Search Costa Mesa Court Records
Court records for Costa Mesa are managed by the Orange County Superior Court. Costa Mesa has about 112,000 residents and sits in the central part of Orange County. All civil, criminal, family law, and small claims cases go through the county court system. The Central Justice Center in Santa Ana is the main courthouse. Orange County offers several online portals for searching court records by case type, making it possible to find many records from Costa Mesa without leaving home.
Costa Mesa Court Records Quick Facts
Where Costa Mesa Court Cases Are Filed
Costa Mesa is in Orange County. The Orange County Superior Court handles all court cases for the city. The Central Justice Center at 700 Civic Center Drive West in Santa Ana is the main courthouse. It handles civil, criminal, and probate cases. The Harbor Justice Center at 4601 Jamboree Road in Newport Beach is close to Costa Mesa and handles some local matters including traffic and small claims.
Family law cases from Costa Mesa file at the Lamoreaux Justice Center at 341 The City Drive South in Orange. This is where divorce, custody, and domestic violence cases go. Which courthouse gets your case depends on the type of filing. Costa Mesa does not have its own courthouse, so residents use the nearest Orange County locations.
| Main Courthouse | Central Justice Center 700 Civic Center Drive West Santa Ana, CA 92701 |
|---|---|
| Nearby Court | Harbor Justice Center 4601 Jamboree Road Newport Beach, CA 92660 |
| Phone | (657) 622-6878 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
Search Costa Mesa Court Records Online
Orange County runs multiple online portals for court records. The Case Name Search tool covers all case types. You can search by person or business name to find cases from Costa Mesa. The Civil Case and Document Access portal is for civil matters specifically. Family law has a separate portal. Criminal and traffic cases use the Vision Public system.
Each portal pulls from the same county court system. The name search tool is the best starting point if you are not sure what type of case you are looking for. All of these cover Costa Mesa cases filed anywhere in Orange County.
The Orange County name search tool shown above lets you find cases filed by residents of Costa Mesa and other cities in the county.
Under California Rule 2.503, family law and criminal documents are restricted from remote access. You can see indexes and calendars online but need to visit the courthouse for full documents in those case types. Civil records have fewer limits.
Fees for Costa Mesa Court Records
Orange County uses the statewide fee schedule. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $40.00. Certified dissolution copies are $15.00. Record searches over 10 minutes cost $15.00. Exemplification is $50.00.
Copy requests by mail take 7 to 10 working days to process. Walk-in requests at the courthouse are faster. Online document downloads through the civil portal also cost $0.50 per page. Records management can be reached at cjcrecordsmanagement@occourts.org or (657) 622-7809.
Fee waivers are available for low-income individuals. File a request and a judge reviews your finances. If approved, the waiver covers copy fees and other court costs for your Costa Mesa case.
Legal Help in Costa Mesa
The Orange County Superior Court runs a self-help center at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana. Staff help with forms, finding records, and understanding court procedures. It is free for everyone. No lawyer needed.
The Public Law Center provides free legal services for low-income Orange County residents. Call (714) 541-1010 to check eligibility. Community Legal Aid SoCal also serves the Costa Mesa area. The California Courts Self-Help Center has online resources for all case types. The Orange County Bar Association operates a lawyer referral service for those who need a private attorney.
Note: The Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach is the closest courthouse to Costa Mesa for traffic and small claims matters.
Types of Costa Mesa Court Records
The Orange County Superior Court keeps records for every case type. Civil records include lawsuits, evictions, and contract disputes. Criminal records cover felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions. Family law has divorce, custody, and restraining orders. Probate covers wills, estates, and guardianships. Small claims and traffic have their own files.
Most records from Costa Mesa are public. Juvenile cases are confidential. Mental health proceedings are private. Sealed records need a court order. The court follows state retention rules: 10 years for civil, 30 for family law, 75 for felony cases. Adoption and name change records are permanent.
Orange County Court Records
Costa Mesa is in Orange County. All court filings for the city go through the Orange County Superior Court. The county has several courthouse locations serving different areas. For full details on the county court system, online search portals, fees, and other resources, visit the Orange County court records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are also in Orange County. Court records for each go through the Orange County Superior Court.