Colusa County Court Records Search

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    Colusa County is a small rural county in California's Sacramento Valley, with the city of Colusa as its county seat. The entire court system is consolidated into a single Superior Court that handles every case type — criminal, civil, family law, probate, small claims, juvenile, and traffic — across two downtown courthouse locations. Case records are maintained by the Court Executive Officer; vital records go through the County Clerk-Recorder. Knowing which office holds what, and what procedures apply, will save you time before you make any records request.

    If you're researching California court cases and need a starting point, CaliforniaCourts.us lists court contact information, case lookup tools, and publicly accessible resources statewide. In Colusa County specifically, official case information is available through the clerk's offices, public access terminals at the courthouse, the court's online case index, and the court's general online services portal. The court's website also accepts online fine and fee payments for eligible case types.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Colusa County?

    Every case type in Colusa County goes through the Superior Court of California, County of Colusa. The court operates out of two locations in Colusa. For case files, docket entries, orders, and judgments, direct your request to the Court Executive Officer, Erika F. Valencia.

    Court Locations

    Main Courthouse — Department 1
    Address: 547 Market Street, Colusa, CA 95932
    Phone: (530) 458-5149

    Courthouse Annex — Department 2
    Address: 532 Oak Street, Colusa, CA 95932
    Phone: (530) 458-5149
    Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

    For administrative records — court budgets or internal operational records — written requests under California Rule of Court 10.500 should go to:

    Court Executive Officer
    Colusa Superior Court
    532 Oak Street, Colusa, CA 95932

    Copy Fees and Search Fees

    ItemFee
    Document copies$0.50 per page
    Certification of document$40.00
    Name search (case number unknown)$15.00 per name

    If you're requesting copies by mail, include the case number and party names, the specific documents you need, approximate dates, and a self-addressed stamped envelope with a check or money order payable to Colusa Superior Court. If you don't have a case number, include the $15.00 search fee along with the full party name and approximate case dates.

    Online Case Access

    The court provides an Online Case Index searchable by party name or case number for civil cases. You can also search criminal case information through the court's online index, or call the criminal division at (530) 458-5149, option 4. Online fine and fee payments are accepted through the court's payment portal via Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or checking account. If you're looking to request a traffic citation fine reduction for an eligible offense, you can do that through the MyCitations tool.

    Are Court Records Public in Colusa County?

    California law presumes that adjudicative court records — those arising from civil and criminal proceedings — are public. The California Public Records Act (CPRA) covers access to government-held records, while California Rule of Court Rule 2.400(a) confirms that civil and criminal case records are open for inspection and copying. Judicial administrative records — such as court budgets — fall under Rule 10.500 but are similarly open to the public.

    That said, certain categories of records are exempt from disclosure. The California Trial Court Records Manual (Appendix 1) identifies the following as restricted:

    • Personnel records
    • Subpoenaed records
    • Investigative records
    • Confidential legal advice
    • Information protected by attorney-client privilege
    • Juvenile dependency and delinquency records
    • Mental health evaluation reports
    • Sealed records and records protected by court order

    When a record falls within an exempt category, the clerk's office won't disclose the protected content but will typically confirm whether a case exists. If you can't afford filing fees or copy costs, you may be eligible for a fee waiver — file a Request to Waive Court Fees with your first documents, and a judge or clerk will review it.

    Colusa County Criminal Court Records

    All felony and misdemeanor criminal cases in Colusa County are prosecuted in the Colusa County Superior Court. The District Attorney's Office — located at 310 6th Street, Colusa, CA 95932 and reachable at (530) 458-0545 — represents the People of Colusa County and initiates criminal actions by filing complaints, informations, or indictments.

    California classifies criminal offenses as felonies, misdemeanors, or infractions. Felonies carry potential state prison sentences; misdemeanors are punishable by county jail and/or fines; infractions result in fines only. If you have a bench warrant and need to appear in court, walk-in court for defendants is held on Tuesdays at the Courthouse Annex — you must check in at the clerk's office at 532 Oak Street before 12:30 PM.

    Searching Criminal Records

    • Online: Use the court's online case index to search by party name or case number. You can also call the criminal division at (530) 458-5149, option 4, with specific inquiries.
    • In person: Visit the Courthouse Annex at 532 Oak Street during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM) to review public criminal case files.
    • By mail: Send a written request to the Court Executive Officer at 532 Oak Street, Colusa, CA 95932, with the party name, approximate case dates, and payment for copy fees.

    Arrest Records

    Arrest records are held by the arresting law enforcement agency, not the court. At the county level, the Colusa County Sheriff's Department is the primary agency — its Records Unit processes all crime reports and citations. To find out whether someone is currently in custody, check the Colusa County Jail page on the county website, which also includes information on visiting hours and the VINE victim notification program.

    Colusa County Civil Court Records

    The Colusa County Superior Court handles the full range of civil litigation, including unlimited civil cases (claims exceeding $35,000), limited civil cases (claims of $35,000 or less), and small claims matters. The court does not accept fax filings directly — parties who want to use fax filing must work through a fax filing agency, consistent with California Rule of Court 2.303.

