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Santa Monica, California Public Records

Search official government public records, criminal records, court records, and background check resources for Santa Monica, California.

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Santa Monica Public Records Directory

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Frequently Asked Questions

1
What is the process for someone who is arrested in Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, California to go through the jail and court system?
If you are arrested in the City of Santa Monica, 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.
2
What are the school district and education performance data for City of Santa Monica, California?
The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District serves the city of Santa Monica, California. According to the California Department of Education, the district had an overall Academic Performance Index (API) score of 890 in 2019, which is above the state average of 837. The district also had a graduation rate of 93.3%, which is higher than the state average of 83.2%.
3
What are the school district and education performance data for Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, California?
The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District serves the city of Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, California. According to the California Department of Education, the district had an overall Academic Performance Index (API) score of 890 in 2019, which is higher than the state average of 837. The district also had a graduation rate of 93.3%, which is higher than the state average of 83.4%.
4
What are the crime statistics for City of Santa Monica, California?
According to the Santa Monica Police Department, the total number of reported crimes in Santa Monica in 2019 was 8,945. Of those, 4,845 were property crimes and 4,100 were violent crimes. The overall crime rate for Santa Monica in 2019 was 4,845.7 per 100,000 people, which is lower than the national average of 3,922.7 per 100,000 people.
5
What are the crime statistics for Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, California?
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, the total number of reported crimes in Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, California in 2019 was 8,945. Of those reported crimes, there were 1,845 violent crimes, 6,845 property crimes, and 255 other crimes.
6
What publicly accessible records can be obtained from the City of Santa Monica California Library?
The Santa Monica Public Library in Los Angeles County, California provides residents with access to public records and government document resources. Library cardholders can access online databases including genealogy services, historical newspapers, and California government records. The reference staff can assist with locating court records, property records, and vital records through the library's online catalog and interlibrary loan network. The library maintains materials on how to submit public records requests under the California Public Records Act (Gov. Code § 7920 et seq.), which governs access to government documents in California. The library also offers access to genealogy resources including the Santa Monica California Archives and Genealogy at https://www.sos.ca.gov/archives/collections/. Contact the Santa Monica Public Library reference desk at (310) for assistance or to confirm hours and services.
7
What publicly accessible records can be obtained from the Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, California Library?
You can find public records in the Santa Monica Public Library. The library offers access to a variety of public records, including birth, death, marriage, and divorce records, as well as property records, court records, and other government documents. The library also offers access to online databases and other resources to help you find the records you need.
8
Where is the City of Santa Monica, California Public Library located?
The Santa Monica Public Library is located at 601 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401.
9
Where is the Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, California Public Library located?
The Santa Monica Public Library is located at 601 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401.
10
Where is the nearest fingerprinting office located in City of Santa Monica, California?
Fingerprinting services in Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, California are available through the Santa Monica 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 (310) 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.
11
What are the requirements for obtaining vital records from City of Santa Monica, California, and what information is provided in the records?
The procedures for obtaining vital records in Santa Monica, California are as follows:

1) Contact the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (RR/CC) Vital Records Office by submitting an application via mail or email.

2) Provide proof of identity. Depending on the document needed and the identity of the applicant, acceptable forms of identification may include a valid driver's license or state-issued ID card with signature, a U.S. passport, an Alien Registration Card, or a U.S. Military ID card.

3) Provide evidence of your right to obtain the record. This evidence may be birth certificates, marriage licenses, death certificates, etc., depending on the record requested.

The records included in Santa Monica, California vital records are birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, and divorce records. The records include the name of the individual, the date of the event, and the location. Additional information may be available depending on the type of record requested.
12
What are the requirements for obtaining vital records from Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, California, and what information is provided in the records?
The Santa Monica Public Library offers access to vital records for Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, California. To obtain these records, you must submit a written request to the Santa Monica Public Library. The request must include the full name of the person whose records are being requested, the date of birth, the place of birth, and the address of the person requesting the records.

The records include birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, and divorce decrees. The records will include the full name of the person, the date of birth, the place of birth, the date of death (if applicable), the place of death (if applicable), the names of the parents (if applicable), and the address of the person requesting the records.
13
About Police Reports
Police reports from Santa Monica, California can be obtained from the Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica Police Department Records Division at (310) for information on fees, hours, and online request options. For statewide criminal records, visit https://oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/record_review.
14
About background check
A background check in Santa Monica, 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.