What are Bellflower Public Records?
According to the California Public Records Act, public records are all data pertaining to the conduct of the public's business, which is generated, filed, maintained, and utilized by public agencies. The term "public records" refers to documents created or stored in digital or physical formats. Records may include books, maps, charters, photographs, architectural plans, SMS, emails, and memoranda. The state open records law empowers interested public members to inspect or obtain copies of Bellflower public records under the supervision of public agencies. However, the law exempts certain documents from public access. Under the California Open Records Act, the following documents are exempt from public disclosure:
- Documents that may lead to an invasion of privacy;
- Confidential information, such as social security numbers, credit/debit card details, and driver's license;
- Medical records that may violate a record bearer's privacy;
- Trade secrets or any confidential information submitted to a public agency to obtain a license or bid for a contract;
- Information about attorney-client privilege.
- Personnel data and similar files, such as salary information and employee misconduct investigations (if the charges are untrue after due investigations);
- Architectural and official building plans of government-owned facilities;
- Voters registration details as the home address, phone number, and other identifying data;
- Data about pending litigation that involves a public agency or entity;
- Preliminary or drafts used in decision-making by government agencies;
- Files and documents used in an ongoing investigation;
- Juvenile records and other sensitive compiled by law enforcement agencies;
- Information on crime witnesses and complainants;
- Minutes of the meeting of public entities closed to the public.
- Documents revealing the location of archaeological sites, and endangered species.
Public city records may also be accessible from third-party websites. Record seekers may either opt to use these non-governmental platforms to search for a specific record or multiple city records. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search such as:
- The address of the requestor
- A case number or file number (if known)
- The location of the document or person involved
- The name of the subject involved in the record (not juvenile)
- The last known or current address of the registrant
Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Bellflower Crime Statistics
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department documents all reported arrests and crimes in the city. It is also responsible for creating annual statistics for all documented crimes, which is sent to the FBI UCR. According to the FBI 2019 UCR, Bellflower recorded 1,833 index crimes, including 327 violent crimes and 1,506 property crimes. The report featured the following index crimes: one murder, 29 rapes, 107 robberies, 190 aggravated assaults, 326 burglaries, 860 larceny-theft, 320 motor vehicle thefts, and seven arson. From 2017 to 2019, the city saw a sharp decline in total crime rates (22 percent). Index crimes like murder, arson, and burglary reduced drastically within the two-year timeframe.
Are Bellflower Criminal Records Public?
Access to Bellflower criminal records depends on the type of the information contained in the record. Generally, criminal records containing information on complainants, witnesses, and crime victims are mostly exempt from public view. The state law also exempts the disclosure of juvenile criminal records. In addition, sealed or expunged criminal records are not available to the public members.
The California Department of Justice maintains criminal history summary for all offenders in Bellflower. Only the record subject and other authorized agencies can request and obtain copies of these public documents. Record bearers can access copies of their criminal records via the following steps:
- First, requesters must download and print out the Live Scan Form in English or Spanish.
- Next, the requester should fill in personal information, such as full name and aliases, birth date, sex, age, height, and race. In addition, requesters must fill out their driver's license number and contact details.
- Also, choose "Record Review" as the "Application Type.”
- Send the completed form alongside a non-refundable money order or check for $25 to any of the following Live Scan centers in Bellflower:
Certifix Live Scan – Los Angeles
5101 Santa Monica Boulevard
Suite #8
Los Angeles, CA 90029
Phone: (213) 699-5866
Downtown Live Scan Fingerprinting Center
1625 West Olympic Boulevard
Suite 725
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Phone: (323) 534-0882
The Superior Court of California in Los Angeles is also an alternative resource for accessing Bellflower criminal records. It hosts an online database where requesters can request and obtain online copies of Bellflower criminal records. To search for criminal records, requesters may register an account or sign-in as a guest on the platform. The platform charges users on a subscription basis while guest users must pay per name search. Alternatively, the online database enables requesters to search for criminal case summaries by inputting the case number. Moreover, the Superior Court of California in Los Angeles charges $1 per page for documents less than six pages, whereas it costs $0.4 per page for additional six documents. Guest users must pay $4.75 per name search for criminal records.
