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This page has a link to our Case Information Portal and information on accessing court records.

Case Information Portal

  • The searchable Case Information Portal includes:

    •  civil, small claims, probate, and some family cases
    • traffic and local ordinance cases
    • criminal cases 
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Accessing and Copying Court Records FAQ

Case Information Online allows the public to search and view information for civil, criminal, family, probate, and other case types. Availability of documents varies by case type and by law.

Members of the public may view court records that are open to inspection:

  • Online through Case Information Online (when available), or
  •  In person at public access terminals located at the courthouse.

(Filings, etc.) are not generally available online. For information on obtaining case documents in person or by mail, please click on the applicable case type below:

There are several ways to obtain copies of court records:

Effective January 1, 2026, California law (AB 1524) permits members of the public who are entitled to view an electronic court record in the courthouse to use their own equipment—such as a camera or cell phone camera—to photograph the record as a method of copying it.

This includes photographing:

  • Paper court records made available for public inspection
  • Electronic court records displayed on public access terminals

Important Limitations:

  • Photography is permitted only for the purpose of copying court records
  • The use of cameras or recording equipment for other purposes in court facilities may still be restricted
  • Photography may be prohibited in certain areas of the courthouse, including courtrooms or secure areas, or as directed by court staff or judicial officers
  • Confidential, sealed, or restricted records may not be photographed

If you come into Court and have staff conduct the search, you must provide the case number, case name, title of the document(s) requested, and file date of the document(s). If you are unable to provide all of these items, there will be a search fee.

If you obtain copies of documents from the Clerk, you will be charged $0.50 per page.

Copies of pleadings must be obtained at the courthouse where the case was filed, either:

  • In person, or
  • By mailing a request with a self-addressed stamped envelope

If submitting a request by mail:

  • Make checks payable to the Superior Court
  • If the fee is unknown, you may submit a check marked “Not to exceed” a specified amount (e.g., $5.00, $10.00)
  • Include the case number, full names of the parties, document title(s), and filing date(s), if known

Click for courthouse locations and mailing addresses.

You can request a CD of case data from our public website - see requesting a CD of civil case data or criminal case data.

Need Copies or Certified Records?

If you need:

  • Certified copies
  • Copies of records not available for public inspection
  • Assistance locating records

Please contact the appropriate Clerk’s Office or review the following resources for forms, fees, and instructions:

Superior Court Transcripts

Court proceedings may be recorded by a court reporter or electronically. Effective July 24, 2017, court reporters are provided by the Court in felony criminal, family, juvenile dependency, juvenile justice, LPS, guardianship, civil harassment, and civil contempt matters.

Transcript requests for privately retained court reporters in civil and probate matters must be made directly with the reporter. Depending on the recording method, a paper transcript or an electronic recording may be available.

See the Transcript Request page on this website.

California Case Opinions

For Supreme Court and Court of Appeals opinions and case information, visit the California Courts website.

Need Other Copies or Case Documents?

For copies of civil case documents (pleadings, orders, judgments, etc.), please visit the relevant page or contact the appropriate Clerk’s Office:

Case Information Online (search records & see online access)

Requesting a CD of the Civil Case Index (if applicable)

Requesting a CD of the Criminal Case Index (if applicable)

Local Forms (including record copy request forms)

Family Records Copy Request Form (PDF)

Criminal Case Records (info about viewing/copying)

Important Notices

  • Processing Time: Requests for a Civil Case Index CD or digital copy may require 1–10 business days to process, depending on request volume and format.
  • Security & Use: Information provided is subject to applicable law, court rules, and public access guidelines. The Court may limit access to certain information where confidentiality is required by statute or rule.

Self-Help / Record Access Pages

Self-Help Civil FAQs – includes info about how to obtain copies of pleadings and case files.

Self-Help – Criminal Case Records – explains access and copies of criminal case records.

Self-Help Family FAQs – includes “Obtain copies of my court file” instructions and a form link.

Forms & Support Documents

Family Records Copy Request Form (PDF) – form used to request paper copies of family court records.

Local Forms Page – includes the Family Records Copy Request Form and other related forms.

Transcript Request Form – to request copies of recordings/transcripts (not strictly court file records but related to records access).