Los Angeles County Court Records Search
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Los Angeles County is the most populous county in the United States, and its court system reflects that scale. All trial-level legal proceedings in the county — from misdemeanor traffic infractions to multimillion-dollar civil disputes and complex probate estates — are handled by a single institution: the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. The court system maintains official records for every case filed within its jurisdiction, including pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, dockets, photographs, and audio or video recordings, as defined under California Rules of Court, rule 2.502. These records collectively constitute Los Angeles County court records and are managed across 36 courthouse locations spread throughout the county.
Residents and researchers in California can start their search through official court resources, clerk offices, public-access terminals at courthouses, and the court’s own online tools. The state courts website, CaliforniaCourts.us, may also help users locate publicly available case information across California’s jurisdictions. The Los Angeles Superior Court provides its own comprehensive set of case search portals, described in detail below, and those tools should always be the first stop for anyone researching a Los Angeles County case.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Los Angeles County?
The Los Angeles Superior Court gives members of the public several ways to locate case information, depending on the type of case and the level of detail needed.
Online Search Options
The court’s LASC Online Services portal is the central hub for remote case research. From there, users can access the following tools:
- Search for Case by Name (Civil/Family/Probate/Small Claims): Locates docket information, case numbers, filing dates, case types, litigant names, and filing locations. A fee applies per search, payable by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or debit card.
- Search for Case by Defendant Name (Criminal): Allows lookup of criminal cases filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court using a defendant’s name.
- Criminal Case Access Online Service: Provides additional detail for criminal cases, including charges, proceedings, bail status, and sentencing.
- Civil Case Access Portal: Displays civil, family law, small claims, and probate case information.
- Probate Case Access: Retrieves a probate case summary using a case number.
- Case Document Images Portal: Allows purchase and download of civil, small claims, unlawful detainer, and probate case documents.
Online Name Search Fees
| User Type | Search Fee |
|---|---|
| Registered user (searches 1–10/month) | $1.00 per search |
| Registered user (searches 11–99/month) | $4.75 per search |
| Registered user (searches 100–999/month) | $4.50 per search |
| Registered user (searches 1,000–10,000/month) | $4.25 per search |
| Registered user (searches 10,001+/month) | $4.00 per search |
| Guest user | $4.75 per search (flat rate) |
In-Person Access
Any member of the public may visit the courthouse where a case was filed to search records on public-access computer terminals (kiosks). Clerk’s offices at most Los Angeles courthouses are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except court holidays. Call center assistance is available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays.
Mail Requests
To request copies by mail, download and complete the Request for Copies form (ADM-080) and mail it to the relevant courthouse along with the appropriate fee, payable to “Los Angeles Superior Court” by money order, check, or credit card. Credit card payments require a completed Payment Submittal Notice (XLIT-011). Where the total fee is uncertain, include a “Not to Exceed” amount in the memo line or contact the courthouse directly.
Copy Fees
- Plain copy: $0.50 per page
- Certification of a copy: $40.00 per document
- Exemplification: $50.00 per document
- Case document image download: $1.00/page for pages 1–5; $0.40/page for pages 6 and beyond; maximum $40.00 per document
Archived Records
Older records from cases primarily filed between 1910 and 2004 are held at the court’s Archives and Records Center:
Archives and Records Center
Address: 222 North Hill Street, Room 212, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: (213) 830-0198
Public computers are available at the ARC during business hours for searching and viewing records, and copies may be purchased on-site.
Are Court Records Public in Los Angeles County?
Under California case law, court records are presumed to be public records. Anyone may request access to Los Angeles County court records without providing a reason or proving their identity. However, the presumption of openness is subject to specific exceptions established by statutes, court orders, and court rules.
Governing Authority
The California Trial Court Records Manual (TCRM) sets out the rules for public access to trial court records across the state. Under Appendix 1 of the TCRM and applicable California statutes, the following categories of records are not available to the general public:
- Records filed under seal by court order
- Subpoenaed records
- Juvenile delinquency and dependency records
- Arrest records for defendants who have been found factually innocent
- Mental competence evaluation reports submitted to the court
It is important to note that the California Public Records Act (CPRA) — California’s version of FOIA — does not apply to records generated through a court’s adjudicative functions (meaning most case records). However, judicial administrative records are subject to the CPRA under California Rules of Court, rule 10.500.
