Criminal Statistics
The Santa Rosa Police Department serves as the main law enforcement agency for the city. It also compiles and publishes city-wide criminal statistics and police reports. According to records published for 2018, the city recorded a total of 15,738 crime incidents reports. Larceny-theft was the most common crime with 2,179 reports while aggravated-assault was the most common violent crime with 524 cases. Compared to the previous year, vehicle theft and grand/petty theft dropped by 5% and 6%. Homicide cases slid 50%. However, cases of robbery, arson, and assault, increased by 17%, 18%, and 9%, respectively.
Criminal Reports
The Records Bureau of the Santa Rosa Police Department processes requests for different types of reports, including accident, DV and incident reports. Members of the public can obtain copies of a report by submitting a completed record request form to the department at:
Santa Rosa Police Department
965 Sonoma Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Requests should indicate the type of record requested. Submitted forms should also include the full name of the requester as well as their relation to the report (victim, passenger, suspect, etc.) and the appropriate fee.
Who Can Request a Report?
In compliance with California state laws, access to police reports is limited to only authorized persons, namely, victims or witnesses of a crime, insurance carriers, or legal representatives of victims. Requests for juvenile records will require the permission of the presiding judge of Juvenile court.
How to Obtain Criminal History
The California Department of Justice (DOJ) maintains statewide criminal records. Members of the public can obtain records by submitting an application along with the appropriate fee. However, members of the public are limited to only viewing their own criminal records. Third-party requests are not authorized. To obtain a copy of their criminal record, requesters must submit fingerprint images. Mailed applications should be sent to:
California Department of Justice
Record Review Unit
P.O. Box 903417
Sacramento, CA 94203-4170
How to Find Jail/Inmate Information
The Sonoma County Sheriff serves as the main law enforcement agency for the county. It also maintains records on inmates housed in detention centers and correctional inmate facilities around the county. Members of the public can search for inmate information using an online tool provided by the office. It allows for searches by an inmate last name ad searches by booking number. Inmate information may also be available at any of the sheriff’s detention facilities:
Main Adult Detention Facility (MADF),
2777 Ventura Avenue,
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
North County Detention Facility (NCDF)
2254 Ordinance Road,
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
How to Obtain Sex Offender Information
Information on sex offenders living in Santa Rosa can be obtained using the California Megan’s Law Website. It provides general information on registered offenders. It also provides website maps of Santa Rosa that include offenders living within the city jurisdiction and those on the outskirts. Searches can be conducted by first and last name. Members of the public can also conduct searches within a particular address or a specific range.
Court Records
The city of Santa Rosa falls under the jurisdiction of the Sonoma County Superior Court. Records of cases can be inspected or viewed using public terminals provided at the courthouse. The court also maintains a web-based case management system that members of the public can use to search for court records. Searches can be conducted by party name (last, first, middle) or using a known case number.
Location of Courts in Santa Rosa
Sonoma County Superior Court - Civil and Family Law Courthouse
3055 Cleveland Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Phone: (707) 521-6630 (Family Law)
Phone: (707) 521-6650 (Probate)
Sonoma County Superior Court - Empire College Annex
3035 Cleveland Avenue, Suite 200
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Phone: (707) 521-6500
Sonoma County Superior Court - Hall of Justice
600 Administration Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Phone: (707) 521-6610 (Civil)
Phone: (707) 521-6620 (Criminal)
Phone: (707) 521-6800 (Family Law)
Phone: (707) 521-6700 (Juvenile Delinquency)
Phone: (707) 521-6770 (Juvenile Dependency)
Phone: (707) 521-6681 (Juvenile Traffic)
Phone: (707) 521-6880 (Adult Traffic)
Sonoma County Superior Court - Juvenile Justice Center
7425 Los Guilicos Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95409
Phone: (707) 521-6700
Vital Records
How to Find Divorce Records
Eligible persons may view, inspect or request copies of divorce decrees granted in Santa Rosa directly at the Family Law Clerk’s Office located at:
Family Law Courthouse
3055 Cleveland Avenue,
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
In-person payments can be made by cash, credit card, or check (made payable to the Superior Court). Members of the public can also submit requests via mail. Written applications must include specific information to help with record retrieval as well as an indication of whether the record will be certified or not. The court charges $0.50 per copy for one-sided records ($1.00 for double-sided) and an additional $15 for certifications of divorce decrees.
How to Obtain Birth and Death Records
The Sonoma County Clerk-Recorder Office maintains birth and death records for events in the county. It processes requests for births from 1855 till present. Members of the public can obtain birth or death records in person at the:
Sonoma County Clerk-Recorder
585 Fiscal Dr, Room 103
Santa Rosa, California 95403
Phone: (707) 565-3800
Requests can also be made via mail. Written applications must include a sworn notarized statement as well as payment for the appropriate fee. The office charges $28.00 per copy for certified copies of a birth record. Written applications should be sent to the:
Sonoma County Clerk-Recorder,
585 Fiscal Dr, Room 103,
Santa Rosa, California 95403
Who can Receive Birth/Death Records?
In compliance with state law, certified copies of birth or death certificates are only issued to authorized persons namely:
- The registrant (birth records)
- Parents or legal guardian of the registrant
- Member of law enforcement agency
- Direct family members, such as siblings, spouse, domestic partner, child or grandchild
- Authorized legal representative
- Agent or employee of a funeral establishment (for death records)
How to Obtain Marriage Records
The County Clerk’s office maintains records of marriage events occurring in Sonoma County from 1846 to the present. Marriage records for licenses granted in Santa Rosa or other parts of the county can be obtained:
Sonoma County Clerk-Recorder
585 Fiscal Dr., Room 103,
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
The office opens for walk-in request between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and it closes an hour earlier on Wednesdays. A $15.00 fee is charged for each record.
