Obtain a Clearance Letter

Clearance Letters

A letter of clearance establishes that you have a clean criminal record in a given city or county. You may be asked for one when applying for a visa or green card, adopting a child or finding a job. A clearance letter may also be helpful if you have been the victim of mistaken identity or identity theft.

A letter of clearance from the SFPD will show that you have not been arrested or convicted of a crime in the City and County of San Francisco. The SFPD offers these letters free of charge. The most efficient way to get one is to come to our ID section at 850 Bryant St., Room 475, during business hours (Monday through Friday excluding holidays, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM). You must bring a valid ID document with a photograph, such as a passport or driver’s license. Expect to have your identity verified by fingerprints. If you have not been arrested or convicted of a crime in the City and County of San Francisco, your letter of clearance will be issued the same day. Otherwise, a clearance letter will not be issued.

Applying for a clearance letter by mail

To apply for a clearance letter by mail, please send us the following items:

1. A letter requesting your clearance letter.
   1. The letter must be notarized.
   2. The letter should include your legal name and any other names you have used, your date of birth, and a valid phone number to reach you if we have any follow-up questions.
2. A photocopy of your government-issued photo ID (i.e. driver's license, state ID card, or passport).
3. A self-addressed, stamped envelope addressed to the following:

       San Francisco Police Department

       Identification Unit

       850 Bryant Street, Room 475

       San Francisco, CA 94103

If you want us to release your letter of clearance to a third party, you must include a statement in your notarized letter stating the following:

I wish to have (Insert Name) pick up my letter of clearance on my behalf. The details of the person I have designated to pick up my letter of clearance are as follows:

Name

Driver's License Number or ID Card Number or Passport Number

We require a form of identification to be listed so that we can ensure that we are releasing your letter of clearance to the correct person. The person will be asked to present the form of identification listed in the letter at the time of pick-up.

For any further questions, call 1-415-553-1415