Court records of San Diego County, California, are available through several channels. SanDiegoCourt.us allows for quick searches of public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, official resources of the Superior Court of California — County of San Diego, the court clerk's office, and public terminals in court buildings provide access to registers of actions, hearing calendars, and case documents. Below is a practical guide for searching, obtaining copies, and paying for court records.
San Diego Court System & Jurisdictions
In California, trial courts are unified into a single Superior Court system at the county level. Superior Court of California — County of San Diego handles virtually all categories of cases, distributed among several divisions.
- Criminal Division — felonies, misdemeanors, probation violations. Criminal case documents are available for viewing only in person at the courthouse.
- Civil Division — claims over $25,000 (unlimited civil), claims up to $25,000 (limited civil), and civil harassment cases.
- Small Claims — disputes up to $12,500 for individuals. The procedure is simplified, and an attorney is not required.
- Family Division — divorce, custody, child support, protective orders. Questions about the divorce process are detailed on the Divorce FAQ page.
- Probate — cases involving estates, adult guardianships, and trust management.
- Traffic Division — traffic violations, fines, traffic school.
Arrest warrants are issued by judges in criminal and traffic cases — for example, if a person fails to appear at a hearing. More details can be found on the court's Warrants page.
Federal cases (bankruptcy, federal crimes, immigration) are handled by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, located downtown. These cases are not part of the Superior Court system.
San Diego Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out the date and time of an upcoming hearing, use the online case search of the Superior Court. After entering the case number or party name, the system will display the Register of Actions, where scheduled hearings are listed.
Steps to check the calendar:
- Go to the Online Case Search page on the sdcourt.ca.gov website.
- Enter the case number, defendant's name, or DA case number (for criminal cases).
- Select the appropriate case from the list of results.
- In the Register of Actions section, find the lines with future dates — these are the scheduled hearings.
Note: Limited civil jurisdiction and misdemeanor records may be available online only for the past 10 years. If the case is older, contact the clerk's office of the division where the case was heard directly. Current information on schedules and available services is also published on the main page of the Superior Court.
How to Get a Copy of a San Diego Court Document
The court offers three ways to obtain a document copy: online, in person, and by mail. The type of copy — regular or certified — depends on the purpose of use.
Online
Through the court records access portal, you can view the Register of Actions and purchase individual documents in civil and family cases. Criminal documents are not downloadable online — they can only be viewed at the courthouse.
In Person
Visit the Clerk's Office in the division where the case was heard. Main branch:
San Diego Superior Court — Central Courthouse
It is advisable to have the case number with you. The clerk will locate the file and make copies. A certified copy costs more than a regular one but is required for submission to other agencies or courts.
By Mail
Send a written request specifying the case number, document name, and type of copy (certified or uncertified). Include a check or money order payable to "Clerk of the Superior Court." Mailing address for requests:
Processing time for mail requests is usually several weeks.
San Diego Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees are set according to California Government Code § 70600 and the Superior Court's fee schedule. Below are approximate rates — exact amounts should be confirmed with the clerk's office or on the court's website, as they are periodically updated.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Case search (by name or number) | Free online |
| Regular document copy (per page) | $0.50 |
| Certified copy (certification fee) | $25 per document |
| Copy of Register of Actions | Depends on the number of pages |
| Archive search (if the case is not in the electronic system) | An additional fee may be charged |
Payment is accepted in cash, check, money order, and typically by credit or debit card (including online). For mail requests — only check or money order payable to "Clerk of the Superior Court."
Certain categories of individuals are eligible for a fee waiver — to apply, submit the appropriate application to the court. The Fresh Start program from the Public Defender's office assists with expungement and related fees.