Placer County Court Records Search
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Placer County spans from the suburbs of Sacramento to the shores of Lake Tahoe in Northern California. The Placer County Superior Court, part of the state’s unified trial court system, has jurisdiction over all criminal, civil, family law, probate, juvenile, and traffic matters filed within the county. Court facilities are spread across Roseville, Auburn, and Tahoe City, with the main courthouse — the Hon. Howard G. Gibson Courthouse — located in Roseville. Whether someone needs to verify a case disposition, obtain certified copies of a judgment, or research family law filings, Placer County provides both in-person and online channels for accessing court records.
Individuals looking for California court records can search through official court resources maintained by individual superior courts, county clerk-recorder offices, and online case access portals. The Self-Help Center at the Placer County Superior Court provides free procedural guidance for self-represented litigants. For statewide court information, including links to judicial forms and case law, CaliforniaCourts.us may help users locate publicly available court case information and connect with the appropriate county resources.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Placer County?
There are several ways to search for court case records in Placer County, depending on whether you need basic case status information or full document copies.
Online Case Search
The Placer County Superior Court maintains an Online Portal where the public can search criminal, civil, traffic, and family law case information without creating an account. Searches can be conducted by last name and first name, last name and first initial, company name, or case number. Family and civil case numbers begin with “S”, while criminal cases use the prefix “62”. The portal shows case summaries, hearing dates, and parties involved, though the most recent filings may not yet appear.
In-Person Search
Public access terminals are available at the Hon. Howard G. Gibson Courthouse in Roseville for looking up case numbers. Individuals may also request to view physical case files at the clerk’s counter. A valid photo ID must be left with the clerk while reviewing files.
If a case number is unknown, the clerk can perform a name search. A $15.00 fee applies when the name search takes the clerk more than ten minutes to complete.
Records and Copy Request by Mail
To request copies by mail, complete and submit the Records and Copy Request form (PL-CW001) to the appropriate division at the court. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check payable to “Placer Superior Court”.
Key Copy Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain copies | $0.50 per page |
| Certified copies | $0.50 per page + $25.00 per document |
| Name search (over 10 minutes) | $15.00 per name |
Separate requests must be submitted for different case types — criminal and civil records, for example, cannot be combined in a single request. Phone, email, and fax copy requests are not accepted.
Court Locations and Contact Information
| Location | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Hon. Howard G. Gibson Courthouse | 10820 Justice Center Drive, Roseville, CA 95678 | (916) 408-6000 |
| Historic Courthouse | 101 Maple Street, Auburn, CA 95603 | (916) 408-6000 |
| Tahoe Courthouse | 2501 N. Lake Blvd., Tahoe City, CA 96145 | (530) 584-3460 |
| Juvenile Courthouse | 11270 B Avenue, Auburn, CA 95603 | (530) 745-2100 |
Clerks’ Office hours at all locations are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding court holidays.
General Mailing Address
Placer County Superior Court
P.O. Box 619072
Roseville, CA 95661-9072
Are Court Records Public in Placer County?
Court records in Placer County are presumptively open to public inspection. The California Public Records Act (CPRA), now codified in Government Code §§ 7920.000–7931.000, establishes the public’s right to access government records, including those related to the conduct of public business. California Rule of Court 10.500 further promotes transparency by providing public access to judicial administrative records such as court budgets and management information.
The Placer County Superior Court’s policy states that all documents in court files are public records, except for items deemed confidential by statute, regulation, court rule, court order, or case law. Rule 2.503 of the California Rules of Court specifies which electronic court records are available remotely versus only at courthouse terminals.
Records restricted from public access include:
- Medical and mental health information
- Juvenile court records
- Adoption records
- Records sealed or expunged by court order
- Personnel records containing home addresses, phone numbers, private email addresses, and Social Security numbers where disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy
- Confidential commercial and financial information
- Records exempt or prohibited from disclosure under state or federal law
- Complaints and investigative files maintained by the Attorney General, Department of Justice, or law enforcement agencies
Files that are currently calendared are unavailable two days before and three days after a hearing. Off-site files require approximately three weeks to retrieve once requested.
Placer County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in Placer County — including felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions — are adjudicated by the Placer County Superior Court. Criminal case records encompass complaints, arraignment documents, motions, plea agreements, trial transcripts, sentencing orders, and probation records.
Searching Criminal Case Records
The court’s Online Portal provides access to criminal case information. Users can search by defendant name or case number to view case summaries, charges, and hearing schedules.
For document copies, submit a completed Records and Copy Request form (PL-CW001) in person or by mail to the Criminal Division. Include the case number, defendant’s name, and the specific documents requested. Payment of $0.50 per page for plain copies (or $25.00 plus $0.50 per page for certified copies) must accompany the request. Make checks payable to Placer Superior Court.
Placer County Sheriff’s Office
The Placer County Sheriff’s Office Records Division provides copies of police reports, accident reports, and certain criminal history information. Services generally require an appointment. Public records requests can be submitted through the Sheriff’s Office online portal.
Placer County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 2929 Richardson Drive, Auburn, CA 95603
Phone: (530) 889-7800
Statewide Criminal History Records
Individuals may request their own criminal history records from the California Department of Justice by submitting Live Scan fingerprint images from any authorized site. The DOJ processing fee is $25.00, and results are mailed to the requester. The DOJ is the state’s official repository for criminal records and provides certified copies of criminal history upon request.
