SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY PUBLIC RECORDS

What are San Luis Obispo County Public Records?

San Luis Obispo County public records consist of all physical or digital information created, received, or cataloged by a public agency concerning a public activity or business. Per the California Open Records Act, public agencies may maintain or issue San Luis Obispo records in the following formats: memoranda, charters, deeds, books, maps, photographs, papers, symbols, architecture plans, audio recordings, videos, SMS, or emails. Nevertheless, public agencies may redact certain public records from public view. These exempted documents often contain data that may jeopardize the safety and confidentiality of persons or entities. Under the California Open Records Act, these documents are exempt from public view:

• Trade secrets and negotiations involving public agencies;
• Security protocol and strategy for government-owned buildings;
• Information on crime witnesses, complainants, or victims;
• Audit working papers;
• Location of archeological sites and endangered species;
• Personal data containing information, such as social security numbers, credit or debit card account numbers, and driver's licenses;
• Information revealing the identity of a law enforcement employee;
• Attorney-client communication;
• Security protocol and strategies utilized in a government-owned building or structure;
• Drafts and preliminary notes of policy-making documents;
• Information on an ongoing investigation;
• Personal identifying information, such as social security number and driver's license;
• Data about competition or bidding;
• Location of archeological sites and information on endangered species;
• Confidential vital records, such as death and birth records;
• Information on pending litigation;
• Information about student records.

Public county records may also be accessible from third-party websites. Record seekers may use these non-governmental platforms to search for a specific record or multiple county 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.

San Luis Obispo County Crime Statistics

The San Luis County Sheriff's Office documents all arrests carried out by law enforcement personnel. Also, it creates yearly crime statistics for all documented index crimes. Persons or entities can view San Luis Obispo County crime statistics on the FBI Uniform Crime Report (UCR) platform. Per the UCR platform, San Luis Obispo County reported 1,144 index crimes, consisting of 181 violent crimes and 963 property crimes. Furthermore, the 2019 UCR provides information on the following index crimes: five murders, 26 rapes, five robberies, 145 aggravated assaults, 331 burglaries, 614 larceny thefts, 18 motor vehicle thefts, and seven arson.

Are San Luis Obispo County Criminal Records Public?

Per the California Open Records Act, not all San Luis Obispo County criminal records are publicly-accessible. For example, expunged or sealed criminal records are not open records. Furthermore, juvenile criminal records are also redacted from public view. Custodian agencies issue juvenile records to the record subject and authorized persons. Custodian agencies also have the legal right to redact all data on crime victims, witnesses, and complainants.

Non-confidential criminal records are under the purview of the Superior Court of California in San Luis Obispo County. Thus, interested persons can obtain San Luis Obispo County criminal records in person or via mail requests. To get a criminal record via mail requests, the record seekers must fill out a Request for Case Information Form and mail it in a self-addressed stamped envelope to:

San Luis Obispo Superior Court
1050 Monterey Street
Room 220
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408

Record seekers must include a copy of a valid ID alongside their mail request. In addition, the Clerk of the Superior Court accepts money orders or checks for mail requests. San Luis Obispo County criminal records cost $0.50 per page and $40 for certified copies of the documents.

In contrast, requesters may submit the written request in-person at the counter at:

San Luis Obispo Superior Court
1050 Monterey Street
Room 220
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408
Phone: (805) 706-3600

How to Obtain San Luis Obispo County Police Reports and Arrest Records

The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office acts as the custodian of all police reports and arrest records generated by law enforcement agencies within the county. Record seekers can obtain police reports and arrest records by visiting the County Sheriff's Office in person at:

San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office
1585 Kansas Avenue
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
Phone: (805) 781-4588

Patrol Stations
Coast Station
2099 10th Street
Los Osos, CA
Phone: (805) 528-6083

North Station
356 North Main Street
Templeton, CA
Phone: (805) 434-4290

South Station
1681 Front Street
Oceano, CA
Phone: (805) 473-7100

Record seekers can get online information on all arrested offenders booked into the County Jail within the last 30 days through the Sheriff's Office.

How to Find Sex Offender Information in San Luis Obispo County

Per the Penal Code § 290.46, the California Megan's Law online platform provides information on all sex offenders residing in San Luis Obispo County. Sex offenders' data, such as names, aliases, photographs, physical descriptions, and addresses, are accessible to the public via the website. The website allows requesters to search for sex offenders via a simple name-based sex offender search and an advanced sex offender search.

To utilize the name-based sex offender search, input the sex offender's first name and last name into the search boxes. On the other hand, the advanced sex offenders search allows requesters to get information about sex offenders in a particular location.

How to Find San Luis Obispo County Inmate Records

The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office maintains an online searchable portal for all inmates incarcerated within the county. To access inmates on the online portal, record seekers must input the inmate's first and last name into the search boxes.

How Do I Visit an Inmate in San Luis Obispo County Jail?

