Sonoma County Court Records
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Sonoma County, California — centered on Santa Rosa in the state's North Coast wine country — runs its trial court system through the Superior Court of California, County of Sonoma. This court has broad jurisdiction covering felony and misdemeanor prosecutions, civil lawsuits of all amounts, family law proceedings, probate administration, juvenile matters, small claims disputes, and traffic violations. Records created across these divisions document every stage of a case, from initial filings and docket entries through orders, judgments, and post-judgment proceedings.
If you need to find court records in California, you have several options: official clerk offices, public access terminals inside courthouses, and online case search tools each offer varying levels of access depending on the record type. The Sonoma County Superior Court maintains its own Odyssey Portal for electronic case lookups. CaliforniaCourts.us can also help you find publicly available court case information across the state. The California Courts website is a statewide resource for locating courts, understanding filing requirements, and accessing Judicial Council forms.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Sonoma County?
Sonoma County offers online, in-person, and mail-based options for searching and obtaining court records. The best approach depends on the case type and how much detail you need.
Online Case Search
The Superior Court's Odyssey Portal lets the public search case summaries for civil and family law matters. Enter a case number or a party's first and last name to perform a smart search. The court has published separate instructions for civil and family law searches and criminal searches. Keep in mind that criminal case records are not available through the online portal — those may only be researched at on-site terminals.
The court's website also provides online request forms for specific case types:
- Civil Case Information or Copy Request
- Family Law Case Information or Copy Request
- Probate Case Information or Copy Request
In-Person Access
Public access information terminals are available at:
- Hall of Justice — Room 105-J and Room 107-J, 600 Administration Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
- Civil and Family Law Courthouse — 3055 Cleveland Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Walk-in requests for ten copies or fewer in civil matters are handled while you wait. Requests for more than ten copies require a Copy Order form, with documents typically ready within two to five days.
Requesting Copies by Mail
Complete the Request for Records Search and/or Copies Form (CR-01) and mail it with a check payable to Superior Court of California, County of Sonoma, plus a self-addressed stamped envelope, to the appropriate court location. Because exact costs are often unknown in advance, the court accepts checks with a "not to exceed" notation written above the signature line.
Copy Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Uncertified copies | $0.50 per page (per side) |
| Certification of any filed document | $40.00 per document (plus copy fees) |
| Certification of dissolution judgment | $15.00 |
| Exemplification of record | $50.00 (plus $0.50 per page) |
| Name/record search exceeding 10 minutes | $15.00 per case |
| Archived file retrieval from storage | $5.00 per file |
| Mailing fee (civil mail requests) | Minimum $2.25 for postage and handling |
In-person payments are accepted by cash, check, money order, cashier's check, or credit card (Visa or Mastercard only; minimum $10 for card payments). Mail payments must be by check, credit card, money order, or cashier's check.
Court Locations and Hours
| Location | Address | Hours | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hall of Justice | 600 Administration Dr., Santa Rosa, CA 95403 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. | (707) 521-6500 |
| Civil and Family Law Courthouse | 3055 Cleveland Ave., Santa Rosa, CA 95403 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. | (707) 521-6500 |
| Empire College Annex | 3035 Cleveland Ave., Suite 200, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–Noon & 1:00–5:00 p.m. | (707) 521-6500 |
| Juvenile Justice Center | 7425 Rancho Los Guilicos Rd., Santa Rosa, CA 95409 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–Noon & 1:00–3:30 p.m. | (707) 521-6700 |
Are Court Records Public in Sonoma County?
California law establishes a general presumption of public access to court records. Under California Rules of Court, Rule 2.400(a), any person may inspect court records maintained by the clerk's office. The California Public Records Act (formerly Government Code § 6250 et seq.) similarly requires disclosure of government records upon request, though the judicial branch applies its own discretion in how it provides that access rather than being strictly bound by the CPRA.
