Official
Court records
California Criminal Self Service Center
How to see or get a copy of records from criminal cases.
Open official site California Criminal Self Service CenterStart here
Official California background check sources
Every card below goes to the government office responsible for that record. Use the category buttons to narrow the list.
Official
Criminal history
California Sex Offenders
Information provided by criminal justice departments and local police agencies. Daily updated list of persons required to register in California as sex offender
Open official site California Sex Offenders
Official
Criminal history
California Wanted Alerts
Search for fugitives wanted by the California department of Corrections. The state's wanted person's online database to the public will show photo, age, physica
Open official site California Wanted Alerts
Official
Criminal history
California Inmate Locator
Locate inmates held in California correctional facilities. Obtain an inmate's contact information including the current facility and location where the prisoner
Open official site California Inmate Locator
Official
Criminal history
California Criminal History Request and Review
Information of arrests and convictions in California
Open official site California Criminal History Request and Review
Official
Criminal history
California Background Check System
Public access to California criminal history records
Open official site California Background Check System
Official
State agencies
California Online Driver Records Access
California Driving History
Open official site California Online Driver Records Access
Official
State agencies
California Licensee Searches
Professional license verification
Open official site California Licensee Searches
Official
Property records
California Property Records
Property and other recorded documents
Open official site California Property Records
Official
State agencies
California Search the Secretary of State
UCC System for filings and amendments
Open official site California Search the Secretary of State
Official
Criminal history
California Highway Patrol
Look up current arrests, CIG alerts (radio stations broadcast of warnings regarding unusual or hazardous traffic conditions) and hot spots.
Open official site California Highway Patrol
Official
State agencies
California Department of Fish and Game
Fishing licenses, hunting licenses and more.
Open official site California Department of Fish and GameNothing in this category on this page.
Everything else, organized
More official California record sources
Secondary links stay collapsed until they are needed, keeping the page useful without turning it into an endless wall of cards.
More California sources
- California Attorney GeneralCalifornia office of the attorney general.
- California Property Records by City - LoopNet.comFind and research California property record information, California property tax data, property owners, property mortgage records and recent sales on LoopNet.c
- California Birth, Marriage and Death CertificatesCalifornia Department of Public Health Vital records
- California Judgments Liens and Court RecordsJudicial court forms
- California Court Records Lookup - CA Court Case SearchYou can obtain court records in California by visiting the Superior Court of the county where the case was filed. You can use the Superior Court directory to fi
- California Courts — Find My CourtUse the California Judicial Branch directory to locate the correct Superior Court for your county.
- California State Courts (Official)Official judiciary website for California. Search court records, find court locations, and access official forms and information.
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court Northern District of CaliforniaCourt locations, case information, rules and procedures
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court Central District of CaliforniaCourt rules, forms, general orders and information
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court Southern District of CaliforniaSearch case files and bankruptcy records in San Diego and Imperial counties
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court Eastern District of CaliforniaFiling requirements, case information, processes and procedures
Guide
How to run a background check in California
- Criminal history: statewide repository and registry checks, California Criminal Self Service Center and California Sex Offenders.
- Court records: case search by name or case number, California Judgments Liens and Court Records and California Court Records Lookup - CA Court Case Search.
- Vital records: certified birth, death, marriage and divorce copies, California Birth, Marriage and Death Certificates.
- Licenses, businesses and property: professional licenses, business filings, deeds and tax rolls, California Background Check System and California Online Driver Records Access.
- Employment, tenant, credit or insurance decisions: use a consumer reporting agency that follows the FCRA. PublicRecordCenter.com is a directory of official sources, not a consumer reporting agency; your rights are on the Background Check Help page.
Record guide
About California background check sources
Useful local context without burying the official record links above.
At a glance
Background Checks in California
- State
- California
- Official sources
- 24
- Criminal history
- 6
- Court records
- 5
- State agencies
- 5
- Links checked
- Sep. 17, 2026
Using these background check sources
Use official government sources whenever you need certified or admissible records. Fees, response times, identity verification, and access rules can vary by agency. For employment, tenant screening, credit, insurance, or other FCRA-covered uses, verify compliance with applicable law and agency rules before relying on any search results.
PublicRecordCenter.com is not a consumer reporting agency under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Records found through these sources may not be used for employment, tenant, credit or insurance decisions; for those use a compliant screening provider, and know your rights on the Background Check Help page.
More California records on this site: California public records, Criminal Records, Court Records, Asset Search, Vital Records, Business Background Check Questions.
Straight answers
California background check questions
Open only the answer you need.
Where do I start a California background check?
Start with the statewide source listed first on this page, California Sex Offenders, then use the court, vital records and license offices in the cards for the specific record you need. Every link goes to the agency that keeps the record.
Can I use these California records for hiring or tenant screening?
Not directly. PublicRecordCenter.com is not a consumer reporting agency under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Employment, tenant, credit and insurance decisions require a compliant screening provider that follows the FCRA and California law.
All states
Background Checks by state
Every state page lists that state's official background check sources, each opened and verified.
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