What Are Santa Ana City Public Records?
According to California’s Public Records Act, any information that Santa Ana City agencies create, use, or store for official purposes is a Santa Ana City public record. Santa Ana City public records may include typed or handwritten documents, pictures, audio recordings or transcripts, videos, and any other electronic media form. However, the CPRA exempts certain portions of Santa Ana City public records from public view if they include:
- Information that poses a threat to national security
- Agency personnel data
- Information exempted by state or federal statute
- Trade secrets or privileged financial data
- Information under attorney-client privilege, attorney work-product privilege, or deliberative process privilege
- Information that, if released, constitutes an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy of the individual(s) involved
- Information that, if released, would interfere with an ongoing law enforcement investigation
- Information that would rob a person’s right to a fair trial or an impartial adjudication if released
Santa Ana City Crime Statistics
The Santa Ana Police Department collects crime and arrest records for the city and uses the data to create an annual crime report, which it makes available to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the general public. In a 2018 report, the Police Department recorded 1,571 violent crimes and 6,390 property crimes among the city’s 335,403 inhabitants. Among violent crimes were 821 cases of aggravated assault, 499 robberies, 230 cases of rape, and 21 murders, outnumbered by property crimes, which revealed 3,931 larceny-theft 1,549 motor vehicle thefts, and 57 arson cases.
The 2018 figures represent an 8.1% overall crime reduction when compared to the previous year. In 2017 the Police Department reported 8,657 crimes, broken into 1,640 violent crimes and 7,017 property crimes.
Are Santa Ana City Criminal Records Public?
In line with the California Public Records Act, most Santa Ana City criminal records are not in the public domain. For example, the public may not access arrest records or obtain criminal history records. Criminal history records are available only to specific employers, such as private security companies, schools, child care service companies, public utility companies, and law enforcement agencies. Further, the registrant on an arrest record may request to inspect their document by querying the Santa Ana Police Department.
Similarly, eligible persons may query the California Department of Justice, which maintains a statewide criminal record database.
How to Obtain Police Reports and Arrest Records
In Santa Ana City, the Police Department’s Records Division is responsible for providing public Santa Ana City records to interested or eligible requesters. To obtain a police report, interested persons may fill an online Request for Public Records form, routed to the Police Department. Upon receiving the request, the Records Division will locate the record and provide it to the requester. Interested persons may also visit the Police Department’s Records Division in person to obtain a Santa Ana City police report.
Santa Ana Police Department
60 Civic Center Plaza,
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone: (714) 245-8665
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Santa Ana City
According to California Megan’s Law, any individual convicted for a sex crime in Santa Ana City must register their most recent details - including their phone numbers, home address, and work addresses - with the State Department of Justice. Individuals looking to get Santa Ana City sex offender information may query the statewide Sex Offender Registry, which holds details for the following types of sex offenders:
- Serious Sex Offenders: Individuals convicted for felony sex offenses or misdemeanor child molestation;
- High-Risk Sex Offenders: Individuals who have received multiple convictions for violent crimes and the classification of “sexually violent predator” per the Welfare and Institutions Code, Section 6600.
The registry holds sex offender’s names and known aliases, home or work addresses, mugshots, and physical descriptors. Researchers can also find sex offenders within a particular zip code or close to schools and parks.
How to Find Santa Ana City Inmate Records
The Santa Ana Jail maintains a record of all inmates incarcerated in its facility. Individuals looking for Santa Ana City inmate records may query the Orange County Sheriff Department Who's in Jail page, which provides inmate’s status and bail information. Interested persons can search for inmates using the first and last names or look through a complete list to find the desired inmate. Researchers will find the following information on inmates in Santa Ana Jail:
- Booking Number
- Name
- Date of birth
- Sex
- Custody status
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Santa Ana City Jail?
Santa Ana Jail houses all individuals arrested and convicted in Santa Ana City. It is located at:
Santa Ana Jail
62 Civic Center Plaza
P.O. Box 22003
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone: (714) 245-8100
Inmates in Santa Ana Jail may receive two one-hour visits per week, according to the following schedule:
Monday-Friday
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Visits are on a "first come/first served" basis, and visitors must register at the Santa Ana Jail Front Lobby at least fifteen minutes before the visiting period begins. Inmates scheduled for a court appearance may not receive visitors. Inmates may receive a maximum of five visitors per visit, adults and minors included. Adult visitors must show a valid government-issued identification to secure entry, while children must show valid birth certificates.
Visitors are encouraged to dress comfortably but decently and may wear shorts or skirts no higher than three inches above the knee. However, the jail staff will deny entry to any visitor wearing any of the following:
- Dresses or skirts with slit opening(s) rising over 3 inches above the knee
- Halter tops
- Transparent clothing
- Crop tops
- Miniskirts
- Sundresses
- Bathing suits
- Clothing that resembles inmate’s uniforms
- Backless tops/dresses
- Sleeveless garments
- Low-cut blouses or dresses
- Hats, caps, beanies, or du-rags
- Sunglasses (medical exceptions allowed)
- Revealing or provocative clothing
Adults must control minors and not leave them unattended at any time. The jail staff will not tolerate lewd or inappropriate conduct by visitors. They will evict anyone who misbehaves. Visitors may not enter the facility carrying personal items or any of the following:
- Firearms or any other type of weapons
- Alcohol or illegal substances
- Cameras
- Food
- Drinks, or
- Cigarettes
Court Records
The Orange County Superior Court - a component of the California Judicial Branch, handles all legal proceedings in Santa Ana City. The Central Justice Center stores all Santa Ana City court records, including civil court records, criminal court records, small claims, and traffic court records.
