Child Abuse Central Index Self Inquiries

Self-Inquiry Requests

Individuals may submit a self-inquiry request to determine whether their name appears in the Child Abuse Central Index (CACI) maintained by the California Department of Justice (DOJ).

Requests must be submitted in writing and notarized.

How to Submit a Request

A self-inquiry request can be submitted using one of the following methods:

Option 1: Submit the CACI Self-Inquiry Request Form

Complete the Child Abuse Central Index Self-Inquiry Request (BCIA 4056) form.

• The form must be signed and notarized before submission.
• Mail the completed form to DOJ at the address listed below.

Option 2: Submit a Notarized Letter

Submit a brief notarized letter asking if your name appears in the CACI.

Your letter must include:

• All names used
• Date of birth
• Identifying number (Social Security number and/or California identification number)
• Current address
• Previous California residences
• The letter must be signed and notarized.

Mailing Address

Mail your notarized request to:

California Department of Justice
Bureau of Criminal Information & Analysis
Child Abuse Central Index
P.O. Box 903387
Sacramento, CA 94203-3879

Requests Cannot Be Requested by Others

State law prohibits any person or agency from requiring someone to obtain or provide a CACI self-inquiry response.

No person or agency may request that another person provide:

• A copy of their CACI record, or
• Confirmation that a CACI record exists or does not exist.

Removal of Suspect Records

DOJ cannot remove suspect records from the CACI unless the request is made by the original reporting agency.

Removal of Victim Records

If you are listed in the CACI as a victim of child abuse or neglect only, and you are 18 years of age or older, you may request removal of your name from the index.

Your request must be in writing and include:

• Your name
• Date of birth
• Identifying number (Social Security number and/or California identification number)
• Current address
• The letter must be signed and notarized.

Requests should be mailed to the address listed above.

Statutory Authority

California Penal Code section 11170, subdivisions (f) and (g):

(f) (1) Any person may determine if he or she is listed in the CACI by making a request in writing to the Department of Justice. The request shall be notarized and include the person’s name, address, date of birth, and either a social security number or a California identification number. Upon receipt of a notarized request, the Department of Justice shall make available to the requesting person information identifying the date of the report and the submitting agency. The requesting person is responsible for obtaining the investigative report from the submitting agency pursuant to paragraph (11) of subdivision (b) of Section 11167.5.

(2) No person or agency shall require or request another person to furnish a copy of a record concerning himself or herself, or notification that a record concerning himself or herself exists or does not exist, pursuant to paragraph (1).

(g) If a person is listed in the CACI only as a victim of child abuse or neglect, and that person is 18 years of age or older, that person may have his or her name removed from the index by making a written request to the Department of Justice. The request shall be notarized and include the person’s name, address, social security number, and date of birth.