Santa Clarita Court Records
Court records for Santa Clarita are managed through the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Santa Clarita sits in the northern part of Los Angeles County with about 229,000 residents. The city does not have its own court system. Instead, cases file at the closest LA County branch courthouse. Civil, criminal, family, and other case types all go through the LA Superior Court. This page explains where to find court records, how to search online, and what it costs to get copies of case files for Santa Clarita.
Santa Clarita Court Records Quick Facts
Where Santa Clarita Cases Are Filed
Santa Clarita is in Los Angeles County, so all cases go through the LA County Superior Court. The Santa Clarita Courthouse at 23747 West Valencia Boulevard serves the local area. It handles criminal, traffic, and some civil matters for the Santa Clarita Valley. Not all case types are heard at this branch, though. Some civil and family law cases may route to the downtown Los Angeles courthouses.
The LA Superior Court system has over 30 locations across the county. The branch that handles your case depends on where the events took place and what kind of case it is. For Santa Clarita residents, the local courthouse is the first place to check. If your case is not there, the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in downtown LA often holds civil files.
You can contact the LA Superior Court at onlineServices@lacourt.org or visit any courthouse during business hours, 8:30 AM to 4:10 PM, Monday through Friday.
| Local Courthouse | Santa Clarita Courthouse 23747 W. Valencia Blvd Santa Clarita, CA 91355 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:10 PM |
| onlineServices@lacourt.org |
Search Santa Clarita Records Online
The LA Superior Court has online tools for searching court records. The civil case index lets you search by name for civil, family law, probate, and small claims cases. Guest users pay $4.75 per search. The system covers unlimited civil and family law cases from 1983 forward, limited civil from 1991, and small claims from 1992.
For criminal cases, the criminal case summary tool shows case status, charges, and hearing dates. Under California Rule 2.503, full criminal documents are only available at courthouse terminals. The online tool provides enough to track a case but not full file access.
The California Department of Justice also maintains criminal history records that you can request through a Live Scan process. This is separate from the court system and covers statewide records.
Online search results update daily. New filings may not appear right away. If you need the very latest, call the courthouse or visit in person.
Court Records Fees for Santa Clarita
The LA County Superior Court uses the statewide fee schedule. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $40.00. Clerk searches that take more than 10 minutes cost $15.00. The online civil case index charges $4.75 per guest search.
Registered users who do bulk searches on the online portal can get lower rates, starting at $1.00 for the first 10 searches per session. If you need many records, setting up an account saves money. Fee waivers are available for those who qualify based on income. Ask the clerk for the form, and a judge will review your request.
Legal Help for Santa Clarita
The LA Superior Court runs self-help centers at several courthouse locations. The main center is at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in downtown LA. Staff help with forms, record lookups, and case guidance. The service is free.
The Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles provides free legal services to low-income residents. Call (800) 399-4529. They cover civil, family law, and housing cases. California Courts Self-Help has statewide guides that apply to cases in Santa Clarita.
Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County focuses on the San Fernando Valley and surrounding areas, which includes parts of the Santa Clarita Valley. They handle housing, employment, and family law. Contact them for intake information.
Types of Court Records
The LA Superior Court keeps records for every case type. Civil records cover lawsuits, evictions, and contract disputes. Criminal records include felonies and misdemeanors. Family law covers divorce, custody, and support. Probate deals with estates and wills. Small claims handle disputes below the dollar cap. Traffic violations have their own case records.
Civil records in Santa Clarita are the most accessible. Criminal case data shows limited information online. Family law records can only be viewed on courthouse terminals. Juvenile records are fully confidential.
- Civil unlimited cases: kept 10 years
- Civil judgments: kept permanently
- Felony records: kept 75 years
- Family law records: kept 30 years
- Adoption records: kept permanently
Sealed cases need a court order to access. The clerk can confirm if a case is sealed or open.
Los Angeles County Court Records
Santa Clarita is part of Los Angeles County. For full details on the county court system, all courthouse locations, online portals, and fee information, see the county page.
Nearby Cities
Other cities in Los Angeles County and the surrounding area with court records pages.