Juvenile Court Records

• Confidentiality
• Sealing Records
• Viewing and Copying Records

All juvenile records are confidential and are not open to the public.

Due to strict laws regarding the confidentiality of records, case-specific information will not be given over the telephone because proper identification cannot be established.

Welfare and Institutions Code Sections 389 and 781 permit persons who have a juvenile record to petition the Juvenile Court to seal their juvenile record and records in the custody of other agencies, including law enforcement agencies.

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

(858) 694-4600

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 completing forms JUV-004 and JUV-237. Please note:  If the valid photo identification does not match the name on our juvenile records, a second form of identification(for example, a marriage license) will be required showing the juvenile record name in order to view or obtain copies of juvenile documents. 

Petition to View Records and/or Request for Copies (JUV-004) 

Stipulation Regarding Inspection, Copying and Non-Dissemination of Juvenile Records without Court Order (JUV-037) 

Related agencies

Pursuant to local rule, related agencies may inspect juvenile records without obtaining a court order.  The right to inspect such records includes the right to view them and obtain copies.  Persons seeking access to and/or photocopies of dependency records under this rule must complete forms JUV-004 and JUV-237.  Certain persons must complete and file a “Request for Disclosure of Juvenile Case File” (Judicial Council 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)   

Stipulation Regarding Inspection, Copying and Non-Dissemination of Juvenile Records without Court Order (JUV-037) 

Other individuals

Other individuals who seek to obtain juvenile records must file the following documents per CRC 5.552:

Proof of Service-Request for Disclosure (JV-569)

Request for Disclosure of Juvenile Case File (JV-570)   

Notice of Request for Disclosure of Juvenile Case File (JV-571)

Objection to Release of Juvenile Case File (JV-572)

NOTE:
If requesting information on a minor for BOTH dependency and delinquency 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.

Prior to filing the documents with Juvenile Court, the following agencies and individuals must be provided with a copy of all documents. Form JV-569 and JV-571 must indicate the agencies and individuals were provided with a copy of the documents. 

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 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
• The attorney of record for the person who is the subject of the record if that person is still a dependent of the court
• The parent(s) or guardian(s) of the person who is the subject of the record
• The CASA volunteer, if any
• 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, 2nd floor
  San Diego, CA 92123
  Phone: (858) 616-5944
  Fax: (858) 616-5895