Sonoma County Criminal Records

Know what Sonoma publishes online and what it does not

For Sonoma County criminal records, the Superior Court’s Criminal Division currently states that it does not provide criminal case information through an internet case-information service. It provides on-site public access terminals at the Hall of Justice for case research and separate routes for obtaining copies. Daily criminal calendars are useful for current hearings, but the court warns that calendar details can change and they are not the underlying case file.

Prepare a focused CR-01 or written-letter request

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  Case identity

  Provide the case or citation number when known; CR-01 also allows a records search when the number is unknown.

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  Person identity

  Provide the known name information requested on CR-01 and other available identifiers that help distinguish the case.

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  Document

  Name the exact judgment, order, minute entry, complaint, or other filing needed.

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  Certification

  State whether each requested document should be certified or exemplified.

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  Return method

  For mail, include a self-addressed stamped envelope large enough for the requested documents.

The court accepts the official CR-01 Request for Records Search and/or Copies or a written letter containing the requested case/document details.

Use the published fee schedule as a planning tool

The court also explains how to use a “not to exceed” amount when the exact page count is unknown. Confirm the current total before sending a time-sensitive request because the document count and additional retrieval needs can change the amount due.

Mail the request to the Criminal Division with the required return and payment materials

Mail CR-01 or a written request to Superior Court of California, County of Sonoma, Hall of Justice, 625 Administration Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95403. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check payable to Superior Court. When the exact total is unknown, the court instructs requesters to place a “not to exceed $___” amount in the note or memo area so the clerk can complete the charge without exceeding that cap.

In-person requests remain available at the Criminal Division during published office hours, which can be useful when you need to research the file before deciding which document to copy.

If the requested document no longer exists

Sonoma’s Criminal Record guidance notes that requested documents may not exist if the requested file has been destroyed, discharged, or dismissed. In those situations, the court states that it will mail the requesting party a Certified Docket to comply with the request. That is a different document from the original filing. If the receiving organization asked for a specific judgment or complaint, explain what the court supplied and ask whether the certified docket satisfies the purpose rather than silently substituting it.

Verify what the returned record proves

A calendar shows a scheduled event; a docket records case activity; a filed order or judgment establishes a particular court action; a certified copy attests that the copy matches the court file. Keep those functions separate. Before relying on a name match, compare case number, dates, and available identifiers, and check the later disposition rather than equating an arrest or filed charge with a conviction.