San Diego County Booking Reports

San Diego County booking reports are created each time someone is arrested and processed into the county jail system. The San Diego County Sheriff's Department keeps these records and makes them available to the public. You can search San Diego County booking reports through the sheriff's "Who's In Jail" online tool. The database shows current inmates, their charges, bail amounts, and booking dates. San Diego County sits along the Mexican border and is the second most populous county in California. Its jail system handles a high volume of bookings every day. Whether you want to check on someone in custody or need a copy of a booking report, San Diego County offers both online and phone options.

Search San Diego County Booking Reports Online

The San Diego County Sheriff's Department runs a "Who's In Jail" portal where you can search for current inmates. Type in a name and the system will show you who is currently in San Diego County custody. Results include the booking date, charges, bail amount, and facility location. The tool is free to use and available to everyone. Keep in mind that the website goes offline for maintenance every Wednesday at noon. If you get an error on a Wednesday afternoon, try again later that day.

You can view the San Diego County Sheriff's Department "Who's In Jail" database here.

This is the main search tool for finding San Diego County booking records and custody information.

For phone inquiries, call the Custody Information Line at (619) 409-5000. Staff can check booking records and tell you if someone is in custody at a San Diego County facility. Have the person's full name and date of birth ready. The Records and ID Division handles written requests for San Diego County booking reports at 9621 Ridgehaven Court, San Diego, CA 92123. You can reach them at (858) 974-2110 for questions about getting copies of booking records.

San Diego County Booking Report Fees

San Diego County charges fees for copies of booking and arrest records. A crime, arrest, or accident report costs $20. A local criminal history costs $14. These fees cover the cost of copying and processing the records. Crime victims can get the first copy of a report for free. Pay by check or money order made out to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

Online searches through the "Who's In Jail" portal are free. You pay nothing to look up who is in San Diego County custody. Fees only apply when you need a physical or certified copy of a booking report. The Records and ID Division processes these requests. Processing times vary, but most San Diego County booking report copies are ready within a few business days. Walk-in, mail, and in some cases online requests are accepted.

Note: Crime victims in San Diego County can request the first copy of a booking or arrest report at no charge.

Booking Report Laws in San Diego County

The California Public Records Act gives you the right to access San Diego County booking reports. Government Code Section 7920.000 sets up the legal framework for public records in California. Under this law, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department must respond to records requests within 10 days. A 14-day extension is possible in limited cases. Government Code Section 7923.600 requires law enforcement to make booking data public. That means names, charges, bail, arrest times, and custody locations for anyone booked in San Diego County are part of the public record.

Penal Code Section 851.8 allows people found factually innocent to petition for sealing and destruction of arrest records, including booking photos. If granted, the San Diego County booking report and all related records get sealed for three years and then destroyed. People who had charges dropped or who were acquitted can use Penal Code Section 851.91 to petition for arrest record sealing in San Diego County.

Track San Diego County Custody Changes

The California VINE system lets you track inmates in San Diego County. Sign up for free alerts by phone, email, or text. VINE tells you when someone is released, transferred, or has a custody status change. This is helpful for victims who want to know when someone booked in San Diego County gets out of jail. Use VINE alongside the sheriff's "Who's In Jail" tool for the most complete picture of booking and custody activity.

If someone booked in San Diego County ends up sentenced to state prison, their records transfer to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The CDCR inmate search tracks people in state custody. It shows commitment counties, so you can find people who were originally booked in San Diego County even after they move to a state facility.

Cities in San Diego County

San Diego County has 18 incorporated cities. Most arrests in these cities end up in the county jail system. The following major cities have their own booking report pages with local details.

Nearby County Booking Reports

San Diego County borders three other California counties. If the arrest happened outside San Diego County, check these neighboring counties.