    Under Local Rules Rule 3.10, continuances of law and motion matters require a written stipulation from the parties along with the applicable filing fee, received and signed by the court before the scheduled hearing date. Colusa County does not offer tentative rulings under California Rules of Court 3.1308, so appearances are required at all law and motion hearings.

    Requesting Civil Records

    • Search the Online Case Index by party name or case number to locate the case.
    • Request copies in person at 532 Oak Street during business hours, or send a mail request to the same address.
    • Include the case number, party names, and a description of the documents you need. If you don't have a case number, add the $15.00 name search fee.
    • Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order for copies ($0.50/page; $40.00 certification fee if needed).

    Small Claims Court

    Small claims matters are resolved in the Superior Court. Key rules for Colusa County small claims:

    • Maximum claim (individuals): $10,000
    • Annual filing limit: No more than two claims exceeding $2,500 per calendar year per plaintiff
    • Attorneys are not permitted at trial, though they may assist on appeal or during judgment enforcement
    • Plaintiff must be at least 18 years old to file; a court-appointed guardian may file on behalf of a minor

    To postpone a hearing, file a Request to Postpone Small Claims Hearing (SC-150) with the court. If the defendant has already been served, a processing fee applies. After a judgment, creditors can pursue collection through a Writ of Execution (EJ-130), an Abstract of Judgment (EJ-001) for real property liens, or an Application and Order to Produce Statement of Assets (SC-134) to compel the debtor to disclose assets.

    The current statewide civil fee schedule, effective January 1, 2026, is published by the Judicial Branch of California and applies to Colusa County filings.

    Colusa County Family Court Records

    Family law matters — divorce (dissolution of marriage), legal separation, child custody, child support, domestic violence restraining orders, and adoptions — are handled in the Colusa County Superior Court's Family Law division. The court offers mediation services to help settle family disputes involving children, available through the court's family mediator.

    If you're representing yourself, the Colusa County Superior Court Family Law Facilitator/Self-Help Center provides free help with family law forms and procedures. The Self-Help Center is at 547 Market Street, Colusa, CA 95932, and can be reached at (530) 458-0598 or by email at self-help@colusa.courts.ca.gov. Hours are Tuesday through Thursday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM.

    Divorce Records

    Dissolution proceedings take place in the Superior Court. Case records — petitions, responses, and final judgments of dissolution — are maintained by the Court Executive Officer and accessible through the court's standard records request process. You'll typically need at least one party's full name to locate the record.

    Marriage Records

    Marriage records are maintained by the Colusa County Clerk/Recorder. Certified copies are available only to authorized individuals — the registrant, their parent or legal guardian, child, grandparent, sibling, spouse, or domestic partner — as well as parties authorized by court order, law enforcement, government representatives, or the registrant's attorney. Anyone else may receive an informational copy. The fee is $24.00 per copy. To request a record, complete the Marriage Certificate Application and submit it in person or by mail to:

    Colusa County Clerk-Recorder
    Address: 546 Jay Street, Suite 200, Colusa, CA 95932
    Phone: (530) 458-0500
    Fax: (530) 458-0512
    Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

    Birth and Death Records

    Birth certificates for births occurring in Colusa County are issued by the Clerk-Recorder. The fee is $29.00 per copy. Certified copies are restricted to immediate family members; informational copies are available to others. Complete the Application for Birth Certificate, have it notarized if submitting by mail, and send it with the fee and a self-addressed envelope to the Clerk-Recorder at 546 Jay Street, Suite 200, Colusa, CA 95932.

    Death certificates are also maintained by the Clerk-Recorder, typically available about four weeks after the date of death. The fee is $24.00 per copy. Under California Health and Safety Code Section 103526, certified copies are restricted to authorized individuals — including the surviving spouse, parent, adult child, adult sibling, conservator, estate conservator, and certain legal and government representatives. Anyone else receives an informational copy stamped "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY". Submit the Application for Death Certificate in person or by mail to the Clerk-Recorder; mail requests must include a notarized sworn statement.

    Both birth and death records from Colusa County are also available for online ordering through VitalChek, which processes requests on behalf of the Colusa County Clerk-Recorder.

    Colusa County Probate Court Records

    Probate matters in Colusa County — decedent estate administration, will lodging, trust proceedings, conservatorships, and guardianships — are heard in the Colusa County Superior Court. Under California Probate Code Section 8200, whoever has custody of a will must present the original to the court clerk for safekeeping within 30 days of learning of the testator's death, unless a petition for probate is filed first.

    Types of Probate Proceedings Handled

    • Decedent's estate: Transfer of property belonging to a deceased person, available for both small and large estates
    • Probate conservatorship: Court-appointed management of personal care or financial affairs for an incapacitated adult
    • Probate guardianship: Court-appointed custody of a minor or management of a minor's property for a non-parent caregiver
    • Probate trust: Administration of legal entities holding property on behalf of another

    Requesting Probate Records

    Probate case records are maintained by the Court Executive Officer and follow the same request procedures as other civil court records. Provide the decedent's or ward's name and, if you have it, the case number. Mail requests go to: Court Executive Officer, Colusa Superior Court, 532 Oak Street, Colusa, CA 95932.

    Self-Help Resources