Pasadena Public Records Directory

All links go directly to official Pasadena, California government websites.

  About Pasadena City Government
Annual Budget $1.02 billion
Regular Meetings Public Sessions

The governing body of Pasadena, California, is the Pasadena City Council, which consists of 9 seats. Council members are elected by district to serve four-year terms. The city is divided into 7 districts, with 2 at-large members elected by the entire city. The current council members include Mayor Victor Gordo, Vice Mayor Andy Wilson, and Councilmembers John J. Kennedy, Tyron Hampton, and others representing the districts.

For the fiscal year 2023-2024, Pasadena's approximate annual operating budget is $1.02 billion. This budget encompasses various city services, including public safety, infrastructure, and community services, reflecting the city's commitment to maintaining and improving the quality of life for its residents.

The Pasadena City Council holds regular meetings on Mondays at 6:30 PM. These meetings take place at the Pasadena City Hall, located at 100 N. Garfield Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101. The meetings are open to the public, providing an opportunity for residents to engage with their elected officials and participate in local governance.

  About Pasadena, California

Known for its rich history and cultural significance, Pasadena sits at the northeastern edge of Los Angeles County, boasting a population of approximately 141,371 residents. The city is celebrated for landmarks such as the iconic Rose Bowl, the historic Gamble House, and the Norton Simon Museum, each reflecting its diverse cultural tapestry. Pasadena's neighborhoods, such as Old Town, South Pasadena, and Bungalow Heaven, highlight architectural beauty and a sense of local character. Economically, the city is recognized for its thriving arts scene, educational institutions including Caltech and the ArtCenter College of Design, and a robust healthcare sector, contributing significantly to the local economy.

The Pasadena Police Department plays a pivotal role in maintaining law and order within the city, comprising dedicated officers who work diligently to ensure public safety. Arrest records and criminal records are meticulously maintained by the department, and individuals looking to access such information can do so through official channels. For those seeking information about inmates or past criminal activities, the Los Angeles County Jail operates facilities nearby that provide inmate records online. Notably, Pasadena's police department has been involved in innovative community policing initiatives, fostering stronger relationships between law enforcement and residents while addressing safety concerns effectively.

Residents interested in accessing public records in Pasadena can utilize the California Public Records Act (CPRA) to request a variety of documents. Vital records, including birth, death, and marriage certificates, are processed through the Los Angeles County Clerk's office, while property records are managed by the Los Angeles County Assessor's office. Court records are available through the Los Angeles County Superior Court, which maintains comprehensive documentation of legal proceedings. For convenience, many of these records can be accessed through online portals, streamlining the process for residents seeking information. Whether it’s obtaining a marriage license or searching property deeds, Pasadena provides residents with the resources necessary for managing their public record needs efficiently.

  Pasadena, California Public Records & Government Resources

About Pasadena

Pasadena, a vibrant city in Los Angeles County, California, boasts a population of 137,554 residents across its diverse neighborhoods. Nestled at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, this historic city is renowned for its cultural attractions, including the iconic Rose Bowl, the Gamble House, and the Norton Simon Museum. Pasadena's rich architectural heritage, exemplified in districts like Old Town and Bungalow Heaven, contributes to its unique local character.
As a hub of education and innovation, the city is home to prestigious institutions like the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and the ArtCenter College of Design, further solidifying its reputation as a thriving cultural and economic center in the region.

Police Department & Arrest Records

Los Angeles County is policed by a complex multi-agency patchwork. LAPD serves the City of Los Angeles across 21 geographic divisions and approximately 9,000 sworn officers. LASD serves unincorporated areas and 42 contract cities from 23 patrol stations. Independent municipal departments include Long Beach PD, Pasadena PD, Burbank PD, Glendale PD, Santa Monica PD, and 41 others. The LA Metro Transit Authority has its own transit police force. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) covers freeways and unincorporated areas. LAPD crime data is published at data.lacity.org.

Jail & Inmate Records

LASD operates 7 major detention facilities in Los Angeles County: Twin Towers Correctional Facility (downtown LA, largest in the US), Men's Central Jail (MCJ), Century Regional Detention Center (Lynwood, houses women), Pitchess Detention Center (Castaic, 4 camps), North County Correctional Facility, East Facility, and South Facility. Each city with its own police department may also operate a city jail for short-term holds. To find a current inmate, use the LASD Inmate Information Center (app5.lasd.org) and search by name or booking number.

