San Luis Obispo County Court Records Search

San Luis Obispo County stretches across California’s Central Coast, with the city of San Luis Obispo serving as the county seat. Judicial matters in the county are handled exclusively by the Superior Court of California, County of San Luis Obispo, which operates multiple branches to serve residents throughout the region. The court adjudicates criminal, civil, family law, juvenile, probate, and traffic matters. Court records generated by these proceedings — dockets, motions, rulings, judgments, orders, and transcripts — are maintained by the Clerk of the Superior Court at the relevant branch location.

Individuals seeking court records in California can access them through several channels: visiting a clerk’s office in person, submitting written requests by mail or email, or using electronic case-search platforms. The San Luis Obispo County Superior Court website provides direct links to online record searches, forms, and fee schedules. Additionally, CaliforniaCourts.us may help users identify publicly available case information across the state’s trial courts. In San Luis Obispo County, the court has implemented the re:SearchCA platform — a web-based tool that provides remote access to civil, family, and probate case data for registered users, while courthouse kiosks offer the same information without registration.

How to Look Up a Court Case in San Luis Obispo County?

San Luis Obispo County provides several pathways to locate court case information, depending on the case type and the level of detail needed.

Online Case Search — re:SearchCA

The court’s primary electronic search tool is re:SearchCA, a multi-jurisdictional platform that allows searches by party name, case number, or attorney name. San Luis Obispo was the first county in California to roll out this system. Remote access requires a free registration; alternatively, kiosks inside the courthouse allow searches without an account. Civil, family law, and probate case records are available through re:SearchCA. Criminal case documents can be viewed on the court’s on-site kiosks but are not currently available for remote browsing.

In-Person Searches

Walk-in visitors can access public-access kiosks at the San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles branch courthouses. Court staff can assist with locating files during counter hours. Due to budget-related service reductions, counter and phone hours have been adjusted at all branches. Current hours are:

Branch	Address	Phone	Counter Hours	Phone Hours
Civil & Family Law	1050 Monterey St, Rm 220, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408	(805) 706-3600	Mon–Thu 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.	Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Criminal	1050 Monterey St, Rm 220, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408	(805) 706-3600	Mon–Thu 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.	Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Grover Beach	214 South 16th St, Grover Beach, CA 93433	(805) 706-3600	Mon–Thu 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.	Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Paso Robles	901 Park St, Paso Robles, CA 93446	(805) 237-3079	Wed & Fri 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.	Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Juvenile Services Center	1065 Kansas Ave, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408	(805) 706-3600	—	Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

The Veteran’s Memorial Branch at 801 Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, is temporarily closed.

Mail and Email Requests

For civil, family, and probate records, complete the Copy Request Form and mail it with payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Civil & Family Law Branch at 1050 Monterey Street, Rm 220, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408. For criminal records, use the Request for Case Information Form and submit it by mail or email to the Criminal Branch at the same address. Fax submissions are not accepted for criminal record requests. Processing may take up to 30 days.

Standard Copy Fees

Regular copies: $0.50 per page
Certification fee: $40.00 per document (plus $0.50 per page for the copy itself)
File research fee (records stored off-site or requiring more than 10 minutes of staff time): $15.00 per 10-minute increment

Are Court Records Public in San Luis Obispo County?

California law creates a strong presumption of public access to court records. The California Public Records Act (Government Code § 7920.000 et seq.) establishes broad rights of access to government records, though the Act itself does not directly govern judicial branch records. Access to court records is instead controlled primarily by California Rules of Court, including Rule 2.503, which specifies the types of case records available for electronic access at courthouses versus remotely, and Rule 2.507, which addresses what information must be included in or excluded from publicly available calendars and indices.

Records generally accessible to the public include:

Criminal case dockets, charging documents, and sentencing orders (viewable on courthouse kiosks; copies available by request)
Civil complaints, motions, orders, and judgments
Family law filings such as dissolution petitions and custody orders (with certain redactions)
Probate petitions, inventories, accountings, and court orders
Traffic case information

Records that may be restricted or confidential include:

Juvenile delinquency and dependency proceedings
Mental health conservatorship and commitment records
Adoption case files
Records sealed or expunged by court order
Confidential settlement agreements
Certain personal identifiers (Social Security numbers, dates of birth in some contexts, financial account numbers) that clerks are required to redact

Access to restricted records may be possible under specific conditions, such as a court order authorizing disclosure. Portions of otherwise restricted records may also be released after redaction of confidential information.

San Luis Obispo County Criminal Court Records

Criminal matters in San Luis Obispo County — felonies, misdemeanors, infractions, and traffic offenses — are handled by the Criminal Branch of the Superior Court. The court maintains records of arraignments, preliminary hearings, plea proceedings, trials, sentencing, and post-conviction motions.

