Orange County Court Records

Orange County court records are authorized documents maintained by the Orange County Superior Court. These records provide a permanent record of judicial proceedings and cover civil, criminal, family, probate, juvenile, traffic, and minor matters.

The primary purpose of court records is to maintain past proceedings, promote transparency, and provide the public with access to judicial proceedings. Under the California Public Records Act and Government Code § 68150, most Orange County court records are public records and can be accessed by anyone. After a case is filed, records are provided through pleading, motions, order, judgment, and other filings, and then they are maintained by the superior court clerk's office.

Orange County court records differ from other types of public records, such as vital records, arrest records, and federal case files. However, some case information may also be found within these related records.

For example, vital records are managed by the county clerk recorder, while federal cases managed by the U.S. District court can be accessed through the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). These documents offer a thorough understanding of all legal and administrative issues pertaining to people and organizations in Orange County.

What Information is Available in Orange County Court Records?

The Orange County Superior Court provides court records that offer detailed records in several categories :

Civil and Family Court Records

Orange County civil and family court records show both everyday legal disputes and deep personal family matters. Civil cases are disagreements over contracts, landlord/tenant disputes, real estate ownership or boundary issues, and personal injury from accidents or negligence. These records contain court orders, pleadings, exhibits, motions, and the attorneys and parties involved. Family law records are for those who need verified documentation of legal actions that impact family life, financial obligations, or child welfare.

Criminal Records

Criminal case records in Orange County show both felony and misdemeanor cases. These records include official charging documents, arrest and jail logs, court calendars, preliminary motions, trial transcripts, settlements, and evidence admitted during hearings. They also show convictions, penalties, sentencing terms, probation requirements, and conditions of parole or community service. These files are used by attorneys and law enforcement as well as employers, licensing boards, and researchers. If a record seeker needs a complete criminal background check that covers cases outside of Orange County, the record seeker must submit a formal request to the California Department of Justice.

Probate and Specialized Records

Probate and specialized court records cover a wide range of legal issues beyond civil, family, and criminal. These include small claims, conservatorships, guardianships, estates, and wills. Records may also include traffic violations, certain mental health rulings, and financial responsibility or incapacity issues. While probate records can help with inheritance disputes and asset distribution, guardianship and conservatorship filings establish legal responsibility for minors or vulnerable adults. Juvenile records are confidential and only accessible by special court order to protect the privacy of minors.

Are Orange County Court Records Public?

Yes, under the California Public Records Act and Government Code § 68150. Most Orange County court records are public records and can be accessed by anyone. These records, which include civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases, promote transparency and provide the public with access to judicial proceedings.

However, some records are not publicly accessible and are restricted by law due to privacy protections. Examples of these records are juvenile records, paternity and adoption cases, certain mental health proceedings, sealed or expunged recordsand records with personal information. The Orange County Superior Court provides a safe Case Access Portal that allows individuals to search cases online, while information that is not available online can be requested directly from the clerk's office.

Orange County Court Records Search

The Orange County Superior Court provides different ways to access court records:

Online Access

Orange County Superior Court provides a Case Access Portal that allows individuals to search for civil, family, criminal and probate, and small claim cases. The search criteria are name, case number, or filing date. The court does not charge a fee for online access. Record seekers can also use the Case Search Portalto conduct an electronic Orange County court records search. Users will need to select a case type, then proceed to find records by case number or name. A sign-in is required for a case name search.

In-Person Access

Requests for copies of Orange County court records may be made in person at the clerk's office at the court where the case was filed. Requesters can use the public access terminals at the courthouse to find the desired records. Alternatively, they can seek the assistance of a staff member to search and copy a court record. The staff will need a name or case number to search.

Mail and Phone Requests

Mail requesters can either provide a letter containing basic information to help locate the desired record or complete a request form. The letter or form must be sent to the court where the case was heard, along with the appropriate fees and a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Fees for Court Records in Orange County

The Orange County court records fee varies depending on the type of document and how it was ordered. Regular copies ( civil, family, probate, criminal, and traffic case files) are 5 cents for each page, while official copies cost an additional $40 for each document. A $15 fee for each name search if the clerk is required to search without a case number, and copies that require judicial approval cost $50 each.