Certain records are restricted from public view under state law and court rules. Under Rule 2.503, the Sonoma County Superior Court limits electronic access to the following case types to on-site courthouse terminals only — they are not accessible through the online portal:
- Family law records
- Juvenile records
- Mental health records
- Conservatorship and guardianship records
- Criminal records
Records may also be sealed upon motion and a showing of good cause under Rule 2.550. Adoption records are sealed by statute. Confidential identifiers such as Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account numbers are redacted from publicly accessible documents. Juvenile delinquency and dependency records remain confidential and are generally not available to members of the public.
Individuals who need access to restricted records must be a party to the case, an attorney of record, or hold a valid court order authorizing access.
Sonoma County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Sonoma County — felonies, misdemeanors, and certain infractions — are heard at the Hall of Justice, 600 Administration Drive, Santa Rosa. The Criminal Division runs on a master calendar system, with daily calendars posted on the Room 105-J windows and available online through the court's criminal calendar page.
Searching Criminal Records
Unlike civil and family matters, criminal case information is not available through the court's online Odyssey Portal. You must use the on-site access terminals at the Hall of Justice in Room 105-J. A search lasting longer than 10 minutes costs $15.00 per case. Copies of criminal court documents can be obtained at the Criminal Division Clerk's Office, open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
To request criminal records by mail, submit Form CR-01 with payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
Superior Court of California, County of Sonoma
Criminal Division
600 Administration Drive, Room 105-J
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
The Sonoma County District Attorney's Office also provides a Victim & Witness Criminal Case Lookup tool that lets victims and witnesses check the status of criminal cases using a court case number, DA case number, or police report number.
Arrest Records and Sheriff's Office
The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office handles requests for copies of crime and arrest reports. To make a request, complete the Sheriff's Report/Public Records Request Form. For fee information, contact Sheriff's Records at Sheriff-CIB@sonoma-county.org or call (707) 565-2204.
Criminal History Records
The court does not perform criminal background checks. For a formal criminal history report, contact the California Department of Justice Record Review. For information about persons in state custody, visit the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation website.
Proposition 64 and Other Specialized Forms
The Criminal Division provides forms for Proposition 64 petitions (marijuana resentencing or reduction), including a petition application and a related order form. Forms for SB 384 tiered sex offender registration petitions are also available through the Judicial Council self-help portal.
Sonoma County Civil Court Records
The Civil Division handles lawsuits involving contract disputes, property recovery, personal injury, collection actions, civil rights claims, and unlawful detainer (eviction) proceedings. Civil matters are heard at the Civil and Family Law Courthouse, 3055 Cleveland Avenue, Santa Rosa. Cases are assigned to individual judicial officers at the time of filing, and calendar assignments are posted on the court's civil calendar page.
Accessing Civil Records
Civil case summaries can be searched online through the Odyssey Portal. Complete official files, however, are only available in person at the Civil and Family Law Courthouse, where public access terminals are located. You can also submit an online copy request through the dedicated Civil Records Request form.
For civil records sent by mail, there is a minimum $2.25 postage and handling charge on top of standard copy fees. If you visit in person, ten or fewer copies are made while you wait.
Filing Fees
The court follows the Statewide Civil Fee Schedule established by the Judicial Council. If you cannot afford filing fees, apply for a fee waiver. Ex parte applications carry a $60 filing fee.
Small Claims
The Small Claims Division handles disputes of $12,500 or less. Filing fees range from $30 to $100 depending on the amount claimed. Form packets are available on the court's Small Claims forms page.
Tentative Rulings
Civil tentative rulings are available by calling (707) 521-6606 after 2:00 p.m. the day before a law and motion hearing. Case management tentative rulings are posted three court days before the hearing, and OSC rulings two court days before. Tentative rulings are also accessible through the court's online tentative rulings page.
Proposed orders in word-processing format should be emailed to ProposedCivilOrders@sonomacourt.org, with the case number in the subject line.
Sonoma County Family Court Records
The Family Law Division handles dissolution of marriage (divorce), legal separation, nullity (annulment), establishment and termination of parental rights, child custody and visitation, child and family support, adoptions, and domestic violence restraining orders. Family law cases are heard at the Civil and Family Law Courthouse, 3055 Cleveland Avenue, Santa Rosa.
