Madera County Court Records
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Madera County sits in California's San Joaquin Valley, with the city of Madera as its county seat. The Madera County Superior Court is the county's only trial court, handling every type of case — criminal, civil, family, probate, juvenile, and traffic. Case files, including complaints, motions, orders, judgments, exhibits, and minute entries, are maintained by the Superior Court clerk. Certain vital and property records are held separately by the Madera County Clerk-Recorder.
If you're starting your search, CaliforniaCourts.us can help you locate publicly available court case information and identify the right local court. Madera County's own electronic case portal, described below, lets you search many case types without a trip to the courthouse.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Madera County?
There are three main ways to locate a case filed in the Madera County Superior Court: use the online public portal, visit or call the clerk's office, or submit a formal records-search request by mail.
Online Case Search
The court runs an online public portal where anyone can search case information by party name, case number, or attorney name. You get up to 45 free searches per day, and creating a free account is required to access the portal. Search results show the register of actions, hearing dates, and — for many case types — images of publicly available filed documents. The portal covers civil, criminal, family, and other categories, though confidential case types are excluded.
In-Person and Telephone Inquiries
The clerk's office accepts walk-in and phone requests during business hours. Filings are accepted at clerk windows from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with drop boxes available from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Phone service runs from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The court is closed on California judicial holidays.
Court division locations and phone numbers are:
| Division | Address | Phone | Fax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Line | 200 South G St., Madera, CA 93637 | (559) 416-5599 | |
| Civil Division | 200 South G St., Madera, CA 93637 | (559) 416-5525 | (559) 675-6565 |
| Criminal Division | 200 South G St., Madera, CA 93637 | (559) 416-5550 | (559) 675-7618 |
| Traffic Division | 200 South G St., Madera, CA 93637 | (559) 416-5555 | (559) 675-5036 |
| Juvenile Division | 200 South G St., Madera, CA 93637 | (559) 416-5580 | (559) 673-0542 |
| Family Court Services | 200 South G St., Madera, CA 93637 | (559) 416-5560 | |
| Self-Help Center | 200 South G St., Madera, CA 93637 | (559) 416-5520 | |
| Sierra Division | 40601 Road 274, Bass Lake, CA 93604 | (559) 416-5564 |
Mail Requests and Records-Search Forms
For civil cases, the court offers a downloadable Request for Records Search Civil Division form. Complete the form and submit it by mail or in person to the Civil Division at 200 South G Street, Madera, CA 93637. The records-search fee is $15.00 per name. Copies are $0.50 per page, and certified copies cost $40.00 per document. A certified copy of a dissolution of marriage judgment is $15.00. Family-law name searches are $5.00 per name. Pay by check or money order made out to Madera County Superior Court; the court also accepts Visa, Mastercard, and Discover (service fees apply), as well as cash with a Cash Reference Sheet.
Are Court Records Public in Madera County?
California court records are generally open to the public. Two main bodies of law cover access: the California Public Records Act (Government Code §§7920–7931) and the California Rules of Court, Rule 2.502 and related rules in Title 2, which cover public access to judicial administrative and electronic court records.
Any person may inspect or obtain copies of records that aren't sealed, confidential, or otherwise restricted by statute or court order. The clerk's office cannot require you to explain why you want the records.
Categories of restricted or confidential records include:
- Juvenile dependency and delinquency case files
- Sealed adoption records
- Mental-health conservatorship proceedings
- Identities of sexual-assault victims
- Details contained in certain protective orders
- Trade-secret material filed under seal
- Sealed settlement agreements
- Certain family-law financial declarations when sealed by order
- Records subject to a court sealing order under California Rules of Court, Rule 2.550
When a document contains both public and restricted information, the court may redact the confidential portions and release the rest. Parties filing documents are responsible for omitting or redacting Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and other protected identifiers under Rule 1.201 of the California Rules of Court. If you believe you need access to a sealed or confidential record, you'll need to file a motion with the court showing good cause.
Madera County Criminal Court Records
All criminal cases in Madera County — felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions — are filed and maintained at the Superior Court's Criminal Division. You can look up charges, hearing dates, dispositions, and sentencing details through the court's online public portal or by visiting the criminal clerk's window in person.
