San Mateo Arrest Records
San Mateo County police blotter information comes from the Sheriff's Office and multiple city police departments. The Criminal Records Bureau in Redwood City handles public records requests for the Sheriff. There is no online inmate search database, so you must call or visit in person for booking information. Cities in San Mateo County keep their own arrest reports at city police stations while bookings go through the county jail system.
San Mateo County Quick Facts
Sheriff Records Bureau
The San Mateo County Sheriff operates the Criminal Records Bureau at 330 Bradford Street in Redwood City. This office handles all public records requests for the Sheriff's Office. You can call (650) 363-4525 or email sheriffs_recordsrequest@smcgov.org to ask about arrest records and booking information.
San Mateo County does not have an online inmate search database. To find out if someone is in custody, you must call the Records Bureau or visit in person. Give the person's full name and date of birth if you have it. Staff can search their system and tell you if the person is booked at the county jail.
The Criminal Records Bureau website is smcsheriff.com/support-services/criminal-records-bureau. The site has general information about requesting records. For current inmate status or booking details, contact them by phone or email in San Mateo County.
| Criminal Records Bureau |
330 Bradford Street Redwood City, CA 94063 Phone: (650) 363-4525 |
|---|---|
| sheriffs_recordsrequest@smcgov.org | |
| Website | smcsheriff.com/criminal-records-bureau |
Getting Arrest Information
San Mateo County requires you to contact the Sheriff for booking data. Call the Criminal Records Bureau at (650) 363-4525 to ask if someone is in custody. For written records like booking logs or arrest reports, submit a California Public Records Act request by email to sheriffs_recordsrequest@smcgov.org or visit the office in person.
Many cities in San Mateo County have their own police departments. Daly City, South San Francisco, and San Mateo each operate independent police forces. These cities book people into the Sheriff's jail but keep their own arrest reports. Contact the specific city police department for reports on arrests made by city officers.
For formal records requests, tell the Sheriff what information you need. Include the person's name, date of birth, and approximate arrest date if you know it. The Sheriff can search their files and let you know what records exist. Processing time varies based on how complex your request is in San Mateo County.
Booking Record Details
San Mateo County booking records include basic facts about each arrest. Under California Government Code 7923.600, the Sheriff must release certain information to the public. This includes name, physical description, and charges. Bail amount and booking date are also public data.
A typical San Mateo County booking record contains the following:
- Full name and date of birth
- Booking date and time
- Physical description
- Arrest location
- Criminal charges
- Bail set by the court
Full arrest reports contain more detail than booking records. Reports include officer statements and investigation notes. These documents may be exempt under Penal Code 13300 while a case is active. After a case closes, reports become available through a written request to the Sheriff in San Mateo County.
Note: Call (650) 363-4525 for the most current booking information since there is no online database.
Public Records Access
California law requires booking information to be public. San Mateo County provides this data by phone or in-person request. Call the Criminal Records Bureau at (650) 363-4525 to ask about specific bookings. For written records, email sheriffs_recordsrequest@smcgov.org or visit 330 Bradford Street in Redwood City.
VINE Link offers free custody notifications for San Mateo County. Sign up at vinelink.com or call 1-877-411-5588. Enter the person's name and your contact details. The system sends alerts by phone, email, or text when someone gets released from the county jail.
For records from city police departments, contact each agency directly. Most cities use NextRequest or similar portals for public records requests. The Sheriff handles records for unincorporated areas and cities that contract with the Sheriff for law enforcement in San Mateo County.
Court Case Information
After a booking in San Mateo County, cases move to Superior Court. The main courthouse is in Redwood City with a branch in South San Francisco. Court records show charges, hearings, and case outcomes. These files reference the original arrest but include more detail than a booking log.
You can search court cases online through the San Mateo County Superior Court website. The system lets you look up cases by name or case number. Court files include criminal complaints, bail reviews, plea agreements, and sentencing orders. Most criminal cases are public unless sealed by a judge.
For help with court records in San Mateo County, contact the Clerk's Office at the courthouse. Staff can search files and make copies for a fee. Certified copies cost more than regular ones but are needed for some legal purposes. The court also posts calendars online showing upcoming hearings throughout San Mateo County.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near San Mateo County. Each has its own jail and arrest record system. Check the county where the arrest occurred if you are not sure which agency to contact.