Napa County Court Records Search
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Napa County lies in the heart of Northern California’s wine country, with the city of Napa serving as the county seat. All court matters within the county — criminal prosecutions, civil lawsuits, family law disputes, probate proceedings, small claims, traffic violations, and juvenile cases — fall under the jurisdiction of a single trial court, the Superior Court of California, County of Napa. The court operates from multiple facilities in the city of Napa, and each division maintains its own set of case files. Knowing which division handled a matter and which courthouse location stores those records is essential for anyone trying to retrieve documents, verify case status, or conduct background research.
Court records in California can be accessed through several channels, including clerk office counters, mail-in request forms, and electronic lookup tools. The Napa County Superior Court publishes case calendars, local forms, and self-service resources on its website. For broader statewide information about court procedures and locations, CaliforniaCourts.us may assist users in identifying relevant judicial resources. Within Napa County itself, the court’s online case information portal, local clerk windows, and written request procedures each serve different needs depending on the level of detail a person requires.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Napa County?
Napa County offers online, in-person, and mail-based methods for searching court records. The approach that works best depends on whether the user needs only basic case data or actual copies of filed documents.
Online Case Information Portal
The court’s Case Information Access Portal allows free searches of publicly available case data. Users can search by:
- Party name
- Attorney name and bar number
- Business name
- Case number
- Citation number
- Case cross-reference number
- Nickname
The portal also allows filtering by case type, case status, and filing date. It displays docket entries, hearing dates, charges, and case disposition information but does not provide copies of filed documents.
In-Person Searches
Visitors may search court indexes and request copies of documents at the appropriate division. The two primary courthouse locations are:
| Facility | Address | Divisions Housed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Historic Courthouse | 825 Brown Street, Napa, CA 94559 | Civil, Family, Probate, Small Claims, Juvenile Filing | (707) 299-1130 |
| Criminal Courthouse | 1111 Third Street, Napa, CA 94559 | Criminal, Traffic, Minor Offenses | (707) 299-1180 |
All court divisions are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. A drop box for same-day filings and payments remains available until 5:00 p.m. at each facility.
Mail-In Requests
To request records by mail, complete the appropriate form and submit it with payment information:
- For criminal, traffic, or minor offense records, use the Criminal Records Request Form and mail it to: 1111 Third Street, 1st Floor, Napa, CA 94559.
- For civil, family, or probate records, use the Civil, Family, and Probate Records Request Form and mail it to: 825 Brown Street, 1st Floor, Napa, CA 94559.
Each form requires a Visa or Mastercard number and expiration date for payment processing. Submit one name per form — each alias or alternate spelling requires a separate form. Searches are limited to ten names or ten case records per day.
Fees for Record Searches and Copies
| Service | Fee | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Record search (10 minutes or less) | No charge | — |
| Record search exceeding 10 minutes | $15.00 per search | GC 70627©, GC 70661 |
| Printed or copied documents | $0.50 per page | GC 70627(a) |
| Certified copy | $40.00 | GC 70626(a)(4) |
Are Court Records Public in Napa County?
California maintains a strong presumption that court records are open to public inspection. Rule 2.503 of the California Rules of Court establishes which categories of electronic court records may be accessed remotely and which are available only at courthouse terminals. The state judiciary’s public-access framework recognizes that transparency serves the public interest while also protecting certain sensitive information.
Records Generally Available to the Public
- Criminal case filings, charges, docket entries, plea records, and sentencing orders
- Civil complaints, motions, court orders, and judgments
- Small claims filings and dispositions
- Traffic citations and case outcomes
- Probate petitions, inventories, and accountings (once filed)
- Divorce decrees and final judgments of dissolution
Records That Are Restricted or Confidential
California law limits public access to several categories of court records:
- Sealed and expunged criminal records
- Juvenile delinquency and dependency records (Welfare and Institutions Code § 827)
- Family court conciliation proceedings
- Adoption case files
- Mental health proceedings
- Records containing financial account numbers, Social Security numbers, or other protected personal identifiers
- Subpoenaed business records designated as confidential
- Information that could reveal the identity of confidential informants or protected victims
Requests for judicial administrative records (as distinct from case records) must be submitted using the Administrative Records Request Form, pursuant to California Rules of Court, Rule 10.500. These forms may be submitted by fax to (707) 299-1250, by U.S. Mail to 825 Brown Street, 3rd Floor, Napa, CA 94559, or by email to Admin-Info@napa.courts.ca.gov. Note that case record search requests are not accepted by email.
