Court Case Search

A San Diego County court case search can help you identify a case number, confirm where a case was filed, review basic case information, and determine which courthouse holds the official file. This article explains how to search the San Diego Superior Court’s online systems, what information appears in search results, which records are excluded, and how to view or request documents from the appropriate court business office.

How Court Case Search Works

The Superior Court of California, County of San Diego maintains an online Court Index containing cases filed with the court. The index is primarily a case-location tool. It can help users identify a case and determine which court facility houses the file, but it does not replace the official court record.

The San Diego Superior Court Court Index offers three main search methods:

The name of a party associated with the case
The court case number
The District Attorney case number for a criminal matter

A name search is useful when the case number is unknown. A case number search is usually more precise because it identifies a particular court file. A District Attorney number is different from the court’s case number and is intended for criminal case searches. Users should enter the number in the matching search field rather than treating the two numbers as interchangeable.

Information Shown in Results

When a matching case filed with the San Diego Superior Court appears in the index, the results may provide the case title, court case number, court location, case type, filing date, and names of parties associated with the case. The listed case location identifies the court facility that houses the record and is the location users generally need when requesting access to the file.

The case number displayed in the results should be saved exactly as shown. It is used when viewing a file, ordering copies, contacting the business office, or submitting a written request. Missing characters, transposed numbers, and confusion between a court number and a District Attorney number can delay a record request.

The court’s online case search information page explains the available search options and the information returned for Civil, Criminal, Family Court, Mental Health, and Probate cases.

What the Index Does Not Show

The Court Index does not provide the charges or final disposition of a case. A search result showing that a case exists does not establish a conviction, judgment, liability, or finding of responsibility. To determine what charges were filed, what orders were entered, or how the matter ended, the user must review the official court record through the clerk’s business office where the case was filed.

Cases remain permanently in the index as provided by applicable record-retention rules, even when a case was dismissed without a finding of guilt or responsibility. For that reason, the appearance of a person’s name in the index should not be interpreted without reviewing the actual case record.

Online Search Limitations

Not every San Diego County court record can be located through the Court Index. Availability depends on the type, date, location, confidentiality status, and retention period of the case.

Records Excluded From the Index

Juvenile cases, traffic and minor offense cases, and cases filed before 1974 are not included in the online Court Index. Infractions are also excluded. These records require a different process, such as contacting or visiting the court facility where the matter was heard.

Civil Limited and misdemeanor records may be available in the index for only 10 years at some court locations. A missing result therefore does not necessarily mean that no case existed. The record may be older than the period covered by the online system, stored on microfilm, transferred to off-site storage, sealed, confidential, purged, or destroyed according to the applicable retention schedule.

Older and Archived Cases

For Civil, Criminal, Domestic or Family Court, Mental Health, and Probate files from 1974 to the present, users can generally begin with the online search or visit the court location where the case was heard. Cases from before 1974 require an in-person search at the location where the case was tried.

The Central Division Older Records office maintains case indexes dating from 1880 to the middle of 1974. Indexes covering 1880 through 1964 are maintained in large hardbound books. Later archived indexes are available through computer-generated records.

Additional information on older cases may be available on microfilm at court locations. Court staff does not perform microfilm research for the public. A user seeking an older record must conduct the research using the available index or microfilm and then identify the documents needed.

Purged or Destroyed Files

The San Diego Superior Court purges records under the schedules established for different case types. If court staff cannot locate a file, the record may have been destroyed or purged under California Government Code requirements. The online presence of a case entry does not guarantee that every document from the file remains available.

Searching by Party Name

A party-name search is appropriate when the court case number is unknown. The party may be an individual, business, government agency, petitioner, respondent, plaintiff, defendant, or another participant identified in the case title.

Use the person’s legal name when possible. Name variations can affect results, especially when a person uses a middle name, middle initial, former surname, compound surname, or suffix. A broad search may return multiple people with similar names, so each result should be compared using the case type, filing date, party names, and court location.

A search result should not be assumed to concern the correct person based on the name alone. The Court Index is intended to locate a file, not to verify identity or explain the outcome of the proceeding. When several records appear, the case number and accompanying details should be reviewed before requesting documents.

Searching by Case Number

A court case number provides the most direct search method. Enter the number in the case-number field using the format shown on court notices, pleadings, orders, or prior search results. Do not substitute a citation number, booking number, law-enforcement report number, payment confirmation number, or District Attorney number.

After locating the record, confirm that the case title and case type match the expected matter. The search result also identifies the courthouse where the file is maintained. That location controls where an in-person viewing or mailed copy request should be directed.

Criminal Case Searches

A criminal case may be searched by a party name, court case number, or District Attorney case number. The District Attorney number is an identifier used for a criminal matter, while the court case number identifies the official Superior Court file.

