Unlocking the Vault

If you've ever needed to research a legal case, track a past proceeding, or simply satisfy your curiosity about a court action, you'll be glad to know that most California court records are public information. Accessing them, however, requires knowing where to look and understanding the rules.
Here's your comprehensive guide on how to look up court documents in California, from your computer to the courthouse.

Step 1: Identify the Court 📍

The single most important piece of information you need is the county and court where the case was filed. California has 58 different Superior Courts (one for each county), and records are maintained at the local level.

  • Superior Courts: These handle almost all trial-level cases—Civil, Criminal, Family Law, Probate, Small Claims, and Traffic. You need to know the county (e.g., Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles).
  • Appellate Courts: For cases that have been appealed, you'll need to check the California Court of Appeal (divided into six appellate districts) or the California Supreme Court.

Action Item: If you don't know the county, try searching a party's name along with the case type (e.g., "John Smith divorce California") to find initial jurisdiction information.

Step 2: Use Online Case Search Portals 💻

Once you know the county, your first stop should be the court's official website. Most Superior Courts offer an online case search or "public portal."

  1. Go to the Court's Website: Search for the specific Superior Court (e.g., "Orange County Superior Court").
  2. Look for "Online Services" or "Case Search": Navigate to the section dedicated to public access, often labeled Case Search, Case Management System, or Public Portal.
  3. Search the Case Index: You can usually search by:
    • Case Number (most reliable)
    • Party Name (First/Last Name or Business Name)
    • Filing Date Range

What You'll Find Online: The level of detail varies by county and case type, but online portals typically provide basic case information, such as:

  • Case Summary
  • Party Names
  • Filings/Events (the Register of Actions or Docket)
  • Scheduled Court Dates/Hearings

⚠️ A Note on Documents: While some modern systems offer the ability to view or download actual filed documents (often for a fee), most online portals only show the list of documents filed, not the documents themselves.

Step 3: Visit the Courthouse 🏛️

For cases not available online, or to view the actual documents (the "court file"), you will need to go to the courthouse clerk's office where the case is filed.

  1. Locate the Clerk's Office: Contact the court or check their website for the correct division (e.g., Civil, Family Law) and location.
  2. Request the File: Give the clerk the Case Number (if you found it online) or the party names. They will retrieve the physical or electronic file for you to inspect, usually at a dedicated public computer terminal or counter.
  3. Review the Documents: You can typically review the file for free, but be mindful of any rules about note-taking or personal electronics.
  4. Request Copies: If you need a permanent record, you can request copies for a fee. If you need it for official purposes, you may request a certified copy (which carries an additional fee).

Understanding Public Access & Confidentiality 🔐

While court records are generally public, California law sets clear limits to protect privacy and sensitive information. You may encounter restrictions on:

Confidential Records (Generally Not Public)

  • Juvenile Delinquency/Dependency Cases: Records for minors are highly confidential.
  • Adoption Proceedings
  • Mental Health Proceedings
  • Sealed Records: A judge may specifically order a record sealed, removing it from public view.

Limited Access Records (Often Only Accessible In-Person)

Electronic remote access is often limited for certain sensitive case types, even if the records are technically public. You may need to visit the courthouse to view the full file for:

  • Family Law (Divorce, Child Custody)
  • Criminal Proceedings
  • Guardianship/Conservatorship
  • Civil Harassment Restraining Orders

To dig deeper into the laws governing public access in California, consult these resources:

California Judicial Branch Self-Help Guide

The official site for the California Courts is an excellent starting point for general legal questions and includes a guide on looking up cases.

  • 🔗 California Courts Self-Help Center: How to Look Up a Court Case

California Rules of Court (CRC)

The formal rules governing court procedure and access.

  • Rule 2.500 et seq. (Public Access to Electronic Records): Defines the standards for courts providing electronic access to records.
  • Rule 2.550 (Sealed Records): Establishes the presumption that court records are open and the procedure for having records sealed.

California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP)

  • CCP § 1161.2 (Eviction Records): Limits access to Unlawful Detainer (eviction) records for the first 60 days to protect tenants, unless a judgment is entered against them.

Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER)

Note that PACER is the system for Federal Courts only. If your case is a bankruptcy, a federal criminal matter, or a civil case filed in the U.S. District Court (e.g., Central District of California), you'll need to use this system, which operates separately from the state courts and requires registration and a fee.

  • 🔗 PACER: Public Access to Court Electronic Records
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