Criminal Branch

Address: 1050 Monterey Street, Rm 220, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408
Phone: (805) 706-3600

Searching Criminal Records

Most criminal case information filed after 2014 can be viewed through re:SearchCA at courthouse kiosks. Criminal documents are not available for remote online viewing. For cases filed before 2014, requestors may submit a name-based bulk search using the Request for Bulk Case Information form (Excel format). The form requires first and last names, and court staff will return case summaries only for exact-match results. Staff are prohibited from using a date of birth for third-party name searches, even if one is provided.

Due to ongoing budget constraints, the court no longer processes background check requests at the counter. All research requests must be submitted in writing — by mail or email — pursuant to California Rules of Court, Rule 2.507.

Steps to Request Criminal Court Records

Determine whether you need records for one person or multiple people.
For a single individual, complete the Request for Case Information Form. You will need the case number, or the person’s full name and date of birth.
For multiple individuals, complete the Request for Bulk Case Information form and include a list of names and dates of birth.
Submit the form by mail or email with payment, a copy of a valid ID, and a self-addressed stamped envelope (legal-sized).
The court processes requests on a first-come, first-served basis. A drop box is available at the counter for in-person submissions; the clerk will call when the request is ready for pickup.

Fees for Criminal Record Requests

Copies: $0.50 per page
Case summary certification: $40.00 per case
Research fee (10+ minutes): $15.00 per 10-minute increment
Defendants, attorneys of record, and victims may receive case summaries and protective order copies at no charge (valid ID or bar card required)

Criminal Background Checks Through the California DOJ

Individuals who need their own criminal history record (rap sheet) may request it through the California Department of Justice. The process requires completing a Live Scan form — also available in Spanish — with “Record Review” indicated as the type and reason for application. The completed form must be taken to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office or another Live Scan location in the county for electronic fingerprinting.

San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office

Address: 1585 Kansas Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
Phone: (805) 781-4540

The DOJ processing fee is $25 (fee waiver may be available for qualifying individuals). Live Scan operators may charge an additional rolling fee, typically around $23. Only individuals may request their own records; employers and law enforcement agencies follow separate procedures for background checks.

San Luis Obispo County Civil Court Records

Civil litigation in San Luis Obispo County — personal injury, breach of contract, real property disputes, unlawful detainer actions, and small claims — is adjudicated by the Civil & Family Law Branch of the Superior Court. Small claims matters are heard at both the San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles branches.

Civil & Family Law Branch

Address: 1050 Monterey Street, Rm 220, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408
Phone: (805) 706-3600 (Civil); (805) 781-5677 (additional Civil line)
Counter Hours: Monday–Thursday, 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Paso Robles Branch

Address: 901 Park Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446
Phone: (805) 237-3079 (Civil / Small Claims)
Counter Hours: Wednesday and Friday, 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

How to Search and Obtain Civil Records

Civil case records are searchable through re:SearchCA both remotely (with registration) and at courthouse kiosks (without registration). The platform displays case summaries, party names, filing dates, and docket entries for civil matters.

To obtain copies of documents from a civil case file:

In person: Note the case number and visit the clerk’s office at either the San Luis Obispo or Paso Robles branch during counter hours. Staff will retrieve and copy the requested documents.
By mail: Complete the Copy Request Form and mail it with payment and a stamped, self-addressed envelope to the Civil & Family Law Branch at 1050 Monterey Street, Rm 220, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408. Include the case number and names of the parties, and specify which documents are needed.

Civil Record Copy Fees

Standard copies: $0.50 per page
Certification: $40.00 per document plus $0.50 per page

Electronic filing of civil documents is available through the court’s e-filing system. The fee and bail schedules page on the court’s website lists current filing fees for various civil case types.

San Luis Obispo County Family Court Records

Family law cases in San Luis Obispo County — dissolution of marriage, legal separation, child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support, domestic violence restraining orders, paternity, and adoption — are heard through the Family Division of the Superior Court. Family Court Services, located at 1050 Monterey Street, Rm 224, provides court-ordered mediation and custody evaluation services.

Key Family Court Contact Information

Family Law filing and records: (805) 706-3600
Family Court Services (mediation and custody evaluations): (805) 706-3608
Family Court Services email: slo-fcssec@slo.courts.ca.gov
Family Court Services fax: (805) 706-0210

Obtaining Family Law Records

Family law case records — dissolution filings, custody orders, support orders, and related documents — can be searched through re:SearchCA and obtained using the same procedures as civil records. To request copies:

Complete the Copy Request Form.
Submit it by mail with payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope, or visit the clerk’s office in person during counter hours at either the San Luis Obispo or Paso Robles branch.
Certified copies of dissolution records cost $40.00 for certification plus $0.50 per page.