Visitors must schedule an appointment online to visit inmates incarcerated in the San Luis Obispo County Jail. The San Luis Obispo County Jail visitation schedule differs for male and female inmates. Thus, visitors must find the appropriate visitation schedule on the County Jail online platform. Furthermore, visitors must adhere to these guidelines and rules during visitation:

• Only two adults are allowed to visit an inmate at a time;
• A maximum of three children can accompany an adult visitor;
• Visitors must not bring in personal effects, except an ID;
• Recently released inmates are not allowed to visit;

All visitors must dress appropriately during visitation. Visitors' clothes must not depict sexual content or gang afflictions.

San Luis Obispo County Court Records

As a part of the California Judicial Branch, the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court provides access to a myriad of court records, including criminal court records, civil court records, traffic records, and probate records. The court records generally contain information on court proceedings, judgments, police reports or arrest records, criminal records, bonds, and the sentence leveled against the offender.

Location of All Courts in San Luis Obispo County

San Luis Obispo County Superior Court - Civil & Family Law Branch
1035 Palm Street
Room 385
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408
Phone: (805) 781-5677 (Civil)
Phone: (805) 781-5706 (Family Law)

San Luis Obispo County Superior Court - Criminal Branch
1050 Monterey Street
Room 220
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408
Phone: (805) 781-5670

San Luis Obispo County Superior Court - Juvenile Services Center
1065 Kansas Avenue
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408
Phone: (805) 781-5164

San Luis Obispo County Superior Court - Paso Robles Branch
901 Park Street
Paso Robles, CA 93446
Phone: (805) 237-3079 (Civil, Small Claims)
Phone: (805) 237-3080 (Criminal)
Phone: (805) 226-3251 (Family Court Services)
Fax: (805) 237-3066 (Family Court Services)

San Luis Obispo County Superior Court - Veterans Memorial Branch
801 Grand Avenue
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Phone: (805) 781-5601

Are San Luis Obispo County Court Records Public?

Per the California Open Records Act, certain court documents are not accessible. Custodian agencies are legally required to deny ineligible requests for confidential court documents. For example, the court may restrict juvenile court cases from the public. Only the juvenile offender and authorized persons or entities can request and access the records.

Also, criminal court records that may harm or damage the confidentiality of record subjects are often excluded from public disclosure. In some cases, court records are only accessible for a limited timeframe. Bankruptcy records or sex offenders' information are publicly accessible for a particular time, depending on the type of bankruptcy or sex crime. On the other hand, court records containing non-confidential cases are accessible to the public.

Can You Look Up a San Luis Obispo County Court Record Online?

Record seekers can find online copies of San Luis Obispo County court records via computer terminals at the Superior Court of California in San Luis Obispo County. These computer terminals enable record seekers to view and access copies of court documents generated by the county courts. Note that the Clerk of the Superior Court will require certain fees before printing copies of court records. Generally San Luis Obispo County court records cost $0.5 per page and $40 for certified copies.

How to Obtain San Luis Obispo County Civil Court Case Records

The Superior Court of California in San Luis Obispo County is the custodian of all civil court cases documented within the county. Thus, requesters must direct all requests for civil court case records to the Clerk of the Superior Court in San Luis Obispo County. San Luis Obispo County civil court case records are available to the public via in-person or mail requests.

To receive court documents in person, record seekers must visit the courthouse at:

1035 Palm Street
Room 385
San Luis Obispo, CA.

Requesters must present a case number to the Clerk of the Courthouse to obtain the court record. However, requesters without a case number can look it up on the public computer at the courthouse. San Luis Obispo County civil court case records cost $0.5 per page.

In contrast, requesters can send a mail request for civil court case records via these steps:

1. Complete a Records Request form;
2. Attach a check payable to "Superior Court";
3. Send the completed form in a self-addressed stamped envelope to:

San Luis Obispo Superior Court
1050 Monterey Street
Room 220
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408

How to Obtain San Luis Obispo County Criminal Court Case Records

Record seekers can obtain San Luis Obispo County criminal court case records from the Clerk of the Superior Court of California in San Luis Obispo County. Interested persons can obtain San Luis Obispo County criminal records in person or via mail requests.

To get a criminal record via mail requests, the record seekers must fill out a Request for Case Information Form and mail it in a self-addressed stamped envelope to:

San Luis Obispo Superior Court
1050 Monterey Street
Room 220
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408

Record seekers must include a copy of a valid ID alongside their mail request. In addition, the Clerk of the Superior Court accepts money orders or checks for mail requests. San Luis Obispo County criminal records cost $0.50 per page and $40 for certified copies of the documents. In contrast, requesters may submit the written request in-person at the counter in:

San Luis Obispo Superior Court
1050 Monterey Street
Room 220
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408
Phone: (805) 706-3600

What are San Luis Obispo County Vital Records?

In San Luis Obispo County, vital records contain information on life events. Commonly documented life events include birth, death, marriage, and divorce events. Furthermore, Sam Luis Obispo County's vital records are under the purview of local and state agencies. These agencies are responsible for maintaining and providing access to vital records. The Superior Court of California in San Luis Obispo County is the custodian of divorce records. At the same time, the San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder's Office maintains records of all marriage, death, and birth events.

