San Bernardino County Court Records Search
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San Bernardino County, the largest county by area in the contiguous United States, spans over 20,000 square miles of Southern California and is home to more than two million residents. Its court system generates an enormous volume of records each year across criminal, civil, family, and probate matters. The Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino serves as the sole trial court for the county, operating from multiple district courthouses spread across the region — from the urban west end near Rancho Cucamonga to the desert communities of Needles and Twentynine Palms.
Residents and researchers seeking court case data in California can begin with the CaliforniaCourts.us directory, which offers a starting point for locating publicly available court information across the state. Beyond that statewide resource, San Bernardino County provides its own online case portal, clerk’s office counters, and public access terminals at individual courthouses where members of the public can search for and obtain records.
How to Look Up a Court Case in San Bernardino County?
There are several practical methods for locating a court case in San Bernardino County, depending on whether you prefer to search online, visit a courthouse, or submit a written request by mail.
Online Search via the Court Access Portal
The Superior Court maintains the Court Access Portal, which allows the public to search for case information by case number, citation number, party name, or business name. Party and business name searches require a login. The portal covers cases filed from approximately 1998 to the present. Cases filed before 1998 may have limited electronic data, and older records must be retrieved by contacting the specific district courthouse where the matter was heard.
Remote access to viewable civil documents costs $0.50 per page. Only records authorized for public viewing under the California Rules of Court appear in the portal; sealed and confidential records are excluded. For guidance on using the portal, the court publishes a name search FAQ document.
In-Person Search
Any member of the public may visit the clerk’s office at the courthouse where a case was filed and request to inspect records during business hours. Most San Bernardino courthouses are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding court holidays. Public access computer terminals are available at most locations, allowing free electronic case searches on-site.
Mail Requests
To request copies of court documents by mail, follow these steps:
- Download and complete the Copy Request Form (Form 13-01465-360), available through the court’s local forms page.
- Include the case number, document title, and any other identifying information you have.
- Enclose a check or money order payable to the “Clerk of Court” covering estimated fees.
- Mail the form and payment to the appropriate district courthouse address.
If you cannot determine the exact cost, include a “Not to exceed” dollar amount on the check. Contact the clerk’s office first to get an estimate based on the number of pages.
Copy and Certification Fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Document copies (per page) | $0.50 |
| Record search (longer than 10 minutes) | $15.00 |
| Certification | $40.00 |
| Exemplification | $50.00 |
| Remote access / online viewing (per page) | $0.50 |
Are Court Records Public in San Bernardino County?
California has a strong presumption of public access to court records. Rule 2.503(a) of the California Rules of Court requires that court records — whether maintained on paper or electronically — be accessible to the public unless a statute, rule of court, or court order makes them confidential or sealed. This means that the vast majority of case filings, motions, judgments, and orders in San Bernardino County can be inspected by anyone without stating a reason.
Several categories of records are nevertheless restricted from public view:
- Records in juvenile delinquency and dependency cases
- Mental health proceedings, including LPS conservatorship hearings
- Sealed records pursuant to a court order
- Adoption records
- Records involving sexual abuse allegations against minors
- Personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers, which must be redacted from filings under California Rules of Court, Rule 1.201
- Arrest or search warrant affidavits that remain sealed
- Personal notes and memoranda of judicial officers
Remote electronic access has additional limitations. Under Rule 2.503, certain case types — such as family law, juvenile, mental health, and criminal matters — may only be viewed electronically at a courthouse terminal, not remotely online. Civil case documents are the primary records available for remote viewing through the Superior Court’s online portal.
The California Public Records Act (Government Code § 7920.000 et seq.) separately governs records held by executive-branch agencies such as the Sheriff’s Department and county offices. The Sheriff’s Department accepts public records requests through the San Bernardino County public records portal and must respond within ten calendar days.
