Santa Ana Court Records Lookup
Court records in Santa Ana are filed at the Orange County Superior Court. Santa Ana is the county seat, and the Central Justice Center sits right in the city. About 310,000 people live here. Because the main courthouse is in Santa Ana, this is where the bulk of Orange County's court activity takes place. Civil, criminal, family law, probate, and small claims cases all go through the county system. This page covers online search tools, fees, and how to access court records for cases in Santa Ana.
Santa Ana Court Records Quick Facts
Where Santa Ana Court Cases Go
The Central Justice Center at 700 Civic Center Drive West in Santa Ana is the main courthouse for Orange County. It handles civil unlimited, family law, probate, and complex litigation. Most Santa Ana cases file here. The building is large and busy, so plan extra time if you visit in person.
Criminal and traffic cases for the Santa Ana area may go to the Central Justice Center or to other branch courts depending on the offense location. The court system has several branches across Orange County. But since Santa Ana hosts the main courthouse, many records are stored right here. The records management office can be reached at (657) 622-7809 or by email at cjcrecordsmanagement@occourts.org.
Walk-in visits are free for viewing records. Bring a valid ID. The clerk's office is open during normal business hours on weekdays.
| Central Justice Center | 700 Civic Center Drive West Santa Ana, CA 92701 |
|---|---|
| Main Phone | (657) 622-6878 |
| Records Email | cjcrecordsmanagement@occourts.org |
Search Santa Ana Records Online
The Orange County Superior Court offers several online portals for searching court records. The name search tool lets you look up cases by person or business name across all case types. For more detailed access, separate portals handle different categories.
The civil case and document access portal covers civil lawsuits. A criminal and traffic portal at visionpublic.occourts.org handles those case types. Family law has its own portal at fampub.occourts.org. Probate and small claims also have dedicated search tools.
California Rule 2.503 governs what is available online versus what requires a courthouse visit. Civil records have the broadest remote access. Criminal and family law records are more restricted.
Copy fees for documents found online are $0.50 per page. Processing time runs 7 to 10 working days for mail requests. If you visit in person, you can often get copies the same day.
Court Records Fees in Santa Ana
Fees at the Orange County Superior Court follow state law. Plain copies are $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $40.00 per document. Clerk searches over 10 minutes cost $15.00 each. Certified copies of divorce judgments are $15.00.
Online document purchases through the civil portal also charge $0.50 per page. If you cannot pay, fee waivers are available. Fill out the court's fee waiver request form and submit it to the clerk. A judge reviews it based on your income. If approved, most or all fees get waived for your case records in Santa Ana.
Legal Help for Santa Ana Residents
The Public Law Center at 601 Civic Center Drive West in Santa Ana provides free civil legal services to low-income residents of Orange County. Call (714) 541-1010 for information. They cover housing, consumer, and family law matters.
Community Legal Aid SoCal also serves Orange County with free help on immigration, employment, and public benefits issues. The Orange County Superior Court runs a self-help center at the Central Justice Center where staff assist with forms, record lookups, and case navigation. The California Courts Self-Help website has guides that apply to all Orange County cases.
The Orange County Bar Association offers a lawyer referral program if you need private counsel. They can connect you with attorneys who focus on the case type you have.
Types of Court Records in Santa Ana
Orange County Superior Court handles every category of case. Civil unlimited cases cover larger lawsuits. Limited civil cases deal with disputes under a set dollar amount. Criminal records span felonies and misdemeanors. Family law includes divorce, custody, and support orders. Probate handles estates and guardianships. Small claims resolve smaller money disputes quickly.
Access to records varies by type. Civil records are the most open. You can view indexes and registers of action online and get documents through the civil portal. Criminal and family law records have tighter restrictions under state rules. Juvenile records are confidential and not available to the public.
- Civil unlimited cases: kept 10 years
- Civil judgments for unlimited cases: kept permanently
- Felony records: kept 75 years
- Family law records: kept 30 years
Sealed records need a court order to open. The clerk can tell you the status of any case.
Orange County Court Records
Santa Ana is the county seat of Orange County. All court filings go through the Orange County Superior Court. For full county court information, search portals, and branch court details, visit the county page.
Nearby Cities
These Orange County cities are also served by the same court system.