How do I find my court case number?
Check any court paperwork you already have for the case number. If you cannot find it, use the San Diego Superior Court’s official Court Index to search by a party’s name. For criminal cases, you can also search using a District Attorney (DA) case number if you have one. Check the matching case details and record both the court case number and file location.
Check your existing court documents
Look for a field labeled “Case Number” or “Case No.” on documents such as a filed complaint, petition, summons, hearing notice or court order. Use the complete number as shown on the document.
If you have several matters involving the same people, check the document’s case title and subject. Do not assume that every document involving those parties belongs to the same case.
Search the official Court Index
Select “Party Name Search” in the Court Index and follow the search form’s instructions. The court’s Online Case Search page explains the available search options and coverage.
Compare possible matches using the information provided:
- Case title and parties involved.
- Case type.
- Date filed.
- Court location.
A name match alone may not identify your case. If you search by a DA case number, record the court case number returned in the results; the DA number is a separate search identifier.
If you cannot find the case
The Court Index does not include juvenile cases, traffic or minor offense cases, or cases filed before 1974. Some locations also have limited online coverage for older civil limited and misdemeanor records.
Contact the appropriate business office using the court’s official contact directory. Have the parties’ names, case type, approximate filing date and any court paperwork available. Ask about the appropriate search or older-records procedure and any applicable research fees.
Use the number to locate the court record
Save both the case number and the location shown in the results. Use the court’s Accessing Court Records page to find the appropriate Register of Actions or instructions for viewing or requesting records.
The Court Index helps locate a case but does not provide details about criminal charges or case outcomes. For that information, consult the official court record.