Access Fresno Court Records
Court records in Fresno are handled by the Fresno County Superior Court. Fresno is the fifth largest city in California with about 542,000 people. The B.F. Sisk Courthouse on Van Ness Avenue is the main courthouse serving the city. Civil, criminal, family law, probate, and small claims cases all go through this court system. You can search Fresno court records online through the county portal or visit the courthouse to view files in person.
Fresno Court Records Quick Facts
Where Fresno Court Cases Are Filed
All court cases in Fresno go through the Fresno County Superior Court. The B.F. Sisk Courthouse at 1100 Van Ness Avenue is the main location for civil and criminal cases. The court also has an archives department at 1963 E Street that stores older case files. A photo ID is needed to view archived files. The archives office is open Monday through Thursday from 8 AM to 3 PM and Friday from 8 AM to noon.
The city clerk office at 2600 Fresno Street handles city business records but not court cases. For any court filing or court record, you must go through the county superior court. Fresno is the county seat, so the main courthouse is right in the city. This makes access straightforward compared to cities that are far from their county courthouse.
Walk-ins can search records at no charge. Copies cost extra.
| Main Courthouse | B.F. Sisk Courthouse 1100 Van Ness Avenue Fresno, CA 93721 |
|---|---|
| Archives Department | 1963 E Street Fresno, CA 93706 (559) 457-4903 |
| City Clerk | 2600 Fresno Street, Room 2133 (559) 621-7650 |
Search Fresno Records Online
The Fresno County Superior Court has an online public portal for searching case information. The portal covers civil, criminal, family, probate, and small claims cases. You can search by party name or case number. It shows the register of actions, scheduled hearings, and basic case data. This is the fastest way to look up court records for Fresno cases from home.
The Fresno County public portal is shown below and provides access to case data for Fresno residents.
Results from this portal include case index data and hearing schedules for Fresno court cases.
California Rule 2.503 limits what can be viewed online for certain case types. Criminal case documents and family law filings are not available through remote access. You can see the case index, but the full documents require an in-person visit. Civil case records tend to have the most data available online. The appellate case information system covers appeals from Fresno that go to the Fifth District Court of Appeal.
Court Records Fees in Fresno
Fresno County follows the statewide fee schedule for court record copies. Copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $40.00 per document. A record search by the clerk costs $15.00 if it takes more than 10 minutes. These fees are set by California Government Code and apply at every courthouse in the county.
Certified copies of a dissolution judgment (divorce decree) cost $15.00. Exemplification of a record is $50.00. In-person viewing of files at the courthouse or archives is free. You only pay when you need copies or certifications. The archives department processes requests during its limited hours, so plan your visit. If you mail in a request, include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check for the correct amount.
Legal Help in Fresno
Central California Legal Services offers free legal help to low-income residents in the Fresno area. Call (800) 675-8001 for intake. They handle family law, housing, and public benefits cases. Staff can guide you through the process of finding and understanding court records.
The Fresno County Superior Court has a self-help center at the B.F. Sisk Courthouse. You can get forms, ask basic legal questions, and get help with filing paperwork. The California Courts Self-Help Center has online tools for common case types. For private legal help, the Fresno County Bar Association offers a lawyer referral service.
California Rural Legal Assistance also serves the Fresno area. Call (800) 337-0690 for info. They focus on farmworker and rural community legal needs.
Types of Fresno Court Records
Fresno County Superior Court keeps records for all case categories. Civil records cover lawsuits, contract disputes, property matters, and evictions. Criminal records include felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions. Family law records deal with divorce, custody, child support, and restraining orders. Probate records handle estates, wills, and conservatorships. Small claims cases cover minor disputes. Traffic cases create their own set of records.
Public access varies by case type. Civil records are the most accessible, both online and at the courthouse. Criminal and family law records have tighter limits on remote viewing under state rules. Juvenile records are always confidential. Sealed records need a court order to access.
- Civil judgments for unlimited cases are kept permanently
- Felony records are retained for 75 years
- Family law records stay on file for 30 years
- Small claims cases are kept for 10 years
- Name and gender change records are permanent
The archives department at 1963 E Street stores older files that have been moved from the active courthouse. If the case you need is not at the main courthouse, it may be in the archives. Call (559) 457-4903 to check.
Fresno County Court Records
Fresno is the county seat of Fresno County. All court filings for the city go through the Fresno County Superior Court. For full details on the county court system, branch locations, fee schedules, and online portals, visit the county page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Fresno and served by nearby county courts.