to the marriage
- One who is conducting an official business for a law enforcement agency or a government agency that requires the document.
- A direct relative of one of the parties to the marriage
- An attorney standing for one of the parties or any person empowered by the law or court to make the request.
The required fee for a Santa Monica public marriage application is $90
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Santa Monica City
Persons eligible to request copies of confidential marriage records in Santa Monica are limited to either of the parties to the marriage. Except for a court order, copies of a confidential marriage record will not be released to any other person. The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder and County Clerk-East Los Angeles maintains all records of marriages that took place in Santa Monica County. Either if the couple can request through the online interphase, or visit the Recorder and County Clerks Office in person at:
Los Angeles County Registrar's office,
Recorder and County Clerk,
4716 E. Cesar E. Chavez Ave.
Los Angeles CA 90022
A marriage license application for a confidential marriage record costs $85
Where and How to Find Santa Monica City Birth Records
Birth Records in Santa Monica County are public records. Anyone can apply for ordinary copies of birth records, except for certified copies. Access to certified copies is only permitted for direct relatives of the owner of the certificate. Birth records are obtainable from the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder and County Clerk Office- East Los Angeles. The office maintains records of all births in Santa Monica City and the entire Los Angeles County. It also has the responsibility by law to release this document to anyone who requests them. Any interested person can call the office on (800) 201-899. Or visit the records office in person to request at:
Los Angeles County Registrar's office,
Recorder and County Clerk,
4716 E. Cesar E. Chavez Ave.
Los Angeles CA 90022
The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder also offers an online request for a birth record.
Where and How to Find Santa Monica City Death Records
Death records in Santa Monica City, Los Angeles, are public information. They are obtainable at the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder, the primary custodian of vital records in the county. A requester can apply by visiting the record office in person at:
Los Angeles County Registrar's office,
Recorder and County Clerk,
4716 E. Cesar E. Chavez Ave.
Los Angeles CA 90022