Merced County Court Records Search
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Merced County sits in California’s Central Valley, with its county seat in the city of Merced. All trial-level court matters in the county—criminal, civil, family law, probate, juvenile, and traffic—fall under the jurisdiction of the Superior Court of California, County of Merced. The court operates multiple facilities across Merced and Los Banos and maintains both in-person and electronic access channels for public court records. The Merced County Clerk-Recorder’s Office, a separate county agency, handles vital records such as birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, and property recordings.
For anyone trying to locate court case information in California, records can be searched through clerk offices, public-access computer terminals inside courthouses, and online tools maintained by individual courts. CaliforniaCourts.us may also assist in finding publicly available court case data across the state. In Merced County specifically, the Superior Court provides an online case portal and accepts written, in-person, and telephone requests through its clerk divisions.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Merced County?
Merced County Superior Court offers several pathways for locating case information. The method you choose depends on the case type and the level of detail you need.
Online portal (limited case types):
- Go to the court’s Case Records Search page.
- Click through to the Odyssey Public Portal and select “Smart Search”.
- Enter a party name (last, first) or a case number.
- Review results for case status, filing dates, and docket entries.
Documents may be purchased online for a minimum transaction fee of $1.00. Note that online access is currently limited to non-confidential, non-sealed documents in limited civil, unlimited civil, and small claims cases. Criminal, family law, juvenile, probate, traffic, adoption, paternity, and mental health case information is not available through the portal.
In-person and mail requests:
For case types unavailable online, submit a completed Record/Search/Copy Request form to the appropriate clerk’s office. Mail requests must include a check or money order and a self-addressed stamped envelope. If the exact fee is unknown, submit a signed check noting “amount not to exceed $xx.xx”.
Key fees (per Government Code §§ 70626–70631):
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Clerk-assisted search (exceeding 10 minutes) | $15.00 |
| Copies per page | $0.50 |
| Certified copy (per certification) | $40.00 |
| Off-site file retrieval | $15.00 |
By Phone: Court staff handle calendar and case-status inquiries from defendants or their attorneys by phone. All other record searches must be submitted in writing or in person.
Are Court Records Public in Merced County?
Court records in Merced County are generally accessible to the public under California Rules of Court, Rule 2.500 et seq., which governs public access to electronic trial court records. The companion provision, Rule 2.503, affirms a general right of access and requires that all electronic records be made reasonably available in some form.
Records that are publicly accessible include:
- Civil complaints, answers, and motions in non-confidential cases
- Criminal charging documents and judgments (at the clerk’s counter or public terminal)
- Probate filings (at the clerk’s counter)
- Small claims filings and judgments
Records restricted or excluded from public access:
- Sealed records (by court order)
- Juvenile delinquency and dependency files
- Adoption records
- Family law cases designated confidential (viewable only by named parties with photo ID, their attorneys of record, or third parties with written authorization from a named party)
- Mental health proceedings
- Records containing information protected under state or federal privacy statutes
The court’s Records Search page outlines the clerk’s policy for handling requests. Files retrieved from off-site storage are held at the division counter for ten days after the requester is notified; after that period, they are returned to the archive, and a new retrieval fee applies. Requests involving juvenile cases, sealed matters, or any case where a statute prohibits disclosure require proper legal authority before information can be released.
Merced County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Merced County—both felonies and misdemeanors—are adjudicated by the Superior Court’s Criminal Division. Criminal court records are not available through the court’s online public portal. Instead, they must be obtained in person, by mail, or by Phone: (for limited calendar inquiries).
Criminal Division contact:
Superior Court of California, County of Merced — Criminal Division
Address: 2260 N Street, Merced, CA 95340
Phone: (209) 725-4113
Fax: (209) 725-4114
To request criminal case documents, submit a Record/Search/Copy Request form with payment. Standard copy and search fees apply ($0.50 per page; $40.00 per certification; $15.00 for searches exceeding ten minutes).
Arrest and booking records:
The Merced County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest and booking data. An online inmate inquiry tool displays current in-custody inmates, charges, and booking dates.
Merced County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 700 W. 22nd St., Merced, CA 95340
Phone: (209) 385-7445
The City of Merced Police Department Records Division manages police reports, subpoenas, warrants, and report mailings for incidents within city limits. Office hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. and Wednesday 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. (closed holidays).
City of Merced Police Department — Records Division
Address: 611 W. 22nd Street, Merced, CA 95340
Phone: (209) 385-6912
Fax: (209) 385-8808
Statewide criminal history:
Individuals may request a copy of their own criminal history record through the California Department of Justice by completing a Live Scan Service form (BCIA 8016) at a certified Live Scan location. The DOJ processing fee is $25.00. Third-party requests for another person’s criminal history are not authorized through this process.
