Ventura County Police Records
Ventura County police records are maintained by the Sheriff Records and Licensing division on Victoria Avenue in the city of Ventura. This office handles public requests for arrest records, incident reports, crime reports, and other law enforcement documents. You can call 805-654-2336 or email vcso.publicrecordsrequests@ventura.org to submit a records request. The Sheriff Office may take up to ten calendar days to respond to your request under California law. Reports, photos, and clearance letters each cost $20 in Ventura County. Processing times vary based on request complexity and staff workload. Most simple requests are filled within a few business days if the report is ready for release.
Ventura County Sheriff Records Division
The Ventura County Sheriff Records and Licensing division is at 800 S. Victoria Ave. in Ventura. This is the main office for all police records requests in the county. Staff maintain arrest logs, incident reports, case files, and booking information. The division handles thousands of records requests each year from the public, attorneys, insurance companies, and other agencies throughout Ventura County.
Call 805-654-2336 to reach the records division. Staff can answer questions about what records are available and how to request them. Have details ready when you call. You need names, dates, case numbers, and locations to help staff find your file. Without specific info, searches take much longer. Be prepared to provide as much detail as possible when you contact Ventura County Sheriff.
Email requests go to vcso.publicrecordsrequests@ventura.org. This is useful for written requests or when you cannot call during business hours. Include all relevant details in your email. State clearly what records you want. Provide your contact info so staff can reach you with follow-up questions. They will respond with instructions on how to proceed with your request in Ventura County.
In-person requests are accepted at 800 S. Victoria Ave. during business hours. Bring your ID and any information you have about the case. Staff can search the system while you wait. Simple requests may be filled quickly if the report is ready. Complex requests take longer. You may need to return another day to pick up records. Payment of $20 per report, photo, or clearance letter is required in Ventura County.
Requesting Police Reports in Ventura County
To request a police report from Ventura County Sheriff, contact the records division at 805-654-2336. You can also send an email or visit in person. Provide as much detail as possible about the incident. Include full names of involved parties, the date and location of the incident, and any report or case numbers you have. Specific details help staff locate files faster in Ventura County.
Written requests work well for complex records requests. Mail your letter to Ventura County Sheriff Records and Licensing, 800 S. Victoria Ave., Ventura, CA 93009. Describe what records you want. Include your name, address, phone, and email. Staff will respond within ten days under the California Public Records Act. This is just the initial response. It may take additional time to actually produce the records in Ventura County.
You must have legal interest to get certain police records. Victims can usually get copies of reports. Property owners can get theft reports. Insurance companies need policy numbers or claim information. Attorneys need documentation of representation. Some records are only released to specific parties under California law. Be ready to prove your legal interest when you request records in Ventura County.
Fees in Ventura County are $20 for reports, photos, and clearance letters. This is a flat rate per item. Ask about costs when you submit your request. Payment is required before records are released. Check what payment methods are accepted at the records division. Most agencies accept checks or money orders. Some take credit cards. Confirm accepted payment types before you visit Ventura County Sheriff.
Types of Police Records Available
Arrest records in Ventura County show booking information for people taken into custody. This includes name, charges, arrest date, and booking photo. Arrest records are public under Government Code Section 7923.610. You can request recent arrest information from the records division. Booking photos cost $20 each in Ventura County.
Incident reports document crimes and other events that deputies respond to. These include thefts, assaults, burglaries, vandalism, and other calls for service. You can get a copy if you were a victim or involved party. Suspects cannot get reports from the arresting agency. Witnesses may qualify depending on the case. The records division will verify your legal interest before releasing incident reports in Ventura County.
Traffic collision reports are available to drivers, passengers, and vehicle owners involved in a crash. Vehicle Code Section 20012 requires release to parties of interest. If the California Highway Patrol investigated your crash, request the report at crashes.chp.ca.gov. For crashes handled by Ventura County Sheriff or city police, contact the agency that took the report in your area.
Clearance letters are official documents stating you have no warrants or arrests on file with Ventura County Sheriff. These are used for employment, licensing, immigration, and other purposes. Clearance letters cost $20 each. Processing times vary. Call ahead to ask how long clearance letters take in Ventura County. You may need to visit in person with ID to get a clearance letter.
California Public Records Act Rights
The California Public Records Act gives you the right to request police records from Ventura County Sheriff. This law is in Government Code Sections 7920-7931. Any person can make a request. You do not need to live in California. You do not have to explain why you want the records. The agency must respond within ten calendar days of receiving your request in Ventura County.
The ten-day deadline is for the initial response, not for producing the records. The Sheriff Office will tell you if the records exist and when they will be ready. They can take a 14-day extension if needed. Large requests may take weeks to complete. The agency will keep you informed of the status of your request in Ventura County.
