Search San Mateo Court Records

SanMateoCountyCourt.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports.
All searches conducted on SanMateoCountyCourt.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.

  1. San Mateo County Court
  2. San Mateo County Arrest Records

San Mateo County, California Arrest Records

In San Mateo County, arrest records are official documents created by the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, the San Mateo Police Department, the Daly City Police Department, and other local law enforcement agencies during the booking process.  These agencies maintain arrest records as evidence of arrests, to show accountability and transparency, and to create public safety awareness. Typically, arrest records contain basic details of arrests. A San Mateo County arrest record includes:

  • The identifying information of the arrested person, including:
    • Full name
    • Gender
    • Date of birth 
    • Height  
    • Date, location,  and time of the arrest 
    • Alleged charges at the time of arrest 
    • Arresting agency 
    • Booking information.

Section 7923.600 through 7923.610 of the California Government Code classifies San Mateo County arrest records as public documents. This means that interested parties can access these records. Nonetheless, the state outlines what information individuals can access under the California Enforcement Disclosure Rule (Section 7923.610 of the California Government Code). California maintains a separate statutory scheme for Criminal Offender Records Information (CORI); access to these documents is governed by Section 11105 of the California Penal Code.

Are Arrest Records Public Information in San Mateo, California?

Yes, arrest records are public in San Mateo County. Public access to San Mateo County arrest records is guaranteed by Article 1, Section 3(B) of the California Constitution and the California Public Records Act. Under these laws, arrest records are open to public inspection, regardless of residency. While anyone interested can view or copy San Mateo County arrest records, the California Law Enforcement Disclosure Rule governs the information that is accessible. 

What Do Public County Arrest Records Contain?

Although California categorizes arrest records as public documents, not all details are disclosable. The information publicly accessible in San Mateo County arrest records is outlined by Section 7923.610 of the California Government Code. Per this legislation, law enforcement agencies are mandated to make the following categories of information open to public scrutiny:

The arrestee's identifying information 

  • Full name and any known aliases 
  • Date of birth 
  • Physical description, including gender, hair/eye color, and height/weight 
  • Mugshot 
  • Occupation. 

Details of the arrest 

  • Date, time, and location of the arrest 
  • Summary of the arrest incident 
  • The arresting agency and the officer involved 
  • Manner of arrest: whether the individual resisted arrest, attempted to flee, or had weapons at the time of the arrest 

Booking and custody status 

  • Time and date of booking into the county’s jail facility 
  • Charges filed at the time of booking 
  • Bail amount (if applicable)
  • Booking number 
  • Release status.  For instance, if the individual was released on bail, self-recognition, or a scheduled court date. 

California does not permit access to juvenile,  sealed, or expunged records.  Additionally, individuals cannot access information protected by privacy laws. 

San Mateo County,  California Arrest Search

While local resources provide direct access to the arrest information, you may need to use state and federal search tools to find some records, depending on the crime. For instance, at the state level, the California Department of Justice maintains a central repository for criminal records from law enforcement agencies and courts across California (DOJ). Interested parties can request their criminal history records (which include arrest records) through the California DOJ Background Check System. Additionally, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) permits access to state inmate records (including individuals transferred from San Mateo County jail facilities to state prisons) through its Incarcerated Records and Information Search portal. 

For federal-level access to San Mateo County arrest records, interested parties should use PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) to search for information about San Mateo County’s arrestees prosecuted for federal crimes.  Additionally,  the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) maintains a nationwide criminal records database. Individuals can request their rap sheets through the FBI Identity History Summary Checks.

San Mateo County Inmate Locator

In San Mateo County, there are several county-level options for individuals seeking access to arrest records. The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office Inmate Locator is a direct way to access information about recent arrests within San Mateo County.  This online tool provides real-time access to San Mateo County arrest records through the county’s jail roster. 

To use the San Mateo County Inmate Locator to search for arrest records:

  • Visit the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office website.
  • Expand the menu on the topmost right-hand side.
  • Click “Correctional Facility “ and “Inmate Locator” from the drop-down menu.
  • Enter the name of the subject into the search tool 
  • Indicate the gender.
  • Check the “spelling box” if unsure of the name of the subject.
  • Click “Find Inmate” to submit. 

For inquiries about records that are not available online, contact the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office at:

330 Bradford Street, 

Redwood City, 

CA 94063

Phone: (650) 363-4911.

Active Warrant Search in San Mateo County

San Mateo County arrest warrants are judicial orders authorizing the arrest and detention of named individuals. Generally, a standard arrest warrant outlines:

  • Identifying details of the wanted person 
  • Description of the offense 
  • A statement of probable cause explaining the reason for the warrant 
  • Issuing authority 
  • Date of issuance of the warrant 
  • Warrant type and purpose 
  • Bail and bond information (if applicable)
  • A formal order to law enforcement to locate, arrest,  and bring the defendant before the court 
  • Warrant number 
  • Signature of the issuing judge. 