Napa County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Napa County are prosecuted in the Superior Court’s Criminal Division, located at the Criminal Courthouse, 1111 Third Street, Napa, CA 94559. The division handles all felony and misdemeanor prosecutions, in-custody arraignments, preliminary hearings, jury trials, sentencing, and post-conviction matters. The criminal clerk’s office can be reached at (707) 299-1180.
Searching Criminal Case Records
Individuals can search for criminal case information using the court’s online Case Information Access Portal (see above). For records not available online or for document copies, the Criminal Records Request Form must be completed and submitted in person or by mail to the Third Street courthouse. The same fee schedule applies: no charge for searches under ten minutes, $15 for longer searches, $0.50 per page for copies, and $40 for certified copies.
Arrest and Booking Information
The Napa County Corrections Department maintains online tools that provide current custody and recent booking data:
- The Jail Booking Report shows individuals booked within the past week, including names, charges, bail amounts, and booking dates.
- The Jail In Custody Report lists all persons currently held at the county jail.
For police reports and arrest records from the Napa County Sheriff’s Office, contact the Records Bureau at (707) 253-4440. The records section is open to the public Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Records requests are processed pursuant to the California Public Records Act.
Expungement
Individuals convicted of certain misdemeanors or felonies may petition for dismissal under Penal Code sections 1203.4 and 1203.4a. The court provides instructions for preparing expungement petitions, along with the required Judicial Council forms:
A granted expungement allows the individual to withdraw a guilty plea and have the case dismissed, but the arrest and charge history remain visible to certain licensing agencies and in applications for public office.
Napa County Civil Court Records
The Superior Court’s Civil Division processes general civil lawsuits, unlawful detainer actions, and related matters from the Historic Courthouse at 825 Brown Street. The division also oversees probate and guardianship/conservatorship cases. For general civil inquiries, contact (707) 299-1130; for research and records requests, call (707) 299-1140.
Jurisdictional Limits and Case Types
| Case Classification | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Unlimited civil | Amount in controversy exceeds $35,000 |
| Limited civil (higher tier) | Amount over $10,000 up to $35,000 |
| Limited civil (lower tier) | Amount up to $10,000 |
| Small claims (natural person) | Up to $12,500 |
| Small claims (business) | Up to $6,250 |
| Unlawful detainer | Eviction and possession disputes |
Civil Filing Fees (Statewide Schedule, effective January 1, 2024)
Representative initial filing fees from the Napa Superior Court Fee Schedule include:
- Unlimited civil complaint (over $35,000): Set by GC 70611 (check current schedule)
- Limited civil complaint ($10,001–$35,000): Set by GC 70613(a)
- Limited civil complaint ($10,000 or less): Set by GC 70613(b)
- Motion requiring a hearing: $60.00 (GC 70617(a))
- Summary judgment motion: Per GC 70617(d)
The full fee schedule PDF is available on the court’s Fines and Fees page.
Small Claims Filing Fees
| Claim Amount | Fee |
|---|---|
| $1,500 or less | $30 |
| $1,501–$5,000 | $50 |
| $5,001–$12,500 (natural persons only) | $75 |
| More than 12 claims in 12 months | $100 |
| Postponement of hearing | $10 |
| Notice of appeal | $75 |
Small claims matters are heard at the Historic Courthouse, typically on Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. in Courtroom 2. Standard small claims forms are available through the Judicial Council website.
Searching and Requesting Civil Records
Basic civil case data is available through the online portal. For copies of filed documents, use the Civil, Family, and Probate Records Request Form. E-filing is also available through the court’s eFiling system for parties initiating or responding to civil cases.
Napa County Family Court Records
Family law cases in Napa County are handled through the Superior Court’s Family Division, which shares the Historic Courthouse at 825 Brown Street with the Civil Division. The Family Law Clerk’s Office is reachable at (707) 299-1130. Family Court Services, which provides mandatory mediation for custody and visitation disputes, can be contacted at (707) 299-1240.
Types of Family Court Cases
The Family Division has jurisdiction over dissolution of marriage, legal separation, nullity of marriage, domestic partnership dissolution, child custody and visitation, child and spousal support, paternity, domestic violence restraining orders, and related matters.
Family Law Filing Fees (Statewide Schedule)
- Petition for dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership (including joint petition): Per GC 70670(b)
- Response to dissolution petition: Per GC 70670(d)
- First paper in other family law matters: Per GC 70670(a)
- Motion or order to show cause in family law: Per GC 70677(a)
- Post-judgment motion to modify custody or visitation: Additional charge per GC 70678
- Domestic violence restraining orders (petition and response): No fee (FC 6222, GC 70617(b)(7))
The court accepts electronic filings for family law matters through its eFiling portal. A Guide & File tool is also available, offering step-by-step interviews that help self-represented litigants prepare and file selected family law forms.
