Anaheim Court Records Search
Court records for Anaheim are managed by the Orange County Superior Court. Anaheim is the most populous city in Orange County with about 350,000 residents. All civil, criminal, family law, and small claims cases go through the county court system. There is no separate city court in Anaheim. Several Orange County courthouse locations serve the area, with the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana handling a large share of filings. You can search many records online or visit a courthouse to view files in person.
Anaheim Court Records Quick Facts
Where Anaheim Court Records Are Filed
Anaheim sits in the northern part of Orange County. The Orange County Superior Court is the court system that handles all cases for Anaheim residents. The Central Justice Center at 700 Civic Center Drive West in Santa Ana is the main courthouse for the county. It takes civil cases, criminal matters, and probate filings. The North Justice Center in Fullerton at 1275 North Berkeley Avenue is closer to Anaheim and handles some case types as well. Which courthouse gets your case depends on the type of matter and where the events happened.
For family law cases filed in Anaheim, the Lamoreaux Justice Center at 341 The City Drive South in Orange is the primary location. This court handles divorce, child custody, and domestic violence matters. Traffic cases usually go to the court closest to where the ticket was issued. Anaheim traffic cases often end up at the North Justice Center in Fullerton.
Note: The Orange County Superior Court assigns cases to specific locations, so check which courthouse holds the file you need before visiting.
| Main Courthouse | Central Justice Center 700 Civic Center Drive West Santa Ana, CA 92701 |
|---|---|
| Nearby Courthouse | North Justice Center 1275 N. Berkeley Avenue Fullerton, CA 92832 |
| Phone | (657) 622-6878 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
Search Anaheim Court Records Online
The Orange County Superior Court runs several online portals for searching court records. The Case Name Search tool lets you look up cases by person or business name. This covers all case types across the county, including cases filed in Anaheim. The search is free to use, though viewing full documents may cost extra.
The court also has portals split by case type. The Civil Case and Document Access portal is for civil matters. A separate system covers family law cases. There is a probate portal as well. Criminal and traffic cases use the Vision Public portal. Each tool has its own search page, but they all pull from the same county court system that serves Anaheim.
The Orange County court provides the following screenshot of their main case access page for searching records.
The statewide appellate system also lets you search for cases that were appealed from the Orange County Superior Court to the Fourth Appellate District.
Under California Rule 2.503, full documents in family law, criminal, and certain other case types are only viewable at courthouse terminals. Online access for those types is limited to the register of actions, calendars, and case indexes. Civil case documents have fewer limits and more of them can be viewed from home.
Note: Online records may take a day or two to update after a new filing in Anaheim court cases.
Court Records Fees for Anaheim Cases
Orange County uses the statewide fee schedule set by California law. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. If you want a certified copy, the fee is $40.00 per document. When court staff have to search for a record and the search takes more than 10 minutes, the charge is $15.00. These fees apply at any Orange County courthouse.
Online document access also has costs. Downloading civil documents through the county portal runs $0.50 per page. Processing time for copy requests is 7 to 10 working days if you mail your request in. Walk-in requests at the courthouse are usually faster. Certified copies of dissolution records are $15.00. If you need a record exemplified for use in another state, the fee is $50.00.
If you cannot pay these fees, you can file a fee waiver request with the court. A judge will review your finances and decide if you qualify. Fee waivers cover both filing fees and copy costs for court records in Anaheim cases.
Legal Help in Anaheim
The Orange County Superior Court has a self-help center that is free to use. Staff at the self-help center can help you find court records, fill out forms, and understand the steps in your case. You do not need to hire a lawyer to use this service. The center operates at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana.
The Public Law Center gives free legal help to people with low income in Orange County. Call (714) 541-1010 to check if you qualify. They handle civil matters, housing cases, and some family law issues. Community Legal Aid SoCal also serves the Anaheim area. The California Courts Self-Help Center has statewide guides for all case types. The LawHelpCA website can connect you with legal aid groups near Anaheim.
The Orange County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service for people who need a private attorney. They can match you with a lawyer who handles the type of case you have. A first consultation through the service is usually low cost.
Types of Court Records in Anaheim
The Orange County Superior Court keeps records for every type of case filed in its system. Civil records include lawsuits, contract disputes, landlord-tenant matters, and personal injury claims. Criminal records cover felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions. Family law records include divorce filings, child custody orders, and domestic violence restraining orders. Probate handles wills, estates, conservatorships, and guardianships. Small claims cases involve disputes under a dollar limit set by state law. Traffic cases create their own file as well.
Most court records in Anaheim are public. Anyone can ask to see them. Some records are confidential by law. Juvenile cases, mental health proceedings, and some family law matters are not open to the general public. Sealed records need a court order to access. The court keeps civil records for 10 years. Family law records stay on file for 30 years. Felony records are kept for 75 years.
- Civil unlimited cases: kept for 10 years
- Family law: kept for 30 years
- Felony: kept for 75 years
- Adoption and name change: kept permanently
- Small claims: kept for 10 years
Orange County Court Records
Anaheim is in Orange County. All court filings for the city go through the Orange County Superior Court. The county system has multiple courthouse locations and handles hundreds of thousands of cases per year. For full details on the county court system, online portals, fees, and other resources, visit the Orange County court records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are also served by the Orange County Superior Court or nearby county courts. Court records for each city go through their respective county court system.