California court records are filed with the Clerk of the Superior Court in each county. The Superior Court handles trial-level cases. California does not have a single statewide court search portal — you must go to the county where the case was filed.
What this page covers: California state court case records. What it does not cover: Federal court cases (PACER) or sealed/juvenile records.
Where to start: Identify the county where the case was filed, then contact the Clerk of the Superior Court in that county. Some counties courts offer online case search on their individual websites.
Common mistake: Without a statewide portal, many people search the wrong county. If you are unsure where a case was filed, start with the county where the defendant lived or where the incident occurred.
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Primary Sources (All .gov / Official)
- courts.ca.gov — Judicial Branch of California — Main judicial-branch portal for California
- California case access — Public case-search portal
- California court statistics — Official caseload statistics
- California annual report — Most recent annual report (PDF)
- uscourts.gov — PACER — Federal court records (separate system)
- uscourts.gov — Judicial Business 2025 — Federal caseload context
Related Court Records Resources
- California Criminal Records →
- California Property Records →
- California Vital Records →
- California Voter Records →
- California Wants & Warrants →
- California Licenses →
- California Recorded Documents →
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Court Records Databases
69 official California court records sources.
Court Records
California Counties
58 California counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net — top 28 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I search California court cases online?▼
California's trial courts publish case lookups through the Judicial Branch of California. Start at courts.ca.gov — most case dockets, filings, and hearing calendars are searchable by name, case number, or filing date. County-level clerks publish additional searches; see the cards below for direct county court links.
Is there a free statewide court case search in California?▼
The Judicial Branch of California operates California's official statewide judicial portal at courts.ca.gov. Basic case lookups are typically free of charge; certified copies and bulk-data exports may incur a per-document or per-search fee. Federal cases for California residents are searched separately through PACER.
What's the difference between trial and appellate courts in California?▼
Trial courts in California handle the original filing of civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic matters. Appellate courts review questions of law from trial-court decisions. The Judicial Branch of California publishes the full court structure, judge rosters, and jurisdiction maps at courts.ca.gov.
How far back do California court records go online?▼
Online coverage varies by court and case type. Most California county courts have digitized records from approximately the late 1990s or early 2000s forward; older case files may require an in-person clerk visit or a written record request. Check the Judicial Branch of California portal at courts.ca.gov for each court's coverage window.
Are sealed or expunged California cases visible in the online search?▼
No. California courts redact or remove sealed, expunged, juvenile, and certain confidential records from public-facing searches as required by state statute and court rule. If a record was previously visible and has since been sealed, it will no longer appear in the Judicial Branch of California portal. For verification you can contact the county clerk where the case was filed.
