How to Obtain Criminal History Information in Orange County, California

Orange County California provides fee online access to its archive of criminal case histories.

A criminal record is an archive of any criminal charges and convictions against an individual in a particular jurisdiction. Most local and county law enforcement jurisdictions keep some form of online database of criminal proceedings that have occurred within the past 20 years. The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) maintains the only legally recognized provider of national criminal records gathered from all 50 states and federal territories. Orange County California archives its criminal case history at the county courthouse and provides free online access to those records.

Instructions

1. Go to the Orange County Superior courthouse and ask the officer at the information desk for the location of the clerk of court's office. The clerk, or an attendant, can provide information on criminal case histories with minimal information such as name and date of birth. The clerk's office also has computer terminals that are free of charge and provide access to the same information the clerk receives.

2. Log online to the Orange County Superior Court website and click the criminal records tab. Accept the terms of the disclaimer. Enter the information for the person you are searching for and choose the correct entry.

3. Call the Orange County Sheriff's office. The sheriff also has an archive of arrest and warrants issued in the county for the past 25 years in hard-copy form and at least 50 years on microfiche. The sheriff''s department has a records clerk whose official job is to provide information to the public regarding arrests and outstanding warrants. If you provide the clerk with the name, address and birth date of the individual, the clerk can provide the relevant information.

References

• Superior Court of California: Orange County
• Myorangeclerk.com: Orange County Clerk of Courts Lydia Gardner