Garden Grove Court Records
Court records for Garden Grove are filed at the Orange County Superior Court. Garden Grove has roughly 173,000 residents and sits in the central part of Orange County. The city does not have its own courthouse, so cases route to the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana or other Orange County branch locations. You can search civil, criminal, and family law court records online or visit a courthouse to view case files in person.
Garden Grove Court Records Quick Facts
Where Garden Grove Cases Are Filed
Garden Grove cases go to the Orange County Superior Court. The Central Justice Center at 700 Civic Center Drive West in Santa Ana handles most civil and family law cases. Criminal cases from Garden Grove may go to the Central Justice Center or the Westminster courthouse depending on the charges and location. Traffic matters often route to the nearest branch court.
There is no courthouse in Garden Grove itself. The closest option is the Central Justice Center, about a 10-minute drive south. For records requests, you can visit any Orange County courthouse location during business hours. The records management team can also handle requests by mail or email. Contact them at cjcrecordsmanagement@occourts.org or call (657) 622-7809.
Bring a valid ID when visiting. Staff will pull the file for you.
| Primary Courthouse | Central Justice Center 700 Civic Center Drive West Santa Ana, CA 92701 |
|---|---|
| Main Phone | (657) 622-6878 |
| Records Email | cjcrecordsmanagement@occourts.org |
Search Garden Grove Records Online
Orange County provides several online tools for court records. The name search portal lets you look up any case by the name of a party involved. This is the quickest way to find court records for Garden Grove cases. The civil document access portal lets you view and purchase copies of civil case documents. Separate portals exist for family law, probate, and small claims cases.
The Orange County name search tool helps Garden Grove residents find cases quickly.
Enter the last name first to search for court records tied to Garden Grove cases.
Remote access to criminal and family law documents is restricted under California Rules of Court. The online system shows case indexes, hearing dates, and registers of action. Full documents for these case types must be viewed at a courthouse terminal. Civil case records have the fewest restrictions on online viewing.
Garden Grove Court Records Fees
Fees follow the statewide schedule. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $40.00. The clerk charges $15.00 for record searches that take more than 10 minutes. A certified dissolution judgment costs $15.00. These fees are the same whether you visit the Central Justice Center or any other Orange County courthouse.
Mail requests take 7 to 10 working days. Include a check or money order with your request. In-person requests are handled the same day during business hours. Online document purchases through the civil portal also charge $0.50 per page. Fee waivers are available for those who cannot afford the costs. Ask the clerk for form FW-001 to apply.
Legal Help for Garden Grove Residents
The Public Law Center offers free legal services to low-income Orange County residents. Call (714) 541-1010 to learn more. They cover a range of civil matters including housing, consumer issues, and immigration. Community Legal Aid SoCal also serves the Garden Grove area with family law and immigration help.
The Orange County Superior Court has self-help centers where you can get free guidance on court forms and procedures. The California Courts Self-Help Center website has step-by-step guides for common case types. These resources are available to all Garden Grove residents dealing with court matters. For private attorneys, the Orange County Bar Association runs a referral service.
Types of Garden Grove Court Records
The Orange County Superior Court handles every type of case. Civil records include lawsuits, evictions, and debt collection. Criminal records cover felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions. Family law records deal with divorce, custody, and restraining orders. Probate records involve wills, trusts, and guardianships. Small claims cases resolve disputes under the jurisdictional limit. Traffic cases from Garden Grove also generate court records at the assigned courthouse.
Most records are public. Civil cases are the easiest to access. Criminal and family law records have tighter restrictions. Juvenile records are confidential by law. If a record has been sealed by court order, it is not available to the public. For Garden Grove cases specifically, the same access rules apply as anywhere else in Orange County.
- Civil cases are retained for 10 years
- Felony records stay on file for 75 years
- Family law cases are kept for 30 years
- Adoption records are permanent
- Unlawful detainer possession cases are kept for one year
Orange County Court Records
Garden Grove is in Orange County. All court filings go through the Orange County Superior Court. For full details on courthouse locations, online portals, fee schedules, and other resources, visit the county page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are also in Orange County and served by the same court system.