Clovis Court Records Search
Court records for Clovis are filed at the Fresno County Superior Court. Clovis has about 120,000 residents and sits just east of Fresno in the Central Valley. All civil, criminal, family law, and small claims cases go through the county court system. The main courthouse is in downtown Fresno. The Fresno County court has an online public portal for searching case information, and the Archives Department handles physical records requests.
Clovis Court Records Quick Facts
Where Clovis Court Cases Are Filed
Clovis is in Fresno County. The Fresno County Superior Court handles every court case for the city. The B.F. Sisk Courthouse at 1100 Van Ness Avenue in Fresno is the main courthouse. Most civil, criminal, and family law cases file there. Clovis does not have its own courthouse. Residents go to the Fresno facilities for all court matters.
The Fresno County court also has a satellite location and an Archives Department at 1963 E Street in Fresno. The Archives Department stores, maintains, and retrieves case files and records. If you need an older case file from Clovis, the archives is where it probably lives. You need a photo ID to get any file folder from the archives.
| Main Courthouse | B.F. Sisk Courthouse 1100 Van Ness Avenue Fresno, CA 93724 |
|---|---|
| Archives | 1963 E Street Fresno, CA 93706 (559) 457-4903 |
| Archive Hours | Monday-Thursday 8AM-3PM, Friday 8AM-12PM |
Search Clovis Court Records Online
The Fresno County Superior Court has an online portal for searching case data. The Fresno Public Portal lets you search by name or case number. This covers civil, criminal, family law, probate, and small claims cases from Clovis and the rest of Fresno County. The search is free to use.
The portal shows case status, hearing dates, and the register of actions. Full case documents are not always available for download through the online system. Under California Rule 2.503, family law, criminal, and certain other case types are restricted from remote access. You can see indexes and calendars online, but the actual documents may need a courthouse visit.
The Fresno County public portal shown above is the main online tool for finding court records from Clovis.
For non-confidential files, you can also visit the Archives Department in person. Staff there can pull your file. Bring a picture ID. The archives has limited hours, so check before you go.
Note: The archives closes at noon on Fridays, so plan visits to the Fresno County archives accordingly.
Fees for Clovis Court Records
Fresno County follows the statewide fee schedule for court records. Copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $40.00 per document. If the clerk searches for a record and it takes over 10 minutes, the fee is $15.00. Certified divorce copies cost $15.00.
Visiting the archives or courthouse to view records in person is free. You only pay when you want copies. The Archives Department can make copies on site. Fee waivers are available for people who cannot afford the costs. File a request and a judge reviews your income to decide. If approved, all copy and filing fees get waived for your Clovis court case.
Legal Help for Clovis Residents
The Fresno County Superior Court has a self-help center that provides free assistance. Staff help with forms, explain court steps, and point you to the right resources. The center is at the main courthouse in Fresno. You do not need a lawyer to use it.
Central California Legal Services provides free legal help for low-income residents in the Fresno area. Call (800) 675-8001 to check eligibility. They cover civil matters, housing, and family law. The California Courts Self-Help Center has online guides for every type of court case. For a private attorney, the Fresno County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service that can match Clovis residents with lawyers in the area.
Types of Court Records in Clovis
The Fresno County Superior Court keeps records for all case types. Civil records include lawsuits, evictions, and contract disputes. Criminal records cover felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions. Family law has divorce, custody, and restraining orders. Probate deals with wills, estates, and guardianships. Small claims and traffic each have their own records.
Most records are public. Juvenile cases are confidential by law. Mental health proceedings are private. Sealed records require a court order. Under state retention rules, civil cases stay for 10 years, family law for 30, and felony records for 75 years. Adoption and name change files are kept permanently.
- Civil unlimited: 10-year retention
- Family law: 30 years
- Felony: 75 years
- Adoption and name change: permanent
- Small claims: 10 years
Fresno County Court Records
Clovis is in Fresno County. All court filings for the city go through the Fresno County Superior Court. The county handles a wide range of cases from across the Central Valley. For full details on the county court system, online search tools, fees, and resources, visit the Fresno County court records page.
Nearby Cities
Fresno is the main neighboring city, also served by the Fresno County Superior Court. Bakersfield and Visalia are nearby in other counties.