Find San Mateo County Arrest Records

San Mateo County recent arrest records are handled by the sheriff's Criminal Records Bureau. The bureau serves as the custodian of records for the county and stores all criminal records from the sheriff's department. San Mateo County sits on the peninsula between San Francisco and Santa Clara County. It processes bookings at the Maguire Correctional Facility in Redwood City. If you want to look up someone recently arrested in San Mateo County, you can contact the records bureau by phone, email, or fax. Arrest information is public under California law, and the sheriff's office must share it with anyone who asks.

San Mateo County Arrest Records Access

The San Mateo County Sheriff's Criminal Records Bureau is the central point for all arrest records in the county. The bureau is known as the Custodian of Records. It serves as the repository where all county criminal records from the sheriff's department are stored. If you need a report, a clearance letter, or booking information, this is where to go.

All counter services, including report requests, vehicle releases, and clearance letters, are available remotely. You can reach the bureau through fax, email, or mail. This means you do not have to go in person to get arrest record information from San Mateo County. The contact details are straightforward. Email: sheriffs_recordsrequest@smcgov.org. Fax: (650) 365-9884. Phone: (650) 363-4525. Submit your request and the bureau will process it.

San Mateo County does not have a large public-facing online inmate search database like some of the bigger counties do. The records bureau handles requests directly. For a quick check on whether someone is in custody, calling the Maguire Correctional Facility at (650) 599-3000 is the fastest option.

San Mateo Sheriff Criminal Records Bureau

The San Mateo County Sheriff describes its Criminal Records Bureau on the department website.

This page explains how to request records, get clearance letters, and access arrest reports from San Mateo County. All services are available remotely through email, fax, or mail.

The Maguire Correctional Facility is the main jail for San Mateo County. It sits at 300 Bradford Street in Redwood City. The phone number is (650) 599-3000. When someone gets arrested anywhere in San Mateo County, they are generally booked into this facility. City police in Daly City, San Mateo, South San Francisco, Redwood City, and other local jurisdictions bring arrested people to Maguire for booking. The arrest record is created during this process and added to the criminal records repository.

San Mateo County Booking Process

The booking process at Maguire Correctional Facility follows California standards. Officers bring in the arrested person and intake begins. Staff collect the person's full name, date of birth, and physical description. Fingerprints and a booking photo are taken. Charges from the arresting agency go into the system. Bail is set per the San Mateo County bail schedule.

Some people post bail quickly and leave within hours. Others wait for a court appearance. San Mateo County Superior Court handles arraignments. The arrest record stays in the system regardless of the outcome. Even if someone is released the same day, the booking record exists and can be requested later through the Criminal Records Bureau.

Note: San Mateo County processes bookings from more than 20 police departments and agencies operating within the county.

Arrest Disclosure Laws for San Mateo County

California Government Code 7923.610 requires all local law enforcement agencies to release key arrest data. The law mandates disclosure of the arrested person's full name and occupation, physical description, time and date of arrest, time and date of booking, arrest location, the facts around the arrest, bail amount, custody or release status, and all charges. San Mateo County agencies must follow this. The only exception is when disclosure would endanger someone or interfere with an active investigation. This law took effect January 1, 2023.

The California Public Records Act backs this up. Anyone can submit a formal request for arrest records from any San Mateo County agency. The agency has 10 days to respond. Fees for paper copies are usually small. Many agencies now provide digital copies at no charge. The San Mateo County Sheriff's records bureau processes these requests regularly.

Sealing San Mateo County Arrest Records

An arrest in San Mateo County that did not end in a conviction can be sealed. Penal Code 851.87 allows you to petition San Mateo County Superior Court. If the judge approves, the record is sealed from most background checks. This applies when charges were dropped, dismissed, or when you were acquitted.

California also handles sealing automatically for some cases. The Department of Justice checks records each month and seals qualifying misdemeanor arrests from January 1, 2021, onward where charges were dismissed or never filed. No petition is needed for this automatic process. It covers San Mateo County arrests like every other county in the state. The DOJ Record Review lets you see what is on your record by submitting fingerprints and paying $25. A fee waiver is available for those who qualify.

State Resources for San Mateo County

People who were arrested in San Mateo County and sentenced to state prison can be found through the CDCR CIRIS search tool. The search is free and shows the inmate's current CDCR location, admission date, and parole hearing dates. It only covers people currently in state prison custody.

VINE notifications are available by calling 877-411-5588. This statewide service lets you register for alerts when an inmate's custody status changes. It covers San Mateo County facilities and sends notifications by phone, email, or text. It is a free service designed primarily for victims but available to anyone.

The San Mateo County Sheriff's Criminal Records Bureau can be reached at (650) 363-4525 or by email at sheriffs_recordsrequest@smcgov.org for specific questions about arrest records.

San Mateo County Arrest Records by City

San Mateo County includes several cities on the peninsula. Local police departments handle arrests, but bookings go through the Maguire Correctional Facility. These qualifying cities have their own pages.

Nearby Counties

San Mateo County borders these counties. Each operates its own jail and arrest record system.