What are El Cajon Public Records?
According to the California Open Records Act, public records are writings containing information related to the conduct of public business, and created or maintained by a government agency. However, not all records are open to the public. Examples of some exemptions include documents that contain:
- Personnel, medical records
- Performance evaluations
- Investigatory, intelligence, and security records of the Attorney General
- Investigatory records for law enforcement, licensing or correctional purposes
- Preliminary drafts, notes, or memoranda not retained in the ordinary course of business
- Records relating to pending litigation
- Real estate appraisals
- Architectural and office building plans
- Attorney-client communications and attorney work product
- Voter registration information
- Mental health detention information
- Elder abuse records
- Juvenile records
- Child abuse reports
- Library patron use records
- Trade secrets and other proprietary information
- Public contracting documents
- Utility consumer information
El Cajon Crime Statistics
The Federal Bureau of Investigation releases annual El Cajon crime statistics under its Uniform Crime Report (UCR) program. Data published in 2019 shows a total of 552 violent crimes in El Cajon, compared to 515 crimes in 2018. The number of murder and non-negligent manslaughter cases in 2019 was 3, while there were 5 cases in 2018. There were 38 reported rape cases in 2019, and 31 cases in 2018. Robbery incidents in 2019 were 201, increasing from the 191 reported in 2018. For aggravated assault, there were 310 cases in 2019 and 288 cases in 2018.
There was a decrease in property crime cases from 2269 cases in 2018 to 2046 in 2019. Burglary cases reported in 2019 were 371, and 353 cases in 2018. For larceny-theft, 1316 cases were reported in 2019, compared to 1544 cases in 2018. Motor vehicle theft cases totaled 359 in 2019, lower than the 372 cases reported in 2018. The number of reported cases of arson fell to 15 in 2019, from 18 in 2018.
Are El Cajon Criminal Records Public?
Criminal history records are available at the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. Requests may be obtained in person. Interested persons must provide valid ID. To request in person, requesters must visit:
San Diego County Sheriff's Records & ID Division
9621 Ridgehaven Ct
San Diego, CA 92123
For mail requests, individuals may complete the Request Form and send it with a copy of their ID to
San Diego County Sheriff's Department
Records & ID Division, Booking Section
P.O. Box 939062
San Diego, CA 92193
Each record costs $14, payable by checks to the "San Diego County Sheriff's Department."
How to Obtain Police Reports and Arrests Records
Police reports are available at the El Cajon Police Department. Police reports are not public records. Requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine whether or not a release is necessary. Reports may take up to 10 days to be released depending on the nature of the incident. The police department may not release reports which were filed by someone else. Requestors may obtain records by mail. Complete the Record Request form and submit with a valid photo ID to:
El Cajon Police Department
Records Department
100 Civic Center Way
El Cajon, CA 92020
Interested persons may also visit the above address for in-person requests.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in El Cajon
Sex offender information is available through the California Megan's Law website. To search for offenders by name, requestors may use the Sex Offender Name Search tool. To locate offenders within a two-mile radius of their current device location or a particular address, requestors may perform an Advanced Search. For more information, send an email to meganslaw@doj.ca.gov.
How to Find El Cajon Inmate Records
Inmate records in El Cajon are maintained by the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. Requesters may perform an online search for inmates who are currently in custody. Searches are by first and last name only. For more information, contact the Sheriff's Department.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in El Cajon Police Department Jail
All visitors over 18 years of age will be required to have a valid photo ID. Visitors are advised to schedule visits online on the Sheriff’s website. Inmates are allowed two 30-minute social visits per week. Visitors must check-in one hour before scheduled visitation time. The visitation schedule is subject to change depending on the facility. Individuals may review a specific facility’s visitation schedule below
- East Mesa Reentry Facility
- Facility 8 Detention Facility
- George Bailey Detention Facility
- Las Colinas Detention & Reentry Facility
- San Diego Central Jail
- South Bay Detention Facility
- Vista Detention Facility
Video visits may also be scheduled through Securus Technologies, visit the Securus website for more information.
Court Records
Court records are available at the El Cajon City Clerk's office and the San Diego County Superior Court. Cases available at El Cajon City Clerk's office include matters related to ordinances, resolutions, agreements, statements of economic interests, etc. Cases obtainable from the San Diego County Superior Court include civil, criminal, traffic, probate, family, juvenile, and appeals. Records are available online or by inspection in person.
