What Are Redwood City Public Records?
In Redwood City, government employees produce and distribute public records according to the state’s Public Records Act. According to the CPRA, any writing with information on the public’s business that a city agency has prepared, owned, used, or preserved on or after January 6, 1975, is a Redwood City public record. These records can be handwritten, typed, photographed, or digitally transmitted. The CPRA does not mandate city agents to make every record available to the public. It exempts portions of documents (or complete records) that contain:
- Information on minors;
- Information closely tied to national security;
- Agency personnel data;
- Information that state or federal statute exempts from public view;
- Trade secrets or privileged financial data;
- Information bound under attorney-client privilege, attorney work-product privilege, or deliberative process privilege;
- Information whose release would constitute an unjust invasion of personal privacy of the person(s) involved;
- Information whose release would hinder an uncompleted law enforcement inquiry;
- Information whose release would make it difficult for a person to get a fair trial or an impartial adjudication.
Redwood City Crime Statistics
The Redwood City Police Department’s Records Unit maintains its records and compiles information on crimes and arrests, making it available on its crime statistics page. It also shares its crime and arrest information with the California Highway Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In a 2019 Uniform Crime Report, the FBI revealed 189 violent crimes and 1,343 property crimes among Redwood City’s 87,427 residents. The city’s crime rate was 148, which was higher than 56.3% of U.S. cities.
Among the violent crimes were 32 rapes, 70 robberies, and 87 cases of aggravated assault. Redwood City residents had a one in 450 chance of being violent crime victims, while across the state, the stakes were one in 227. A closer look at property crimes in 2019 revealed 165 burglaries, 1,014 larceny-theft cases, 164 vehicular thefts, and thirteen arson cases. The chances of being property crime victims were one in 62, while the statewide stakes were one in 43.
Are Redwood City Criminal Records Public?
In Redwood City, per California’s Public Records Act, some - but not all - criminal records are in the public domain. For example, individuals do not have access to the Redwood city criminal records. However, law enforcement agencies, public utilities, private security companies, schools, child care service companies, and other employers may access them for employment purposes. Also, individuals who have an arrest or criminal records have the right to request, view, or copy their records at any time.
How to Obtain Redwood City Police Reports and Arrest Records
The Redwood City Police Department’s Records Unit maintains various police records like accident reports, ticket sign-offs, crime reports, and more. It provides copies of reports to persons directly involved in a case. The Record’s Unit accepts queries in-person at the front desk or by telephone.
The Records Unit is open between 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Individuals who wish to obtain police reports must call (650) 780-7100 to confirm eligibility before ordering them. It costs $12 to process and copy the first eight pages of any Redwood City police report and $1 for each added page (requesters may pay by cash or check only).
Redwood City Police Department
1301 Maple Street
Redwood City, CA 94063
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Redwood City
The Redwood Police Department’s Records Unit, per California’s Megan’s Law statutes, regularly collects Redwood City sex offender’s details - including home addresses, work addresses, and phone numbers - and forwards them to the California Department of Justice. In turn, the DOJ makes the information of all sex offenders in the state publicly available on the Sex Offender Registry. Interested persons who want to get Redwood City sex information may browse the portal, which holds details on:
- Serious Sex Offenders: Persons that the courts found guilty of felony sex offenses or misdemeanor child molestation offenses;
- High-Risk Sex Offenders: Persons that have committed multiple violent crimes and the courts have classified as “sexually violent predators” per the Welfare and Institutions Code, Section 6600.
The Sex Offender Registry provides sex offender’s names and aliases, physical descriptors and mugshots, phone numbers, email addresses, and their home or work addresses. It also allows interested persons to use its map application to locate sex offenders within a specific zip code or near popular children’s playgrounds.
How to Find Redwood City Inmate Records
Individuals convicted of crimes committed in Redwood City serve time in the county’s central jail. The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for the prison and keeps a log of all inmates incarcerated in the facility. The Sheriff’s office makes the information available in real-time on its Inmate Locator System.
