San Bernardino Court Records
Court records in San Bernardino are filed at the San Bernardino County Superior Court. San Bernardino is the county seat with about 222,000 residents. The city has a major courthouse location that handles criminal cases for the area. Civil matters often go through the Rancho Cucamonga branch. You can search for court records using the county's online portal or by visiting a courthouse. This page covers how to find records, fee details, and legal help resources in San Bernardino.
San Bernardino Court Records Quick Facts
Where San Bernardino Records Are Filed
San Bernardino is the county seat, so it has a major courthouse presence. The San Bernardino Criminal Division sits at 247 West Third Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415-0240. Phone: (909) 384-1888. This location handles criminal cases for the city and surrounding areas.
Civil cases from San Bernardino often go to the Rancho Cucamonga courthouse at 8303 Haven Avenue. The criminal division phone is (909) 350-9764 for that location. The split between criminal and civil courthouses is a key thing to know when searching for court records in San Bernardino.
San Bernardino County is the largest county in the United States by land area. It also has a district courthouse in Victorville at 14455 Civic Drive, Suite 200, for the high desert area. Phone: (760) 245-6215. But cases from the city of San Bernardino typically stay at the downtown or Rancho Cucamonga locations.
| Criminal Division | 247 West Third Street San Bernardino, CA 92415-0240 |
|---|---|
| Criminal Phone | (909) 384-1888 |
| Civil Courthouse | 8303 Haven Avenue Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730 |
Search San Bernardino Records Online
The San Bernardino Court Access Portal is the main online tool for case searches. It covers civil cases filed across the county, including those from San Bernardino. You can search by name or case number. The system has records from 1998 to the present. Older records may have limited data.
Viewing civil documents through the portal costs $0.50 per page. Case index data and hearing information are free to browse. The per-page fee only applies when you open the actual filed documents. This makes it easy to check case status before deciding which documents to pull for San Bernardino court records.
The San Bernardino court case information page explains how to use the online portal and what is available.
For criminal background checks that may include San Bernardino cases, the DOJ Live Scan system handles those requests across the state.
Criminal and family law documents are not available for remote viewing under California Rule of Court 2.503. The portal shows case index data for these types. For complete documents, visit the courthouse in San Bernardino or Rancho Cucamonga.
Court Records Fees in San Bernardino
San Bernardino County follows the statewide fee schedule. Copies are $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $40.00. Search fees are $15.00 when the clerk takes more than 10 minutes. A certified dissolution judgment costs $15.00. Exemplification is $50.00.
Online document viewing is also $0.50 per page. The case index is free to browse. These fees are the same at the San Bernardino criminal division, the Rancho Cucamonga courthouse, and the Victorville district.
Fee waivers are available for qualifying individuals. Ask the court clerk for the fee waiver form. A judge reviews your income and decides whether to waive the fees for your San Bernardino court records request.
Legal Help in San Bernardino
Inland Counties Legal Services is the main free legal aid provider in San Bernardino. Call (888) 245-4257. They cover housing, family law, consumer, and public benefits cases. If you need help with court records or filing documents, they can help.
The San Bernardino courthouse has a self-help center where staff assist with forms, procedures, and finding records. This is free for everyone. The California Courts Self-Help Center online provides statewide guides that apply to San Bernardino cases.
The San Bernardino County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. A small fee gets you an initial attorney consultation. LawHelpCA is another resource that connects people with legal aid organizations across California.
Types of Court Records in San Bernardino
The San Bernardino County court keeps all standard case types. Civil records cover lawsuits, debt cases, and property disputes. Criminal records include felonies and misdemeanors. Family law files hold divorce, custody, and support orders. Probate records handle wills, estates, and guardianships. Small claims and traffic cases also create records.
Each case type has different rules for access and retention. Civil records are the most open. Criminal and family law have restricted remote access. Juvenile records are confidential.
- Civil unlimited: 10-year retention
- Civil judgments: kept permanently
- Felony: 75-year retention
- Family law: 30-year retention
- Adoption: kept permanently
- Small claims: 10-year retention
Government Code Section 68152 sets these timelines. After they expire, the court may destroy San Bernardino court records. Request what you need before time runs out.
San Bernardino County Court Records
San Bernardino is the county seat of San Bernardino County. All court cases go through the county superior court system. For complete details on the county court, all locations, online portals, and resources, visit the San Bernardino County court records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are in San Bernardino County or the Inland Empire area. Court records go through their respective county courts.