Mediation
California law requires mediation for custody and visitation disputes before a court hearing. Napa County’s Family Court Services division conducts these sessions. Parents must complete the court’s Mediation Orientation Program before attending mediation. Sessions can be conducted in person or remotely.
Divorce Records
Final judgments of dissolution are part of the court record and can be obtained from the clerk’s office at 825 Brown Street. Certified copies cost $40 from the court. For historical dissolution records, the California Department of Public Health Vital Records division provides Certificates of Record for divorce actions filed between 1962 and June 1984. The CDPH fee is $16 per copy using Form VS 113B, mailed to: California Department of Public Health Vital Records, MS 5103, P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento, CA 95899-7410.
Marriage Licenses and Certificates
Marriage licenses are issued by the Napa County Recorder-County Clerk at 1127 First Street, Suite A, Napa, CA 94559. The public license fee is $93.00. A civil ceremony performed by office staff costs an additional $67.00. Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $19.00 from the county. The CDPH also issues certified copies of marriage records for $17.00 per copy using Form VS 113A.
Vital Records — Birth and Death Certificates
The County Clerk’s office provides certified copies of birth, death, and marriage certificates for events that occurred in Napa County:
| Certificate Type | County Fee |
|---|---|
| Birth certificate | $34.00 |
| Death certificate | $26.00 |
| Marriage certificate | $19.00 |
In-person requests are handled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 1127 First Street, Suite A, Napa, CA 94559. Mail requests should be sent to P.O. Box 298, Napa, CA 94559-0298. The office does not accept out-of-state checks but does accept cashier’s checks, money orders, travelers’ checks, and credit cards (with a $7 processing fee). Online orders can be placed through VitalChek for an additional service fee.
Only authorized individuals may obtain certified copies of vital records. Eligible applicants include the registrant, parents, spouses, children, siblings, domestic partners, legal guardians, legal representatives, authorized government agents, and persons with a qualifying court order.
Napa County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Napa County are administered through the Superior Court’s Civil Division, which handles estate proceedings, guardianships, conservatorships, and trust matters. The division can be reached at (707) 299-1130 and is located at the Historic Courthouse, 825 Brown Street, Napa, CA 94559.
Types of Probate Proceedings
The court’s probate calendar includes petitions for letters testamentary and letters of administration, will contests, estate inventories and accountings, creditor claims, petitions for special administration, conservatorship and guardianship appointments, trust disputes under Probate Code § 17200, small estate affidavits (Probate Code § 13100 et seq.), and spousal property petitions.
Probate Filing Fees
The statewide fee schedule governs probate filing costs in Napa County. Key categories include:
- First petition for letters of administration or letters testamentary: Per GC 70650(a)
- Petition for appointment of conservator or guardian of the estate: Per GC 70653(a)
- Petition for appointment of guardian of the person only: Per GC 70654(a)
- Petition concerning internal affairs of a trust (Probate Code § 17200): Per GC 70652
- Post-issuance petitions (e.g., sale of property, account settlement, fiduciary compensation): Per GC 70658(a)
- Small estate set-aside petition (Probate Code § 6602): Per GC 70656(a)
- Deposit of estate planning documents: Per GC 70660
The court also charges investigation fees for guardianship and conservatorship proceedings under Probate Code §§ 1513.1 and 1851.5. Specific amounts are set by the court and available through the Fines and Fees page.
Searching Probate Records
Probate case information can be accessed through the same online Case Information Access Portal used for other case types. Document copies must be requested in person or by mail using the Civil, Family, and Probate Records Request Form. Standard copy fees apply ($0.50 per page, $40 for certified copies).
Voluntary Mediation
The court encourages litigants in probate disputes to consider voluntary mediation as an alternative to trial. This program covers civil, estate, and family law matters and can result in faster, less costly resolution of contested issues.
Conservatorship and Guardianship Resources
The court provides a Conservatorship and Guardianship Augmented Bond Calculator for use in calculating required bond amounts. Information about registered private conservators, guardians, and trustees is available through the Statewide Registry of Private Fiduciaries.
Public Access to Probate Records
Most probate records are public once filed, including wills admitted to probate, inventories, accountings, and petitions. Conservatorship records involving medical or mental health information may have restricted access. Sealed adoption records processed through probate channels are confidential. The Napa Superior Court’s local rules and the California Rules of Court together govern which probate documents are available for public inspection and which require a court order to access.