Search San Diego Booking Reports

San Diego booking reports are generated when someone gets arrested and processed into the county jail system. The San Diego Police Department makes arrests within city limits, but actual booking happens at county facilities run by the sheriff. Searching for San Diego booking reports means checking both the city police records and the county's inmate database. The city handles arrest and incident reports while the county tracks custody and booking details. Both sources are available to the public through online portals, phone, and in-person requests.

San Diego County Handles Bookings

San Diego sits in San Diego County, and the county sheriff operates the jail system. After SDPD officers arrest someone, that person goes to one of the county detention facilities for booking. The booking report contains the person's name, charges, bail, date of birth, and physical description. It also shows the arrest time and which agency made the arrest. All booking reports for San Diego are held by the sheriff's office at the county level.

The San Diego County Sheriff runs the Who's In Jail portal where you can search for anyone currently in custody. This free tool lets you look up by name. Results show booking data, charges, and facility location. The system goes offline for maintenance each Wednesday at noon, so plan around that. For records beyond what the online tool shows, the Records and ID Division is at 9621 Ridgehaven Court, San Diego, CA 92123. Call (858) 974-2110 for help.

The county charges $20 for crime, arrest, and accident reports. A local criminal history check costs $14. First copies go free to crime victims. These are the county fees. The city has its own fee schedule for police reports.

San Diego Police Department Records

The San Diego Police Department keeps its own set of records. Call (619) 531-2846 to reach the SDPD records unit. The city charges $12 for most reports. Arrest reports cost just $0.50. Processing takes about 7 business days. These are the reports written by SDPD officers. They describe what happened during the incident and arrest. They are not the same as the booking report the county creates when someone enters the jail.

You can also request San Diego police reports through the city's online report portal. This site lets you submit a request and pay fees electronically. The SDPD records unit reviews each request and sends you the documents. Give the report number if you have it. A name and date of the incident work too. SDPD reports cover crimes, traffic collisions, and other incidents inside the city of San Diego.

San Diego provides police report requests through its online police report portal.

This portal allows San Diego residents and the public to submit requests for police reports and pay fees online.

San Diego Booking Report Access Laws

California's Public Records Act, found at Government Code Section 7920.000, gives everyone the right to request public records from San Diego agencies. You do not need a reason. The agency has 10 days to respond. Government Code Section 7923.600 spells out what law enforcement must release. That includes the full name and physical description of anyone arrested, the time and date of arrest and booking, the charges, the bail amount, and the custody location. San Diego booking reports fall under these rules.

Some San Diego booking data has limits. Juvenile records are sealed. Certain undercover operations may be exempt. But for standard adult arrests, the booking report is a public document. If the county sheriff denies a request, they must say why in writing and point to the specific legal exemption they rely on.

Note: San Diego County Sheriff custody info goes offline every Wednesday at noon for maintenance.

Criminal History and San Diego Records

The California DOJ lets individuals check their own criminal history through a Record Review process. This costs $25 and needs Live Scan fingerprints. It shows all arrests statewide, not just San Diego. For a broader look at your record that goes past one booking event, this is the route to take. The DOJ mails results to the address you give on the application form.

People arrested in San Diego who were never convicted can ask to seal their records. Penal Code Section 851.91 allows petitions when charges were dismissed or the person was found not guilty. Once the court grants the petition, the booking report, arrest photos, and related files are sealed. They no longer show up in San Diego booking report searches. Penal Code Section 13300 draws the line between what the public can see and what stays restricted. Basic booking data is open. Full criminal histories are limited.

Track San Diego Booking Status

Use California VINE to get alerts about people booked in San Diego. VINE notifies you by phone, email, or text when an offender is released, transferred, or escapes. Sign up for free. Crime victims find this tool useful because it removes the need to call the jail over and over. Search by name or offender ID. VINE covers San Diego County and the rest of the state.

The Custody Information Line at (619) 409-5000 is another option. This phone line gives you real-time booking and custody data for people in San Diego County jails. Staff can tell you charges, bail, and location. Use this when the online portal is down or when you prefer to talk to a person.

Nearby Cities Booking Reports

These cities in and around San Diego County also have booking report information. All use the San Diego County Sheriff for jail bookings.