Sacramento County Court Records Search

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    Sacramento County sits at the heart of California's capital region and is one of the most populous counties in the state. The Sacramento Superior Court runs several courthouse facilities across the county, processing criminal, civil, family, and probate cases year-round. The court clerk at each location maintains records from those proceedings — everything from complaints, motions, and orders to judgments, trial transcripts, and sentencing documents. Most of these records are open to the public under the California Public Records Act (CPRA), although specific categories are protected by confidentiality rules.

    If you're looking into court cases anywhere in California, a mix of online portals, in-person visits, and written requests can help you track down what you need. CaliforniaCourts.us can be a useful starting point for identifying publicly available case information across the state's counties. For Sacramento County in particular, the Superior Court offers its own set of digital search tools alongside physical records at multiple locations — all covered in this guide.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Sacramento County?

    Whether you just need to confirm a case exists or you're after certified copies of specific filings, Sacramento County gives you several options.

    Online Search Tools

    The court maintains two free online systems:

    • Public Case Access System — Search by party name, case number, or filing date at no cost. Civil and probate cases allow you to view and print documents filed after certain cutoff dates. Criminal case information is also searchable, though access to actual documents is more limited.
    • Public Portal — Offers document-level access for probate cases filed after February 5, 2007, and civil cases filed after November 13, 2007. You can set up a free account to view and download available filings.

    The court's Online Services page sorts links by case type, so you can jump straight to the search tool you need.

    In-Person Access

    Every Sacramento courthouse has public access kiosks where you can search case records for free. To look at physical files, bring a valid, unexpired form of state or federally issued photo identification — a driver's license, passport, military ID, state-issued ID, green card, or voter ID will work. Self-service copy machines are available at several locations and charge $0.25–$0.50 per page.

    Written and Mail Requests

    Each division — civil, criminal, family, and probate — uses its own request form for copies by mail. A typical mail request needs to include:

    1. The completed division-specific request form
    2. A copy of your valid photo ID
    3. Payment by check or money order (no cash by mail)
    4. A self-addressed stamped envelope for return delivery

    Turnaround varies. Criminal records requests can take up to 30 days when files are stored off-site, and civil requests sent by mail generally need 4–6 weeks.

    Sacramento County Courthouse Locations

    Courthouse

    Address

    Phone

    Primary Functions

    Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye Sacramento County Courthouse

    500 G St., Sacramento, CA 95814

    (916) 874-5522

    Civil, Criminal, Main Administration

    William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse

    3341 Power Inn Road, Sacramento, CA 95826

    (916) 875-3400

    Family Law, Juvenile Dependency, Probate

    Carol Miller Justice Center

    301 Bicentennial Circle, Sacramento, CA 95826

    (916) 875-7746

    Small Claims, Traffic, Unlawful Detainer

    Lorenzo Patino Hall of Justice

    651 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

    (916) 874-6936

    Criminal Arraignments

    Juvenile Courthouse

    9605 Kiefer Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95827

    (916) 876-7753

    Juvenile Delinquency

    Public counters at most locations are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding court holidays. The Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye Courthouse building itself is accessible from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

    Are Court Records Public in Sacramento County?

    California starts from a strong presumption that court records belong to the public. The California Public Records Act allows any person — whether a California resident or not — to inspect and copy government records, court files included, unless a specific exemption kicks in.

    The following types of records are generally restricted or confidential:

    • Juvenile court records — Welfare and Institutions Code provisions block public access to proceedings involving minors.
    • Adoption and termination of parental rights files — Sealed under the California Family Code. Only named parties or their attorneys can access them.
    • Parentage cases — Cases filed under the Uniform Parentage Act before January 1, 2023, and petitions involving assisted reproduction are confidential by operation of law.
    • Sealed records — When a court order seals a record, it's pulled from public access entirely. Neither the clerk's office nor any online portal will release it.
    • Confidential documents inside otherwise public files — Mediation reports, drug test results, psychological evaluations, investigation reports, and doctor evaluations are typically restricted to parties and their attorneys.
    • LPS conservatorship records — Lanterman-Petris-Short cases involving involuntary psychiatric holds are confidential by law.