How to Obtain Bellflower Police Reports and Arrest Records
Interested persons can obtain Bellflower police reports and arrest records by contacting the record custodian holding the records. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office is the main record custodian of police reports and arrest records in Bellflower. Per the California Public Records Act- Section 6254(f), crime victims and other authorized entities can request incident reports from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office. Requesters can access the public document by visiting the County Sheriff with business hours at the location below:
12440 East Imperial Highway
Suite 120
Norwalk, CA 90650
Phone: (562) 345-4441
Record seekers must present a valid government-issued ID before accessing the police report or arrest record.
Bellflower police reports and arrest records are also obtainable via mail orders. Requesters must send a written request containing the following data:
- The record bearer's full name and aliases;
- Record bearer's birth date;
- A copy of a valid ID;
- Recipient's address.
Requesters must send the written request and the required fee as a money order or check to the County Sheriff's Office at:
Attention: Correspondence Unit
12440 East Imperial Highway
Suite 400 West
Norwalk, CA 90650.
Requests for a police report or arrest record cost $24. Furthermore, the first ten copies of a police report are free, whereas it costs $0.13 per page from the 11th page upwards.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Bellflower
The California Megan's Law online platform provides informaiton of all registered sex offenders in Bellflower. It enables public members to view Bellflower sex offenders' names, photographs, convictions, and location. Requesters can access sex offender data via the following options:
- The California sex offenders name search option;
- The California sex offender map search.
In addition, public members can use the "near my device" option to view location of sex offenders in their vicinity.
How to Find Bellflower Inmate Information
Public members may search for inmates in Bellflower via the Los Angeles County Sheriff's inmate locator. Requesters must input the record inmate's name and birthdate into the search boxes on the online platform. Likewise, public members can access Bellflower inmate records via an online database maintained by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). Through the online platform, requesters can search for inmate records by filling out the inmate's name and aliases, and CDCR number.
How do I Visit an Inmate in Bellflower City Jail?
Friends and families of inmates may visit inmates at any of the correctional facilities in Bellflower and Los Angeles County via remote visitation. Los Angeles County Jail facilities provide a unified visitation scheduling system. Note that visitors must verify if an inmate is eligible to receive visitors before registering on the platform. For in-person visitation to the correctional facilities, visitors must arrive at the facility at least one hour before the appointed visitation time. Furthermore, visitors must present a valid photo ID before entering the correctional center. The visitation hours for Bellflower correctional facilities are listed below:
- Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m
- Saturday to Sunday: 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
What are Bellflower Vital Records?
Vital records in Bellflower refer to all documentations of life events within the city. According to the California Open Records Act, public agencies at the state and local agencies document life events such as birth, death, marriage, and divorce events. In addition, the public agencies issue copies of Bellflower vital records to interested and eligible requesters. In turn, requesters must adhere to the agency's guidelines to receive copies of Bellflower vital records
The Los Angeles Superior Court generates and houses all divorce records in Bellflower. In contrast, Bellflower marriage, birth, and death records are obtainable through the Los Angeles Registrar-Recorder's Office.
Where and How to Obtain Bellflower Divorce Records
The Los Angeles Superior Court handles all documented divorce events in Bellflower. Therefore, interested persons can obtain copies of divorce documents via the County Superior Court's online searchable portal. The online portal contains details of divorce cases from 1983 to the present. To access divorce records on the platform, requesters must input the case number of the divorce case, and select "continue". Next, requesters may opt to create an account on the platform or log in as a guest to access divorce documents. Divorce records created before 1983 are available at the Archive Center. Hence, requesters must visit the Archives Center at the address below obtain copies of Bellflower records:
Archives and Records Center
222 North Hill Street
Room 212
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: (213) 830-0198
It cost $15 to get a certified divorce record from the Los Angeles Superior Court. In addition, documents cost $1 per page.