Requesting Restricted Records
Certain restricted records — such as adoption files, sealed records, or records concerning minors — require a court order, legal standing, or formal petition before they can be accessed. Individuals who believe they are entitled to access restricted records should consult an attorney or contact the clerk’s office at the originating courthouse for guidance.
Los Angeles County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Los Angeles County are heard in the Superior Court and span everything from misdemeanor offenses to felony trials. The main criminal courthouses include the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center (downtown Los Angeles), the Airport Courthouse (criminal cases only), and various district courthouses that handle both criminal and civil matters.
Online Criminal Case Search Tools
- Search for Case by Defendant Name: Available through the LASC Online Services portal; a fee applies per search.
- Criminal Case Access Online Service: Provides charge information, bail details, proceedings history, and sentencing data.
- Criminal Case Calendar: Displays upcoming hearing information including case numbers, case titles, and hearing dates at no charge.
Criminal History Records from Law Enforcement
Statewide criminal history records are handled by the California Department of Justice (DOJ), which processes fingerprint-based record reviews for individuals seeking their own criminal history.
For local criminal history within Los Angeles County, there are two agencies:
- Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD): Fingerprint-based local criminal history — $25 fee. Visit the LAPD records page for instructions.
- Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD): Name-based local criminal history (police clearance letter) — $35 fee.
Under California Penal Code §§ 13300–13326, local summary criminal history records (arrest summaries and similar records) may only be requested by the subject of the record or authorized designees. Initial arrest information, including name, birth date, physical descriptors, and booking details, is available to the public under California Government Code § 7923.610.
LASD Records and Identification Bureau
For arrest records, criminal history requests, clearance letters, booking photographs, and Live Scan fingerprinting, contact the LASD Records and Identification Bureau:
Records and Identification Bureau (Public Services Section)
Address: 12440 East Imperial Hwy., Suite 120 West, Norwalk, CA 90650
Phone: (Public Services): (562) 345-4441
Phone: (Non-Law Enforcement Requestors): (562) 345-4448
Phone: (Subpoena Control): (562) 345-4437
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (appointment required)
For expungement or record sealing, use Petition for Dismissal (Form CR-180) for expungements, or Form BCIA 8270 for record sealing requests.
Los Angeles County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Los Angeles County — including contract disputes, personal injury actions, unlawful detainer proceedings, and small claims matters — are all handled by the Los Angeles Superior Court. The courthouse handling a civil case depends on the geographic district and the amount in controversy.
How to Find Civil Records
- Identify the courthouse where the case was filed (use the court’s Find a Court page or the Civil Case Calendar to look up a case number at no charge).
- Visit the courthouse to view records at a public kiosk or purchase copies from the clerk’s office at $0.50 per page.
- For online access, use the Case Document Images portal to download civil case documents.
- For upcoming hearing dates, check the Civil Case Calendar or Small Claims Case Calendar.
- For mail requests, submit a completed Request for Copies form to the relevant courthouse.
Civil Filing Fees (Effective January 1, 2024)
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Unlimited civil complaint (over $35,000) | $435 |
| Limited civil complaint ($12,500–$35,000) | $225 |
| Limited civil complaint (up to $12,500) | $145 |
| Small claims (up to $1,500) | $30 |
| Small claims ($1,501–$5,000) | $50 |
| Small claims ($5,001–$12,500) | $75 |
| Motion or paper requiring a hearing | $60 |
| Motion for summary judgment | $500 |
Information on the full civil fee schedule and available court forms is published on the court’s website. Civil cases are governed by Cal. Gov. Code §§ 68150–68153, which sets out the court’s obligations for preserving and maintaining court records.
Los Angeles County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Los Angeles County fall under the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles Superior Court’s Family Law Division. Covered case types include divorce (dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership), legal separation, nullity (annulment), paternity, child custody, child and spousal support, domestic violence restraining orders, and adoption proceedings.
Where Family Cases Are Heard
Several courthouses handle family law matters, including those in Torrance, Van Nuys East, Pasadena, and other district locations. To determine which courthouse heard or is hearing a specific family case, call the Family Law Call Center at (213) 633-6363, available during regular business hours. For child support matters specifically, call the AB 1058 Child Support Commissioner Program at (213) 351-7500.
How to Access Family Court Records
- Visit the presiding courthouse in person to view records at a kiosk or request copies from the clerk’s office.