    Before handing over copies, the clerk reviews the file and pulls any confidential material. For more detail on access policies and fees, check the court's Local Rules. If you can't afford copy fees, you can apply for relief through the court's Fee Waivers page.

    Standard Copy and Search Fees

    Service

    Fee

    Non-certified copies

    $0.50 per page

    Certified copies (per page, on top of certification fee)

    $1.00 per page

    Certification of a document

    $40.00 per document

    Exemplification

    $50.00 per document

    File search (longer than 10 minutes)

    $15.00 per search

    Federal and California government agencies are generally exempt from these charges under Government Code Sections 70627 and 70633.

    Sacramento County Criminal Court Records

    Felony and misdemeanor trials, pretrial motions, DUI cases, and arraignments are all handled at the Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye Sacramento County Courthouse. The Criminal Records Unit on the second floor is where you go to request copies of criminal case files.

    Searching Criminal Records Online

    The Public Case Access System lets you search criminal case information for free — enter a party name or case number to pull up details. You can also use the public access kiosks in the Criminal Records lobby on the courthouse's second floor.

    Requesting Copies

    If you already have a case number, you can request copies by phone at (916) 874-8881, by mail, or in person. For mail requests, fill out the Local Criminal Records Request Form and send it with payment to:

    Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye Sacramento County Courthouse
    Attention: Criminal Records Unit
    500 G St.
    Sacramento, CA 95814

    Don't have a case number? Submit a Local Criminal Records Name Search Request (Form CR-278A) along with a $15 fee per name. If you also want certified copies, add $40 per certification plus $1 per page on top of the search fee. The court's name-based search covers Sacramento County criminal records from 1989 to the present only. For anything older, you'll need to use the public microfiche available at the Criminal Records Unit or reach out to the California Department of Justice.

    Keep in mind that only about the most recent three years of case files stay at the courthouse. Older files are stored off-site, and retrieving them can take up to 30 days.

    Arrest Records and Criminal History

    Arrest records, booking logs, and warrant information aren't held by the court — they're maintained by the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office. The Records and Warrants Bureau is at 4510 Orange Grove Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95841. You can call (916) 874-5383 or email GetMyReport@sacsheriff.com. Expect to pay $25 per record copy and an extra $10 if you need notarization.

    For statewide criminal history checks, the California Department of Justice maintains the state's criminal offender record information database.

    Sacramento County Civil Court Records

    Non-criminal lawsuits — money disputes, property matters, personal injury claims, breach of contract, and similar actions — go through the Civil Division at the Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye Courthouse. Small claims (up to $12,500) and unlawful detainer actions under $35,000 are handled separately at the Carol Miller Justice Center.

    Searching Civil Records

    Civil case documents filed after November 13, 2007, including tentative rulings, are viewable and printable through the Public Portal. For cases predating that cutoff, the physical files sit in off-site storage and usually take about 10 business days to pull. You can order an older file at the Civil Front Counter in the Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye Courthouse or by mailing a completed Request for Copies of Civil Records (Form CV\E-300) with the right fees.

    Civil Filing Fees

    Filing fees for civil cases follow the Statewide Civil Fee Schedule published by the Judicial Council of California. For specific amounts, call the civil clerk at (916) 874-5522, Option 3. Self-service copy machines in the Civil Records Viewing Room (Room 210) take cash or copy cards at $0.25–$0.50 per page.

    Small Claims

    Small claims filings go through the Carol Miller Justice Center, 301 Bicentennial Circle, Sacramento, CA 95826. If you need guidance, a Small Claims Advisory Clinic is available at (916) 875-7846. In small claims court, parties represent themselves — attorneys aren't allowed in hearings — and decisions are final.

    Property Records

    Property records aren't court documents, but they often surface in civil litigation involving real estate. The Sacramento County Clerk-Recorder keeps deeds, mortgages, liens, and maps. Official copies of recorded documents cost $8.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. For property ownership and valuation lookups, the County Assessor's Office offers an online Parcel Viewer.

