In the State of California, any Californian can request access to public records. This is in accordance with the Public Records Law which stresses out that all state agencies and institutions are held responsible for the citizenry. However, unlike any other states in the US, California does restrict access to some records to certain entities only. Criminal and arrest records, for example, can only be accessed by the legitimate law enforcement agencies and authorized applicant agencies. Individuals named on the criminal history information, however, have the right to access their personal record for the purpose of reviewing such for accuracy and completeness. Hence, third party requests will not be processed.
If you wish to obtain a copy of a criminal record in the State of California yet your purpose is neither any of the mentioned above, then you may have to settle for an informational copy. For background screening and genealogical purposes, the Department of Justice, unfortunately, cannot issue a certified copy of a criminal record as it is restricted by the State's law to authorized entities only. Unlike the certified copy, an informational copy cannot establish identity as it is not a licit document even if it contains almost the same information as that of a certified one.
In requesting for a copy of a criminal record, you have to submit your fingerprint images, and pay a processing fee of $25 to the Department of Justice. Fingerprints should be from Live Scan. Like any other record requests, an application form must be secured and must be filled out with the necessary information. For criminal record requests, a Live Scan form must be obtained and completed with your personal details. This form can be downloaded online. In the "type of application", check the "record review". In the "reason for application" line, enter 'record review". The completed form must then be submitted along with a copy of an image of your Live Scan fingerprints. The usual processing time takes weeks to months depending on the volume of requests such agencies are receiving.
California has imposed many rules in procuring copies of criminal history information. Hence, background screening can be quite a tough task. Although an informational copy may be provided, this may not be sufficient for some researches or background checks. In this circumstance, you can try to obtain criminal records online through other independent sources.
Today, with Internet as the trend, procuring records can already be done in the comfort of your own home. With a computer and an Internet connection handy, you can already get the criminal and arrest records public you need in an expedited and convenient manner. Simply search for record providers online, do a quick background check on the record provider you're eyeing on, and start your record search. Instead of the usual processing time that takes weeks to months, these independent online service providers can give you the records you need in just a matter of minutes. Truly, utilizing this method will save you money, time, and effort.
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