Searching Criminal Case Records
- Online: Use the public portal to search by defendant name or case number. The register of actions and publicly filed documents are viewable.
- In person or by phone: Contact the Criminal Division at (559) 416-5550 during business hours.
- Written request: Submit a records-search request to the clerk by mail or in person, enclosing the applicable fee.
Criminal Filing and Bail Fees
The court posts its current fee and bail schedules online, including the 2026 Felony and Misdemeanor Bail Schedule and the 2026 Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedules.
Criminal History Records
Individual criminal-history summaries — commonly known as rap sheets — are not available from the court clerk. Under California Penal Code §§13300–13326, a complete criminal history report can only be obtained by the record subject or by authorized agencies. The public can access limited arrest-log and booking information through the Madera County Sheriff's Office, which also provides live-scan fingerprinting at its main office (2725 Falcon Drive, Madera) and at the Oakhurst substation. Appointments are required for live scan, and the rolling fee is $8.00 in addition to DOJ and FBI processing fees.
Arrest summaries prepared by law-enforcement agencies are public records under Government Code §7923.610, which requires disclosure of basic booking information such as the arrestee's name, charges, bail amount, and arresting agency.
Madera County Civil Court Records
The Civil Division handles unlimited civil cases (amounts over $35,000), limited civil cases ($35,000 or less), and small-claims actions. All civil filings are maintained at the clerk's office at 200 South G Street.
Searching Civil Records
Civil case information is available through the same online public portal used for criminal searches. You can look up cases by party name or case number. In-person inspection of paper files is available during clerk's office hours. For a formal search, complete the Civil Division Records Search form and submit it with the $15.00 per-name search fee.
Civil Filing Fees
Madera County follows the Statewide Civil Filing Fee Schedule set by the Judicial Council. Key fees (effective January 1, 2024) include:
- Complaint or petition, unlimited civil (over $35,000): $435
- Complaint, limited civil ($10,001–$35,000): $370
- Complaint, limited civil ($10,000 or less): $225
- Answer or responsive pleading, unlimited civil: $435
- Small-claims filing ($1,500 or less): $30
- Small-claims filing ($1,501–$5,000): $50
- Small-claims filing ($5,001–$12,500): $75
- Motion requiring a hearing: $60
- Jury fee deposit (nonrefundable): $150
Fee waivers are available for individuals who qualify financially. Forms FW-001 through FW-003 can be obtained from the court's Self-Help Center at (559) 416-5520 or from the California Courts self-help website.
Copy and Certification Fees
- Standard photocopy: $0.50 per page
- Certified copy of a document: $40.00 per document
- Certified copy of dissolution judgment: $15.00
Property Records
Real-property records — deeds, liens, easements, and subdivision maps — are not held by the Superior Court. These are maintained by the Madera County Clerk-Recorder at 200 West 4th Street, Madera, CA 93637, Phone: (559) 675-7724 The County Assessor's Office can provide parcel and valuation data. Both offices offer some records online through the County Recorder's portal.
Madera County Family Court Records
Family-law matters in Madera County — including dissolution of marriage, legal separation, child custody, child support, domestic violence restraining orders, and paternity — are filed with the Superior Court. Family Court Services, a unit within the court, provides mediation and investigation services for custody and visitation disputes.
Searching Family Court Cases
Family-law cases appear on the court's online public portal to the extent they contain publicly accessible information. Certain filings — such as income-and-expense declarations or child-custody evaluation reports — may be sealed or restricted and won't appear in online results. Contact the clerk's office at (559) 416-5525 (the Civil Division handles family-law filings) to ask about record availability.
Family-Law Filing Fees
Under the statewide schedule, the initial petition for dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership costs $435. Subsequent motions to modify custody or support cost $60 when a hearing is required. Filing fees for responses to petitions mirror the petitioning party's fee.
