Irvine Court Records Lookup
Court records for Irvine are handled by the Orange County Superior Court. Irvine has about 308,000 residents in the southern part of Orange County. The city does not have its own courthouse. Cases go to the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana or other Orange County branches depending on the case type. You can look up civil, criminal, family law, and other court records online or visit a courthouse to see files. This page covers the steps for finding Irvine court records.
Irvine Court Records Quick Facts
Where Irvine Court Cases Are Filed
Irvine cases file at the Orange County Superior Court. The Central Justice Center at 700 Civic Center Drive West in Santa Ana is the primary location for civil and family law matters. Criminal cases from Irvine may go to the Central Justice Center or the Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach. Traffic cases route to whichever branch serves the area where the ticket was issued.
Even though Irvine is a large city with over 300,000 people, it does not have its own courthouse. The Central Justice Center is about a 15-minute drive north. For records requests, you can visit any Orange County courthouse or contact the records management team by email at cjcrecordsmanagement@occourts.org. Phone requests go to (657) 622-7809. In-person visits offer the fastest service.
The main phone for the court system is (657) 622-6878.
| Central Justice Center | 700 Civic Center Drive West Santa Ana, CA 92701 |
|---|---|
| Records Phone | (657) 622-7809 |
| Records Email | cjcrecordsmanagement@occourts.org |
Search Irvine Court Records Online
Orange County provides several online portals for court record searches. The name search tool covers all case types and lets you search by party name. The civil document access portal lets you view and purchase civil case documents. The criminal and traffic portal shows case status and hearing information. Additional portals exist for family law, probate, and small claims.
The Orange County case access page connects to all available search tools for Irvine court records.
Start here to find the right portal for the type of case record you need in Irvine.
Under California Rules of Court, some records have limits on remote access. Family law documents and criminal case filings cannot be viewed online. The portals show case indexes, hearing schedules, and registers of action for those case types. Full document access for restricted records requires a visit to the courthouse. Civil records have the fewest restrictions and the most data available online.
Irvine Court Records Fees
Orange County follows the statewide fee schedule. Copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $40.00 per document. Record searches by the clerk cost $15.00 when they take more than 10 minutes. Certified divorce judgments are $15.00. Exemplification of a record costs $50.00. These fees apply at every Orange County courthouse location.
Mail requests take 7 to 10 working days. Include a check or money order for the amount owed. Online document purchases through the civil portal also charge per-page fees. In-person requests at any courthouse are handled the same day during business hours. If you cannot pay, fee waivers are available through form FW-001.
Legal Help for Irvine Residents
The Public Law Center provides free legal help to low-income Orange County residents. Call (714) 541-1010 to learn about eligibility. They cover a range of civil matters including housing and consumer issues. Community Legal Aid SoCal also serves the Irvine area with family law help.
The Orange County Superior Court runs self-help centers at multiple courthouse locations. Staff assist with forms, filing procedures, and basic legal questions. The California Courts Self-Help Center offers online guides for common case types statewide. These resources apply to all Irvine court matters handled through the Orange County system.
The Orange County Bar Association has a lawyer referral service for those who want to hire a private attorney. The California DOJ handles criminal record reviews for $25 if you need to check your own background.
Types of Irvine Court Records
The Orange County Superior Court maintains records across all case types. Civil records include contract disputes, personal injury lawsuits, and evictions. Criminal records cover felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions. Family law records handle divorce, child custody, and support orders. Probate records deal with wills, trusts, and guardianships. Small claims cases resolve disputes up to the jurisdictional limit. Traffic cases also create court records.
Access rules depend on the case type. Civil records are the most accessible to the public, both online and at the courthouse. Criminal documents and family law filings have restrictions on remote viewing. Juvenile records are fully confidential. Records sealed by court order are not available. For Irvine cases, the same rules apply as anywhere in Orange County.
- Civil unlimited cases kept for 10 years
- Felony records retained for 75 years
- Family law files kept for 30 years
- Adoption and name change records are permanent
- Small claims cases kept for 10 years
Orange County Court Records
Irvine is in Orange County. All court filings go through the Orange County Superior Court system. For full details on all courthouse branches, online search portals, and fee schedules, visit the county page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are also served by the Orange County Superior Court or nearby court systems.