Some records are exempt from release under California law. Active investigations are usually withheld until cases close. Personnel records are not public except as required by law. Confidential informant information is protected. If your request is denied, the agency must cite the specific law that exempts the record. You can challenge a denial in court if you believe the records should be public in Ventura County.
Penal Code Section 832.7 requires disclosure of certain peace officer records. This includes use of force incidents, officer-involved shootings, and sustained findings of sexual assault or dishonesty. These records must be released within 45 days. A delay of up to 180 days is allowed if there is an ongoing investigation. This applies to Ventura County and all California law enforcement agencies.
Body Camera Footage Requests
Body camera footage from Ventura County deputies is not routinely released to the public. California law exempts most body cam video. Government Code Section 7923.625 requires release of footage from critical incidents. This includes officer-involved shootings and use of force resulting in serious injury or death. Agencies have 45 days to provide critical incident footage. Extensions of 30 days are allowed for certain reasons in Ventura County.
To request body cam footage, contact the records division at 805-654-2336. Explain what incident you are requesting. State whether it involves a critical incident under Government Code 7923.625. The agency will review your request and respond. They may redact portions of the video to protect privacy of uninvolved persons, minors, and confidential sources in Ventura County.
Body cam requests take longer than standard records requests. The agency must review hours of video and redact sensitive content. This includes faces, voices, license plates, and private information. Processing body cam footage is time-consuming and requires specialized staff. Be patient with these requests in Ventura County. The agency will keep you informed of the timeline and any delays.
Criminal History Records
You can request your own criminal history from the California Department of Justice. The DOJ charges $25 for this service. You must submit fingerprints with your request. Mail to PO BOX 160207, Sacramento, CA 95816-0207. The DOJ will send you a copy of your state criminal record. This shows all arrests and convictions on file in California.
You cannot get someone else's criminal history through the DOJ. Penal Code Section 11105 restricts access to criminal history information. Only law enforcement agencies can access these files for official purposes. Private citizens and employers cannot get criminal histories from the DOJ. Background check companies use different sources for their reports in California.
If you need a criminal history for employment or licensing, ask the employer or licensing board how to proceed. Many require live scan fingerprinting. Check with local fingerprinting services in Ventura County. The DOJ website lists approved live scan operators throughout California. Bring valid ID and any paperwork from your employer or agency when you get fingerprinted in your area.
Fees and Processing Times
Fees in Ventura County are $20 for reports, photos, and clearance letters. This is a flat rate per item. Reports cost $20. Booking photos cost $20. Clearance letters cost $20. Ask about costs when you submit your request. Payment is required before records are released. Check what payment methods are accepted at the records division in Ventura County.
Processing times depend on request complexity and staff workload. Simple requests may be filled in a few days. Large requests can take weeks. Body cam footage requests take longer due to review and redaction requirements. The agency has ten days to respond under the Public Records Act. This is just the initial response. They will tell you when the records will be ready in Ventura County.
Victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking get free copies of their incident reports. California Family Code requires agencies to provide these within five days at no charge. Bring proof that you were the victim in the case. This exemption applies to all California agencies including Ventura County Sheriff. The $20 fee is waived for these specific victim reports.
Note: The Sheriff Office may take up to 10 calendar days to respond to your request under California law in Ventura County.
Cities in Ventura County
Ventura County has several cities with their own police departments. These cities handle their own police records requests. If your incident occurred in a city, contact that city's police department directly. The Ventura County Sheriff handles unincorporated areas and contract cities that do not have their own police departments throughout the county.
Major cities in Ventura County include Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Ventura, Camarillo, and Moorpark. Each has its own police department and records division. Contact info and procedures vary by city. Check the city website for records request information. Some cities use online portals while others require phone or in-person requests in Ventura County.
For unincorporated areas of Ventura County, the sheriff office handles all law enforcement. This includes rural areas and small communities without city police. Contact the sheriff records division at 805-654-2336 for incidents in unincorporated areas. Staff can tell you if your incident is in sheriff jurisdiction or a city police jurisdiction in Ventura County.
Contact Ventura County Sheriff
Ventura County Sheriff Records and Licensing is at 800 S. Victoria Ave., Ventura, CA 93009. Call 805-654-2336 for questions about police records. Email vcso.publicrecordsrequests@ventura.org for written requests. Visit in person during business hours. Bring ID and documentation of legal interest when requesting records in Ventura County.
For general information about the California Public Records Act, visit the California Department of Justice website. This page explains your rights under the law. The DOJ also handles criminal history requests for individuals. Call the DOJ Record Review Unit at 916-227-3849 with questions about state-level records in California.