Nevada County Court Records
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Nevada County sits in the Sierra Nevada foothills of northern California, with Nevada City as its county seat. The county's trial court — the Superior Court of California, County of Nevada — operates two locations: the main courthouse in Nevada City and a branch courthouse in Truckee. The court has general jurisdiction over all case types, including criminal, civil, family law, probate, small claims, juvenile, traffic, and mental health matters. Specialized caseloads are handled by dedicated divisions within the Superior Court — the Civil Division (which also covers small claims and probate), the Criminal Division, and the Family Law Division.
Court records can be searched through several channels: clerk's office counters, public-access kiosks at the courthouses, written or electronic request submissions, and online tools. The Nevada County Superior Court runs an online case access portal where registered users can search case information. For broader statewide judicial resources, forms, and self-help materials, CaliforniaCourts.us can help you locate publicly available court case information and related services across California's trial courts.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Nevada County?
Nevada County offers several ways to find court case records, whether you need basic docket information or certified copies of court documents.
Online Portal
The court's Web Portal lets registered users search cases across all publicly searchable case types — family, probate, civil, criminal, and traffic. To get started:
- Go to the portal registration page and create an account.
- Once your account is activated, search by case number, party name, or case date.
- View court calendars and basic case information.
If you are a party to a case or an attorney of record, you can request additional document access by submitting a case access request online. Parties must provide two forms of identification; attorneys need one. Online document access is governed by California Rules of Court, Rule 2.503.
In-Person Kiosks
Both the Nevada City and Truckee courthouses have public kiosks where you can search for and view case documents during business hours at no charge.
Written Requests (Mail, Email, or In-Person)
The court accepts record requests submitted using the Record Request Form. Fill out a separate form for each case type (criminal, civil, family, probate). You can submit requests by:
- Email: nccounter@nccourt.net (Nevada City) or trcounter@nccourt.net (Truckee)
- Mail: Send to the appropriate courthouse address with payment enclosed
- In person: Drop off the form at the clerk's counter
An online records request form is also available through the court's service desk. A valid driver's license or photo ID is required for all requests.
Courthouse Locations and Contact
| Location | Address | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada City Courthouse | 201 Church St., Nevada City, CA 95959 | (530) 362-4309 | nccounter@nccourt.net |
| Truckee Courthouse | 10075 Levon Ave., Ste. 107, Truckee, CA 96161 | (530) 582-7835 | trcounter@nccourt.net |
Clerk's Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Courthouse Building Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Record Request Fees
| Service | Fee | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Copy fee, per page | $0.50 | Gov. Code 70627(a) |
| Document certification, per document | $40.00 | Gov. Code 70626(a)(4) |
| Search request (exceeding 10 minutes) | $15.00 | Gov. Code 70627 |
| Certification of family law judgments | $15.00 | Gov. Code 70674(a) |
Payment must be made in advance. Make checks and money orders payable to Nevada County Superior Court. For mail requests where you don't know the exact fee, the court allows a blank check with a memo notation of "Not to exceed $140.00" — the clerk fills in the actual amount after processing. If you want your copies returned by mail, include a self-addressed stamped envelope with sufficient postage.
Are Court Records Public in Nevada County?
Court records in Nevada County are generally presumed open to public inspection under California law. California Rules of Court, Rule 2.400(a) states that all papers in court files may be inspected by the public at the clerk's office. Rule 2.550(a) reinforces this: unless sealed or made confidential by law, court records are open. The California Public Records Act also establishes the public's right to access government records more broadly.
Criminal, civil, domestic/family law, mental health, traffic and infractions, paternity, probate, and small claims files are all generally viewable and available for copying. That said, certain categories are restricted or entirely confidential:
- Juvenile court files — All juvenile records are confidential. Only the minor, parents or legal guardians, and attorneys of record may obtain copies of court minutes and selected documents by appearing in person with photo ID. Anyone else must file a Petition for Disclosure of Juvenile Court Records (Form JV-570).
- Sealed records — A judge may seal a case file or specific documents by court order. These are not available without a subsequent court order granting access.
- Confidential records — Certain records are restricted by statute, including some personal identifiers, victim information in domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking cases, and peace officer personnel records.
- Destroyed files — Under Government Code 68152, courts may routinely purge records after statutory retention periods expire. Older records may no longer be available.
The California Trial Court Records Manual provides comprehensive guidance on which records are accessible, restricted, or exempt from public disclosure.
Nevada County Criminal Court Records
Felonies and misdemeanors in Nevada County are handled by the Criminal Division of the Superior Court. Traffic offenses and infractions fall under a separate division but are processed through the same clerk's office.
Searching Criminal Case Records
You can locate criminal case information through:
- The court's online portal (account required; search by defendant name or case number).
- Public kiosks at the Nevada City or Truckee courthouses.
- Submitting a Record Request Form — check the Criminal box and include the case number, defendant name, and date of birth.
Available documents include charging documents (complaints/informations), dispositions (convictions, pleas, waivers), sentencing orders, dismissals, and PC 1203.4 relief orders. Keep in mind that the court cannot provide copies of police reports, bench or arrest warrants, reporter transcripts, or confidential documents.
Standard fees apply: $0.50 per page for copies, $40.00 per document for certification, and $15.00 for searches exceeding ten minutes.
Statewide Criminal History Records
The California Department of Justice (DOJ) is the statewide repository for criminal history records. Individuals can request their own criminal record through the DOJ's record review process by submitting Live Scan fingerprint images at any authorized Live Scan location. The DOJ processing fee is $25.00, with an additional rolling fee charged by the fingerprint service provider.