The Court Index does not display the full charges, disposition, or official criminal documents. Criminal documents are not available for online viewing or downloading. For some criminal cases filed on or after February 17, 2026, documents may be purchased online and mailed after the request is processed. Other criminal documents must be reviewed at the courthouse where the matter was heard or requested through the court’s copy process.

A criminal case search should not be confused with a jail or inmate search. Court records concern judicial proceedings, while custody systems concern a person’s detention or release status. A booking number used by a detention facility is not the same as a Superior Court case number.

Traffic and Minor Offenses

Traffic cases, vehicle-code violations, certain municipal ordinance matters, minor offenses, and infractions are not available in the online Court Index. To locate one of these files, a user must call or visit the court facility where the matter was tried.

Traffic and minor offense files remain at a court facility for a limited period before they may be transferred to off-site storage. Retrieval can take several days, and the court charges a fee when a record must be obtained from storage.

The court’s stated retention periods include three years for most infraction records, five years for misdemeanor traffic records, and 10 years for misdemeanor DUI records. A request made after the applicable period may be unsuccessful because the file has been destroyed under the record-retention schedule.

Juvenile Court Records

Juvenile Court files are confidential and do not appear in the public Court Index. The minor, the minor’s parents or legal guardians, and attorneys of record may obtain court minutes and selected documents by appearing at the appropriate counter with valid photo identification. Juvenile records are not mailed.

Individuals who are not otherwise authorized to inspect a juvenile file generally must submit a Petition for Disclosure of Juvenile Court Records using form JV-570. A petition submitted in person or by mail must contain an original signature. If the court grants the petition, viewing the file or obtaining copies must be completed in person with proper photo identification. Copies are not mailed to the petitioner.

Public and Restricted Records

Court case files are generally public records subject to inspection at the clerk’s office. Court records are presumed open unless a record is confidential or has been sealed under applicable law or a court order.

A judge may seal an entire record or specified documents. When a record is sealed, members of the public cannot inspect the protected material without first obtaining an appropriate court order. Confidential files, including Juvenile Court records, are governed by separate access restrictions.

The court’s court records access instructions explain how access differs by case type, age, and record status.

Viewing a File in Person

Once the case number and court location have been identified, a user may request to inspect a hard-copy file at the appropriate business office. The court requires the requester to complete the required court form and present a valid driver’s license or another valid photo identification document.

All files must be reviewed in the records section of the court’s business office. A file cannot be removed from the courthouse. Removing, destroying, hiding, defacing, or altering a court record can result in criminal penalties.

Some court documents may be available through public computer kiosks located in the appropriate business offices. Bringing the complete case number and the names of the parties reduces the risk of searching the wrong file or requiring staff to conduct an extended record search.

The court file viewing instructions describe the identification requirement, file-handling restrictions, kiosk availability, and off-site retrieval process.

Courthouse Camera Restrictions

The San Diego Superior Court does not allow users to photograph the contents of a court file with a camera, mobile phone, or other digital image-capture device. Users who need a document must request a court-provided copy rather than photographing pages during an inspection.

Off-Site File Retrieval

Because courthouse storage space is limited, older files may be transferred to an off-site location. When a file is stored off site, the requester must pay the applicable retrieval charge when making the request. Retrieval may delay access because the file must be delivered to the business office before it can be viewed or copied.

Obtaining Court Record Copies

Copies may be requested online, in person, or by mail, depending on the case type, filing date, document availability, and confidentiality status. The court does not send complete files electronically or by fax.

Online Document Availability

Some documents in Civil, Small Claims, and Probate cases initiated on or after January 1, 2008, may be available through the online Register of Actions. Available documents may be previewed or downloaded for a fee, depending on the record.

For imaged Family cases filed on or after August 24, 2015, some documents may be purchased online and mailed to the requester. For criminal cases filed on or after February 17, 2026, certain documents may also be purchased online for delivery by mail. Criminal documents are not available for online viewing or downloading.

In-Person Copy Requests

For a hard-copy file, go to the courthouse identified in the Court Index. Provide the business office with the court case number and present photo identification when access to the file is required. A clerk will pull no more than 10 cases per request, per customer, per transaction.

A records search fee may be assessed when a non-party asks court staff to conduct a search lasting longer than 10 minutes. Search time includes the total time needed to search the court system, print or locate information, and provide it to the requester. The search fee is separate from copying charges.

Copies from a file, microfiche, or microfilm cost 50 cents per page, with each side of a document treated as one page. Some copy requests require at least two court days to process. Court staff may provide a pickup date or contact the requester when the copies are ready. Payment is required before copies are made.

Requests Submitted by Mail

For case types other than Probate, a mailed request should be sent to the court facility where the matter was tried. The letter must include:

The complete court case number
The names of the parties
The specific documents to be copied
A phone number, mailing address, and email address for the requester
A self-addressed stamped envelope with sufficient return postage
Payment for copying, research, certification, or retrieval fees that may apply

Probate copy requests may be submitted using Probate Form PR-189 through e-filing or by mail. A written request that lacks the case number, document names, return envelope, postage, or payment may require additional communication and delay processing.