In San Mateo County, the Sheriff’s Office executes and maintains the county’s arrest warrants. However, the agency does not provide a searchable database for active arrest warrants. Individuals can verify active warrants through the San Mateo County Superior Court Odyssey Portals and the San Mateo County Superior Court Records Index. These search tools provide access to arrest warrants through criminal case records. Alternatively, inquirers can engage the services of legal professionals, or contact the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office or Criminal Clerk’s Offices at the following addresses:

San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office,
330 Bradford Street,
Redwood City,
CA 94063,
Phone: (650) 363-4911.

Criminal Clerk’s Office, Southern Branch (Redwood City)

400 County Center, 4th Floor,
Redwood City
CA 94063
Phone: (650) 261-5100
Fax: (650) 261-5050.

Criminal Clerk’s Office, Northern Branch, (South San Francisco)

1050 Mission Road,

South San Francisco,

CA 94080

Phone: (650) 261-5100.

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in San Mateo County

Several options are available to individuals seeking free access to San Mateo County arrest records. The San Mateo Sheriff’s Office Inmate Locator is a free search tool that allows users to access arrest information through the county’s jail roster. Likewise, individuals can access arrest information as part of criminal case records through the San Mateo County Superior Court Public Portal and the San Mateo County Superior Court Records Index. Individuals who prefer in-person access can visit the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office or the clerk's office of the relevant branch of the San Mateo County Superior Court and request free viewing. Free access to San Mateo County’s arrest records does not require an ID unless the requester wants copies of the documents (this involves fee payment).

While San Mateo permits free access to its arrest records, information seekers should note the practical limits of free-tier access. Most free online tools only provide information about recent arrests. Furthermore, free access does not include redacted information. 

San Mateo County Arrest Report

In San Mateo County and across California, arrest reports provide comprehensive details on arrests by law enforcement agencies. Generally, an arrest report displays:

  • The subject’s identifying details 
  • Some of the key details and facts about the arrest event 
  • Charges and legal violations 
  • Probable cause narrative 
  • Victim and witness statements 
  • Evidence and property information 
  • Booking details 
  • Custody status 
  • Bail information (if applicable)
  • Warrant information (if applicable)
  • Case administrative data
  • Supplemental report and attachments (if necessary).

California classifies arrest reports as public, but maintains strict control over access to these documents. Access to San Mateo County arrest reports requires California Public Records Act requests. Nonetheless, arresting agencies redact publicly accessible versions of these documents. Furthermore, arrest reports are not disclosable if they relate to active investigations. 

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in San Mateo County

Expungement of San Mateo County arrest records complies with California law. In California, expungement of criminal records is rare; the state expunges an arrest record only if the subject proves factual innocence of the crime. Nonetheless, California provides alternative legal routes through automatic sealing, petition-based sealing, and record dismissals. 

When the San Mateo County Superior Court seals an arrest record, California law treats the associated incident as if it never occurred and hides the information from the public. By comparison, the dismissal process requires a subject of the record to withdraw a previous guilty plea and enter a plea of not guilty,  after which the court officially dismisses the case.

According to Section 851.93 of the California Penal Code, an arrest record qualifies for automatic sealing if there are no charges, the court acquitted the subject, or the owner of the record completes a diversion program that resulted in the dismissal of the charges. Under Section 1203.4 of the California Penal Code, individuals can petition for dismissal of misdemeanor and non-violent felony arrest records. Eligibility requires that offenders complete their sentences, including probation and parole, and observe all applicable waiting periods while maintaining clean records. 

While non-conviction records are eligible for automatic sealing after 1 year for misdemeanors and 3 years for felonies, individuals can petition for immediate sealing of these records.

 To seal/dismiss a San Mateo County arrest record:

  • Obtain a certified copy of the case docket from the specific branch of the San Mateo County Superior Court that handled the case.
  • Download and complete the appropriate form. Typically, Form CR-409 (Petition to Seal Arrest and Related Records) or Form CR-180 (Petition for Dismissal).
  • Serve a copy of the petition to the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office to provide formal notice of the request. 
  • Submit the original petition along with the proof of service to the clerk's office of the San Mateo County Superior Court, where the case originated. 
  • Attend the scheduled court hearing if the judge or the District Attorney’s Office requires an appearance. 
  • The court will seal or dismiss the record if the District Attorney does not offer valid objections, and the judge confirms that the petitioner has fulfilled all the requirements. 

How Do You Remove San Mateo County Arrest Records From the Internet?

The sealing or dismissal of a San Mateo County arrest record most times does not translate to its total removal from the internet. While these processes are necessary to achieve this aim, owners of sealed or dismissed records need to take additional steps to make the information inaccessible online. 

A sealed or dismissed San Mateo County arrest record becomes unavailable through official channels, but may still appear on third-party online platforms.  To remove a San Mateo County arrest record from the internet:

  • Seal or dismiss the record through the San Mateo County Superior Court and obtain a sealing or dismissal order.
  • Identify the online platforms, mugshot galleries, and new websites that possess the record.
  • Invoke Section 1798.91.1 of the California Civil Code to stop commercial exploitation of the record. This legislation prohibits websites from sealing arrest information or demanding “takedown fees” for its removal.
  • Submit a formal “Request to Delete “ to major search engines and data aggregators. The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) mandates that individuals can exercise their rights to “Opt Out” and “Right to Deletion” by notifying these establishments that sealed or dismissed records are no longer accurate or legally public.