Searching Family Law Records
Case summaries for family law matters are available through the Odyssey Portal, though detailed filings must be reviewed at the courthouse. To request copies or search records, submit the online Family Law Case Information or Copies Request form. Pay applicable fees — $0.50 per page for copies and $40.00 for certification — before requests are fulfilled. Certified copies of dissolution judgments cost $15.00.
Confidentiality of Family Records
Many family court documents carry privacy protections under California law. Records involving child custody arrangements, financial declarations, and domestic violence allegations are generally accessible only to the parties, their attorneys, and individuals authorized by court order. Under Rule 2.503, electronic access to family law records is restricted to courthouse terminals and cannot be viewed through the online portal.
Domestic Violence Restraining Orders
Domestic Violence Restraining Order requests are reviewed daily at 8:30 a.m. under Sonoma County Local Rule 9.11. Results of the daily review are published as Domestic Violence Tentative Rulings. Family law ex parte matters are reviewed Monday through Friday at 10:00 a.m. Community support resources include the Family Justice Center Sonoma County and the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office.
Marriage Records
The Sonoma County Clerk-Recorder maintains marriage records for ceremonies performed within the county, dating back to 1846. Certified copies of public marriage certificates cost $17.00 per copy (increasing to $19.00 effective January 1, 2026, for confidential marriage verification). You can make requests in person after completing the In-Person Marriage Certificate Application online, or by mail by sending a completed Application for Certified Copy of a Marriage Certificate, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and the fee to:
Vital Records Division
Sonoma County Clerk-Recorder
585 Fiscal Drive, Room 103
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Only authorized persons as defined in Health and Safety Code Section 103526 may receive authorized certified copies. All others receive informational copies bearing the legend "Informational, Not a Valid Document to Establish Identity".
Birth and Death Records
The Clerk-Recorder also maintains birth and death records for events occurring in Sonoma County from 1873 to the present. Fees are $34.00 per birth certificate copy and $26.00 per death certificate copy. In-person orders are processed during office hours (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Wednesday 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.) at 585 Fiscal Drive, Room 103, Santa Rosa. Online orders may be placed through VitalChek for an additional processing fee. Access to authorized certified copies is restricted under Section 103526 to specific family members, legal representatives, and law enforcement.
Sonoma County Probate Court Records
The Probate Division administers decedents' estates, wills, trusts, guardianships of minors, conservatorships of adults, and mental health commitments. Probate hearings are typically held in Courtroom 23 at the Civil and Family Law Courthouse, 3055 Cleveland Avenue, Santa Rosa. Probate filing is handled at the Probate Window in the same building, opposite Courtroom 18.
Searching Probate Records
Case information is available through the Odyssey Portal using the smart search feature. Probate Examiner notes — which identify deficiencies in filings — are generally posted three weeks before the hearing date and can be accessed through the portal by entering the case number. Probate tentative rulings are available by calling (707) 521-6607 after 2:00 p.m. the day before a hearing (or after 11:00 a.m. for guardianship cases), and are also posted on the court's Probate Tentative Rulings page.
Requesting Copies
To request probate record copies, submit the online Probate Case Information or Copy Request form, or use Form CR-01 by mail. Standard copy fees apply: $0.50 per page for uncertified copies and $40.00 per document for certification.
Archived Records
The Archived Records Division handles civil, family, and probate filings dating back to the mid-1800s. Records from the past twenty years are generally accessible quickly. Files originating before 1984 may be stored offsite, which means retrieval takes longer and costs a $5.00 per-file retrieval fee. When requesting archived records, include as much detail as possible: party names, the year the case was finalized, specific documents needed, and whether certification is required. The Archived Records Division can be reached at (707) 521-6670 and is located at:
Hall of Justice
Archived Records Department
600 Administration Drive, Room 110-J
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Probate Forms and Resources
The court publishes local probate forms and maintains a list of approved newspapers for legal publication. Local rules for probate govern filing procedures, ex parte applications, and examiner review processes. Filing fees follow the statewide fee schedule. Individuals who cannot afford an attorney may contact the Sonoma County Lawyer Referral Service at (707) 546-5297 or the Council on Aging Senior Legal Services at (707) 525-1146 for referrals.