Temecula Court Records Search
Court records for Temecula are filed at the Riverside County Superior Court. Temecula is home to about 110,000 people and sits in the southwest corner of Riverside County. The Southwest Justice Center in nearby Murrieta serves as the primary courthouse for the Temecula area. All civil, criminal, family, and small claims cases go through the county system. This page covers how to find and access court records, what fees apply, and where to get legal assistance for cases in Temecula.
Temecula Court Records Quick Facts
Where Temecula Cases Are Filed
Temecula falls under the Riverside County Superior Court. The Southwest Justice Center at 30755-D Auld Road in Murrieta handles most cases from the Temecula area. It covers civil, criminal, family law, and traffic matters. The building is just a few miles from Temecula, making it the closest courthouse for local residents.
Some cases may route to the main Riverside courthouse at 4050 Main Street in Riverside depending on the case type. Large civil cases and certain family law matters sometimes file downtown. The clerk can tell you where a specific case is housed if you call ahead.
Walk-in visits to view records are free at any Riverside County courthouse. The records staff handle requests during normal business hours. If you need a file pulled from off-site storage, there is a $30.00 retrieval fee.
| Local Courthouse | Southwest Justice Center 30755-D Auld Road Murrieta, CA 92563 |
|---|---|
| Main Courthouse | Riverside Historic Courthouse 4050 Main Street Riverside, CA 92501 |
| Phone | (951) 777-3147 |
Search Temecula Court Records Online
The Riverside County Superior Court provides an online public access portal where you can search by name or case number. It covers civil, criminal, family, and traffic cases. Basic case data like parties, hearing dates, and case status shows up in the results.
The portal is useful for tracking cases and getting case numbers. Full documents typically require an in-person visit, especially for criminal and family law matters. Civil case documents may have more availability depending on the specific filing.
For criminal background checks beyond what the court provides, the California DOJ record review process lets individuals request their own criminal history through Live Scan fingerprinting.
California Rules of Court, Rule 2.503, limits remote access for family law, criminal, and juvenile case documents. Only indexes, calendars, and registers of action are available online for those case types. Civil records have the broadest online access in Temecula.
Court Record Fees in Temecula
Riverside County follows the statewide fee schedule for court records. The search fee is $15.00 per name. Copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $40.00 per document. Certified divorce decrees are $15.00 each. Off-site file retrieval costs $30.00. Exemplification runs $50.00.
Viewing records on a public terminal at the courthouse is free. Fee waivers are available for people who meet income limits. Ask the clerk for the waiver form. A judge reviews it and decides whether to reduce or eliminate your costs.
Legal Help for Temecula Residents
The Riverside County Superior Court has a self-help center that assists people who do not have attorneys. Staff help with forms, finding records, and understanding court procedures. The service is free for everyone.
Inland Counties Legal Services at (888) 245-4257 covers the Temecula area. They handle housing, family law, and consumer issues for low-income residents. California Courts Self-Help provides online guides for all case types.
The Riverside County Bar Association has a lawyer referral program. They can match you with a private attorney who handles the type of case you need help with.
Types of Temecula Court Records
Riverside County Superior Court manages all record types for Temecula. Civil records cover lawsuits, property disputes, and contract matters. Criminal records include felonies and misdemeanors. Family law records deal with divorce, custody, and support. Probate covers wills and estates. Small claims handle disputes under the state dollar cap.
Civil records are the most accessible to the public. Criminal case summaries show limited info online. Family law files need a courthouse visit. Juvenile records are confidential.
- Civil unlimited cases: kept 10 years
- Civil judgments: kept permanently
- Felony records: kept 75 years
- Family law: kept 30 years
The court routinely purges records past their retention date per Government Code Section 68152. If you need an older record, check with the clerk to see if it still exists.
Riverside County Court Records
Temecula is in Riverside County. All court filings go through the Riverside County Superior Court. For full county court details, see the county page.
Nearby Cities
Other Riverside County cities and nearby areas with court records pages.