Court Records

Pasadena falls under the jurisdiction of the Central District of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California, which can be accessed at https://www.cacb.uscourts.gov/. For civil and criminal case records, residents can utilize the California Courts' online self-help portal at https://www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp-courtrecords.htm to search for and access case information.

Criminal Records

Criminal records in Los Angeles County are maintained at multiple levels. Felony and misdemeanor convictions are held by the LA Superior Court District Clerk and searchable online at lacourt.org. State-level criminal history is maintained by the California DOJ and accessible via Live Scan fingerprint background checks through authorized providers (oag.ca.gov/fingerprints). Name-based checks ($25) are available for non-criminal-justice purposes. The FBI maintains a national criminal history database (NCIC) accessible to law enforcement.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Los Angeles County are maintained by the arresting agency — LAPD (21 geographic divisions), LASD (23 patrol stations), or one of 46 independent city police departments. Under the California Public Records Act, arrest records are public unless sealed or expunged by court order. LAPD arrest data is published on the LA City open data portal (data.lacity.org). LASD arrest records may be requested from the LASD Records Bureau. California Proposition 57 (2016) and AB 1950 (2021) have modified certain sentence and probation rules that affect record visibility.

Public Records Access

Pasadena's property records, including deeds, assessments, and tax information, are maintained by the California Board of Equalization (BOE). Residents and property owners can access these valuable resources through the BOE's online portal at https://www.boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/. The California State Archives also houses a collection of historical records and documents related to Pasadena, which can be accessed through their website at https://www.sos.ca.gov/archives/collections/.

Economy & Demographics

Pasadena's economy is anchored by several key industries, including healthcare, education, and the arts. Major employers in the city include Caltech, the ArtCenter College of Design, and Huntington Hospital, which contribute significantly to the local workforce and economic activity. The city's thriving arts and cultural scene, highlighted by institutions like the Norton Simon Museum and the Pasadena Playhouse, also play a vital role in Pasadena's economic landscape.

Law Enforcement & Arrest Records

The Pasadena Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for maintaining public safety in the city. Residents can access the department's website at https://www.cityofpasadena.net/police/ to learn about its services, programs, and contact information. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation also provides an inmate search tool at https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/ciris/ for individuals incarcerated within the state's correctional facilities.

Vital Records

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is the primary source for vital records in Pasadena, including birth certificates, death records, and marriage licenses. Residents can request these documents through the CDPH's online platform at https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/Vital-Records.aspx. The City of Pasadena also maintains a local archive of vital records, which can be accessed through the City Clerk's office.

Business & Licensing Records

The City of Pasadena's Economic Development Division oversees the issuance of business licenses, permits, and zoning information for local enterprises. Businesses operating in Pasadena can apply for the necessary permits and licenses through the City Clerk's office, accessible at https://www.cityofpasadena.net/city-clerk/. The city also offers various economic development resources and programs to support the local business community.

Elections & Voter Records

Pasadena voters are served by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, located at 12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk, CA 90650 (800-815-2756, lavote.gov). The office manages voter registration, polling places, vote-by-mail ballots, and election results for all of Los Angeles County including Pasadena. California residents can register to vote online at registertovote.ca.gov up to 15 days before an election, though conditional voter registration is available through Election Day at vote centers. Registration requires a California driver license or ID number, or the last four digits of a Social Security number. Pasadena holds municipal elections for Mayor and City Council in odd-numbered years (2025, 2027, etc.), with the next Pasadena municipal election scheduled for March 2025 for Mayor and Council Districts 1, 3, 5, and 7. The City Clerk's office (100 North Garfield Avenue, 626-744-4124, www.cityofpasadena.net/clerk) provides information on local candidates, ballot measures, and campaign finance filings. Polling place lookup is available at lavote.gov/locator where Pasadena residents enter their address to find assigned vote center locations. Los Angeles County has transitioned to a Vote Center model where any registered voter can visit any vote center in the county during the 11-day voting period. In the November 2024 presidential election, Los Angeles County reported approximately 4.1 million registered voters with turnout around 70%, representing roughly 2.9 million ballots cast. For the November 3, 2026 general election, Pasadena and Los Angeles County voters will decide races including California Governor, all statewide constitutional offices (Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Controller, Treasurer, Attorney General, Insurance Commissioner, Superintendent of Public Instruction), U.S. House seats (Pasadena is split between CA-28 and CA-30), California State Senate District 25, California State Assembly District 41, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors District 5, Superior Court judges, and local ballot measures. California does not have a U.S. Senate seat up in 2026. Vote-by-mail ballots are automatically sent to all registered voters in California and can be requested through lavote.gov or by contacting the Registrar. Public election records accessible under California Elections Code include voter registration lists (with some personal information redacted per law), campaign finance reports through the California Fair Political Practices Commission at fppc.ca.gov and City of Pasadena's campaign finance portal, candidate statements, precinct-level results, and ballot measure text.

