How to search California court records
California has no statewide trial-court search at all. Each county runs its own independent case-management system, so finding a record means first identifying the right county, then searching that county's own portal. Cost varies by record type — some searches are free, others require a paid account or a formal records request.
county by county varies criminal data
Open the official California portal →
What's actually there
California has NO statewide trial-court search. Each of the 58 county superior courts runs its own system; use the court locator, then search that county.
Other official lookups for California
Federal cases filed in California
State portals don't cover federal court. If the case you're looking for might be a federal criminal prosecution, civil suit, or bankruptcy, use CourtRecordsFree's live federal search — it queries CourtListener/RECAP directly and isn't limited to any one state.
Largest counties in California
- Los Angeles County — The largest trial court in the nation.
- San Diego County — Party Name Search covers civil, criminal, family, mental health and probate cases.
- Orange County — Civil case index reaches back to 1996 for unlimited/complex civil actions and 2005 for limited civil.
Search tips
- Try both "Last, First" and "First Last" — courts index names inconsistently.
- Middle initials and suffixes (Jr., III) often matter for common names.
- A date of birth or case number is the only reliable way to confirm you found the right person.
- An arrest or charge shown in a docket is not a conviction — read the disposition.
Frequently asked questions
Is it free to search California court records online?
It depends on what you're looking for. Some record types on California's portal are free; others require payment or a formal request.
Does this include criminal records?
Yes. California's portal includes criminal case records alongside civil cases, subject to the sealing and expungement rules described below.
Does one search cover the whole state?
No single search. California has no statewide index — you need to find the right county first, then search that county's own system.
Links move. If the California portal link above is dead, tell us on the corrections page.