California Department of Justice — Record Review Unit
Address: P.O. Box 903417, Sacramento, CA 94203-4170
Phone: (916) 227-3828
Merced County Civil Court Records
The Superior Court’s Civil Division handles a broad range of non-criminal matters, including general civil disputes, small claims, unlawful detainers (evictions), civil harassment restraining orders, name changes, elder abuse petitions, and emancipation proceedings. Filings are accepted at two locations:
Old Merced Courthouse (Courtrooms 8, 9, 10)
Address: 627 W. 21st Street, Merced, CA 95340
Phone: (209) 725-4111
The Robert M. Falasco Justice Center (Courtrooms 12, 13)
Address: 1159 “G” Street, Los Banos, CA 93635
Phone: (209) 725-4124
Filing fees are set by the Statewide Civil Fee Schedule published by the Judicial Council of California. Representative fees include:
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Unlimited civil complaint (amount over $25,000) | $435.00 |
| Limited civil complaint ($25,000 or less) | $370.00 |
| Small claims (up to $5,000) | $75.00 |
| Small claims ($5,001–$10,000) | $100.00 |
Fee waivers are available for individuals who qualify based on financial hardship. The court’s fee waiver information page explains how to apply.
Online access to civil case documents is available through the Odyssey Public Portal for limited civil, unlimited civil, and small claims cases. Each courthouse also provides a public computer terminal for on-site case lookups.
Payment at the Civil Division counter: Cash and money orders are accepted. Personal checks require a financial declaration. By mail, the court accepts money orders and personal checks up to $25.00. Credit and debit cards are not accepted in this division.
Small Claims Night Court is held on the second Wednesday of each month at 5:00 p.m. Parties must request night court scheduling from the small claims clerk at the time of filing.
Merced County Family Court Records
The Superior Court’s Family Law Division adjudicates divorce (dissolution of marriage), child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support, domestic violence restraining orders, adoptions, parentage actions, guardianships, and modifications of existing court orders.
Family Law Division contacts:
Family Law Clerk’s Office
Address: 627 W. 21st Street, Merced, CA 95340
Phone: (209) 725-4117
Fax: (209) 725-4118
Self-Help Center
Phone: (209) 725-4168
Email: selfhelp@mercedcourt.org
Family law case files are confidential under California law. Only parties named in the action (presenting photo ID), their attorney of record, or a third party carrying a signed authorization letter from a named party may view the file. Family law records are not available through the court’s online portal.
Requesting family court records: Submit a Record/Search/Copy Request form in person or by mail. Standard search and copy fees apply. The court offers a public computer in the Family Law office for browsing the California Courts website and the local court site.
Child Custody Recommending Counseling (CCRC): When custody or visitation is contested, the court typically orders parents to attend CCRC (mediation) through the Family Court Services Department. Parents must watch an orientation video and submit a confidential information form at least one week before the appointment. A $50.00 reimbursement fee may be ordered by the judge for missed CCRC sessions.
Marriage licenses and certified copies:
Marriage licenses are issued by the Merced County Clerk-Recorder at 2222 M Street, Main Floor, Merced, CA 95340. An online marriage license application is available. Key fees from the County Fee Schedule:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Marriage license | $61.00 |
| Confidential marriage license | $70.00 |
| Marriage ceremony (Monday–Friday) | $40.00 |
| Certified copy of marriage certificate | $19.00 |
| Duplicate marriage license (within one year) | $25.00 |
An application for a certified copy of a marriage certificate may also be submitted by mail to the Recorder’s Office.
Birth and death certificates:
Birth and death records are maintained by the Merced County Recorder’s Office (Vital Records division) and the California Department of Public Health. Records dating back to 1903 are available locally. Current fees:
- Birth certificate: $31.00
- Death certificate: $26.00
- Fetal death certificate: $23.00
Certificates processed between 4:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. must be paid in exact cash or by check; no credit card payments are accepted after 4:00 p.m. Certificates older than two years must be requested at the Recorder’s Office, 2222 M Street, Merced, CA 95340 (Phone: (209) 385-7627). Access to certified copies is restricted to eligible individuals under California Health and Safety Code provisions, generally including the person named on the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, and other authorized parties.
Merced County Probate Court Records
The Superior Court’s Probate Division handles decedents’ estates, guardianships of minors, conservatorships of adults, trusts, and minor’s compromises. Probate matters are heard at the Merced Courthouse, with filings accepted at the Civil Division clerk’s windows.
Filing locations:
Old Merced Courthouse
Address: 627 W. 21st Street, Merced, CA 95340
The Robert M. Falasco Justice Center
Address: 1159 “G” Street, Los Banos, CA 93635
Probate Unit contact:
Phone: (209) 725-4111
Clerk’s Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (for all filings)
Key personnel and services: The probate clerk processes filings for estates, guardianships, and conservatorships. Court investigators interview persons involved in conservatorship and guardianship cases, explain legal rights, and prepare reports for the judge. A probate examiner reviews all filings for compliance with the Probate Code and state and local court rules. The examiner’s Probate Notes—which flag deficiencies or recommended corrections—are published online one to two days before each hearing.
Searching probate records: Probate case information is not available through the online public portal. Requests must be submitted using the Record/Search/Copy Request form in person or by mail. Under Government Code § 70661, the fee for searching estate documents transferred to the clerk is the same as for other court records—$15.00 when the search exceeds ten minutes. Copy fees remain $0.50 per page, with certified copies at $40.00 per certification.
Property records associated with estate matters—such as deeds, liens, and transfer documents—are maintained separately by the Merced County Recorder’s Office. The Recorder provides a free online Grantor/Grantee index database covering documents recorded since 1963. In-office document viewing is free; copies cost $3.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page, with an extra $2.00 for certification.