CRD Guidelines for Requesting Public Records

Make a Request for Records

CRD records are subject to the California Public Records Act (PRA). Under this law and applicable legal privileges, certain records are available to the public and others are exempt from public disclosure. Generally, CRD does not release records from open cases. When requesting records from a closed case or other records, please provide as much detail as possible about the record(s) you would like to see. For example, when requesting records from a particular closed case, please provide the case number, the name of the complainant(s), and the name of the respondent(s), as well as state whether you are (or represent) the complainant, the respondent, or a third party.

• To request public records, CRD strongly encourages requestors to use CRD’s online portal: California Civil Rights System (CCRS). First, create an account using a valid email address and phone number. Then, click on the “Public Records Act Request” button on the home screen and fill in the requested information.
• To request public records by mail, send the request to: Civil Rights Department, Attention: PRA Unit – Custodian of Records, 651 Bannon Street, Suite 200, Sacramento, CA 95811
• For more information, contact CRD

For more information, please review the California Public Records Act, which is codified at Government Code section 7920.000 et seq.

Responses

Under the California Public Records Act and applicable legal privileges, certain records are available to the public and others are exempt from public disclosure. Generally, CRD does not release records from open cases.

Within 10 days after the request is received, CRD will determine whether it possesses the requested records, the cost to produce the records, and, if no cost, the estimated date of disclosure of records. In some instances, CRD may require additional time or may seek more information from the requestor in order to process the request.

Public records in electronic form will be released in the format in which they are held. If a record exists in both electronic and hard copy formats, you may select either one.

While existing records are subject to the California Public Records Act, CRD is not required to create a new record or a list from an existing record.

For more information, please review the California Public Records Act, which is codified at Government Code section 7920.000 et seq.

Costs

If records are provided to you electronically, there is no cost.

There is a fee of 10 cents per page for hard copies of public records plus the costs of mailing them. There may be a fee of $24 per hour if your request requires CRD to compile records or extract information from an electronic record or undertake programming to satisfy your request.

If there is a cost to process your request, you will receive an invoice before your request is processed. CRD will not provide documents before payment is received. You will receive the records within 20 days after CRD receives payment. If payment is not received within 30 days of when CRD notifies you of the cost, CRD will close your request and you must submit a new request to receive the records.

Accessibility Information

CRD provides assistance to anyone who needs help accessing and understanding our information. Please contact us to arrange an accommodation if you have a disability or need translation into your native language.

• For an accommodation:

  • Call 800-884-1684 (voice), 800-700-2320 (TTY) or California’s Relay Service at 711
  • Email accommodations@calcivilrights.ca.gov for disability accommodations

• For translation help:

  • Click on Translate button (above)
  • Información en Español

• For Interpretation:

  • 800-884-1684
  • contact.center@calcivilrights.ca.gov