Interested persons may search the inmate locator system for Redwood City inmate records, using the inmate’s first and last name. The registry will provide the inmate’s details, physical descriptors and mugshots, complete booking information, and conviction charges if available. Researchers may not find individual Redwood City inmate records on the site if they are exempt under Government Code section 6254(f).
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Redwood Jail?
Individuals convicted of crimes in Redwood City serve time in San Mateo County’s central jail. The San Mateo County Sheriff allows inmate’s friends and family to visit them via video call in the Maple Street Correctional Center (MSCC).
Maple Street Correctional Center (MSCC)
1300 Maple Street,
Redwood City, CA 94063
Inmates may receive two visitors up to twice a week. All visitors must pre-register for video visits on a third-party site or in the prison lobby. About 48 hours after registering, intending visitors will be able to schedule visits according to the following schedule:
Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday:
8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.
1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
3:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
7:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
8:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.
9:00 p.m. – 9:45 p.m.
Saturday:
12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.
1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
3:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
7:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
8:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.
9:00 p.m. – 9:45 p.m.
Friends and family must schedule visits at least 24 hours in advance and up to a week in advance. All visitors must arrive at least fifteen minutes before their appointment. Anyone who comes less than fifteen minutes late will visit for the time remaining. Anyone later than fifteen minutes will have their visit canceled automatically. Visitors must provide a valid, government-issued ID to register for visits. The facility accepts any of the following ID:
- U.S. Driver’s License;
- U.S. Identification Card;
- U.S. Immigration Identification;
- Military Identification;
- Valid Passport;
- Other state-issued photo ID.
Minors may visit inmates if their parents or guardians accompany them and must provide a valid birth certificate to validate their identity. However, their parents must not leave them unattended and risk eviction from the facility if they do. Visitors may not visit any inmate other than the person scheduled to visit and may be barred from future visits if they do.
The MSCC does not allow cell phones, electronic devices, gum, beverages, or food in the lobby or visitation area. Visitors must dress conservatively when visiting inmates and will not gain entry to the facility wearing any of the following:
- Shorts, skirts, and dresses that do not reach the bottom of the fingertips when the wearer has their arms by their sides;
- Bare midriffs, low-cut tops, or any revealing or provocative clothing;
- Gang attire or clothing with gang insignias;
- Bandanas, beanies, hairnets, hoods, or hats;
- Steel-toed boots or shoes that will not clear the metal detector;
- Stiletto-type heels.
Redwood City Court Records
Redwood City courts create court records while processing a legal issue. Court records include dockets, court minutes, indexes, case files, and more. As a part of the California Judicial Branch, the San Mateo Superior Court’s Southern Branch handles all proceedings in Redwood City and stores Redwood City court records.
The San Mateo Superior Court provides the public with copies of Redwood City court records, including civil court records, criminal court records, small claims, and traffic court records.
Location of Courts in Redwood City
San Mateo County Superior Court - Southern Branch
Hall of Justice and Records
400 County Center,
Redwood City, CA 94063
Phone: (650) 261-5100 (Civil, Family Law, Probate)
Phone: (650) 261-5200 (Criminal)
Phone: (650) 261-5015 (Small Claims)
San Mateo County Superior Court - Southern Branch Annex
500 County Center,
Redwood City, CA 94063
Phone: (650) 363-4300 (Traffic)
Are Redwood City Court Records Public?
Various Redwood City court records are in the public domain - per California’s Public Records Act. However, not all court records are openly available. Some Redwood City court records are restricted to authorized persons, including (but not limited to) the following:
- Juvenile criminal cases;
- Juvenile dependency cases in which the court separates a child from his or her parents;
- Civil harassment cases;
- Child custody cases;
- Mental health cases;
- Some divorce cases.
Can You Look Up a Redwood City Court Case Online?