Location of Courts in Santa Ana City
Orange County Superior Court - Central Justice Center
700 Civic Center Drive West,
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone: (657) 622-6878
Orange County Superior Court - Community Court
909 North Main Street,
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone: (657) 622-5800
Orange County Superior Court - Complex Civil Center
751 West Santa Ana Boulevard,
P.O. Box 22028,
Santa Ana, CA 92702
Phone: (657) 622-6878
Are Santa Ana City Court Records Public?
Not all Santa Ana City court records are in the public domain - in line with California’s Public Records Act. Some are confidential and available only to authorized individuals. Examples of personal Santa Ana City court records include:
- Criminal cases involving minors
- Juvenile dependency cases in which the court separates a child from his or her parents
- Civil harassment cases
- Child custody cases
- Some divorce cases
Can You Look Up a Santa Ana City Court Case Online?
The Orange County Clerk maintains an online court records search page that interested persons may use to look up various Santa Ana City court records. Researchers can look through the portal for civil court cases, criminal court cases, family court cases, and more. The portal holds docket details for most cases filed from 1990 to date and documents for most case types from 2009.
The Orange County Superior Court also provides the public with access to non-confidential court data through its case access portal. Researchers will find civil court cases, criminal court records, probate records, small claims court records, and traffic records.
How to Obtain Santa Ana City Civil Court Case Records
The Orange County Superior Court provides access to Santa Ana City civil court records online, in-person, or by mail. To obtain civil court records online, interested parties may visit the court records search page, maintained by the Orange County Clerk. Researchers may also visit the Orange County Superior Court’s case access portal, where civil court records are available for download at $7.50 per case document - up to ten pages. An additional charge of seven cents per page ($40 maximum) applies for court documents exceeding ten pages. However, documents obtained from these online sources are not official court records.
To get certified copies of Santa Ana City civil court records, individuals may query the Orange County Superior Court in person or writing. Requesters must complete a copy request form, including the following details:
- Partie’s names
- Case number
- Specific documents requested
- The requester’s contact details
Requesters may visit the court anytime from Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at:
Orange County Superior Court - Central Justice Center
700 Civic Center Drive West,
Santa Ana, CA 92701-4045
If the case number is unknown and the court staff spends more than ten minutes searching for it, the requester will pay $15 for the search. The cost of copying court records is fifty cents per page, while certification costs $40 per document.
If requesting civil court records by mail, requesters must send the copy request form, a self-addressed, stamped envelope, and a check payable to “Clerk of Court.” If the requester does not know the exact amount required to obtain a certified copy of the desired record, they may indicate under the check’s amount line “not to exceed $75”. The court staff will fill in the correct amount and include a receipt with the requester’s copy.
How to Obtain Santa Ana City Criminal Court Records
The Orange County Superior Court provides access to Santa Ana City criminal court records online, in-person, or mail. To obtain criminal court records online, interested parties may visit the court records search page, maintained by the Orange County Clerk. Researchers may also query the Orange County Superior Court’s Criminal and Traffic Cases system, where criminal court records are available for inspection.
However, documents obtained from these online sources are not official court records. To get certified copies of Santa Ana City criminal court records, individuals may query the Orange County Superior Court in person or writing. Requesters must complete a copy request form, including the following details:
- Defendant’s name
- Date of birth (if known)
- The prosecutor’s name
- Case number
- Specific documents requested
- The requester’s contact details
Requesters may visit the court anytime from Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at:
Orange County Superior Court - Central Justice Center
700 Civic Center Drive West,
Santa Ana, CA 92701-4045
If the case number is unknown and the court staff spends more than ten minutes searching for it, the requester will pay $15 for the search. The cost of copying Santa Ana criminal court records is fifty cents per page, while certification costs $40 per document.
If requesting criminal court records by mail, requesters must send the copy request form, a self-addressed, stamped envelope, and a check payable to “Clerk of Court.” If the requester does not know the exact amount required to obtain a certified copy of the desired record, they may indicate under the check’s amount line “not to exceed $75”. The court staff will fill in the correct amount and include a receipt with the requester’s copy.
What Are Santa Ana City Vital Records?
Santa Ana City vital records are government-generated documents used to record important events in Santa Ana resident’s lives - such as births, deaths, divorces, and marriages. Requesters may obtain vital records by querying the custodian agencies in person or in writing.
Where and How to Obtain Santa Ana City Divorce Records
Individuals interested in obtaining Santa Ana City divorce records may get them online, using the Orange County Superior Court’s Family Law Case Information Website. The available information, however, does not constitute official Orange County court records.
