Obtaining Arrest Summaries/Detention Letters

Records & Identification Division
Court Sealings & Records Retention Unit (CSRRU)
213-486-8320

*Arrest Summaries
*Detention Letter
*Clearance Letter
*False Personation

If you have been arrested by the LAPD, you may obtain a summary of your LAPD arrests.  The summary will list the dates, charges, and dispositions (if they are on file) for LAPD arrests only.  The summary will not include arrests made by any other law enforcement agency.   Processing time varies due to the number of requests received.

To request an arrest summary/detention letter by mail, please provide:

  1.  A full set of fingerprints on a standard finger print card completed by a local Police or Sheriff’s agency, (or an authorized fingerprinting services in Los Angeles), containing all personal data, mailing address, zip code and telephone number. Form FD-258.
  2.  A letter to LAPD requesting an Arrest Summary with your address and phone number.
  3.  A Check or money order made payable to LAPD in the amount of $25.00 for Arrest Summary, $21.00 for Detention Letter.  Do not send cash.
  4. A readable copy of a U.S. government issued ID used for identification purposes.

Mail to:
LAPD R&I Division
ATTN:  CSRRU-Arrest Summary  or Detention Letter
P.O. Box 30158
Los Angeles, CA  90030

Or

Express Mail to:
LAPD R&I Division

ATTN:
CSRRU-Arrest Summary  or Detention Letter
100 West 1st Street, Room 731
Los Angeles, CA  90012

If you have been arrested for a misdemeanor charge of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and want information regarding that arrest, you should visit the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

State Department of Justice
If you have been arrested by more than one law enforcement agency, it is recommended that you request your criminal history records from the California Department of Justice (DOJ) instead of requesting arrest summaries from multiple localities.  For recorded DOJ arrest summary information, call 916-227-3822. Or check the DOJ website at: www.justice.gov.

Federal Bureau of Investigation
You may request a criminal history summary from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).  The FBI furnishes national criminal history records directly to the embassy or consulate that is processing the applicant.  For further information regarding FBI’s criminal history records, call (304) 625-3878.

 

(Last updated August 18, 2023)