The San Mateo County Superior Court Clerk is responsible for generating and storing Redwood City court records. The Clerk’s Office makes some of those records available online via its MIDX and Odyssey portals. The public may access both portals. The MIDX allows interested persons to find general information about a Redwood City court case, including:
- Case number;
- Party type;
- Case name;
- Casefile date;
- Source of the index information.
Researchers who are unsure of a case’s name or number may conduct a brief search on the MIDX portal, using the details available. The portal will return any case that closely resembles the initial information. The requester can then look through the exact name or number and click on the case for more details.
The Odyssey portal provides comprehensive case records for non-confidential cases. Individuals who wish to find the full details of a Redwood City court record may search the portal using a case number. Researchers do not need to register on the Odyssey portal to use it.
How to Obtain Redwood City Civil Court Case Records
The San Mateo Superior County Court Clerk generates all Redwood City civil court case records and makes them available to the public. Individuals who wish to obtain Redwood City civil court case records may access them online or order copies in-person or by mail. For online access to Redwood City civil court case records, researchers may use the MIDX and the Odyssey portals. The MIDX allows interested persons to find general information about a Redwood City court case, including:
- Case number;
- Party type;
- Case name;
- Casefile date;
- Source of the index information.
Researchers who are unsure of a case’s name or number may conduct a brief search on the MIDX portal, using the details available. The portal will return any case that closely resembles the initial information. The requester can then look through the exact name or number and click on the case for more details.
The Odyssey portal provides comprehensive case records for non-confidential Redwood City civil court cases. Individuals who wish to find the full details of a Redwood City court case may search the portal using a case number.
While the San Mateo Court provides online access to its records, it does not certify them. Anyone who wants to get a certified copy of a Redwood City civil court case record can submit a request in person or by mail. The requester must provide the following:
- The case number;
- Names of parties involved;
- Approximate date the document was filed.
Mail requesters must also provide a self-addressed, postage-paid/stamped envelope and a blank check with a "Not to exceed $50" amount written on the memo line, made payable to "Superior Court." Copying Redwood City civil court case records costs fifty cents per page, while certification costs $40 per document.
San Mateo Superior Court
Records Management
400 County Center
1st Floor, Room A
Redwood City, CA 94063
How to Obtain Redwood City Criminal Court Records
Redwood City criminal court records are available at the San Mateo Superior Court’s Criminal Division. Anyone who wants to get a Redwood City criminal court record can access them online or order copies in-person or by mail. For online access, researchers may use the MIDX and the Odyssey portals. The MIDX allows interested persons to find general information about a Redwood City criminal court case, including:
- Defendant’s name;
- Case number;
- Casefile date;
- Source of the index information.
Researchers who are unsure of a case’s name or number may conduct a brief search on the MIDX portal, using the details available. The portal will return any case that closely resembles the initial information. The requester can then look through the exact name or number and click on the case for more details.
The Odyssey portal provides comprehensive case records for non-confidential Redwood City criminal court records. Individuals who wish to find the full details of a Redwood City court case may search the portal using a case number.
While the San Mateo Court provides online access to its records, it does not certify them. Anyone who wants to get a certified copy of a Redwood City civil court case record can submit a request to the Criminal Division in person or by mail. The requester must provide the following:
- The case number;
- The defendant’s name;
- Approximate date the document was filed.
Mail requesters must also provide a self-addressed, postage-paid/stamped envelope and a blank check with a "Not to exceed $100" amount written on the memo line, made payable to "Superior Court." Copying Redwood City criminal court records costs fifty cents per page, while certification costs $40 per document.
In-person requests:
Criminal Division:
400 County Center,
Redwood City (Hall of Justice, 4th floor)
Criminal Clerk's Office:
1050 Mission Road,
South San Francisco
Mail-in Requests:
San Mateo Superior Court
Records Management
400 County Center
1st Floor, Room A
Redwood City, CA 94063
What Are Redwood City Vital Records?
