How to request a criminal Record

Instructions for Obtaining Criminal Records
From The San Francisco Superior Court

 GENERAL INFORMATION

All records requests are handled in the order in which they were received. Turnaround times vary by the availability of the record.

COST FOR RECORDS

.50 per page
$25 for certification
$20 for exemplification

Indicate if you would like to only VIEW the court file and receive no copies. A clerk from the Records Unit will contact you when the court file is available.

A Records Request Form must be submitted for every defendant. Records requests lacking the requestor and/or defendant information above, and/or failing to comply with this procedure will not be processed. You will be contacted when your requested file is ready for viewing, or requested records are ready for pick-up. Records can be mailed to you if you have included a self-addressed, stamped envelope, and payment has been completed. Postage will be included in the cost should the stamped amount be insufficient.

 In Person: 

Submit the Records Request Form (or request one from the Clerk's Office) to the clerk at 850 Bryant St., Room 101, Hall of Justice, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday - Friday, except legal holidays. Complete and submit the completed Records Request Form to windows #1 or #3. Members of the Public also must submit a check payable to "SF Superior Court" with "NOT TO EXCEED $%)" written on the memo line of the check. If your records request exceeds $50, you will be contacted to arrange for additional payment. A clerk from the Records Unit will contact you when the records request is completed and ready for pick-up.  
 

By Mail: 

Address to:
San Francisco Superior Court
850 Bryant St., Room 101
San Francisco, CA 94103
Attention: Records Clerk
 

By Fax:  We only accept faxed requests from government agencies.
 

Certificate of the Record

For faster service, a Certificate of the Record may be available in lieu of actual copies from the court file. A Certificate of the Record is a document that certifies conviction and sentencing disposition of the defendant’s case. Certificates are $25 per court number.

Records Request Form & Instructions

• Records Request Form
• Records Request Instructions