Public Records Transparency Score

Court Records: ✅ Online Statewide Portal | Property: ✅ Free Online Assessor+Recorder | Arrest Logs: ✅ Online Inmate Roster | Vital Records: ✅ Online Ordering | Business: ✅ Free State Database | Elections: ✅ Online Registration & Results | Overall: 9.2/10 — Los Angeles County and California provide exceptional online access to nearly all public records categories with free searchable databases, statewide court portals, comprehensive property records, and modern election systems, though some city-level business records require in-person verification.

Frequently Asked Questions

1 What is the process for someone who is arrested in Pasadena, Los Angeles County, California to go through the jail and court system?
If you are arrested in the City of Pasadena, California, you will be transported to the Los Angeles County Jail for booking and processing. During booking, officers will record your personal information, take fingerprints and photographs, and log personal belongings. After booking, you may be held pending arraignment before the Los Angeles Superior Court. Under California law, you have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney; if you cannot afford legal representation, a public defender will be appointed. Bail may be set at arraignment depending on the charges, your criminal history, and flight risk. Criminal history records are maintained by the California Department of Justice. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate roster at https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/ciris/ where you can look up current detainees.
The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) serves the city of Pasadena, Los Angeles County, California. According to the California Department of Education, PUSD had an overall Academic Performance Index (API) score of 745 in 2019, which is above the state average of 739. PUSD also had a graduation rate of 91.2%, which is higher than the state average of 83.0%.
According to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program, the total number of reported crimes in Pasadena, Los Angeles County, California in 2019 was 8,945. Of those, there were 1,845 violent crimes (20.5% of the total) and 7,100 property crimes (79.5% of the total).
You can find public records in the Pasadena Public Library in Los Angeles County, California. The library has a wide variety of public records, including birth, death, marriage, and divorce records, as well as property records, court records, and other government documents.
The Pasadena Public Library is located at 285 East Walnut Street, Pasadena, CA 91101.
Fingerprinting services in Pasadena, Los Angeles County, California are available through the Pasadena Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office. Services are provided for employment background checks, licensing applications, immigration purposes, and personal record requests. You will typically need to bring a valid government-issued photo ID and, where applicable, a completed fingerprint card from the requesting agency. Appointments can often be scheduled by calling (626) or by visiting the department's website. Fingerprints are submitted to the California Department of Justice and the FBI for identity verification and criminal history review. Statewide criminal history checks can also be requested through the California Department of Justice.
The procedures to obtain vital records for Pasadena, California are as follows:

1. Visit the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk website.

2. Select the 'Birth Certificates' option.

3. Fill out the online application form with the required information, including the full name of the person whose birth certificate is being requested, date and place of birth, name of the parents.

4. Submit the application form and pay the required fee.

5. Receive the birth certificate in the mail.
Police reports from Pasadena, California can be obtained from the Pasadena Police Department, located in Los Angeles County. To request a police report, visit the Records Division in person or submit a written request by mail. You will typically need the report number, date of incident, and your valid photo ID. A fee may be charged per page for copies. Under the California Public Records Act (Gov. Code § 7920 et seq.), most police reports are public records in California, though portions related to active investigations, juvenile records, or sensitive personal information may be redacted. Contact the Pasadena Police Department Records Division at (626) for information on fees, hours, and online request options. For statewide criminal records, visit https://oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/record_review.
A background check in Pasadena, Los Angeles County, California typically includes a review of criminal history, driving records, credit history, employment verification, education verification, and sex offender registry status. Employers, landlords, and licensing boards commonly request background checks in California. Criminal background checks are processed through the California Department of Justice, which maintains arrest records, convictions, and disposition data for California residents. The California Department of Justice provides official criminal history checks at https://oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/record_review. Under the California Public Records Act (Gov. Code § 7920 et seq.), individuals have the right to request their own records. Federal background checks are available through the FBI's Identity History Summary program. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) governs how background check information may be used by employers and landlords.
  Nearby Cities in Los Angeles County, California

Search public records in neighboring cities within the same county:

Agoura Hills Alhambra Arcadia Artesia Avalon Azusa