San Bernardino County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in San Bernardino County are prosecuted in multiple district courthouses of the Superior Court. Felony and misdemeanor matters are divided geographically, with the primary criminal divisions located at the following facilities:
San Bernardino Justice Center — Criminal Division
Address: 247 West Third Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415
Phone: (909) 384-1888
Rancho Cucamonga District
Address: 8303 Haven Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
Phone: (909) 350-9764
Victorville District
Address: 14455 Civic Drive, Victorville, CA 92392
Phone: (760) 245-6215
Joshua Tree District
Address: 6527 White Feather Road, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
Phone: (760) 974-3048 (criminal/traffic)
The San Bernardino Justice Center Criminal Division handles felonies, misdemeanors, and writs of habeas corpus for the central valley communities. The Rancho Cucamonga District handles felony and misdemeanor cases for the western portion of the county, including Ontario, Chino, Upland, and Fontana. The Victorville District handles criminal cases arising in the High Desert and eastern desert areas, including felonies and misdemeanors transferred from the Needles District.
Searching Criminal Court Records
Criminal case information can be searched through the Court Access Portal using a case number or citation number. The Superior Court also provides criminal and traffic case information through its website. In-person searches using public access terminals are available at each courthouse during clerk’s office hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday).
Local Criminal History Checks
Criminal history information maintained by law enforcement — as opposed to court case records — is handled by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. The Sheriff’s Records Division offers three types of clearance letters:
- Clearance Letter — confirms no active warrants or arrest records with the Sheriff’s Department
- Complete In-Custody Letter — lists all arrests/bookings under the subject’s name
- Partial In-Custody Letter — details a specific arrest only
To request a clearance letter, call (909) 888-5916 (press #7) or visit the Records Division in person at 655 East Third Street, San Bernardino. The fee is $37, payable by check or money order.
Under California Penal Code §§ 13300–13326, detailed local criminal history is available only to the record subject or persons authorized by law. For statewide criminal history, individuals may request a Record Review from the California Department of Justice through a live-scan fingerprint submission. Basic arrest information, such as the fact of an arrest, is publicly available under Government Code § 7923.610.
San Bernardino County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in San Bernardino County encompasses unlimited and limited jurisdiction lawsuits, unlawful detainer (landlord-tenant) actions, small claims, labor board appeals, and writs of mandate. The Superior Court operates civil divisions at two primary locations:
Civil Division — San Bernardino District
Address: 247 West Third Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Filings accepted: Limited and unlimited civil, unlimited landlord-tenant, civil harassment, gun violence restraining orders, labor board appeals, name change petitions, workplace violence protective orders, writs of mandate, CEQA cases
Civil Division — Rancho Cucamonga District
Address: 8303 Haven Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Filings accepted: Limited and unlimited civil, labor board appeals, writs of mandate, CEQA cases
Civil Division — Victorville District
Address: 14455 Civic Drive, Victorville, CA 92392
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Filings accepted: Limited and unlimited civil, labor board appeals, writs of mandate
Small claims and limited landlord-tenant cases are typically filed at the Barstow, Fontana, Joshua Tree, or Needles district locations depending on geography.
How to Obtain Civil Court Records
The Civil Division page of the Superior Court website explains remote access to civil documents. Civil case documents from cases filed in 1998 or later can be viewed online for $0.50 per page through the Court Access Portal. Documents that are legally restricted are not available for remote viewing. In-person inspection is available at any courthouse with a civil clerk’s office, and public access kiosks offer free electronic case searches.
To obtain certified or uncertified copies, submit the Copy Request Form (Form 13-01465-360) in person or by mail. Standard copy fees apply: $0.50 per page for copies, $40 for certification, and $50 for exemplification. Searches exceeding ten minutes incur a $15 research fee.
E-Filing
Civil filings in San Bernardino County may be submitted electronically. The court’s Civil eFiling page provides instructions and links to approved electronic filing service providers. Fees exceeding $25,000 are handled through a separate process after filing acceptance.
Property Records
Property records such as deeds, liens, and assessments are not court records. They are maintained by the San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk. The public can search property records through the Property Information Management System (PIMS) or the Recorder’s Public Access System. In-person document inspection at the Hall of Records costs $3 for the first page and $1 for each additional page.
