Records Counter Open Hours 

Monday - Thursday 8am to 5pm, closed Friday

Records Phone 805-781-7311

Fax 805-781-7324

For information on paying traffic tickets, please visit SLO County Superior Court.

Police/Accident Reports

Please call Records 805-781-7311 to confirm you are entitled to the report and what the fee will be. Reports cannot be faxed or emailed. All reports will be released in accordance with our Records Release Policy.

Towed or Impounded Vehicle

Vehicles can be released at any time, not just when the Records counter is open. Please call the non-emergency line at 805-781-7312 to inquire about the release of your vehicle.

Vehicles can only be released to the registered owner or to someone who has been granted permission to retrieve the car from impound. ID and pertinent paperwork must be presented and a release fee collected at the time of release. The paperwork required will vary dependent on the type of tow or impound your vehicle was subject to. 

Thirty day stored vehicles will not be released prior to 30 days without approval from a traffic officer or a supervisor. Please have your ID, license plate number or case number with you. Vehicles will only be released to drivers with a valid license.

Background Requests

If you are an investigator from a governmental agency making a background inquiry, please fax your request and notarized release to 805-781-7324, or mail the request to SLOPD, 1042 Walnut Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401.

Clearance Letter

Some of the common reasons for requesting a clearance letter may be to travel abroad or to adopt a child. Submit the following to Records at SLOPD, 1042 Walnut Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401:  a legible copy of your photo identification (driver's license or passport), a check or money order made out to the City of SLO for $25, and the completed clearance letter request form.  Prior to submitting your request, determine if the clearance letter requires notarization from a Notary Public (there is no additional fee for the notary service.)

Informal Discovery Requests

Pursuant to CA Penal Code 1054.5, informal requests for discovery by a defendant can be made prior to obtaining a court order. Please read the explanation provided to see if your case qualifies. Requests can be mailed to SLOPD Attn: Records, 1042 Walnut Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401.

Fingerprinting

SLOPD does not provide fingerprinting service to the public. 

Personal Criminal History

To receive a copy of a criminal history record, individuals must submit Live Scan* or manual fingerprints and a $25 fee to the California Department of Justice. SLOPD does not provide this service to the public. 

For a complete criminal history, contact:

California Department of Justice
Record Review Unit
PO Box 903417
Sacramento CA 94203-4170

*If you live in California, you must use the Live Scan fingerprint process.