El Cajon Court Records Search
Court records for El Cajon go through the San Diego County Superior Court. El Cajon has about 107,000 residents and is located in the East County area of San Diego County. The East County Regional Center in El Cajon is the local courthouse serving the area. All civil, criminal, family law, and small claims cases file through the county court system. San Diego County has multiple online tools for searching court records, and you can visit the courthouse in person to see files.
El Cajon Court Records Quick Facts
Where El Cajon Court Cases Are Filed
El Cajon is in San Diego County. The San Diego County Superior Court handles all court cases for the city. The East County Regional Center at 250 East Main Street in El Cajon serves the local area. This courthouse handles criminal, traffic, civil, and family law cases from El Cajon and nearby communities.
Some cases may also file at the Central Courthouse at 1100 Union Street in downtown San Diego. Major civil matters and certain specialized filings go there. The court assigns cases based on type and location. The East County facility handles most everyday matters for El Cajon residents. If you are not sure which courthouse has your case, check the online Court Index or call the clerk.
A picture ID is required to view case files in person. The clerk pulls up to 10 cases per request when you visit.
| Local Courthouse | East County Regional Center 250 East Main Street El Cajon, CA 92020 |
|---|---|
| Central Courthouse | 1100 Union Street San Diego, CA 92101 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
Search El Cajon Court Records Online
The San Diego County Superior Court provides online search tools. The Court Index covers all case types across the county. You can search by name or case number to find cases from El Cajon. The tool shows case status, hearing dates, and basic filing information.
For more detail on civil and small claims cases, use the Register of Actions portal. Family law cases have a separate search tool. These are free for basic lookups. Under California Rule 2.503, family law and criminal documents cannot be viewed remotely. Online access is limited to indexes and calendars for those case types.
The California Department of Justice criminal records portal shown above handles state-level criminal history requests. For local El Cajon court records, use the San Diego County search tools.
Note: All juvenile court records in San Diego County are confidential and cannot be accessed by the public.
Fees for El Cajon Court Records
San Diego County follows the statewide fee schedule. Copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $40.00 per document. Certified divorce decrees are $15.00. Clerk searches over 10 minutes run $15.00 per name. Off-site file retrieval costs $30.00. Exemplification is $50.00.
Viewing records in person at the East County courthouse in El Cajon is free. Fees apply only when you want copies. Walk-in requests are usually processed the same day. Mailed requests take longer. Fee waivers are available if you qualify based on income.
Legal Help in El Cajon
The San Diego County Superior Court has a self-help center at the East County Regional Center in El Cajon. Staff assist with forms, finding records, and understanding court steps. The service is free for everyone. No lawyer is needed.
Legal Aid Society of San Diego gives free legal help to qualifying residents. Call (877) 534-2524. They handle civil, family, and housing cases. The California Courts Self-Help Center has online guides for every case type. The San Diego County Bar Association has a lawyer referral service for people who need a private attorney in the El Cajon area.
The East County Transitional Living Center and other local organizations sometimes partner with legal aid groups to provide assistance to residents. These groups can help connect you to services for understanding court records from El Cajon cases.
Types of El Cajon Court Records
The San Diego 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 domestic violence cases. Probate covers wills, estates, and guardianships. Small claims and traffic have their own files.
Most records from El Cajon cases are public. Anyone can ask to view them. Juvenile cases are confidential by state 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. Infraction records get destroyed after 3 years. DUI misdemeanors last 10 years.
San Diego County Court Records
El Cajon is in San Diego County. All court filings for the city go through the San Diego County Superior Court. The county has multiple courthouse locations covering different regions. For full details on the county system, online portals, fees, and resources, visit the San Diego County court records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are also in San Diego County. Court records for each go through the San Diego County Superior Court.