Kern County criminal records are maintained by several different agencies. The Kern County Superior Court maintains criminal court cases and case files; the Kern County Sheriff’s Office maintains jail, booking, arrest and qualifying law-enforcement records; the California Department of Justice maintains the statewide fingerprint-based criminal-history repository; and federal cases use the federal court system. The best search depends on whether you need a pending court case, final disposition, recent arrest, inmate record, warrant information, certified court copy or your own California RAP sheet.
Which Kern County criminal record are you trying to find?
“Criminal record” can mean several different records. Kern County Superior Court, the Sheriff’s Office and California DOJ do not maintain the same information.
Criminal court case
Use for filed charges, hearings, docket activity, dispositions and court-file documents.
Recent arrest record
KCSO provides qualifying contemporaneous arrest information and handles local arrest records.
Current inmate
Use the Kern County Sheriff’s official inmate search for current county custody information.
State criminal history
DOJ maintains California’s statewide fingerprint-based Records of Arrest and Prosecution, commonly called RAP sheets.
Crime / incident report
The Sheriff’s Records Section processes qualifying crime reports and investigative records.
Federal prosecution
Federal criminal cases are separate from Kern County Superior Court and generally use PACER.
Search Kern County criminal court case information
The Superior Court of California, County of Kern Case Information Search is the official online starting point for available case information.
Open the official Case Information Search
Start from the Kern County Superior Court website rather than an unofficial people-search page.
Use the strongest identifier available
If you know the case number, use it. A case number helps distinguish people with similar names and makes later document requests much easier.
Review case information
Check the charge, filing date, court location, case status and disposition information that is publicly available.
Move to the court file when necessary
If the summary does not answer your question, inspect the actual court file in person or request copies.
How to view the actual Kern County criminal court file
Kern Superior Court says the contents of court case files are not available online.
You can generally:
- visit the courthouse and inspect a public file
- request photocopies in person
- request qualifying criminal documents through the court’s records-request process
- send a request by mail when appropriate
The court’s Court Records page explains that members of the public may view original public files at the courthouse and request copies.
What if you do not know the Kern County case number?
Kern Superior Court provides two practical routes if you do not know the case number.
Search at the courthouse yourself
The court says you may visit the courthouse and search for the case yourself at no charge.
Ask the court to search
If court staff must perform the lookup, a research/search fee can apply.
Mail request when you do not know the case number
The court instructs mailed requesters to include the applicable research fee, copy fees and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Kern County criminal court copy and search fees
Court fees can change, so confirm the current schedule before sending payment. Kern Superior Court’s current records pages and copy-fee notice publish the following common charges.
| Service | Published fee | When it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Photocopy | $0.50 per page | Copies of qualifying court records. |
| Clerk search / research | $15 | Search requiring more than ten minutes / applicable generic research request. |
| Certification | $40 per document | Use when an official certified court document is required. |
| Off-site file retrieval | $20 per file | Can apply when older files must be retrieved from off-site storage. |
Criminal judicial-record request: Kern County Superior Court Judicial Records Request .
Kern County criminal court locations
Kern County is geographically large, and criminal cases may be handled outside downtown Bakersfield. The Superior Court publishes several criminal-court locations.
| Location | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Division | 1415 Truxtun Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93301 | 661-610-6000 |
| Delano | 1122 Jefferson St, Delano, CA 93215 | 661-610-7300 |
| Lamont | 12022 Main St, Lamont, CA 93241 | 661-610-7100 |
| Mojave | 1773 State Highway 58 Business, Mojave, CA 93501 | 661-610-7400 |
| Ridgecrest | 132 E. Coso Ave, Ridgecrest, CA 93555 | 661-610-7450 |
| Shafter | 325 Central Valley Hwy, Shafter, CA 93263 | 661-610-7200 |
The Metropolitan Division currently publishes regular court hours of Monday–Thursday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. and Friday, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m..
Search Kern County jail and inmate records
The Kern County Sheriff’s Office Inmate Search is the official source for current county custody information.
The search currently requires at least three characters before returning records.
Use the inmate search
This is usually the fastest option if the person was recently arrested and is still in county custody.
Use Superior Court
Jail data does not tell you whether the person was later convicted, acquitted or had charges dismissed.
Use California CDCR
Someone transferred to California state prison should be researched through California correctional resources instead.
Kern County arrest records
The Kern County Sheriff’s Office Arrest Records Unit processes bookings at the Inmate Reception Center and booking facilities in Ridgecrest and Mojave.
KCSO explains that California law requires qualifying contemporaneous arrest information to be made available to the public.
Contact
Kern County Sheriff’s OfficeRecords Section
1350 Norris Road
Bakersfield, CA 93308
Arrest Records: 661-391-7624
Public hours:
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Request a Kern County Sheriff’s crime or incident report
The Sheriff’s Records Section includes separate Crime Reports and Arrest Records units.