- Use the LASC Online Services portal’s civil case name search or Civil Case Access portal — these tools also return family law case information.
- Download documents from the Case Document Images portal (same fee schedule as civil records applies).
- If the case number is unknown, retrieve it at no charge through the Civil Case Calendar or the Search for Case by Name portal.
Family Law Filing Fees
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Petition for dissolution, legal separation, or nullity | $435 |
| Response to dissolution, legal separation, or nullity | $435 |
| First paper in other family law matter | $435 |
| Domestic violence restraining order petition or response | No fee |
| Motion or order to show cause (after first paper) | $60 |
| Modification of custody or visitation (additional charge) | $25 |
| Petition for adoption (per person to be adopted) | $20 |
Marriage and Divorce Records
Divorce records are maintained as part of the family court case file by the Los Angeles Superior Court. Non-confidential divorce records and divorce judgment documents can be downloaded through the court’s Divorce Judgment Documents database, which allows online purchase and mail delivery of divorce judgment copies.
Marriage records are maintained separately by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s Office. Certified copies of marriage records (both authorized and informational) can be requested in person, by mail, or online. The fee is $17 per certified copy, and the fee is non-refundable even if no record is found. Confidential marriage records are accessible only to the parties to the marriage or pursuant to a court order.
Birth and Death Records
Los Angeles County birth and death records are also maintained by the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. Authorized certified copies are available in person (by appointment), by mail, or online:
- Authorized certified copy of a birth certificate: $34
- Authorized certified copy of a death certificate: $26
Birth records have been maintained since 1866; death records have been maintained since 1877. Appointments for in-person requests can be scheduled through the vital records application portal. Payment is accepted by cash, check, money order, debit/credit card (with a $1.75 service fee), Apple Pay, or Samsung Pay.
Los Angeles County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Los Angeles County are handled at only two of the court’s 36 locations: the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles and the Michael Antonovich Antelope Valley Courthouse in Lancaster. These courts oversee wills and estate administration, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, and other matters arising under the California Probate Code.
Stanley Mosk Courthouse (Probate)
Address: 111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: (213) 830-0800
Clerk’s Office Hours: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday
Michael Antonovich Antelope Valley Courthouse (Probate)
Address: 42011 4th Street West, Lancaster, CA 93534
Phone: (661) 483-5500
To confirm current probate division assignments and courtroom numbers — which have undergone operational changes in early 2026 — consult the Probate Division notices page on the court’s website. Contact the Probate Call Center at (213) 830-0850 for questions about record availability or case status.
How to Obtain Probate Records
Most probate records are publicly accessible in Los Angeles County. Options include:
- In person: Visit either probate courthouse and request documents at the clerk’s office or use a public-access kiosk.
- Online: Use the Probate Case Access tool or the Case Document Images portal to download documents.
- By mail: Send a request letter or completed Request for Copies form identifying the case number, case title, specific documents needed, and the number of copies, along with the applicable fee payment and a self-addressed envelope, to:
Los Angeles Superior Court
ATTN: Certification Unit, Room 112
111 North Hill Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Selected Probate Filing Fees
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| First petition for letters of administration or testamentary | $435 |
| Competing petition for letters or objections | $435 |
| Petition concerning internal affairs of a trust (Prob. Code § 17200) | $435 |
| Petition for appointment of conservator or guardian (estate) | $435 |
| Petition for appointment of guardian of the person only | $225 |
| Temporary conservator or guardian petition | $435 |
| Petition for order setting aside small estate (Prob. Code § 6602) | $225 |
| Post-issuance petition (estate, conservatorship, guardianship) | $435 |
| Delivery of will to clerk (Prob. Code § 8200) | $50 |
| Deposit of estate planning documents (per document) | $20 |
| Guardianship investigation fee | $500 |
| Conservatorship investigator’s fee | $650 |
| Conservatorship review fee | $425 |
| Motion requiring hearing (after first paper) | $60 |
| Request for special notice in estate/guardianship/trust | $40 |
Wills may be deposited with the court for safekeeping at $20 per document. The probate fee schedule is part of the broader civil fee schedule published by the court and is governed by California Government Code §§ 70650–70663.
For a complete list of probate court forms applicable to Los Angeles County proceedings, visit the court’s court forms directory, where forms are organized by case category including wills, trusts, estate planning, conservatorship, and guardianship.