What are Buena Park Public Records?
The CPRA describes Buena Park public records as information generated, received, maintained, or used by government bodies as part of their official duties. The Act states that these records, in whatever form, should be issued to interested persons upon request. Nevertheless, some information is not available to the public. Examples include:
- Intelligence records
- Records of active law enforcement investigations
- Some medical records
- Information that may be considered an unnecessary invasion of personal privacy
- All records exempt by law
Buena Park City Crime Statistics
According to crime statistics published by the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program in 2019, Buena Park had a total of 2,308 recorded crimes. The FBI report breaks this down into 246 violent crimes and 2,061 property crimes. Published property crimes include 230 burglaries, 264 motor vehicle thefts, and 1,567 larceny thefts, the city's most committed crime in 2019. The report also details property crimes, including 15 rape cases, 91 robberies, 139 aggravated assault incidents, and 1 occurrence of murder and nonnegligent manslaughter. There was also 1 arson incident.
In 2018, the UCR reported 257 violent crimes, 2,583 property crimes, and 2 arsons, a total of 2,842 index crimes. The figures reported in 2019 show that Buena Park's crime fell by 18.7%.
Are Buena Park Criminal Records Public?
Buena Park criminal records are not public records. State law restricts access to authorized entities, such as elderly or child care institutions. Law enforcement agencies may also obtain Buena Park criminal history information for official purposes. In addition, individuals may request and obtain copies of their criminal records to confirm completeness and accuracy. Third-party requestors are ineligible.
Eligible persons may obtain copies from the Buena Park Police Department (BPPD) by contacting the BPPD's Records Bureau at:
Buena Park Police Department
Records Bureau
6640 Beach Boulevard
Buena Park, CA 90622
Phone: (714) 562-3925
Fax: (714) 523-2911
Alternatively, requestors may contact the California Department of Justice (DOJ) to obtain criminal history information. Each request requires a completed English or Spanish Live Scan Form. The DOJ charges $25, excluding fingerprinting fees.
How to Obtain Buena Park Police Reports and Arrest Records
The Buena Park Police Department issues copies of police reports and arrest records. Access to these records is restricted to involved parties, authorized representatives, victims, and insurance carriers. An eligible party may visit the BPPD's Records Bureau to fill out a request form. After payment, the requestor will receive the desired report within ten business days. Note that Buena Park arrest records will not be released except the requestor receives a supervisor's approval or presents a subpoena. Interested persons may contact the BPPD at:
Buena Park Police Department
Records Bureau
6640 Beach Boulevard
Buena Park, CA 90622
Phone: (714) 562-3925
Fax: (714) 523-2911
How to Find Sex Offender information in Buena Park City
The California Department of Justice provides public online access to statewide sex offender information. Residents seeking Buena Park sex offender records may provide known details on the DOJ's sex offender search. Interested persons may fill in the offender's first and last names or enter an address and search radius on the provided map search. The DOJ also allows persons to find nearby offenders using the location of the user's device.
The database displays each offender's alias, birth date, booking photograph, and physical description. Details on the person's risk level, last known address, and offense specifics are also available.
How to Find Buena Park City Inmate Records
The BPPD operates the Buena Park City Jail. Persons seeking Buena Park inmate records may directly contact the BPPD using the following details:
Buena Park Police Department
6640 Beach Boulevard
Buena Park, CA 90622
Phone: (714) 562-3939 (City Jail)
Some Buena Park inmates may be housed at an Orange County jail facility. In such instances, interested persons may use the Orange County Sheriff's Department's inmate search page. Users must provide a last name and may include a first name, middle name, gender, and age. Available details include an arrest date, court dates, custody status, and the inmate's housing details at the facility.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in the Buena Park City Jail?
Prospective visitors may schedule visits to the Buena Park City Jail by calling (714) 562-3939 Visitations start at 9 am every day. Each inmate may receive one visit per day, excluding a bondsman, clergy, physician, or attorney. Each visitor must present government-issued identification, such as a driver's license. Visitors must also be without active warrants and should be unrelated to the inmate's arrest.
If the inmate is incarcerated at an Orange County detention facility, interested persons may contact the:
Orange County Sheriff's Department
550 North Flower Street
Santa Ana, CA 92703
Phone: (714) 647-7000
Court Records
Buena Park court proceedings are held at several Orange County Superior Court locations, depending on the case type. Courts that handle Buena Park cases include the following:
Orange County Superior Court
Central Justice Center
700 Civic Center Drive West
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone: (657) 622-6878
Orange County Superior Court
Lamoreaux Justice Center
341 The City Drive South
Orange, CA 92868-3205
Phone: (657) 622-6878
Orange County Superior Court
North Justice Center
1275 North Berkeley Avenue
Fullerton, CA 92832-1258
Phone: (657) 622-5600
Are Buena Park Court Records Public?
Buena Park court records are public records. All residents may request copies of court records from the court that heard the case. Court records are generally accessible, except as restricted under law. For instance, adoption, juvenile, and child custody records are closed to the public. Depending on the content, some divorce records are also considered private. Furthermore, members of the general public cannot obtain copies of sealed or expunged court records.
Can You Look up a Buena Park Court Case Online?
The Orange County Superior Court provides remote access to Buena Park court records through its online services page. Requestors may find desired Buena Park court records using one of the options provided on the page. Public records are obtainable after providing party names, case numbers, or case types.
How to Obtain Buena Park Civil Court Case Records
Requestors may obtain Buena Park civil court records from the court that handled the case. Residents can request and receive copies of records for cases filed since 1889. While each record costs 50 cents per page, record seekers may obtain certified and exemplified copies for $40 and $50, respectively.