In Redwood City, government officials create vital records to note crucial life events among its citizens. Vital events include births, deaths, marriages, and divorces. Redwood City residents who wish to obtain copies of divorce records must query the San Mateo Superior Court Clerk’s office. Individuals may visit the San Mateo County Clerk’s office to obtain certified copies of Redwood City marriage records. Finally, interested persons who wish to obtain certified copies of Redwood City birth and death records must query the San Mateo County Recorder’s Office.
Where and How to Obtain Redwood City Divorce Records
The San Mateo County Superior Court handles divorces in all its cities and makes copies available to eligible persons, including:
- The divorcees
- The divorcee’s immediate family members
- The divorcee’s legal representatives
Eligible persons who want to get certified copies of Redwood City divorce records must query the San Mateo County Superior Court Clerk’s office in person, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Requesters must provide the following details:
- The divorcee’s names
- The divorce date
- The case number
- The requester’s contact details
Requesters must pay $15 per copy, payable by cash, check, credit card, or money order. Mail-in requesters must attach a self-addressed, stamped envelope and a check with the proper amount made payable to "Superior Court."
San Mateo Superior Court
Records Management
400 County Center
1st Floor, Room A
Redwood City, CA 94063
Where and How to Get Public Redwood City Marriage Records
The San Mateo Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder and Chief Elections Officer handles Redwood City’s marriage register and makes informational certified copies of Redwood City marriage records available to public members. Anyone who wants a copy may complete a Marriage Certificate Application Form and mail it to the Recorder’s office with a check money order for $15.
San Mateo County – Attn: Vital Records
555 County Center
1st Floor,
Redwood City, CA 94063
Where and How to Get Confidential Redwood City Marriage Records
Confidential Redwood City marriage records may be available at the San Mateo Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder and Chief Elections Office. However, only authorized persons may obtain certified copies of Redwood City marriage certificates or licenses, which include:
- The married couple;
- The couple’s parents or legal guardians (with documentation);
- The couple’s family members;
- Law enforcement agents or other government agencies conducting official business;
- The couple’s legal representatives;
- A party with a court order to receive the record.
Authorized requesters may complete a Marriage Certificate Application Form, have it notarized and mail it to the Recorder’s office with a check money order for $15.
San Mateo County
Attn: Vital Records
555 County Center
1st Floor,
Redwood City, CA 94063
Where and How to Get Redwood City Birth Records
The San Mateo Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder and Chief Elections Officer is responsible for Redwood City’s birth register. It provides certified and informational certified copies of Redwood City birth certificates available to public members and the following eligible persons:
- The registrant
- Parents named on the record
- The registrant’s spouse
- The registrant’s siblings
- The registrant’s legal representatives
Individuals who wish to obtain Redwood City birth records must complete a birth certificate application form. Eligible persons applying for certified copies must have their applications notarized and provide proof of eligibility. Birth certificates cost $28 per copy. Mail-in requesters must attach a self-addressed, stamped envelope and a check or money order for the exact amount.
San Mateo County – Attn: Vital Records
555 County Center
1st Floor,
Redwood City, CA 94063
Where and How to Get Redwood City Death Records
Persons interested in obtaining Redwood City death records may direct requests to the San Mateo Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder and Chief Elections Officer who is responsible for Redwood City’s death register. It provides certified and informational certified copies of Redwood City death certificates available to public members and the following eligible persons:
- The deceased’s spouse
- The deceased’s siblings
- The deceased’s legal representative
Individuals who wish to obtain Redwood City death records must complete a death certificate application form. Eligible persons applying for certified copies must have their applications notarized and provide proof of eligibility. Birth certificates cost $21 per copy. Mail-in requesters must attach a self-addressed, stamped envelope and a check or money order for the exact amount.
San Mateo County – Attn: Vital Records
555 County Center
1st Floor,
Redwood City, CA 94063