Nevada County Sheriff's Office
The Nevada County Sheriff's Office maintains local arrest records, crime reports, and coroner reports. You can submit record requests through the GovQA online request system, or contact the Records Division directly at (530) 265-1471. The Truckee Police Department handles records for its own jurisdiction and can be reached at (530) 550-2323 for criminal history inquiries.
Nevada County Civil Court Records
The Civil Division of the Nevada County Superior Court handles all civil matters — unlimited civil cases (amounts over $25,000), limited civil cases ($25,000 and under), unlawful detainer (eviction) actions, and small claims disputes. Case records including complaints, motions, rulings, judgments, and subpoenas are all maintained by the Clerk of the Court.
Requesting Civil Records
You can obtain civil records through any of these methods:
- Online portal: Search the eCourt public portal by party name or case number after creating an account.
- Online request: Submit the online records request form through the court's service desk.
- Mail or email: Complete and send the Record Request Form to the Nevada City or Truckee courthouse. Include advance payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want documents returned by mail.
- In person: Visit the clerk's counter or use the public kiosks during office hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM).
Fees are $0.50 per page for copies and $40.00 per document for certification. Searches taking more than ten minutes incur a $15.00 fee.
Small Claims
Small claims cases are also handled within the Civil Division. If you need help filing or responding to a small claims action, the court's Self-Help Center at the Nevada City Courthouse offers forms and step-by-step guidance. Additional resources are available on the California Courts Self-Help website.
Property Records
Real property records — including deeds, liens, mortgages, and grants — are recorded and maintained by the Nevada County Clerk-Recorder at 950 Maidu Avenue, Suite 210, Nevada City, CA 95959 (Phone: (530) 265-1221; Fax: (530) 265-9842). You can search recorded documents online through the county's Recorded Documents Search tool. Property assessment records are available through the Nevada County Assessor's ParcelQuest search tool.
Nevada County Family Court Records
The Family Law Division of the Nevada County Superior Court handles dissolution of marriage, legal separation, nullity, paternity, domestic violence restraining orders, child custody, visitation, child and spousal support, guardianship, adoption, and emancipation of minors. Both the Nevada City and Truckee courthouses hear family law matters.
Accessing Family Law Records
Family law case information is publicly searchable through the court's online portal. To get copies of specific documents — such as divorce judgments, custody orders, or support orders — submit a Record Request Form, checking the Family Law box and specifying the documents you need. Requests can be submitted by email, mail, or in person at either courthouse.
Certification of family law judgments costs $15.00 under Government Code 70674(a). Standard copy fees ($0.50 per page) and certification fees ($40.00 per document for other documents) also apply.
If you're representing yourself, the court's Self-Help Center and Family Law Facilitator can answer procedural questions and point you to the right court forms. Statewide family law forms and packets are also available on the court's forms page and through California Judicial Branch self-help resources.
Marriage Records
The Nevada County Clerk-Recorder issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records.
- Marriage license fee: $72.00 — both parties must appear in person with valid government-issued photo ID at the Recorder's office. You must complete an online application in advance. The license is valid for 90 days and must be used within California.
- Certified copy of marriage record: $19.00 per copy (effective January 1, 2026), plus an additional $3.00 shipping fee for mailed or faxed orders. Under California Health and Safety Code 103526, only authorized persons may receive certified copies for identification purposes. All others may receive an informational copy marked "Not a Valid Document to Establish Identity".
You can order copies in person, by mail, by fax, or through the online ordering system. The Application for Marriage Certificate must be completed for all orders. Mailed and faxed orders require a notarized Certificate of Acknowledgment. Online orders incur an additional $4.00 convenience fee and a $0.35 Vital Verify fee.
Clerk-Recorder's Office
Address: 950 Maidu Avenue, Suite 210, Nevada City, CA 95959
Phone: (530) 265-1221
Fax: (530) 265-9842
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Divorce Records
Divorce decrees and related orders are court records held by the Superior Court, not the Clerk-Recorder. To obtain copies, use the Record Request Form and pay standard court copy fees.
Birth and Death Records
While birth and death certificates aren't court records, they're often needed in family law proceedings. The Nevada County Clerk-Recorder issues birth and death certificates for events registered in the county. As of January 1, 2026, fees are $31.00 per birth certificate and $26.00 per death certificate. You can apply in person, by mail, by fax, or through the online vital records ordering system. The Birth Certificate Application and Death Certificate Application forms are available on the county website. Certified copies require a sworn statement and, for mailed or faxed orders, a notarized Certificate of Acknowledgment. Only authorized persons under state law may receive certified copies; everyone else receives an informational copy.
Nevada County Probate Court Records
The Probate Division of the Nevada County Superior Court handles the administration of estates, probate of wills, guardianships, conservatorships, and trust matters. A formal probate case typically takes 9 to 18 months and involves opening the case, administering the estate, and then closing it. Not every estate requires formal probate — smaller estates or those with certain ownership structures may qualify for simplified transfer procedures.
Searching Probate Records
Probate case information is publicly searchable through the court's online case portal after you register for an account. The portal shows case summaries, hearing dates, and docket entries. For full documents — including probate petitions, letters testamentary, inventories, and accountings — you'll need to request copies from the Clerk of the Court.
Requesting Probate Records
Submit the Record Request Form with the Probate box checked. Include the case number, party names, and specify the documents you need (for example, "Probate Letters"). Requests can be submitted by email, mail, or in person.
Fees follow the standard schedule:
- Copies: $0.50 per page
- Certification: $40.00 per document
- Search fee (if exceeding 10 minutes): $15.00
Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want documents returned by mail.
Forms and Assistance
Probate forms and packets are available through the court's forms page and the California Courts Self-Help website. The court's Self-Help Center at 201 Church Street in Nevada City offers free informational assistance and pamphlets on will preparation and estate planning. For complex estates involving multiple heirs or varied asset types, consulting with a probate attorney is advisable.