Where and How to Obtain San Luis Obispo County Divorce Records

The Superior Court of California in San Luis Obispo County is responsible for keeping records of all divorce events. Record seekers can obtain copies of divorce records through mail or in-person requests to the Clerk of the Superior Court in San Luis Obispo County.

To obtain San Luis Obispo County divorce records in-person, record seekers can send a mail request via these steps:

1. Print and fill out a Records Request form;
2. Attach a check payable to "Superior Court"; "Write do not exceed" in the memo line on the check;
3. Next, include a photocopy of a valid government-issued photo ID;
4. Send these documents in a self-addressed stamped envelope to:

San Luis Obispo Superior Court
1050 Monterey Street
Room 220
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408

In contrast, requesters can also visit the Clerk of the Superior Court of California in San Luis Obispo County at:

1035 Palm Street
Room 385
San Luis Obispo, CA.

Requesters must present a case number to the Clerk of the Courthouse to obtain the court record. However, requesters without a case number can look it up on the public computer at the courthouse. San Luis Obispo County court records cost $0.5 per page.

Where and How to Get San Luis Obispo County Marriage Records

The San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder's Office retains records of all marriage licenses issued within the county. Furthermore, the Clerk-Recorder's Office issues informational and certified copies of marriage records to interested public members. Note that certified copies contain confidential information. Thus, only the record subjects and authorized persons can request and obtain certified copies of San Luis Obispo County marriage records. Authorized requesters may include;

• Parents and other immediate family members of the record subjects;
• Parties empowered by a court order to receive the document;
• A law enforcement employee or a representative of a government agency conducting an official duty;

San Luis Obispo County marriage records are accessible upon mail or in-person requests. To receive the documents via mail, record seekers must download and fill out an application form alongside the appropriate fee as a money order or check. Next, notarize the application form to obtain certified copies of the record. Furthermore, requesters must mail the completed application form and the check to:

County of San Luis Obispo Clerk-Recorder
1055 Monterey Street, Suite D120
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408.

Furthermore, record seekers can obtain San Luis Obispo County marriage records in-person at the kiosk computers in the lobby of the Clerk-Recorder's Office. Requesters must also present a valid photo ID to get copies of marriage records.

Where and How to Find San Luis Obispo County Birth Records

Public members can find San Luis Obispo County birth certificates from the Clerk Recorder's Office. As the custodian of vital records, the Clerk-Recorder is also responsible for issuing certified and informational copies of birth certificates to interested persons. Certified copies of San Luis Obispo County birth records are accessible to the following requesters:

• The record bearer;
• Parent listed on the birth certificate;
• Spouse and immediate family members of the record subject;
• Parties empowered by a court order to receive the document;
• A law enforcement employee or a representative of a government agency conducting an official duty;
• An attorney representing the record subject or acting on behalf of the record subject's estate.

Certified or informational copies of birth records are accessible upon mail or in-person requests. To receive the document via mail, record seekers must:

1. Download and fill out an application form. Furthermore, notarize the application form to obtain certified copies of the record;
2. Attach the appropriate fee as a money order or check;
3. Mail the completed application form and the check to:

County of San Luis Obispo Clerk-Recorder
1055 Monterey Street
Suite D120
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408.

Alternatively, record seekers can obtain San Luis Obispo County birth records in-person at the kiosk computers in the lobby of the Clerk-Recorder's Office. Requesters must also present a valid photo ID to get copies of birth records.

Where and How to Get San Luis Obispo County Death Records

Certified and informational copies of San Luis Obispo County divorce records are accessible via the Office of the Clerk-Recorder. Furthermore, the Clerk-Recorder issues certified or informational copies of San Luis Obispo County death records to public members. Moreover, certified death certificates are accessible to persons or entities with a legitimate interest in the document. Eligible requesters are:

Certified copies of death certificate include:

1. Parent or legal guardians of the record subject;
2. Parent listed on the birth certificate;
3. Spouse and immediate family members of the record subject;
4. Parties empowered by a court order to receive the document;
5. A law enforcement employee or a representative of a government agency conducting an official duty;
6. Funeral director;
7. An attorney representing the record subject or acting on behalf of the record subject's estate.

Record seekers can access certified or informational copies of death mail or in-person requests. To receive the document via mail, record seekers must:

1. Download and fill out a death record application form;
2. Attach the appropriate fee as a money order or check;
3. Mail the completed application form and the check to:

County of San Luis Obispo Clerk-Recorder
1055 Monterey Street
Suite D120
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408.

On the other hand, record seekers can obtain San Luis Obispo County death records at the kiosk computers in the lobby of the Clerk-Recorder's Office.

In addition to government agencies, county public records may also be obtained from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. Users are able to search third-party websites remotely for multiple records at a time with just the name of the record subject and their last known location, including the city, county, or state. Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.