KCSO asks people seeking their own records to bring valid photo identification. If the requester lives outside Kern County and seeks information about themselves, KCSO says a mailed request may require:
- notarized written request
- right thumbprint
- copy of valid government-issued identification
- applicable fee by check or money order
Records Section: Kern County Sheriff’s Office Records Section .
Kern County Sheriff’s public-records request process
KCSO publishes a California Public Records Act request form for qualifying Sheriff’s Office records.
Requests may be submitted:
- in person
- by mail
- by email
Email: cprarequests@kernsheriff.org
Kern County Sheriff’s Office1350 Norris Road
Bakersfield, CA 93308
California also treats state and local summary criminal-history information as confidential. Ordinary California Public Records Act procedures do not make another person’s DOJ RAP sheet public.
How to check Kern County warrant information
Kern County Sheriff’s Office publishes a particularly important limitation: warrant information is not released by KCSO over the phone.
KCSO says the subject of a warrant can appear in person with photo identification at:
Kern County Justice Facility – Inmate Receiving Center
17645 Industrial Farm RoadBakersfield, CA 93308
The Sheriff’s Office also directs the public to Kern Superior Court for warrant information:
Felony warrant
661-610-6000
Select option #4.
Misdemeanor warrant
661-610-6000
Select option #4.
Traffic warrant
661-610-7000
Select option #1.
California statewide criminal-history records
The California Department of Justice maintains the statewide criminal-history repository. Police departments, sheriffs, probation departments, district attorneys and courts submit arrest and disposition information that DOJ uses to build fingerprint-supported Records of Arrest and Prosecution, commonly called RAP sheets.
Request your own California criminal history
Individuals have the right to request their own criminal-history record from DOJ to review it for accuracy and completeness.
Use the Record Review process
California residents use the DOJ Request for Live Scan Service form BCIA 8016RR.
Submit fingerprints
California residents use Live Scan. Out-of-state residents follow DOJ’s manual fingerprint-card procedure.
Pay the DOJ processing fee
California DOJ currently publishes a $25 processing fee, although qualifying applicants may request a fee waiver. Fingerprint rolling fees can be separate.
Review the response
Compare the arrests, charges and dispositions with your court records. DOJ includes instructions for challenging inaccurate or incomplete information.
Official instructions: California DOJ — Request Your Own Criminal Record .
What if the Kern County arrest record belongs to someone else?
Identity problems happen when someone is arrested using another person’s name or identifying information. Kern County Sheriff’s Office has a local procedure for this problem.
California DOJ record challenge
If the problem appears in your statewide DOJ criminal-history record, request your own Record Review first. DOJ includes form BCIA 8706, Claim of Alleged Inaccuracy or Incompleteness, when the record contains criminal information.
Supporting court documents can be important when a disposition is missing or incorrect.
Cleaning a Kern County criminal record
California Courts emphasizes that “true expungement” is not the state’s general model. Depending on the record, California provides remedies such as dismissal, sealing, automatic record relief, arrest-record sealing, felony reduction and certificates of rehabilitation.
Seal an arrest
Certain arrests that did not result in conviction can qualify for sealing under Penal Code § 851.91 or related provisions.
Petition for dismissal
California Courts publishes Form CR-180 for qualifying dismissal requests, with Form CR-181 used for the court’s order.
Dismissal / reduction
Eligibility depends on the conviction, sentence, probation status and other statutory factors.
California Courts says a person seeking dismissal of certain misdemeanor or felony convictions generally must have no new cases pending and must not be on probation or parole in any case, subject to the specific relief being requested.
Official self-help: California Courts — Clean Your Record .
Free Kern County Clean Slate help
Kern County has a particularly useful local resource that should not be overlooked.
The Kern County Public Defender Clean Slate Program provides free and confidential help to people seeking to clean up or expunge qualifying criminal records.
Kern County Public Defender – Clean Slate Program
Law Office of the Public Defender1315 Truxtun Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93301
Phone:
661-868-4799
Email:
cleanslate@kerncounty.com
How to find older Kern County criminal cases
Historical criminal cases may not be fully represented through modern online case information. Kern Superior Court’s record process allows courthouse inspection and mailed copy requests.
Identify the likely court branch
Use the city or area where the case was prosecuted to determine whether Bakersfield, Delano, Mojave, Ridgecrest, Shafter or another branch is likely.
Search in person if you do not have the case number
The court specifically states that members of the public may search for a case at the courthouse themselves without charge.
Request the file or documents
Provide the person’s name, approximate filing year and any known identifying information.
Expect off-site retrieval for some files
An off-site retrieval fee can apply when an archived file must be brought back for access.
Federal criminal records involving Kern County
A federal criminal prosecution will not be found merely by searching Kern County Superior Court. State and federal court systems are separate.