Where and How to Get Bellflower Marriage Records
Interested persons and entities must request for Bellflower divorce records from the Los Angeles Registrar-Recorder's Office. As the custodian of marriage records in Los Angeles, the Registrar-Recorder is responsible for issuing copies of confidential and public marriage records to requesters via in-person, mail, and email requests. Only the record subjects can receive a confidential copy of the marriage document, whereas the public copy is reserved for the record bearers' families, legal representatives, and other authorized persons.
To obtain Bellflower marriage records in-person, requesters must follow the listed steps:
- Make an appointment by filling out the necessary details on an online platform:
Note: requesters must make an appointment at least two weeks before visiting the Registrar-Recorder; - Complete the application form and visit the County Registrar-Recorder's Office at the scheduled time;
- In addition, requesters must present the required fee, the application confirmation number, and a valid photo ID at the address below:
The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
12400 Imperial Highway
Norwalk, CA 90650
Phone: (800) 201-8999
To obtain Bellflower marriage records via mail request, complete the application form for public marriage records or confidential marriage records and a notarized certificate of identity. Mail the completed documents alongside the required fee to:
Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
Birth, Death and Marriage Records Section
P.O. Box 489
Norwalk, CA 90651-0489
Bellflower marriage records cost $15 per copy.
Where and How to Find Bellflower Birth Records
The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder is the custodian of birth records in Bellflower. Note that only the following persons can receive authorized certified birth certificates:
- The registrant listed on the birth certificate;
- The parents listed on the birth certificate;
- The registrant's children, grandchildren, siblings, spouse, or legally-recognized domestic partners;
- Persons or entities empowered by the court to obtain the record;
- A legal representative of the registrant.
To receive Bellflower birth records in-person, requesters must follow the listed steps:
- Make an appointment by filling out the necessary details on an online platform:
Note: requesters must make an appointment at least two weeks before visiting the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder; - Complete the application form and visit the Registrar-Recorder's Office at the scheduled time;
For in-person, requesters must present the required fee, the application confirmation number, and a valid photo ID at the address below:
The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
12400 Imperial Highway
Norwalk, CA 90650
Phone: (800) 201-8999
Birth records from 1963 are obtainable during in-person requests, while records from 1866 to 1962 are mailed within 20 business days to the requester's address. To request a copy of birth certificate via mail, requesters must fill out the birth certificate application and notarized certificate of identity. Include the payment as a money order or check and mail the documents to the address below:
The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
12400 Imperial Highway
Norwalk, CA 90650
Recorder/County Clerk: (800) 201-8999.
Where and How to Find Bellflower Death Record
Bellflower death records are available to interested persons via the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder. Per the California Health and Safety Code Section 103526, only the following persons can receive authorized certified copies of Bellflower death record:
- Parent or legal guardian of the record subject;
- Government personnel conducting an official business;
- Child, grandchild, sibling, grandparent, or spouse of the record subject;
- Legal representatives of the registrant;
- A funeral director.
To access Bellflower death via in-person requests, record seekers must adhere to these steps:
- Schedule an appointment by filling out the necessary details on an online platform;
Note: requesters must make an appointment at least two weeks before visiting the Registrar-Recorder; - Complete the application form and visit the County Registrar-Recorder's Office at the scheduled time;
For in-person request for death records, requesters must present the required fee, the application confirmation number, and a valid photo ID to the:
Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
12400 Imperial Highway
Norwalk, CA 90650
Phone: (800) 201-8999
Bellflower death records from 1995 are obtainable via in-person requests, while records from 1877 to 1994 are mailed within 20 business days to the requester's address. In contrast, requesters can send a mail request for Bellflower death records. Record seekers must fill out the death record and notarized certificate of identity and mail the completed documents to the:
The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
12400 Imperial Highway
Norwalk, CA 90650
Recorder/County Clerk: (800) 201-8999
The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder charges $21 for a certified Bellflower death record.
