What are Mountain View Public Records?
As prescribed by the CPRA, Mountain View public records include records created or maintained by government authorities. This definition covers records in written or virtual form, including documents, photographs, audio, video, and other digitally-stored information. Although most records should be made available to all requesting parties, public access to the following records may be restricted:
- Information on pending or active law enforcement records
- Preliminary drafts and notes
- Medical records, including health reports
- Records that would cause an invasion of personal privacy if disclosed
- Records of security plans
- All records considered private under law
Mountain View Crime Statistics
The Mountain View Police Department (MVPD) publishes annual reports that contain statistics on recorded crimes in the city. According to the MVPD's 2019 report, there were 2,647 reported Part 1 crimes. These include 12 forcible rape cases, 49 robberies, 326 burglaries, 17 rape (FBI Revised Definition) cases, 111 motor vehicle thefts, and 6 arson incidents. Other reported crimes in the year include 92 aggravated assault incidents and 2,034 larceny cases, the city's most common crime. No criminal homicide incident was reported.
In 2018, the MVPD published 2,274 Part 1 crimes, which shows that the city saw a 16% increase in 2019. Forcible rape (-8%), robbery (-17%), motor vehicle theft (-34%), and arson (-14%) all reduced in 2019. However, there were increases in rape - FBI Revised Definition (143%), aggravated assault (8%), burglary (18%), and larceny (23%). The MVPD also reported a total of 2,886 Part 2 crimes, a 16% increase in crimes from the 2,497 reported in 2018.
Are Mountain View Criminal Records Public?
Mountain View criminal records are not public records. Criminal history information is only available to authorized requestors, such as law enforcement agencies, for official business. California law also allows Mountain View residents to obtain personal criminal records for personal or official purposes. The California Department of Justice (DOJ) maintains criminal records and issues copies to eligible persons. Third-party requests are not processed.
Eligible persons may complete English or Spanish Live Scan Forms and submit them to an authorized Live Scan site for fingerprinting services. The DOJ charges a $25 request processing fee. Fingerprinting services at Live Scan sites are charged separately. Interested parties may send requests to the:
California Department of Justice
Bureau of Criminal Identification and Analysis
Record Review & Challenge Section
P.O. Box 160207
Sacramento, CA 95816-0207
Interested persons may also contact the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office by visiting the following address:
Santa Clara Sheriff's Office Headquarters
55 West Younger Avenue
San Jose, CA 95110-1721
Phone: (408) 808-4705 (Records Division)
How to Obtain Mountain View Police Reports and Arrest Records
Requestors may obtain police reports and arrest records from the Mountain View Police Department. These records are not public records and may only be received by authorized parties. Such parties include involved persons, victims, some authorized representatives, and insurance outfits. However, the requestor must be named on the record. Furthermore, Mountain View arrest records and police reports about crimes such as juvenile or sex-related offenses are only released to law enforcement agencies and district attorneys.
Eligible persons may contact the MVPD's Records Division by calling (650) 903-6344 Each record costs 25 cents per page or 30 cents per photo CD. Alternatively, visit the:
Mountain View Police Department
1000 Villa Street
Mountain View, CA 94041
Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday
Suspects and arrested parties that require police reports are to call the Palo Alto District Attorney's Office at (650) 324-6400
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Mountain View?
Mountain View sex offender records are obtainable from the California Department of Justice. The DOJ maintains a Megan's Law Website where record seekers may find details of sex offenders. Interested persons may search by name, address, or location of the user's device. Users may also specify a search radius and include transient offenders. The DOJ's registry provides information on each sex offender, including offense details, last known address, and risk level. Other available details include a booking photograph, birth date, alias, and physical description.
How to Find Mountain View Inmate Records
The Santa Clara County Main Jail houses Mountain View inmates. Persons seeking Mountain view inmate records may use the jail's online search page. Users may search by Personal File Number (PFN), Booking Number (CEN), or by name. The name search requires the inmate's first name, last name, and either a birth date or booking date.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in the Mountain View Jail?
Interested persons may schedule visits to the Santa Clara County Main Jail by registering online or sending a completed Visitor Registration form to:
Department of Correction Main Jail Facility
Attention: Visiting Office
150 West Hedding Street
San Jose, CA 95110
Phone: (408) 299-3438
Visitation times for Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, begin at 8:10 am, with the last session starting at 4:20 pm. On Saturdays and Sundays, the first session begins earlier, at 7:00 am.