Family Court Services Fees
Mediation, custody investigations, and related services carry separate fees due before the scheduled session:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Mediation (first session) | Free |
| Re-referral to mediation within 6 months | $100 per parent |
| Child interview | $100 per parent |
| Parenting plan review | $100 per parent |
| Child custody investigation | $600 per parent |
| Guardianship investigation | $600 (petitioner) |
| Conservatorship investigation | $400 (petitioner) |
| Step-parent adoption investigation | $300 (petitioner) |
| Declare minor free (separate petition) | $300 (petitioner) |
| Joint step-parent adoption / declare minor free | $450 (petitioner) |
| Grandparents rights re-referral within 6 months | $75 per party |
Missed or cancelled appointments with less than 24 hours' notice incur the full session fee. Accepted payment methods include check or money order payable to Madera County Superior Court, debit or credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover with service fee), or cash with a Cash Reference Sheet. Fee waivers may apply for eligible litigants.
The court also accepts electronically filed domestic-violence and gun-violence restraining-order petitions through its eFiling portal.
Domestic Violence Restraining Orders
There is no filing fee for a petition for a domestic-violence restraining order (DVRO) or a civil harassment restraining order under California law. These petitions may be filed in person, through the court's eFiling system, or by mail.
Marriage Records
Certified copies of marriage certificates are issued by the Madera County Clerk-Recorder, not the Superior Court. The current fee is $17.00 per certified copy (increasing to $19.00 effective January 1, 2026, per AB 64). Confidential marriage certificates are available only to the parties to the marriage. You can order in person at the Clerk-Recorder's office (200 West 4th Street, Madera), by mail with a notarized application, or online through VitalChek. Contact the Clerk-Recorder at (559) 675-7724 or email recorderinfo@maderacounty.com.
Birth and Death Records
Certified copies of birth and death certificates are available through the Madera County Clerk-Recorder's vital records office:
- Birth certificate: $29.00 (increasing to $31.00 on January 1, 2026)
- Death certificate: $24.00 (increasing to $26.00 on January 1, 2026)
- Fetal death certificate: $21.00 (increasing to $23.00 on January 1, 2026)
Authorized requesters include the registrant, a parent or legal guardian, a spouse or domestic partner, a child of the registrant, a grandchild, an attorney representing one of these individuals, or a person authorized by court order. Fee waivers are available for current and former foster youth, homeless individuals, and victims of officially declared emergencies.
Divorce Records
The Clerk-Recorder does not hold divorce records. Certified copies of dissolution judgments must be obtained from the Madera County Superior Court at (559) 416-5599 for $15.00 per certified copy.
Madera County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Madera County — decedent estates, wills, trusts, conservatorships, and guardianships of adults — are heard by the Superior Court. Petitions are filed with the clerk at the main courthouse, 200 South G Street.
Searching Probate Records
Probate cases can be searched through the court's online public portal by case number or party name. The register of actions and many filed documents are viewable online. Paper file inspection is available during business hours at the clerk's office.
Probate Filing Fees
Probate filings follow the statewide fee schedule. Selected fees include:
- Petition for probate of will or letters of administration: $435
- Petition for special letters of administration: $435
- Filing a creditor's claim: $0 (no fee for creditor's claims)
- Objection or response to a probate petition: $435
- Motion or petition requiring a hearing: $60
- Ex parte petition: $60
- Petition for final distribution: $0 (included in initial filing)
Conservatorship and guardianship investigation fees through Family Court Services are $400 and $600, respectively, as listed in the table above.
Conservatorship and Guardianship
Petitions for conservatorship of the person, the estate, or both are filed under the Probate Code. The court appoints a court investigator for each conservatorship proceeding. Guardianship of an adult (conservatorship) is distinct from guardianship of a minor, which is handled under the Family Code and may also be filed through the probate division. Investigation fees are assessed to the petitioner at the rates the court has established.
Wills Deposited for Safekeeping
California law allows individuals to deposit a will with the county clerk for safekeeping during the testator's lifetime. After the testator's death, interested parties may petition the court to open the will. Contact the clerk's office at (559) 416-5599 for current procedures and any applicable fees.
Obtaining Copies
Copies of probate documents follow the same fee structure as other civil records: $0.50 per page for uncertified copies and $40.00 per document for certified copies. Requests can be made in person, by mail, or through the civil records-search form. Additional forms, local rules, and the most current fee schedules are available on the Madera County Superior Court website.