Access Marin County Criminal Records

Marin County criminal court records are managed by the Marin County Superior Court in San Rafael. The court uses an ePortal system for online case searches, giving the public free access to case data from any computer or phone. Marin County sits just north of San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge. Despite its smaller size, the court handles a full range of criminal cases. This page covers how to search for, request, and understand criminal court records in Marin County, California, including online tools, fees, and the steps for getting copies.

Marin County Criminal Records Online Search

The Marin County Superior Court runs an ePortal at webportal.marin.courts.ca.gov/publicportal. This is a free tool that does not need registration. You can search criminal cases by defendant name, case number, or date. Results include the case type, charges, filing date, and the next hearing on the calendar. The portal covers both felony and misdemeanor matters filed in Marin County.

The ePortal is a solid first step when you need to check on a criminal case in Marin County. Type in a name and the system returns any matching cases. Click on a case number to see the details. The detail view shows the full charge list, the judge assigned, each scheduled hearing, and the current status. Remember that the online data is for reference only. The official court record is held by the clerk. If you need something for legal use, request a certified copy from the Marin County clerk's office.

Request Criminal Court Records in Marin County

There are two main ways to get copies of Marin County criminal court records. In person is faster. Go to the Marin County Superior Court at the Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael. The clerk's office is on the first floor. Give them the case number or the defendant's name and they will pull the file. Plain copies and certified copies are both available. You pay at the window before you leave.

By mail, send your request to the Marin County Superior Court Clerk, P.O. Box 4988, San Rafael, CA 94913. Include the case number, defendant name, what documents you need, and a check or money order for the fees. Mail requests can take a couple of weeks to process. The court will mail the copies to your address. If you are not sure what the total cost will be, call the clerk first. They can give you an estimate so you send the right amount.

Note: The Marin County courthouse is located inside the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Civic Center, so check building maps for the clerk's office entrance.

Marin County Criminal Court Record Fees

Copy fees in Marin County follow the state schedule. Plain copies are $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $40 per document plus the per-page charge. If the clerk needs more than 10 minutes to find your record, a $15 search fee may apply. Old cases stored off-site carry a $10 retrieval fee.

These fees are set by California Government Code and apply to every Superior Court in the state, including Marin County. If you are on a limited income or receive government benefits, ask about a fee waiver. The court can reduce or eliminate fees for people who qualify. Bring your fee waiver form when you visit the courthouse, or include it with your mail request for Marin County criminal court records.

Criminal Record Access Laws in Marin County

Most criminal court records in Marin County are open to the public. You can request copies without being part of the case. The clerk has to give them to anyone who asks and pays the fee. That is how it works across all California courts.

Some things are off limits. Juvenile records are sealed. Mental health reports within a criminal case are restricted. Sealed or expunged records cannot be accessed by the public. Under Penal Code Section 11105, the California DOJ maintains state summary criminal history information. That system is separate from the court files in Marin County. California Rules of Court Rule 2.503 limits which criminal case records can be seen online versus in person. The Marin County ePortal shows calendars, registers of action, and basic case info. To view full case files for criminal matters, you generally need to go to the San Rafael courthouse. Under Penal Code Section 13300, local law enforcement in Marin County also keeps its own records, which are distinct from what the court holds.

Marin County Criminal Record Expungement

People convicted of a crime in Marin County may petition to have the conviction dismissed. Under Penal Code Section 1203.4, you can file for this after completing probation. The Marin County Superior Court judge reviews the petition and decides whether to grant the dismissal. A dismissal does not erase the record. It marks it as dismissed, which looks better on background checks.

If you were arrested but never convicted and are found factually innocent, Penal Code Section 851.8 allows you to petition to have the arrest record sealed and destroyed. The Marin County Public Defender's office or local legal aid groups can help with expungement petitions. The process involves paperwork, a filing fee (unless waived), and a court hearing.

State Tools for Criminal Record Searches

Beyond the Marin County court system, the state has tools that can help. The CIRIS database from the California Department of Corrections shows current state prison inmates, including anyone convicted in Marin County. For your own criminal history, the California DOJ record review costs $25 through Live Scan.

The image below shows the DOJ's record review page, which explains how to request your own RAP sheet. This process is different from requesting court case files from the Marin County clerk.

The California Courts Self-Help guide walks you through requesting court records step by step, and it applies to Marin County just like every other county in the state.

Marin County Cities

Marin County has no cities over 100,000 in population. San Rafael is the county seat and largest city. All criminal cases from Marin County cities go through the Superior Court in San Rafael.

Nearby Counties

These counties neighbor Marin County. Each operates its own Superior Court for criminal filings.