Inmates are allowed to receive two adults in two weekly visits, each one lasting a maximum of 60 minutes. The visits may be split into two sessions, with each adult visiting for 30 minutes. Persons younger than 18 years old may only visit if accompanied by their biological parent, or if the inmate is the minor's biological parent. An accompanying adult must present an original or notarized birth certificate for each minor.
Visitors must arrive and check in at the facility at least 30 minutes before the scheduled visit. Persons who arrive late will have their visits canceled. Note that canceled visits will count against the number of weekly visits allowed.
All visitors must provide valid government-issued ID. Approved IDs include a driver's license, military ID, green card, Mexican Consulate card, or passport. Upon entry, visitors must successfully go through metal detectors and also be searched to ensure no prohibited items are brought in. Contraband items include electronic audio, video, or photography devices, including cell phones. Alternatively, visitors may deposit these items in provided lockers for fees between 25 cents and $10. Persons who sneak these items in will be prosecuted.
Visitors must adhere to a strict dress code. A prospective visitor cannot have an active warrant, be on parole or probation, have a pending court case, or be convicted of a misdemeanor within the last three years. In addition, persons held at the jail within the past 60 days are ineligible for visits, except the person was booked and released on the same day. Furthermore, individuals who have felony convictions and have served time in state prison must receive visitation approval from the Commander.
Court Records
The city of Mountain View does not have any courthouses. Instead, the Santa Clara County Superior Court hears cases at different locations, depending on the case type. Generally, Mountain View cases are heard at the following locations:
Santa Clara County Superior Court
Downtown Superior Court
191 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95113
Phone: (408) 882-2100
TDD: (408) 882-2690
Santa Clara County Superior Court
Family Justice Center Courthouse (FJCC)
201 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95113
Phone: (408) 792-4200
Santa Clara County Superior Court
Juvenile Justice Courthouse
840 Guadalupe Parkway
San Jose, CA 95110
Phone: (408) 882-6200
TDD: (408) 808-6262
Santa Clara County Superior Court
Old Courthouse
161 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95113
Phone: (408) 882-2100
TDD: (408) 275-0854
Santa Clara County Superior Court
Santa Clara Courthouse
1095 Homestead Road
Santa Clara, CA 95050
Phone: (408) 556-3000
TDD: (408) 556-3012
Santa Clara County Superior Court
Morgan Hill Courthouse
301 Diana Avenue
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
Phone: (408) 695-5000
TDD: (408) 695-5199
Santa Clara County Superior Court
Palo Alto Courthouse
270 Grant Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94306
Phone: (650) 462-3800
TDD: (650) 470-3921
Are Mountain View Court Records Public?
Most Mountain View court records are public records. California law states that the Santa Clara County Superior Court is required to provide copies of court records to persons who submit requests. However, the right of access to court records is not absolute. Some records that contain private details, such as medical information or identifying details of crime victims, may be closed to the public. In addition, child custody records and records of juvenile matters are considered confidential.
Can You Look up a Mountain View Court Case Online?
Online access to Mountain View court records is available via the Superior Court's online services function. Interested persons may use one of the links provided on the page to find desired records, depending on the case type and information available to the requestor.
How to Obtain Mountain View Civil Court Case Records
Mountain View civil court records are obtainable from the Santa Clara County Superior Court. Interested persons may obtain copies of public court records by visiting the court that heard the case. Required information includes case name, document title, case number, and file date. Each record costs 50 cents per page. If the record requires a search longer than 10 minutes, an extra $15 fee is applicable. Each certified or exemplified copy costs $40 or $50, respectively. Mail requests require checks or money orders payable to the Superior Court. If unsure of the total cost, requestors may leave amounts blank but specify a "Not to exceed" price, depending on the expected cost. Alternatively, applicants may visit the court that heard the case for in-person requests. Interested persons may mail written applications with required details along with payment to:
Santa Clara County Superior Court
191 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95113
How to Obtain Mountain View Criminal Court Case Records
Mountain View criminal court records are requestable from the Santa Clara Superior Court at the Palo Alto Courthouse. Requesting a copy of a Santa Clara criminal court record requires a case number. If the case number is unknown, requestors may use the criminal case index search to find the case number by providing the defendant's name and birth date. Alternatively, persons may find case numbers by providing the defendant's name and the month and year of filing.
Each record costs 50 cents per page and an additional $15 fee if more than 10 minutes is required to find the record. A $40 fee is also applicable per certified copy, and $50 per exemplified copy. To obtain a Mountain View criminal court record, the requester must provide the defendant's name, date of birth, and years to be searched. These details may be sent in a written request or provided in person. For both request types, applicants may use the address below:
Santa Clara County Superior Court
Palo Alto Courthouse
270 Grant Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94306
Phone: (650) 462-3800
TDD: (650) 470-3921
What are Mountain View Vital Records?
