Sacramento County Court Records

The Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento, the trial-level court that serves as its custodian, creates and maintains the official papers known as Sacramento County court records. These documents provide a reliable record of court processes by documenting filings and proceedings in traffic, family, criminal, civil, and probate matters. Pleadings, motions, hearings, and judgments are the means by which they are created, and they are preserved in accordance with California's Public Records Act (Gov. Code § 6250 et seq.) and Court Rules, ensuring openness and public access, subject to statutory limitations.

Although they differ from other public records, court records are a part of a larger system of easily accessible legal and governmental information. For example, the county and state health departments maintain vital records, law enforcement keeps information about arrests and jails, and the U.S. District Court and PACER maintain federal case files.

Are Sacramento County Court Records Public?

Under California law, most Sacramento County court records are open to the public. This access is protected by the California Rules of Court (CRC 2.400 -- 2.507) and the California Public Records Act (Gov. Code §§ 7920.000 et seq.), which promote government transparency. In general, records from civil, probate, small claims, traffic, and most criminal cases can be reviewed by the public.

However, if a judge issues an order to seal a record or a case involves sensitive matters, those files will remain confidential. Access is limited on sensitive issues, though. Welf. & Inst. Code §§ 827-828 protects the confidentiality of juvenile delinquency and dependency cases. Similarly, records sealed for privacy or security, adoption, some family law documents (such as financial records), and mental health proceedings are still inaccessible. Therefore, California law carefully balances transparency and individual privacy, even while the Sacramento County Superior Court maintains wide public access.

What Information is Available in Sacramento County Court Records?

Depending on the type of case, Sacramento County court records typically include important filings, orders, and proceedings that serve as a record of the court's proceedings. Below is a summary of the usual contents of this county's court records:

Civil and Probate Case Records

Civil Court records in Sacramento County typically contain complaints, summonses, answers, motions, judicial rulings, final judgments, liens, and settlement agreements. In probate matters, files may also include last wills, estate inventories, conservatorship papers, and trust account reports, providing a detailed record of how an estate is managed and distributed.

Family Law and Juvenile Case Records

Family law case files in Sacramento County generally include divorce petitions, custody and visitation rulings, determinations of child or spousal support, restraining orders, and documents dividing marital property. Records concerning juvenile delinquency or dependency proceedings are also maintained, though these remain confidential under state law and are not available to the public.

Criminal and Traffic Case Records

Criminal and traffic case records often contain charging instruments, arrest warrants, details of bail or bond, hearing transcripts, plea bargains, sentencing directives, and probation terms. In traffic-related matters, the files may also feature citations, penalty assessments, and final case outcomes.

General Court Filings

Across different categories of cases, court files may also include indexes, hearing calendars, evidentiary exhibits, and notices of appeal. Taken together, Sacramento County court records serve as a comprehensive chronicle of judicial activity, underscoring the court's responsibility in upholding due process and promoting accountability within the justice system.

Sacramento County Court Records Search

There are several methods for searching Sacramento County court records, depending on the user's requirements and the type of case.

Online Access

The Sacramento County Superior Court offers digital access to criminal, family, traffic, and historical case records through its Public Case Access portal. This system allows searches of all available public case records by entering a case number, party name, or filing date. For criminal cases, which are also accessible online, information may be restricted for active proceedings or sealed files. Juvenile and adoption matters remain strictly confidential under state law and are not available through the portal.

For civil, probate, small claims, and unlawful detainer cases, the Superior Court has launched a dedicated online Public Portal. This platform went live on April 24, 2023, for civil and probate cases, and on June 17, 2024, for small claims and unlawful detainer records. Users can search for case information using party names, case numbers, court calendars, or by case type and filing date. Access to this portal requires users to create an account before viewing the records.

In-Person Access

Members of the public can access records at the Gordon D. Schaber Courthouse or other branch locations. Public access terminals known as "KIOSKS" are available for searching civil, family, probate, and criminal case dockets. Court clerks can also assist with locating files, although viewing or obtaining copies may require submitting a formal request.

Mail or Phone Requests

Limited information may be obtained by telephone, but certified copies must be requested by mail or in person; payment is normally made by check, money order, or credit card; requests for court records may be made by mail with a completed request form, pertinent case information, and any applicable fees; mailed returns must include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Fees

The court imposes per-page copying fees, typically around $0.50 per page, with additional charges for certified copies or exemplified documents. Accessing indexes online is generally free, though downloading or printing records may incur fees established by the court. For a full breakdown of costs, refer to the Sacramento Superior Court fee schedule.

Sacramento County Courthouse Locations

Sacramento County maintains multiple courthouse locations, each assigned to handle specific categories of cases. Below are the phone numbers and addresses of these courthouses:

Criminal Records Access in Sacramento County

In California, criminal background checks are not directly performed by Sacramento County courts; instead, the person requesting a background check must normally complete a "Live Scan" fingerprinting at an authorized location. The Department of Justice (DOJ) is the official agency that provides fingerprint-based criminal history reports, which are frequently needed for purposes such as employment, professional licensing, or immigration.

A "Request for Live Scan Service" form (BCIA 8016) must typically be filled out, and a processing fee (usually about $25) and the fingerprinting service fee, which differs by vendor, must be paid. The public cannot access another person's criminal history from the DOJ; only the person being checked or an authorized agency may request their own DOJ record.

Through the Sacramento County Public Case Access portal, which enables searches for cases filed in recent years, Sacramento County makes criminal case records available for local information about individual cases. Requests for certified copies or older criminal case records must be made in person at the courthouse where the case was filed.

Sacramento County Probate Records

Sacramento County probate records capture court cases pertaining to estate administration, such as conservatorships, guardianships, trusts, and wills. These documents offer official details on guardian appointments, asset distribution, and estate management under court supervision.

While older documents or certified copies would need to be requested in person or by mail at the William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse, room 214, recent filings are frequently available online via the Sacramento County Public Portal. To preserve privacy, some delicate cases are restricted, such as conservatorships with confidentiality orders or guardianships affecting children.

Copies are usually accessed for a cost per page, with extra expenses for certified or illustrated documents. Probate records from Sacramento County span many decades, frequently including files from the middle of the 20th century to the present. California court laws and the county's public records policy, which strike a balance between openness and legal privacy restrictions, regulate fees and availability.

Sacramento Family Court Records

Records from Sacramento County family courts cover issues like divorce, adoption, child or spousal support, and child custody and visitation. The Sacramento County Public Case Access System provides online access to many recent filings and enables searches by case number, party name, or filing date.

For in-person inspection, case files can be reviewed using public terminals and clerk assistance in Room 102 of the William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse. Applications for older records or certified copies must ideally be made directly to the courthouse, either in person or by mail. Usually, this involves sending a self-addressed stamped envelope, a filled-out request form, and any necessary costs.

Fees typically consist of per-page charges for copies, along with extra costs for certified or exemplified documents. Access to certain sensitive records, such as adoption and juvenile dependency cases, may be restricted to safeguard privacy. Overall, the system is designed to promote public transparency while maintaining confidentiality in accordance with California law.

Federal Court Records in Sacramento County

In Sacramento County, federal cases fall under the authority of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California. This court addresses both civil and criminal matters governed by federal statutes, ranging from bankruptcy and constitutional disputes to other federally regulated issues. Case records can be obtained through the clerk's office, which provides in-person support, or digitally via PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records), allowing registered users to search, review, and download dockets and filings. Certain sensitive materials may be restricted to preserve confidentiality and security.