Riverside Court Records Search
Court records in Riverside are handled by the Riverside County Superior Court. Riverside is the county seat with about 315,000 residents. The Historic Courthouse in downtown Riverside is a central location for court services. Civil, criminal, family law, and small claims records can be searched through the court's online public access system or at the courthouse. This page covers how to find court records, what the fees are, and where to get help in Riverside.
Riverside Court Records Quick Facts
Where Riverside Court Records Are Filed
The Riverside Historic Courthouse sits at 4050 Main Street, Riverside, CA 92501. Phone: (951) 777-3147. This is the main courthouse for the city of Riverside and serves as the county seat location for the Riverside County Superior Court. Civil, criminal, family, and probate cases from Riverside are filed here.
Riverside County is large and has several branch courthouses in other cities. But for cases originating in the city of Riverside, the downtown courthouse is the primary location. It handles the bulk of filings and records requests for the area.
The court routinely purges old records under Government Code Section 68152. If you need records from an older case in Riverside, make your request sooner rather than later. The clerk can tell you whether a specific case file is still available.
| Main Courthouse | Riverside Historic Courthouse 4050 Main Street Riverside, CA 92501 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (951) 777-3147 |
| Court System | Riverside County Superior Court |
Search Riverside Records Online
The Riverside County Superior Court has a Public Access portal for online case searches. This system lets you look up case information without going to the courthouse. You can search by name or case number. The portal covers civil, criminal, family, and other case types filed in Riverside.
The court describes the system as a way to help the public access available case data remotely. It shows case index information, hearing dates, and the register of actions. For civil cases, some documents may be viewable through the portal as well.
The Riverside court records public access page explains how to use the search tools.
For statewide criminal record checks, the California DOJ processes Live Scan requests that may include Riverside County cases.
Remote access has limits. Under California Rule of Court 2.503, criminal and family law documents can only be seen at courthouse terminals. The online portal shows case summaries for these types but not full documents. Civil court records have the fewest restrictions for online access in Riverside.
Court Records Fees in Riverside
Riverside County has a detailed fee schedule. The records search fee is $15.00 per name searched. Copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $40.00 per document. A certified divorce decree is $15.00. Off-site file retrieval costs $30.00. Exemplification is $50.00.
These fees apply whether you request records in person, by mail, or through the online system. The search fee is per name, so searching for multiple people means multiple charges. This is something to keep in mind if you are looking for records involving several parties in Riverside.
Fee waivers are available. The court has income-based fee waiver forms. Submit one and a judge will review it. If approved, some or all fees can be waived for your Riverside court records request.
Legal Help for Riverside Residents
Inland Counties Legal Services serves the Riverside area. Call (888) 245-4257. They handle housing, family law, and public benefits cases for low-income people. If you need help understanding court records or filing paperwork, they can assist.
The Riverside Superior Court has a self-help center at the courthouse. Staff can help you find records, fill out forms, and explain court procedures. It is free and open to everyone. The California Courts Self-Help Center online also has guides for all case types.
The Riverside County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral program. For a small fee, you get an initial consultation with a local attorney. This is helpful for complex Riverside cases where you need legal guidance about the records or next steps.
Types of Court Records in Riverside
The Riverside County Superior Court keeps records for all case types. Civil records cover lawsuits, debt collection, and property disputes. Criminal records include felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions. Family law holds divorce, custody, and restraining order files. Probate records deal with wills and estates. Small claims and traffic cases also create records in the Riverside system.
Retention varies by case type. The court routinely purges records once the state retention period ends. This is important for anyone searching for older Riverside court records.
- Civil unlimited: 10-year retention
- Felony: 75-year retention
- Family law: 30-year retention
- Adoption: permanent
- Infraction: 3-year retention
- Misdemeanor traffic: 5-year retention
Sealed or confidential records are not public. Most Riverside court records, though, are open for public inspection. Juvenile cases are always confidential.
Riverside County Court Records
Riverside is the county seat of Riverside County. All court cases are filed through the Riverside County Superior Court. For full details on the county system, all online portals, fee schedules, and resources, visit the Riverside County court records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are in Riverside County or the nearby Inland Empire. Court records go through their respective county courts.