How to Request Public Records

The following information is only for those requesting records maintained by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (Bureau). The Bureau licenses private security companies, proprietary security companies, locksmiths, security guards, alarm companies, repossession companies, and private investigators. For all other public records, please contact the appropriate agency, as the Bureau is unable to assist you with records maintained by other Bureaus, Boards, or other state or federal agencies. For a full list of the Department of Consumer Affair’s (DCA) entities, please review DCA’s Boards and Bureaus. To submit a Public Records Act request pertaining to the DCA but not to a specific DCA entity, please visit:
the DCA contact page

The public has a right under the California Constitution and the California Public Records Act (PRA) to access public records maintained by all state governmental agencies, including the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (Bureau). In accordance with the PRA (Government Code Section 7920, et seq.), the following explains how to submit a PRA request to the Bureau.

The Bureau’s Custodian of Records is responsible for facilitating responses to all public records requests. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, fax, or online to:

Front Counter
2420 Del Paso Road, Suite 270
Sacramento, CA 95834
Monday – Friday 8:00-5:00 excluding holidays

Bureau of Security and Investigative Services
Custodian of Records
P.O. Box 980550
West Sacramento, CA 95798
Fax: (916) 575-7296
Online: Message the Bureau

Note: If you are serving a subpoena for records or personal appearance, you must follow all applicable laws. The Bureau staff cannot provide guidance or advice on how to draft and serve subpoenas.

Identifying Records

The PRA defines "public records" as "any writing containing information relating to the conduct of the public’s business prepared, owned, used, or retained by any state or local agency regardless of physical form or characteristics." (Government Code, section 7920.530, subdivision (a))

A request for public records should be specific and focused. Requestors should provide specific information about the records they seek including names, addresses, and license numbers. Common requests include initial applications for licensure, license renewal applications, address change forms, and name change correction forms. When a record cannot be identified by name, the requestor should attempt to be as specific as possible in describing the record based on its content.

Processing Requests for Copies of Records

When records are requested, the Bureau will notify the requester, within 10 days after the receipt of the request, whether the Bureau will be able to comply with the request and the reasons for the determination. The initial 10–day period may be extended to include an additional 14 days if more time is needed to locate and collect the records.

Exemptions

The Bureau will provide public records upon request unless the PRA or other state or federal law exempts or prohibits the record from being disclosed.

Licensee List

The Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) provides a licensee list that is updated regularly. The list contains, among other things, a licensee’s name, license number, license type, and address of record on file with the Bureau. To access the list you may visit the following page at the following link DCA Licensee Lists Overview and click on the folder titled "Security And Investigative Services". The list is provided in a ".csv" file as well as a Microsoft Excel ".xls" file to give the public the ability to filter through the different license types.

In the event that any portion of these guidelines may be deemed at any time to conflict with any statute or regulation, the statute or regulation shall prevail.