    Sacramento County Family Court Records

    Divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, domestic violence restraining orders, parentage actions, and guardianship of minors — all of these are heard at the William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse, 3341 Power Inn Road, Sacramento, CA 95826. The phone number is (916) 875-3400.

    Accessing Family Court Records

    Family law records are generally open to the public, with some important exceptions. Parentage cases filed before January 1, 2023, under the Uniform Parentage Act are confidential — only the named parties or their attorneys can see them. Documents like mediation reports, drug test results, and psychological evaluations within any family file are also off-limits to the general public.

    Where a file is physically kept depends on when the case was filed:

    • Recent cases (numbers starting with 16FL through 25FL, 23DV through 25DV, or 19FS through 25FS) — Stored on-site at the courthouse. Available in person or by mailing a Request for Copies of Family Law Records form.
    • Cases filed 1937–1974 — Digitized and stored at the courthouse. Available in person or by mail.
    • Cases filed before 1937 — Held at the Center for Sacramento History. Contact them directly.
    • Off-site cases not listed above — Use the Family Court File Request site online. Allow up to 7 days for delivery to the courthouse; you'll get an email notification.

    If you're representing yourself, the Family Law & Probate Self-Help Center can help you fill out forms and understand the process. A One Day Divorce Program is also available for cases that are ready to wrap up.

    Divorce Records

    Certified copies of divorce decrees are only available from the Superior Court in the county where the divorce was granted. The Sacramento County Clerk-Recorder does not keep divorce records. To get a certified copy, submit your request to the Family Records Clerk at the William R. Ridgeway Courthouse with valid photo ID and the required fees.

    Marriage Records and Vital Records

    Marriage certificates are issued and kept by the Sacramento County Clerk-Recorder. For birth and death certificates, go through the Sacramento County Vital Records Office in the Department of Health Services. A certified birth certificate currently costs $34, and a certified death certificate is $26. The office is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

    Sacramento County Probate Court Records

    Estate administration, will contests, conservatorships, guardianships of adults, name changes, and trust proceedings all fall under the Probate Division of the Sacramento Superior Court. Hearings take place at the William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse.

    Searching Probate Records

    Start with the Public Case Access System or the Public Portal. Trust and estate case documents filed after February 5, 2007, are viewable online. For guardianship and conservatorship cases after that date, non-parties can confirm that documents were filed but can't actually view them without party-level access.

    Viewing and Copying Probate Records

    How you get records depends on when the case was filed:

    • Cases numbered 34-2007 through 34-2023 or starting with 23PR — Stored electronically. Available online through the Public Portal, at the kiosk in Room 214, or by mail using the Request for Copies of Probate Records form.
    • Cases filed 1937–2006 — Digitized and stored at the courthouse. Available by mail or drop box only, using the same request form.
    • Cases filed before 1937 — Held at the Center for Sacramento History. Reach them at centerforsacramentohistory.org.

    The Probate Unit occupies Room 214 on the second floor of the William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse. The public kiosks there don't require a service ticket. For mail requests, send your completed form along with a copy of your photo ID and fees (check or money order only — no cash) to:

    Probate Records Clerk
    William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse
    3341 Power Inn Road
    Sacramento, CA 95826

    The building drop box is available during regular hours — 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

    Confidential Probate Records

    While most probate files are public, LPS (Lanterman-Petris-Short) conservatorship records are confidential by law. Investigation reports, mediation reports, doctor evaluations, and psychological evaluations found within any probate file are restricted to the parties and their attorneys of record. If a judge has sealed a record, it won't appear in any public search or be released by the clerk.

    If you're a party to a guardianship or conservatorship case and need remote access, you'll need to register for a Public Case Access account and file a Probate Case Participant Enrollment Form with a copy of your government-issued ID. Attorneys can set up access using the email address already on file with the court. Both parties and attorneys can sign up for Case Activity Notifications — an alert system that emails you whenever a new document is filed in your case.