Background Check Information

Those seeking to obtain a police clearance letter may choose from the following options:

1.  Los Altos Police Department will provide clearance letters if:

• US CIS specifies your fingerprints were rejected and that you need a police clearance letter
• A visa is required to travel outside the US for employment, school, church or adoption purposes

Proper identification, such as a valid photo ID, Driver’s License, or Passport is required. You must provide the mailing address of the consulate or embassy the letter needs to be addressed to. In cases when the letter needs to be sent in care of another agency, both addresses must be provided. Clearance letters are processed at the time of the request and will be sealed and handed to you. If a notary is required, the arrangements are your responsibility. If a criminal record exists for a requestor, the letter is processed and mailed directly to the entity requiring this information.

Please complete the Clearance Letter Application and bring it with you when you present your photo identification to the Records staff.

• Clearance Letter Application

2.  California Department of Justice (DOJ) 
California DOJ will only allow an individual person to request their criminal history. For more information, click here.  Processing time is approximately three to four weeks. For recorded DOJ clearance letter information, call (916) 227-3835 or visit the DOJ Office of the Attorney General website for more information.

3. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
For California, it is advised to go through California DOJ for fingerprint and criminal history information. If you are interested in learning more about FBI technologies, visit the FBI website.