To obtain a Buena park civil court record by mail, an interested party must complete a Copy Request (Form #L-696) with all known details. A request is also possible by sending a written application that contains the respondent or defendant's name, document name, date of filing, and the petitioner or plaintiff's name. The application should also carry the requestor's full name, phone number, address, and other contact details. A case number should also be included. Requestors may consider conducting an online search if the case number is unknown.
All mail requests require checks or money orders payable to the "Clerk of the Court." For records with a maximum of 20 pages, the requestor should write "not to exceed $25" below the amount line. If requesting records with more pages, "not to exceed $60" should be written instead. Record seekers may send the form with payment and a 9" x 12" self-addressed and stamped envelope to the court that heard the case.
How to Obtain Buena Park Criminal Court Case Records
Residents seeking Buena Park criminal court records may visit the court that heard the case or send written applications. Desired criminal court records are obtainable by submitting a completed Copy Request (Form #L-3009) to the court. Instead of the form, interested persons may send an application with the following information:
- Case number
- The defendant's name
- Date of birth (if known)
- Driver's license number (if known)
- Requestor's full name and phone number
Each Buena Park criminal court record costs $50 per page. Certified records cost an extra $40, while exemplified records cost $50. Payment checks should be made out to the "Clerk of the Court." Requests should be sent to the relevant court with a stamped and self-addressed envelope.
What are Buena Park Vital Records?
Buena Park vital records contain details of city marriages, divorces, births, and deaths. Vital records are generated and issued to requestors by government entities. Depending on the desired record, Buena Park vital records are available with the Orange County Clerk-Recorder or the Orange County Superior Court.
Where and How to Obtain Buena Park Divorce Records
Interested requestors may obtain Buena Park divorce records from the Superior Court's Family Law Division. Each page of a divorce record costs 50 cents. The Family Law Division charges $15 for each certified judgment and $25 for certified copies of other documents. An interested party may complete a request form and enclose it with a check payable to the "Clerk of the Court," and a self-addressed and stamped envelope. Requests should be sent to the:
Orange County Superior Court
Lamoreaux Justice Center
Family Law Division
Attention: Records Department
341 The City Drive South
Orange, CA 92868-3205
Phone: (657) 622-6878
In-person requestors may visit the above address to obtain physical copies or use provided public computers to find records of Buena Park divorces since 1997.
Where and How to Get Public Buena Park Marriage Records
The Orange County Clerk-Recorder's Office provides all persons with access to public Buena Park marriage records. Public marriage records are informational copies and are not acceptable for official purposes. An interested requestor may complete the vital records request form to obtain desired records by mail. Each Buena Park marriage certificate costs a non-refundable $15 fee. If no records match provided details, the requestor will receive a "Certificate of No Record." Fees are payable by checks or money orders made out to the "Orange County Clerk-Recorder." Interested persons may send requests to the:
Orange County Clerk-Recorder
P.O. Box 238
Santa Ana, CA 92702
Note that from the date of receipt, the Clerk-Recorder's Office may take up to ten business days to process the record.
Where and How to Get Confidential Buena Park Marriage Records
Confidential Buena Park marriage records are obtainable from the Orange County Clerk-Recorder. Under California law, only the following persons may obtain confidential marriage records:
- Either married party
- An immediate family member, including a sibling, child, grandchild, parent, grandparent, spouse, or registered domestic partner
- A legal guardian or custodian
- An attorney requesting on behalf of an eligible party
- A party requesting with a court order
Buena Park marriage certificates cost $15 each. Payment is accepted via check or money order payable to the "Orange County Clerk-Recorder." An eligible party must complete a vital records request form and fill the attached Sworn Statement. The requestor must specify their relationship to the subject of the record and also have the request form notarized. Note that fees are non-refundable. The Clerk-Recorder's Office will issue a "Certificate of No Record" if the provided details do not match any records. Interested parties may send requests to the:
Orange County Clerk-Recorder
P.O. Box 238
Santa Ana, CA 92702
Where and How to Find Buena Park Birth Records
Buena Park birth records are obtainable from the Orange County Clerk-Recorder. While all persons may obtain informational copies of Buena Park birth certificates, access to certified copies is restricted to the following:
- The subject named on the record
- The subject's immediate family member
- An attorney representing an eligible party
- A requester with a court order
An interested party may complete a vital records request form. Each request costs $28, payable by a check or money order made out to the "Orange County Clerk-Recorder." Requests should be sent to the:
Orange County Clerk-Recorder
P.O. Box 238
Santa Ana, CA 92702
Persons seeking birth certificates should call (714) 480-6700 Requestors eligible to receive certified copies must complete the Sworn Statement attached to the form before a notary public.
Where and How to Find Buena Park Death Records
All interested persons may request copies of public Buena Park death records from the Orange County Clerk-Recorder. Only one of the following parties related to the decedent may request certified copies of Buena Park death certificates:
- An immediate family member
- An authorized attorney
- A surviving next of kin
- An authorized representative of the deceased's estate
- A related funeral director
To obtain a Buena Park death certificate, an interested party must fill a vital records request form with the decedent's full name, date of death, and city of death. Each death record costs $21, payable by check or money order made out to the "Orange County Clerk-Recorder." Parties requesting certified copies must complete and notarize the attached Sworn Statement. Applicants may send requests using the following details or call (714) 480-6700 to obtain records within the last 60 days:
Orange County Clerk-Recorder
P.O. Box 238
Santa Ana, CA 92702