Mountain View vital records are official records of life events that happen in the city. These records include details of births, deaths, divorces, and marriages. Interested persons may obtain vital records from the Superior Court or the Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder's Office. However, not all vital records are available to the public.
Where and How to Obtain Mountain View Divorce Records
Requestors may obtain Mountain View divorce records from the Santa Clara County Superior Court. Records are requestable by mail or in person. Persons interested in mail requests must complete the Family Records Copy Request Form. Each record costs 50 cents per page, $15 for a certified Dissolution Judgment, and $40 for each certified copy of other related documents. If the case number is unknown, an additional $15 research fee is applicable. Payment is accepted by check, payable to the "Clerk of the Superior Court." Requestors should send mail requests to:
Superior Court – FJC
Records Request
191 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95113
For in-person requests, visit the:
Santa Clara County Superior Court
Family Justice Center Courthouse (FJCC)
201 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95113
Phone: (408) 792-4200
Where and How to Get Public Mountain View Marriage Records
The Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder maintains public Mountain View marriage records and provides requestors with copies. All interested parties may obtain copies of public marriage records by mail or in person. To request by mail, the interested party must complete a marriage certificate application with details of both parties to the marriage. Each certificate costs $15, payable to the Clerk-Recorder. If the Clerk-Recorder does not find matching records, the requestor will receive a "Certificate of No Record." Persons requesting public copies of Mountain View marriage certificates may ignore the Sworn Statement attached to the form. Applicants may visit the Clerk-Recorder's Office or send written applications using the following details:
Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder
70 West Hedding Street
1st Floor, East Wing
San Jose, CA 95110
Phone: (408) 299-5688
Where and How to Get Confidential Mountain View Marriage Records
Requestors may receive confidential Mountain View marriage records from the Clerk-Recorder's Office. Access to confidential records is restricted to the married parties or persons with court orders granting access. Eligible persons may visit the Clerk-Recorder's Office or send a completed marriage certificate application by mail.
A non-refundable fee of $15 is applicable. The Clerk-Recorder will issue a "Certificate of No Record" if no records match the provided details. Persons requesting confidential copies must sign the Sworn Statement attached to the form and have it notarized. A request for a confidential copy requires a valid government-issued photo ID. Requestors may send requests by mail or visit the:
Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder
70 West Hedding Street
1st Floor, East Wing
San Jose, CA 95110
Phone: (408) 299-5688
Where and How to Find Mountain View Birth Records
The Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder's Office issues two types of Mountain View birth records, including certified informational and authorized certified copies. Only the following persons may receive authorized certified copies:
- The person named on the record
- A parent or legal guardian
- A representing attorney
- A licensed adoption agency
- Anyone with a court order granting access
- A child, grandchild, spouse, domestic partner, sibling, or grandparent
Persons who do not meet the above criteria can request certified informational copies. For mail requests, applicants must complete an application form with information on the subject of the record. Each Mountain View birth certificate costs $28, payable by check or money order made out to the Clerk-Recorder's Office. If no record is found, the Clerk-Recorder will retain the payment as a search fee. Applicants requesting authorized certified copies must complete the attached Sworn Statement and have it notarized. Requestors may send the completed form with payment by mail or visit in person using the following information:
Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder
70 West Hedding Street
1st Floor, East Wing
San Jose, CA 95110
Phone: (408) 299-5688
Where and How to Find Mountain View Death Records
All interested persons may request copies of Mountain View death records from the Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder's Office. An applicant may make a mail request by sending a completed application form to the Clerk-Recorder's Office. A check or money order payable to the Clerk-Recorder's Office should accompany each mail request. Death records cost $21 per copy.
Mountain View death certificates are available as authorized certified or certified informational copies. While certified informational copies are accessible by the general public, access to authorized certified copies is restricted to the following persons:
- The decedent's child, grandchild, parent, grandparent, sibling, spouse, or domestic partner
- An attorney representing an eligible person
- A law enforcement officer or representative of a government agency if requesting for official business
- A person with a court order
- A funeral director
Persons eligible to receive authorized certified copies must complete the attached Sworn Statement before a Notary Public. All applicants may visit in person or send mail requests to the:
Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder
70 West Hedding Street
1st Floor, East Wing
San Jose, CA 95110
Phone: (408) 299-5688