Locations of Courts in El Cajon
San Diego County Superior Courts
Central Courthouse
220 West Broadway,
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 450-5700
East County Regional Center
250 East Main Street,
El Cajon, CA 92020
Phone: (619) 456-4100
Phone: (619) 456-4238
Hall of Justice
330 West Broadway,
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 450-7275
Phone: (858) 634-1919
Juvenile Courthouse
2851 Meadow Lark Drive,
San Diego, CA 92123
Phone: (858) 634-1600
Kearny Mesa Courthouse
8950 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard,
San Diego, CA 92123
Phone: (858) 634-1800
New Central Courthouse
1100 Union Street,
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 844-2700
North County Regional Center
325 South Melrose Drive,
Vista, CA 92081
Phone: (760) 201-8600
Phone: (760) 201-8500
South County Regional Center
500 3rd Avenue,
Chula Vista, CA 91910
Phone: (619) 746-6200
Are El Cajon Court Records Public?
El Cajon court records are public and available at the San Diego County Superior Court. However, some records are exempted from public access. Examples are:
- Records relating to complaints or investigations of judicial officers
- Judicial administrative records
- Records regarding communication pertaining to judicial ethics
- Deliberative process
- Preliminary writings
Can You Look Up an El Cajon Court Case Online?
Court records are available online at the County of San Diego Superior Court. Parties may search by name, case Number, or DA Number. Juvenile cases are not available online.
How to Obtain El Cajon Civil Court Case Records
Civil court cases are available at the County of San Diego Superior Court. Court records are available online at the County of San Diego Superior Court. Parties may search by name, case number, DA number.
Records may also be obtained by mail. A resident may send a letter to the court facility where the case was tried. The letter should include a case number, the names of the parties involved, and the names of the document requested.
Interested parties may request records at the courthouse where the file is located. A valid government-issued ID will be required. Requestors may review the complete list of fees associated with requests.
How to Obtain El Cajon Criminal Court Case Records
Criminal court cases are available at the County of San Diego Superior Court. Requestors may request criminal records online at the County of San Diego Superior Court, searching by name, case number, and DA number. Select 'Criminal' under Case Type and 'San Diego' under Case Location. For a mail request, the requestor may send a letter to the court facility where the case was tried. The following should be included in the letter: case number, names of the parties involved, and names of the document requested. Individuals may request records at the courthouse where the file is located. A valid government-issued ID and the applicable fee will be required.
What Are El Cajon Vital Records?
El Cajon vital records are records of births, deaths, marriages, and divorces in the city. Birth and Death certificates are available at the San Diego County Clerk-Recorder while marriage licenses and divorce decrees are available at the County of San Diego Superior Court. Vital records are not public information and may be obtained by authorized individuals only. Vital records are available for purchase online, in person, or by mail.
Where and How to Get Divorce Records in El Cajon
Divorce decrees are available at the County of San Diego Superior Court. Individuals may send mail requests to the office where the case was filed. Specify the case number and other details and include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Individuals who do not know the case number of the divorce may find out online. Select "Access Court Records” from the home page, then select “Find a Case Number” and search by party names.
East County Regional Center
325 South Melrose
Vista, CA 92081
Phone: (760) 201-8600
Where and How to Get Public Marriage Records in El Cajon
Non-confidential marriage records are available at the Same Diego County Clerk-Recorder. A sworn statement is required. The certificate may be obtained in person or by mail. Requestors may complete an Application Form and submit it to any of the office locations. Information required includes the full legal names of the married persons and the date of the marriage. A valid ID is also required.
To obtain by mail, complete the Record Request Form and mail to:
San Diego Recorder/County Clerk
Vital Records
P.O. Box 121750
San Diego, CA 92112-1750
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in El Cajon
Confidential marriage records are available at the San Diego County Clerk-Recorder. To obtain a certified copy of a marriage record, requestors must be a party to the marriage or possess a court order. Requesting a record requires a sworn statement. Certificates may be obtained in person. Requestors may send a completed Application Form to any of the office locations. Complete the form with the full names of the married parties and the date of the marriage. A valid ID will be required.
Individuals may also obtain records by mail. Complete the Record Request Form and mail to
San Diego Recorder/County Clerk
Vital Records
P.O. Box 121750
San Diego, CA 92112-1750
Where and How to Get Birth Records in El Cajon
Certified copies of birth records are available at the San Diego County Clerk-Recorder. Only authorized individuals such as the person listed on the record, immediate family members, or legal representatives may obtain certified records. Details required include the full name as stated on the birth certificate, the mother's full maiden name, and the date of birth. Each certificate costs $28.
To obtain records in person, complete an Application Form and submit to any of the office locations along with a valid ID. Alternative, mail the completed form to:
San Diego Recorder/County Clerk
Vital Records
P.O. Box 121750
San Diego, CA 92112-1750
Where and How to Get Death Records in El Cajon
Certified copies of death records are available at the San Diego County Clerk-Recorder. Only authorized individuals such as immediate family members, or legal representatives may obtain certified records. Required details include the full name of the decedent and the date of death.
To request in person, complete an Application Form with a copy of a valid ID to any of the office locations. Records may also be obtained by mailing the completed form to:
San Diego Recorder/County Clerk
Vital Records
P.O. Box 121750
San Diego, CA 92112-1750