Custody Mediation and Evaluations

California law requires mediation when parents disagree about custody arrangements. Mediation sessions are confidential — the mediator does not make recommendations to the court if parents cannot reach agreement. If disputes remain unresolved, the court may order a child custody evaluation. Parents involved in an ordered evaluation must complete the Family Court Services Intake Form and the Digital Evidence Policy form. A free online parent education course, Parenting After Separation, satisfies the court’s requirements for parent education prior to receiving final orders.

Marriage Records

Marriage licenses and certificates are maintained by the San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder, not the Superior Court. Certified copies are available only to authorized persons (the parties to the marriage, their immediate family members, attorneys, law enforcement, or individuals with a court order). All other requestors may obtain informational copies, which cannot be used to establish identity.

Requests can be submitted online through the Clerk-Recorder’s Self-Service Portal, in person, by mail, fax, or email.

County Clerk-Recorder’s Office

Address: 1055 Monterey Street, Suite D120, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408
Phone: (805) 781-5080
Fax: (805) 781-1111
Email: vitals@co.slo.ca.us
Hours: Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Wed 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (transactions end 30 minutes before closing)

Marriage license and certificate fees (from the Clerk-Recorder fee schedule):

Service	Fee
Public marriage license	$104.00
Confidential marriage license	$105.00
Duplicate marriage license	$40.00
In-office solemnization	$58.00
Rooftop ceremony	$70.00
Destination ceremony	$88.00
Certified marriage certificate copy	$19.00

Mail, fax, or email requests for certified copies must include the completed application form, the applicable fee, and a credit card authorization form. Requests for authorized certified copies must be notarized.

Birth and Death Records

The Clerk-Recorder also maintains birth and death records for events occurring in San Luis Obispo County. Certified copies are restricted to authorized persons under the same eligibility rules that apply to marriage certificates, as defined by California Health and Safety Code § 103526. Informational copies are available to anyone.

Current vital records fees:

Birth certificate (certified): $34.00
Death certificate (certified): $26.00
Fetal death certificate: $23.00

Requests can be placed online via the Self-Service Portal, in person at the Clerk-Recorder’s office, or by mail using the birth records application or death records application, accompanied by the appropriate fee and credit card authorization form. Online requests require a follow-up visit to the Clerk-Recorder’s office with valid identification within 30 days. Individuals wishing to search birth record indices must do so in person at the Clerk-Recorder’s office.

San Luis Obispo County Probate Court Records

Probate matters — including the administration of estates, probate of wills, trusts, guardianships, and conservatorships — are handled by the Probate Division of the Superior Court. Filings and hearings for probate cases are managed through the Civil & Family Law Branch.

Filing Fees

Petition for Probate: $435.00
Objection or Response to a Petition for Probate: $435.00
Lodging a will (decedent only): $50.00
Court reporting surcharge (hearings under one hour): $30.00 (per Government Code § 68086(a)(1)(A))
Certified copies of probate documents: $40.00 certification fee plus $0.50 per page

The court’s fee and bail schedules page provides updated information on all probate-related fees.

Searching Probate Records

Probate case records are searchable through re:SearchCA both remotely (registration required) and at courthouse kiosks. The platform displays case summaries, hearing dates, and filed documents for probate matters.

Requesting Copies of Probate Records

Certified copies of probate orders — such as Letters Testamentary, Letters of Administration, and Letters of Conservatorship — are issued by the Probate Clerk at the Civil & Family Law Branch after the initial hearing and after the court authorizes issuance. To request copies:

Visit the clerk’s office in person at 1050 Monterey Street, Rm 220, San Luis Obispo, or the Paso Robles Branch at 901 Park Street during counter hours.
Alternatively, complete the Copy Request Form and mail it with payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Civil & Family Law Branch.

Small Estate Procedures

If the deceased person’s property is valued at $150,000 or less, formal probate may not be necessary. The court provides a Small Estate Affidavit form, and the California Courts self-help website explains eligibility requirements for this simplified procedure.

Timelines and Scheduling

New probate cases are typically set for an initial hearing four to five weeks after filing to allow time for publication of the Notice of Probate. Other matters requiring judicial attention are usually scheduled within 10 to 12 weeks of filing. Electronic submission of most probate filings is available through the court’s e-filing system. Parties may appear remotely in uncontested probate matters where personal appearance has not been ordered, in accordance with California Rules of Court 3.670. The court does not appoint attorneys for probate cases; parties who need legal representation may contact the San Luis Obispo County Bar Association for a referral.