Certified judgment costs $15, and other certified documents cost $25 for family law cases. Vital records, such as a Birth certificate ( $32), a death certificate ($24), marriage certificate ($17), are issued individually by the Orange County Clerk-Recorder's Office.

Orange County Courthouse Locations

The Orange County Superior Court runs several courthouses across the county. These courthouses handle different regions and cover different types of cases, which include the following :

• Central Justice Center: This courthouse handles traffic, minor offenses, criminal, unlimited civil, limited civil, and small claims.
• Community Court: The new Community Court provides a one-stop location at which comprehensive services are available to help offenders who are mentally ill, addicted, or homeless.
• Harbor Justice Center: This courthouse handles traffic, minor offenses, and criminal matters.
• Lamoreaux Justice Center: This courthouse handles Juvenile, Family Law, and Domestic Violence. Also housed at this facility are a Self-Help Center, Family Court Services, and the Office of the Family Law Facilitator.
• North Justice Center: This courthouse handles traffic, minor offenses, and criminal matters.
• Stephen K. Tamura - West Justice Center: This courthouse handles traffic, minor offenses, and criminal cases.

Criminal Records Access in Orange County

The Orange County Superior Court does not manage criminal history checks. Instead, the California Department of Justice (DOJ) handles and maintains these criminal records. A background check starts when an eligible applicant completes a Request for Live Scan ServiceForm and takes it to a live scan operator to have their fingerprints taken. Afterwards, the operator transmits the data to the DOJ, which uses fingerprint images to search its database.

The Orange County Superior Court Criminal Division provides local criminal court records online, by mail, and in person in the Criminal Operations Department at any Justice Center. The Court has several online portals (Cases on Calendar, Case Access, Case Index Search, where individuals can conduct criminal court record searches online by case number or name. To request by mail, inquirers must complete a Request for Records Search and/or Copies or provide a letter. The letter must contain the defendant's name, a case number, date of birth (if known), specific documents requested, driver's license number (if known), and the requester's contact phone number. The mail package must include a check of the appropriate fees and a self-addressed, stamped envelope. The processing time for copies of criminal court records is between 7 and 10 working days.

Orange County Probate Records

The Orange County Superior Court Probate Division handles various cases, including wills and trusts, decedents' estates, conservatorship, guardianship, elder and dependent adult abuse, and minors' compromise. The Division provides probate case information online. Non-certified and electronically certified copies of probate documents can be purchased and downloaded through the Probate Case Access System. Individuals requesting probate court records by mail must send a letter or a completed Request for Records Search and/or Copies Form. The letter should contain the name of the plaintiff/petitioner or defendant/respondent, a case number, the document's name, the date of filing, and the requester's name, address, and telephone number. The mail package should include a check and a 9" x 12" self-addressed, stamped envelope. Alternatively, record seekers can visit the Central Justice Center in person to obtain copies of probate records. They can view or print documents from the public computers or seek the assistance of a staff member.

Orange County Family Court Records

The Orange County Superior Court Family Law Divisionmaintains records such as adoption, child support, custody and visitation, paternity, divorce, domestic violence, separation, and annulment. Most family court records are confidential and only available to the case parties, their attorneys, the Department of Child Support Services, or individuals with a court order. A valid photo ID is required to view and copy confidential or sealed family court records. Individuals can use the Family Law Case Access Portalto view public family records online. Users will need a case number or party name to search.

Copies of family court records can be ordered in person at any Superior Court of Orange County Justice Center. Requesters can use the public computer terminals at the courthouses to obtain copies of the records. If the record is stored off-site, record seekers can order them by calling (657) 622-8457. The case will be available for viewing and copying within four business days. Individuals who want to obtain family court records by mail should complete the Copy Request Form (L-0696). Send the completed form, the required fees, and a self-addressed, stamped, appropriate-size envelope to the Lamoreaux Justice Center.

Federal Court Records in Orange County

Federal cases in Orange County that are coming up are covered by the United States District Court for the Central District of California, located in the First Street U.S. Courthouse, Edward R. Roybal Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse. These courts manage matters that involve federal law, bankruptcy, legal matters, and constitutional issues. The cases can be accessed in person at the clerk's office or online through the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records)system, where registered users can access and download case documents for a fee per page.