Placer County Civil Court Records
The Civil Division of the Placer County Superior Court handles lawsuits involving contract disputes, personal injury, professional negligence, unlawful detainer, small claims, property disputes, and other non-criminal matters. Civil filings, court orders, judgments, and related documents are maintained by the clerk at the main courthouse in Roseville.
Accessing Civil Records Online
The court’s case search portal allows the public to look up civil case information by party name or case number. The system displays case summaries, party names, and hearing dates, though full document images may not always be available electronically.
In-Person Access
Individuals may view up to five civil or probate files at a time (or 50 if requested in chronological order) at the clerk’s counter. A photo ID must be left with staff while viewing files. For copying, the clerk will produce up to 25 pages while you wait; larger requests are scheduled for pickup within approximately two weeks.
Filing Fees
Civil filing fees are governed by the Statewide Civil Fee Schedule, updated regularly by the Judicial Council of California. Fee waivers are available for eligible low-income individuals under California Rules of Court, Rule 3.55. The court’s Self-Help Center offers free assistance with divorce, legal separation, small claims, and child support matters, including help selecting and completing forms.
Small Claims
Small claims cases are heard at the Gibson Courthouse. The court provides access to Judicial Council forms and local forms on its website.
Contact the Civil Division
Phone: (916) 408-6000, Option 5
Placer County Family Court Records
The Family Division of the Placer County Superior Court adjudicates divorce (dissolution of marriage), legal separation, paternity, child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support, and domestic violence restraining orders. The court also provides mediation through its Family Court Services program to help parents resolve custody and visitation disputes.
Requesting Family Court Records
Family law case information can be searched through the Online Portal. To obtain copies of family court documents, complete the Records and Copy Request form (PL-CW001) and submit it to the Family Division. Standard copy fees apply ($0.50 per page for plain copies; $25.00 per document plus $0.50 per page for certified copies).
Certain family law records — particularly those involving minors, domestic violence, and juvenile proceedings — are confidential and may be restricted from public access by statute or court order.
Contact the Family Division
Phone: (916) 408-6000, Option 6
Marriage Records
Certified copies of marriage certificates are available from the Placer County Clerk-Recorder’s Office. Under California Health and Safety Code § 103526, only authorized individuals — including the registrant, a spouse, parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, domestic partner, or attorney representing the registrant — may receive an authorized certified copy. All others receive an informational certified copy.
To request a marriage certificate, complete the Marriage Certificate Application and submit it in person or by mail. Online orders are also available through VitalChek (additional service fees apply).
Marriage Certificate Fees
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Public marriage certificate | $17.00 |
| Confidential marriage certificate | $22.00 |
Clerk-Recorder’s Office
Address: 2954 Richardson Drive, Auburn, CA 95603
Phone: (Recording): (530) 886-5600
Phone: (Clerk): (530) 886-5610
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Divorce Records
Copies of divorce decrees are maintained by the Placer County Superior Court. To request a copy, submit the Records and Copy Request form to the Family Division. The fee is $0.50 per page for copies. Include a check payable to Placer Superior Court and a self-addressed stamped envelope for mail requests.
Birth and Death Records
The Clerk-Recorder’s Office registers all births and deaths occurring in Placer County. Birth and death certificate requests require the applicant’s relationship to the registrant, a valid government-issued ID, and the applicable fee. Authorized individuals receive a certified copy; all others receive an informational copy. The Clerk-Recorder’s fee schedule lists current costs for vital record copies.
Placer County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Placer County are handled by the Probate Division of the Superior Court’s Civil Division. The court oversees proceedings involving decedents’ estates and wills, trust administration, guardianships of minors, and conservatorships of adults who are unable to manage their personal needs or financial resources.
Types of Probate Matters
The Placer County Probate Division adjudicates the following categories of cases: probate of wills, estate administration (with and without a will), petitions for letters of administration, trust disputes, guardianship of minors (excluding those arising from juvenile dependency cases), conservatorship of adults, and mental health-related conservatorships. For detailed guidance, including step-by-step instructions and necessary forms, the court directs litigants to the California Courts Self-Help website.
How to Request Probate Records
Probate case records can be searched on the court’s Online Portal by case number or party name. To request copies of documents from a probate file, complete the Records and Copy Request form (PL-CW001) and submit it to the Civil Division. Requests can be made in person at the Gibson Courthouse in Roseville or by mail.
Standard copy charges apply:
- Plain copies: $0.50 per page
- Certified copies: $25.00 per document + $0.50 per page
Include a check made payable to Placer Superior Court and a self-addressed stamped envelope for mail requests. For in-person requests, up to five probate files may be viewed at one time (or 50 if requested in chronological order). Off-site files typically take up to three weeks to retrieve.
Forms for probate proceedings — including Judicial Council forms and local court forms — are available on the court’s website. The fee schedule page provides current filing fee information for all probate matters.
Contact the Probate/Civil Division
Phone: (916) 408-6000, Option 5
Placer County Superior Court (Main Courthouse)
Address: 10820 Justice Center Drive, Roseville, CA 95678
Phone: (916) 408-6000
Clerk’s Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Monday–Friday