Confidentiality
All juvenile court records are confidential and are not open to the public.
Case specific information will not be given without proper identification verification.
Sealing Records
In a case filed under Welfare and Institutions Code Section 602, a youth who has satisfactorily completed probation may be eligible to have records sealed immediately when jurisdiction is terminated. For more information, see Welfare and Institutions Code Section 786 and the JV-596-INFO Form.
In any case that has not been sealed, Welfare and Institutions Code Sections 389 and 781 permit persons who have a juvenile record to petition the Juvenile Court to seal their juvenile court record and records in the custody of other agencies, including law enforcement agencies. More information is available in the JV-595-INFO Form.
Information and documents to initiate the record sealing process are available from the San Diego Probation Department.
Juvenile Probation Center
Attn: Record Sealing Officer
2901 Meadow Lark Drive
San Diego, CA 92123
Viewing and Copying Records
WIC 827 Protocol for Inspection and Copying of Juvenile Case File Documents
(Rev: 1-20-24)
[See also: How to Access Juvenile Records ]
All juvenile records are confidential. Welfare and Institutions Code Section 827 identifies who can access juvenile records.
The child, parents, legal guardian(s) and attorneys of record
The child, his or her parents or legal guardian(s), and attorneys of record may obtain copies of court minute orders and selected court documents by appearing at the appropriate business counter with a valid photo identification and the Petition to View Records and/or Request for Copies (Form # JUV-004) and the Stipulation Regarding Inspection, Copying and Non-Dissemination of Juvenile Records without Court Order (Form # JUV-237). Please note: If the valid photo identification does not match the name on the juvenile records, a second form of identification (for example, a marriage license) will be required; it must show the name on the juvenile records.
If you cannot appear in person, please submit the completed JUV-004 and JUV-237 forms with a copy of your valid photo identification to the court, along with a telephone number for contacting you to arrange payment. Due to the confidentiality of juvenile records court staff cannot tell you the cost of making copies until the request is received and verified. Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the records you are requesting.
Background checks
The subject of the record, his or her parent or guardian, or any person described in WIC §827 may request a background check by appearing at the appropriate business counter with a valid photo identification and completing forms JUV-004 and JUV-237. Please note: If the valid photo identification does not match the name on the juvenile records, a second form of identification (for example, a marriage license) will be required; it must show the name on the juvenile record. The fee for a record check is $15.
If you cannot appear in person, please submit the completed JUV-004 and JUV-237 forms with a copy of your valid photo identification to the court, along with a check or money order for payment. Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the record check.
Related individuals and agencies
Pursuant to statute and local rule, certain individuals and agencies may inspect juvenile records without obtaining a court order. The right to inspect such records may include the right to obtain copies. Persons seeking access to and/or photocopies of Juvenile records under WIC §827 or local rule must complete forms JUV-004 and JUV-237. Others must complete and file a "Petition for Access to Juvenile Case File" (JC Form # JV-570) to receive photocopies of dependency records. (See San Diego Superior Court Rules, rule 6.6.4). The process to be followed is listed below under "Other Individuals."
Petition to View Records and/or Request for Copies (JUV-004)
Other individuals
Other individuals who seek to obtain juvenile records must file the following documents per CRC 5.552:
- Protective Order on Petition for Access to Juvenile Case File (JUV-263)
- Proof of Service-Petition for Access to Juvenile Case File (JV-569)
- Petition for Access to Juvenile Case File (JV-570)
- Notice of Petition for Access to Juvenile Case File (JV-571)
- Objection to Release of Juvenile Case File (JV-572)
- Supplemental Request for Disclosure of Juvenile Case File (JUV-276)
WHERE TO FILE:
All Petitions for Access must be filed in the Business Office at the Juvenile Court located at 2851 Meadow Lark Drive, San Diego, CA 92123. Exception: A de facto parent's Petition for Access to Juvenile Case File will be handled by the judge in the home department for the underlying dependency case and must be filed in the business office for the court where the dependency case is located. Item 1 on the JV-570 must clearly state "de facto parent" for the relationship to the child. A de facto parent's Petition for Access to HHSA records will be handled by the judge assigned to hear WIC § 827 Petitions for Access and must be filed in the Meadow Lark business office. A Petition for Access to both court records and HHSA records must be filed in the Meadow Lark business office.
NOTES:
If requesting information on a minor for BOTH dependency and juvenile justice cases, a separate petition must be filed for each case and the appropriate agencies must be notified.
The completed form may be presented either in person or by mail and must contain a signature. The judicial officer may grant, deny, or set the petition for hearing.
If you are unable to appear in person, please submit the completed forms with a copy of your valid photo identification to the court along with a telephone number to reach you to arrange payment. Due to the confidentiality of juvenile records, we cannot provide the cost until the request is received and verified. Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return of the records you are requesting.
At least 10 days before you file the documents with Juvenile Court, the following agencies and individuals must be provided with a copy of all documents. Forms JV-569 and JV-571 must indicate the agencies and individuals who were provided with a copy of the documents.
Juvenile Justice (Delinquency):
- The person who is the subject of the record
- The attorney of record for the person who is the subject of the record if that person is still a ward of the court
- The parent(s) or guardian(s) of the person who is the subject of the record if that person is under 18 years of age
- The CASA volunteer, if any
Voices for Children, Inc.
2851 Meadow Lark Drive
San Diego, CA 92123 - The Indian tribe, if any
- District Attorney - Juvenile Division
2851 Meadow Lark Drive
San Diego, CA 92123 - Juvenile Probation Department
Attn: Probation Support Manager
2901 Meadow Lark Drive
San Diego, CA 92123
Dependency:
- The person who is the subject of the record, if that person is 10 years of age or older
- The attorney of record for the person who is the subject of the record if that person is still a dependent of the court. Most children in dependency cases are represented by Children's Legal Services of San Diego, 4801 Viewridge Avenue, San Diego, CA 92123.
- The parent(s) or guardian(s) of the person who is the subject of the record
- The attorney of record for the parent(s) or guardian(s) if there is an open dependency case. Most parents in dependency cases are represented by Dependency Legal Services of San Diego, 1660 Hotel Circle North, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92108.
- The CASA volunteer, if any
Voices for Children, Inc.
2851 Meadow Lark Drive
San Diego, CA 92123 - The Indian tribe, if any
- County Counsel
5530 Overland Ave #170
San Diego, CA 92123 - Health and Human Services Agency/CWS
Attn: 827 Clerk
8965 Balboa Avenue, 1st floor
San Diego, CA 92123
Nonminor Dependency
- The nonminor dependent.
- The attorney of record for the nonminor dependent. Most nonminor dependents are represented by Children's Legal Services of San Diego, 4801 Viewridge Avenue, San Diego, CA 92123.
- The District Attorney, if the nonminor dependent is also a ward
- The CASA volunteer, if any
Voices for Children, Inc.
2851 Meadow Lark Drive
San Diego, CA 92123 - The Indian tribe, if any
- County Counsel
5530 Overland Ave #170
San Diego, CA 92123 - Health and Human Services Agency/CWS
Attn: 827 Clerk
8965 Balboa Avenue, 1st floor
San Diego, CA 92123