California Warrant Search

Are Warrants Public Record in California

Warrants are generally considered public records in California, pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6250-6276.48). This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records, including judicial documents such as warrants, to ensure transparency and accountability within the justice system. The California Constitution, Article I, Section 3(b) further reinforces this right by declaring that "the people have the right of access to information concerning the conduct of the people's business."

Access to warrant information serves multiple public interests, including:

Enabling individuals to verify their own legal status
Promoting community awareness of law enforcement activities
Supporting journalistic investigation and reporting
Maintaining transparency in judicial proceedings

However, certain exceptions exist under Government Code § 6254, which allows for the sealing of warrant records when disclosure would:

Endanger the safety of a witness or other person
Jeopardize an ongoing investigation
Compromise confidential informant information
Violate privacy rights in specific circumstances

The California Department of Justice maintains oversight of public records access, while individual courts and law enforcement agencies administer their respective warrant databases according to state guidelines.

What Is Contained in Warrant Records in California?

California warrant records typically contain comprehensive information about the legal action authorized by the court. Standard elements included in these records are as follows:

Subject identification: Full legal name, date of birth, physical description, and sometimes the last known address of the individual
Case information: Court case number, filing date, and issuing jurisdiction
Warrant specifications: Type of warrant (arrest, bench, search), date of issuance, and expiration date if applicable
Alleged offense details: Criminal code violations, offense descriptions, and severity classification
Judicial authorization: Name of the issuing judge or magistrate and their jurisdiction
Bail information: Amount set, if eligible, and any special conditions
Service instructions: Any specific directives for law enforcement regarding execution of the warrant

According to the Judicial Branch of California, these records are maintained in accordance with Government Code § 68150, which establishes standards for court record preservation and access.

How to Check For Warrants in California For Free

Members of the public may verify warrant status through several no-cost methods established by California judicial and law enforcement agencies. The following options are available to California residents seeking warrant information:

Visit the local county courthouse where public access terminals are available for searching court records. Most courthouses maintain public counters staffed during regular business hours.
Contact the county sheriff's department or local police department directly. Many agencies provide warrant verification services by telephone or in person.
Utilize county-specific online case information systems. The Superior Court of California, County of Kern and other county courts offer searchable databases.
Access the California Courts Self-Help Center for guidance on locating case information.

California Judicial Council
455 Golden Gate Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102
415-865-4200
California Courts

Public access hours for most judicial facilities are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, excluding court holidays.

How to Know If You Have a Warrant in California in 2025

As of 2025, California residents have multiple methods to determine if a warrant has been issued in their name. The state has implemented several technological improvements to facilitate public access to this information while maintaining appropriate security protocols.

Individuals seeking to verify their warrant status should:

Utilize the statewide court case information portal maintained by the Judicial Branch of California. This system requires personal identifiers such as full name and date of birth.
Contact the California Department of Justice for a comprehensive criminal history review, which will include any active warrants. This process requires fingerprint submission via LiveScan.
Visit the county superior court where a warrant may have been issued. The Find My Court tool can help locate the appropriate jurisdiction.
Consult with the sheriff's department in counties where the individual has resided or has had legal issues. Many departments now offer online verification systems.

California Department of Justice
P.O. Box 903417
Sacramento, CA 94203-4170
916-210-6276
California Department of Justice

Pursuant to Penal Code § 1214.1 and § 978.5, individuals with outstanding warrants may face additional penalties, including license suspension and civil assessments, making timely verification important.

How to Check For Outstanding Warrants in California

California residents and interested parties may verify outstanding warrant status through several official channels. The process for checking outstanding warrants involves:

Contacting the county sheriff's office in the jurisdiction where the warrant may have been issued. Most sheriff's departments maintain dedicated warrant divisions accessible during regular business hours.
Visiting the superior court clerk's office in the relevant county. Court clerks can search warrant databases using name and date of birth information pursuant to California Rules of Court, rule 2.503.
Utilizing the Orange County Sheriff's Department warrant search tool or similar resources provided by other county law enforcement agencies.
Requesting information from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for warrants related to parole violations.

Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara
191 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95113
408-882-2700
Santa Clara Courts

Individuals should be prepared to provide proper identification when requesting warrant information in person, as required by Government Code § 6254(f).

How to Find Federal Warrant Search

Federal warrants are distinct from state warrants and require different search procedures. To locate information regarding federal warrants in California:

Contact the United States District Court for the appropriate federal judicial district in California. The state is divided into four federal districts: Northern, Eastern, Central, and Southern.
Inquire with the United States Marshals Service, which is the primary agency responsible for executing federal warrants. Their offices maintain records of active federal warrants.
Access the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system, which provides electronic access to federal court records, including warrant information that has not been sealed.
Consult with federal law enforcement agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation or the Drug Enforcement Administration if the warrant relates to their jurisdiction.

United States District Court, Central District of California
350 West 1st Street, Suite 4311
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-894-1565
U.S. District Court

Federal warrant searches are governed by federal regulations, including 28 CFR § 20.33, which outlines the conditions under which criminal history information may be disseminated.