Find Sonoma County Criminal Records

Criminal history records in Sonoma County are managed by the Superior Court and the Sheriff's Office. The county has about 490,000 people, with Santa Rosa as the county seat and largest city. Criminal cases go through the Sonoma County Superior Court system. The Sheriff runs an inmate search tool for jail bookings. State background checks are handled by the California DOJ through Live Scan. This page covers how to search for criminal records in Sonoma County and the tools available to the public.

Sonoma County Court Criminal Records

The Sonoma County Superior Court handles all criminal cases in the county. The main courthouse is at 600 Administration Drive in Santa Rosa. Criminal, civil, family, and traffic cases are all processed here. The court's website at sonoma.courts.ca.gov provides information about court services and how to access case records. Online case search options may be limited compared to larger counties. For detailed criminal case lookups, contact the clerk's office or visit in person.

The California Courts website offers statewide guidance on accessing court records, including how to request records from Sonoma County.

The state DOJ background check process is another way to get criminal history information beyond what the court provides publicly.

To get criminal case records from the Sonoma County clerk, visit the courthouse during business hours. Bring the name or case number of the person you are searching for. The clerk can look up cases and provide copies. You can also send a written request by mail. Include the full name, date of birth if you have it, and the type of case you are looking for. Send a check for the copy fees. Standard copies are 50 cents per page. Certified copies cost $40 per document. The clerk charges $15 for name searches that take more than 10 minutes at the Sonoma County courthouse.

Sonoma County Inmate Search

The Sonoma County Sheriff operates the county jail in Santa Rosa. You can search for people currently in custody using the Sheriff's online inmate search tool. This is a free search open to the public. It shows the person's name, charges, bail amount, booking date, and facility information.

The Sonoma County Sheriff jail inmate search lets you check current bookings at the county facility.

The search updates as new bookings and releases happen throughout the day at the Sonoma County jail.

If the person is not in county jail, they may be in state prison or already released. The California Department of Corrections maintains the CIRIS inmate search for the state prison system. This covers anyone sentenced from Sonoma County to a state facility. The search is free and shows the current prison, CDCR number, and commitment county. For arrest records from specific incidents, contact the law enforcement agency that handled the case. The Santa Rosa Police Department, Petaluma PD, and the Sheriff's Office each have their own records processes.

How to Get Criminal Records in Sonoma County

There are multiple ways to access criminal records in Sonoma County. The method you pick depends on the record type. Court records, background checks, and police reports all come from separate sources with different steps.

For court records, visit the clerk at the Sonoma County courthouse in Santa Rosa or mail a request. For a full state criminal history, use a Live Scan site. The California DOJ maintains the official statewide criminal record database. Submit your fingerprints at a Live Scan location and pay the $25 DOJ fee plus the rolling fee. Results arrive in about 2 to 3 business days. Under Penal Code 11105, this database includes records from Sonoma County and every other county in California. Live Scan sites are available at police stations and authorized vendors throughout the county, including in Santa Rosa, Petaluma, and Rohnert Park.

Police reports come from the agency that investigated the case. Contact the Santa Rosa PD, the Sheriff's Office, or the relevant city police department for copies. Each department sets its own fees and turnaround times for report requests.

Note: Court records and police reports are different things, and getting one does not mean you have the other.

Sonoma County Criminal Record Fees

Fees for court records in Sonoma County follow the statewide schedule set by California law. Law enforcement agencies may charge their own fees for reports. Here is a summary of what you can expect to pay.

Standard fees in Sonoma County:

• Court name search (over 10 minutes): $15
• Copies per page: $0.50
• Certified copy per document: $40
• Exemplification: $50
• DOJ background check: $25 plus Live Scan rolling fee

If you can not pay the court fees, you may qualify for a fee waiver. File the request form with the Sonoma County Superior Court clerk. You need to show that you have low income or receive public benefits. The judge reviews the form and decides if you qualify. Waivers cover court filing fees and some copy costs but not DOJ or police department fees.

Criminal Record Clearing in Sonoma County

People with criminal records in Sonoma County may qualify to have their records cleared. Under Penal Code 1203.4, you can petition the court to dismiss a conviction after completing probation. File the petition with the Sonoma County Superior Court in Santa Rosa. If the court grants it, the conviction changes to a dismissal on your record. This makes a difference on most background checks, though the record is not fully erased. AB 1076 now allows some dismissals to happen automatically through the DOJ. Eligible cases are reviewed and relief is granted without a petition from the person.

Arrest records can be sealed under Penal Code 851.87 if charges were not filed or the case was dismissed. Once sealed, the arrest generally does not show on standard background checks. You file the petition at the courthouse where the case was handled. Legal aid organizations in the Santa Rosa area may help with the paperwork.

The Megan's Law website tracks registered sex offenders in Sonoma County and the rest of California. This public registry is maintained under Penal Code 290 and is separate from the court record system.

Cities in Sonoma County

Sonoma County has several cities and towns. All criminal cases from the county are filed through the Sonoma County Superior Court. Below is the major city with its own criminal history resource page.

Other cities in Sonoma County include Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Windsor, Cotati, Sebastopol, Healdsburg, Cloverdale, and Sonoma. Criminal cases from each of these cities go through the same court system in Santa Rosa.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Sonoma County. Check where the crime or arrest took place to make sure you search the right county. Criminal cases must be filed in the correct jurisdiction.