FOIA Friend

Jurisdiction-first help for public records requests.

Back to jurisdictions

California (CA)

Law: California Public Records Act (Cal. Gov't Code §§ 7920.000–7931.000)

Notes: Be specific about records and date ranges. The agency has 10 days to respond, but can extend by 14 days in complex cases.

Generate a Request for California

Jurisdiction Facts

Sourced from the jurisdiction registry. Not legal advice.

Best Practice

Be specific about records and date ranges. The agency has 10 days to respond, but can extend by 14 days in complex cases.

Statutory Response Deadline

10 days under Cal. Gov't Code § 7922.535, extendable up to 14 additional days for unusual circumstances.

Observed Average Response

113 days (MuckRock observed average, not a statutory deadline).

Fee Waivers / Intake

Fee waivers available for public interest requests under Cal. Gov't Code § 7922.575.

Appeals

No administrative appeal; may file petition for writ of mandate in superior court. Prevailing parties recover attorney fees.

Direct links to the governing statute, official requester guidance, and central portal for this jurisdiction.

Common Agencies

Baldwin Park Police Department

Mail: Baldwin Park Police Department 14403 E Pacific Ave Baldwin Park CA 91706

Fees & notes

The Baldwin Park Police Department does not have a dedicated public CPRA portal. No specific MuckRock audit data available.

Reviewed 2026-04-27

View full details →

Delano Police Department

Mail: Delano Police Department 1015 11th Ave Delano CA 93215

Fees & notes

The Delano Police Department does not have a dedicated public CPRA portal. No specific MuckRock audit data available.

Reviewed 2026-04-27

View full details →

Lemoore Police Department

Mail: Lemoore Police Department 250 W Hanford Armona Rd Lemoore CA 93245

Fees & notes

The Lemoore Police Department does not have a dedicated public CPRA portal. No specific MuckRock audit data available.

Reviewed 2026-04-27

View full details →

Los Angeles Police Department

Portal: Submit online

Mail: Los Angeles Police Department Public Records and Subpoena Response Section CPRA Unit 100 West 1st Street Los Angeles CA 90012

Fees & notes

MuckRock data indicates the LAPD fulfills 56% fewer requests than other agencies in its jurisdiction and requires a fee 94% less often. LAPD uses the NextRequest portal for CPRA requests.

Source Reviewed 2026-04-27

View full details →

Madera Police Department

Mail: Madera Police Department 203 S D St Madera CA 93638

Fees & notes

The Madera Police Department does not have a dedicated public CPRA portal. No specific MuckRock audit data available.

Reviewed 2026-04-27

View full details →

Pasadena Police Department

Portal: Submit online

Mail: Pasadena Police Department 207 N Garfield Ave Pasadena CA 91101

Fees & notes

The Pasadena Police Department uses the city's public records portal. The department has been the subject of CPRA requests through MuckRock regarding ShotSpotter and ALPR data.

Source Reviewed 2026-04-27

View full details →

Ridgecrest Police Department

Mail: Ridgecrest Police Department 100 W California Ave Ridgecrest CA 93555

Fees & notes

The Ridgecrest Police Department does not have a dedicated public CPRA portal. No specific MuckRock audit data available.

Reviewed 2026-04-27

View full details →

San Francisco Superior Court

Portal: Submit online

Mail: San Francisco Superior Court Attn: Records Unit 850 Bryant St Room 101 San Francisco CA 94103

Fees & notes

The San Francisco Superior Court requires a specific Records Request Form. Judicial administrative records are subject to the CPRA while case records are governed by the California Rules of Court. No specific MuckRock audit data available.

Source Reviewed 2026-04-27

View full details →

San Leandro Police Department

Mail: San Leandro Police Department 901 E 14th St San Leandro CA 94577

Fees & notes

The San Leandro Police Department does not have a dedicated public CPRA portal. No specific MuckRock audit data available.

Reviewed 2026-04-27

View full details →

Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office

Mail: Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office 5200 Soquel Ave Santa Cruz CA 95062

Fees & notes

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office does not have a dedicated public CPRA portal. No specific MuckRock audit data available.

Reviewed 2026-04-27

View full details →

University of California Los Angeles

Email: [email protected]

Mail: UCLA Information Practices Office 10920 Wilshire Blvd Suite 500 Los Angeles CA 90024

Fees & notes

UCLA processes CPRA requests through the Information Practices Office. The university has been criticized for slow response times and for claiming exemptions under the CPRA. Fee waivers are rarely granted for commercial requests.

Source Reviewed 2026-04-27

View full details →