To get certified copies of Santa Ana City divorce decrees, eligible individuals may query the Orange County Superior Court in person or in writing. Eligible individuals include:
- The divorcees
- The divorcee’s immediate family members
- The divorcee’s legal representatives
Requesters must complete a copy request form, including the following details:
- The divorcee’s names
- The divorce date
- The case number
- The requester’s contact details
Certified copies of divorce records cost $15 per copy, while the search fee is $15 (if the case number is unknown). Requesters may visit the court anytime from Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at:
Orange County Superior Court - Central Justice Center (CJC)
700 Civic Center Drive West,
Santa Ana, CA 92701-4045
If requesting copies of Santa Ana City divorce decrees by mail, requesters must send the copy request form, a self-addressed, stamped envelope, and a check with the appropriate fee, payable to “Clerk of Court.”
Eligible requesters may also obtain certified copies of divorce verification letters from the California Department of Public Health. The department holds records for divorces conducted in the state from 1962 to 1984. Requesters must fill an application for a certified copy of a divorce record and mail it to the California Department of Public Health’s Vital Records section. Each verification letter includes the divorcee’s names, the divorce case number, and the county where the divorce happened.
Where and How to Get Marriage Records in Santa Ana City
Interested persons may get Santa Ana City marriage certificates from the Orange County Clerk-Recorder’s Office in person or by mail. The County-Recorder stores both certified and informal copies of marriage certificates. While informal copies are available to the public, confidential copies of Santa Ana marriage records are only available to authorized parties, including:
- The couple named on the record
- The couple’s immediate family members
- The couple’s legal representatives
For in-person requests, applicants must complete an application for a marriage certificate online before visiting the Clerk-Recorder’s Central Office anytime from Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Individuals requesting certified copies of Santa Ana City marriage certificates must provide a valid government-issued ID card to prove eligibility. Individuals that cannot verify eligibility will receive informal certified copies with the words "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY” imprinted across the face. The cost for copies of marriage certificates is $15.
OC Clerk-Recorder
601 North Ross Street,
Santa Ana, CA 92701
For mail-in requests, applicants must complete a vital records request form and have the application notarized. For certified copies, requesters must attach a valid copy of a government-issued ID, a check or money order for the appropriate fee ($15 for a marriage certificate), and a self-addressed, stamped envelope. If the record is unavailable, a corresponding search fee will apply.
OC Clerk-Recorder
ATTN: Vitals Records
P.O. Box 238
Santa Ana, CA 92702
Where and How to Get Santa Ana City Birth Records
Interested persons may get Santa Ana City birth certificates from the Orange County Clerk-Recorder’s Office in person or by mail. The County-Recorder stores both certified and informal copies of birth certificates. While informal copies are available to the public, certified copies of Santa Ana birth records are only available to authorized parties, including:
- The registrant
- Parents named on the record
- The registrant’s spouse
- The registrant’s siblings
- The registrant’s legal representatives
For in-person requests, applicants must complete an application for a birth certificate online before visiting the Clerk-Recorder’s Central Office anytime from Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Individuals requesting certified copies of Santa Ana City birth certificates must provide a valid government-issued ID card to prove eligibility. Individuals that cannot verify eligibility will receive informal certified copies with the words "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY” imprinted across the face. The cost for copies of birth certificates is $28.
OC Clerk-Recorder
601 North Ross Street,
Santa Ana, CA 92701
For mail-in requests, applicants must complete a vital records request form and have the application notarized. For certified copies, requesters must attach a valid copy of a government-issued ID, a check or money order for the appropriate fee ($28 for a birth certificate), and a self-addressed, stamped envelope. If the record is unavailable, a corresponding search fee will apply.
OC Clerk-Recorder
ATTN: Vitals Records
P.O. Box 238
Santa Ana, CA 92702
Where and How to Get Santa Ana City Death Records
Interested persons may get Santa Ana City death records from the Orange County Clerk-Recorder’s Office in person or by mail. The County-Recorder stores both certified and informal copies of death certificates. While informal copies are available to the public, certified copies of Santa Ana death certificates are only available to authorized parties, including:
- The registrant’s surviving spouse
- The registrant’s immediate family members
- The registrant’s legal representatives
For in-person requests, applicants must complete an application for a death certificate online before visiting the Clerk-Recorder’s Central Office anytime from Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Individuals requesting certified copies of Santa Ana City death certificates must provide a valid government-issued ID card to prove eligibility. The cost for copies of death certificates is $21.
OC Clerk-Recorder
601 North Ross Street,
Santa Ana, CA 92701
For mail-in requests, applicants must complete a vital records request form and have the application notarized. For certified copies, requesters must attach a valid copy of a government-issued ID, a check or money order for the appropriate fee ($21 for a death certificate), and a self-addressed, stamped envelope. If the record is unavailable, a corresponding search fee will apply.
OC Clerk-Recorder
ATTN: Vitals Records
P.O. Box 238
Santa Ana, CA 92702