When the requester does not know the number of pages or whether a research fee will apply, a check may be made payable to “Superior Court.” The memo line may state “Not to exceed” followed by the maximum amount the court is authorized to charge. Credit card payment may be submitted using San Diego Superior Court form ADM-253.

Copy requests received by mail may take several weeks to process. The court’s court record copy procedures provide the requirements for online, in-person, and mailed requests.

Certified Court Records

Information displayed by the Court Index is not an official or certified record of the court. A person who requires an officially certified copy must request the specific document from the court in person or in writing. Certification, copying, research, and off-site retrieval fees may apply.

Users should identify the exact document that requires certification rather than requesting certification of unspecified information from an online search result. Examples of document descriptions may include a judgment, order, minute entry, complaint, petition, or other named filing contained in the official case file.

Choosing the Correct Courthouse

The court location displayed in the search results identifies where the file is maintained. San Diego Superior Court records are distributed among Central, East County, North County, South County, Kearny Mesa, Family, Juvenile, Probate, and Older Records offices according to case type and filing location.

Most court records business offices operate from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., but the deadline for requesting copies varies. Some offices require copy requests by 3:30 p.m., while others accept requests from customers waiting in line at closing time. Users planning an in-person visit should confirm the correct division, floor, business office, operating hours, and copy-request deadline before traveling.

The official court records locations page identifies which facilities maintain Civil, Criminal, Family, Small Claims, Traffic, and Older Records files.

Common Search Problems

No Matching Case Appears

A search may fail because the name was entered differently, the number belongs to another agency, the record is outside the online date range, or the case type is excluded. Traffic, minor offense, juvenile, and pre-1974 cases require procedures outside the Court Index. Civil Limited and misdemeanor records may also be limited to 10 years at some locations.

The Result Lacks Charges

The Court Index is not designed to display charges or dispositions. The official file must be inspected or copied to review the allegations, court orders, judgment, dismissal, or other case outcome. The index entry alone should not be used to characterize the result of a case.

The File Is Temporarily Unavailable

A file may be in a courtroom, stored off site, checked out for court use, sealed, confidential, purged, or destroyed. Off-site files require retrieval and payment of the applicable charge. Court staff may provide instructions based on the file’s location and status.

The Online Page Will Not Load

The San Diego Superior Court recommends using a current version of Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Safari, or Firefox. An outdated browser may prevent the search page or court website from functioning as expected.

Court Offices and Phone Numbers

San Diego Superior Court Central Division
1100 Union Street, San Diego, CA 92101
619-844-2700

Hall of Justice Civil Business Office
330 W Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101
619-450-7275

Central Division Older Records
1100 Union Street, San Diego, CA 92101
619-844-2400

Family Law Court Business Office
1100 Union Street, San Diego, CA 92101
619-844-2777

Juvenile Court Business Office
2851 Meadow Lark Drive, San Diego, CA 92123
858-634-1600

Kearny Mesa Branch Traffic and Minor Offense Office
8950 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego, CA 92123
858-634-1800

Probate Court
1100 Union Street, San Diego, CA 92101
619-844-2676

North County Division
325 South Melrose Drive, Vista, CA 92081
760-201-8600

East County Division
250 East Main Street, El Cajon, CA 92020
619-456-4100

South County Division
500 3rd Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91910
619-746-6200

Court Case Search FAQs

How long are Small Claims records kept?

Retention depends on the type of Small Claims material and how the case ended. Electronic recordings are generally retained for seven years after disposition. A case file involving a voluntary dismissal without entry of judgment may be retained for only one year, while a file with a final disposition may be retained for 10 years. Once the applicable retention period expires, the record may be lawfully destroyed. Users researching an older Small Claims matter should first locate the filing location and then review the court’s official court record access procedures.

Why can I preview only one page online?

The Register of Actions may display only the first page as a preview for eligible Civil, Small Claims, and Probate documents. The preview helps users verify that they have found the correct filing before paying to download the complete document. A document appearing in the register does not mean that every page is available without charge. Availability also depends on whether the document has been imaged, whether access is legally restricted, and whether the case falls within the court’s online date ranges.

Can court employees research archived microfilm?

No. Court employees do not conduct microfilm research for members of the public. Microfilm may be available at the court location for personal use, but the requester must identify the relevant case and documents. For very old matters, indexes may be contained in hardbound books or computer-generated archived indexes. Preparing party names, approximate filing years, case type, and courthouse location can make an in-person archive search more efficient.

Does a public case guarantee online documents?

No. A case may be publicly inspectable at the clerk’s office even when its documents cannot be viewed online. Online access depends on case type, filing date, document imaging, and court access rules. Certain records may also contain sealed or confidential material that requires a court order. The official online case search guidance explains which case categories may offer document purchasing, downloading, or mailed-copy options.