San Bernardino County Family Court Records
Family law matters in San Bernardino County include dissolution of marriage (divorce), legal separation, annulment, paternity, child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support, domestic violence restraining orders, adoptions, emancipations, and freedom from parental custody. These cases are heard at the following locations:
Family Law Division — San Bernardino District
Address: 351 North Arrowhead Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 92415
Phone: (909) 521-3136
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Barstow District (family law filings accepted)
Address: 235 East Mountain View Street, Barstow, CA 92311
Joshua Tree District (family law filings accepted)
Address: 6527 White Feather Road, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
Phone: (760) 974-3047 (family law)
Needles District (family law filings accepted)
Address: 1111 Bailey Avenue, Needles, CA 92363
Phone: (760) 718-3700
Family court records can be searched through the Court Access Portal using a case number or party name. However, under California Rules of Court, Rule 2.503, remote electronic access to family law records is limited — certain family law documents may only be viewed at a courthouse public access terminal, not online.
Dissolution of Marriage
To file for divorce, at least one spouse must have lived in California for six months and in San Bernardino County for three months. The court’s dissolution of marriage page provides an overview of the process. Filing fees follow the statewide civil fee schedule; a current fee schedule is posted on the court’s website. Those who cannot afford the fee may apply for a fee waiver.
To obtain a copy of a divorce decree, contact the clerk’s office at the courthouse where the case was decided, search the Court Access Portal, or submit a mail request with the Copy Request Form. Divorce certificates (as opposed to court decrees) may also be obtained from the California Department of Public Health Vital Records Division.
Child Support
The San Bernardino Child Support Division of the Superior Court is located at 351 North Arrowhead Avenue (Historic Courthouse) and at 235 East Mountain View Street in Barstow. The San Bernardino location can be reached at (909) 269-8789.
Marriage Records and Vital Records
Marriage licenses are issued by the San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk, not the court. Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $19. Birth certificates cost $34, and death certificates cost $26. Only authorized individuals — such as the registrant, a parent, legal guardian, spouse, sibling, grandparent, or grandchild — may obtain certified copies of vital records. Informational copies do not require proof of relationship but carry a watermark and cannot be used for identification purposes.
Vital records can be requested:
- By mail: Send a completed application and payment to County Clerk, 222 West Hospitality Lane, 1st Floor, San Bernardino, CA 92415-0022.
- In person: Schedule an appointment through the Recorder-Clerk appointment system.
- Online: Through VitalChek (additional service fees apply; processing may take 3–4 weeks).
San Bernardino County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in San Bernardino County encompass decedents’ estates, trusts, guardianships of minors, conservatorships of adults, elder abuse restraining orders, and determinations of fact of death or marriage. The Superior Court’s Probate Division oversees these cases.
Probate and conservatorship filings are handled at two primary locations:
Fontana District (probate, conservatorship, LPS, guardianship, elder abuse, CARE Act)
Address: 17780 Arrow Boulevard, Fontana, CA 92335
Phone: (909) 350-9322
Victorville District (probate, conservatorship, guardianship for High Desert and eastern communities)
Address: 14455 Civic Drive, Victorville, CA 92392
Phone: (760) 245-6215
The Needles District accepts limited probate filings — specifically guardianship of estate, guardianship of person and estate, guardianship of person only, small estate affidavits, spousal property petitions, and petitions to determine fact of death or marriage. All other probate matters from the Needles service area must be filed at the Victorville District.
CARE Act proceedings for all of San Bernardino County are filed and heard exclusively at the Fontana District.
How to Search and Obtain Probate Records
Publicly available probate records can be searched through the Court Access Portal for cases filed from 1998 onward. The Probate Business Office at each location is open Monday through Friday and assists with filings, record viewing, form purchases, and will deposits. Probate notes for upcoming hearings are posted on the Court Access Portal approximately two weeks before each hearing and remain available for seven days afterward.
To obtain copies of probate records, submit the Copy Request Form in person or by mail with applicable fees. The standard copy rate is $0.50 per page, certification is $40, and exemplification is $50.
Probate E-Filing
Effective June 16, 2025, the Superior Court implemented mandatory electronic filing for attorneys in probate cases. Self-represented litigants may continue to file on paper. Details and links to approved e-filing service providers are available on the court’s Probate eFiling page.
Key Probate Resources
Court forms and filing packets for probate matters — including petitions for administration, guardianship applications, and conservatorship paperwork — are available through the court’s local forms page and the Judicial Council’s statewide forms. The Probate Examiners at each courthouse can assist with deficiencies in pending filings. Court Investigators conduct interviews with proposed conservatees before appointment and perform periodic reviews to ensure that conservatees’ needs are being met.