Use PACER to search federal court cases.
Federal inmate search
The Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator can help locate people in qualifying federal custody.
Your own FBI record
For your own fingerprint-based FBI Identity History Summary, use the FBI Identity History Summary Check .
Using Kern County criminal records for employment decisions
California has additional rules governing employer use of criminal history.
Under California’s Fair Chance Act, most covered employers generally cannot ask about criminal history before making a conditional job offer. After an offer, additional rules govern what can be considered and how an adverse decision is handled.
California Courts also notes that covered employers generally may not consider convictions that have been expunged, sealed, dismissed or statutorily eradicated, subject to exceptions for certain jobs.
California Courts guidance: Criminal History and Job Applications .
Map: Kern County Superior Court Metropolitan Division
Metropolitan Division
Superior Court of California, County of Kern1415 Truxtun Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93301
Phone: 661-610-6000
Hours:
Monday–Thursday: 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Bring useful identifiers
Bring the case number if you have it. If you do not, bring the person’s correct legal name, approximate case year and other information that may help you locate the right file.
The court advises visitors that weapons are prohibited and courthouse security screening is used.
Kern County criminal-record search tips
Case information is not the full file
Use the online search for available case information, then move to courthouse inspection or copies when you need documents.
No case number? Search in person
Kern Superior Court says courthouse self-searching is free.
Very recent arrest? Check the jail
The inmate search may be more useful before a new court case becomes easy to locate.
Know the 60-day arrest rule
KCSO says contemporaneous arrest information is public while the person is in custody or within 60 days after release.
Do not request another person’s DOJ RAP sheet
California state summary criminal-history information is confidential and restricted by statute.
Warrants require a separate route
KCSO does not provide warrant confirmation by telephone; use the court or the in-person KCSO process.
Save the case number
It helps with document requests, older-file retrieval and distinguishing people with similar names.
Use the right branch
Kern County criminal cases can be handled in Bakersfield, Delano, Lamont, Mojave, Ridgecrest or Shafter.
Check Clean Slate before paying
Kern County Public Defender currently offers free and confidential record-cleaning assistance.
Kern County criminal records: frequently asked questions
1. Can I search Kern County criminal cases online?
Yes. Kern County Superior Court provides an official Case Information Search for available case information. The court separately states that complete case-file contents are not available through the Internet.
2. Can I view a Kern County criminal court file online?
Not the complete file. Kern Superior Court states that access to case-file contents is not available online. Public files can generally be inspected at the courthouse or copies can be requested.
3. What if I do not know the Kern County case number?
The court says you may visit the courthouse and search for the case yourself without charge. You can also ask court staff to conduct applicable research for a fee.
4. How much does a Kern County criminal court copy cost?
Kern Superior Court currently lists ordinary photocopies at 50 cents per page. Other charges, including search, certification and off-site retrieval fees, can apply.
5. How do I find someone in Kern County Jail?
Use the official Kern County Sheriff’s Office Inmate Search. It is the local source for current county custody information.
6. Are Kern County arrest records public?
KCSO says contemporaneous arrest information is public when the person is currently in custody or when the release date was within the previous 60 days, subject to applicable California law.
7. Can I call the Kern County Sheriff to ask whether someone has a warrant?
KCSO states that warrant information is not released over the phone. The subject can use the Sheriff’s in-person process, while the public may contact Kern Superior Court using the published felony, misdemeanor or traffic warrant telephone options.
8. Can I obtain another person’s statewide California criminal-history record?
Not through an ordinary public-record request. California DOJ states that summary criminal-history records are confidential and disclosure is restricted by statute. Individuals can request their own record for review.
9. Can Kern County help me clear an old criminal record?
Yes. The Kern County Public Defender operates a free and confidential Clean Slate Program that helps qualifying people with criminal-record cleaning and expungement-related relief.
10. What should I do if someone used my identity when they were arrested?
Kern County Sheriff’s Arrest Records Unit offers a “Not Same As” process. KCSO says it can fingerprint you, compare those prints with the arrestee and issue documentation when appropriate. The service is currently free.
Official Kern County and California criminal-record resources
- Superior Court of California, County of Kern
- Kern County Superior Court Case Information Search
- Kern County Superior Court — Court Records
- Kern County Criminal Judicial Records Request
- Kern County Superior Court Criminal Division
- Kern County Superior Court Locations
- Kern County Sheriff’s Office Inmate Search
- Kern County Sheriff’s Office Arrest Records Unit
- Kern County Sheriff’s Office Records Section
- Kern County Public Defender Clean Slate Program
- California DOJ — Request Your Own Criminal Record
- California DOJ Fingerprint Background Checks
- California Courts — Clean Your Record
- California Courts — Seal Arrest Records With No Conviction
- California Courts — Misdemeanor Record Cleaning
- PACER — Federal Court Records
- Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator