Butte County Court Records Search
Butte County court records are managed by the Superior Court of California, County of Butte. The county has about 210,000 residents and includes the cities of Chico, Oroville, and Paradise. Two courthouse locations serve the area. The court offers an online portal where you can look up most non-confidential case types. This page walks you through how to search for court records in Butte County, what fees apply, and how to get copies of case documents.
Butte County Court Records Quick Facts
Search Butte County Court Records Online
The Butte County Superior Court has an online case information portal that covers non-confidential, non-sealed case types. You can look up civil, criminal, family law, probate, small claims, and traffic cases filed after 1988. The system runs on the Tyler Technologies Odyssey platform.
You do not need to register for an account. The court says not to use the "Register" option on the portal. Just go straight to the search page and type in a name or case number. The system shows case status, hearing dates, and the register of actions. Date of birth info is not shown because California Rule of Court 2.507 bars it.
The state's court finder tool can help you figure out which Butte County location handles your case type.
Use the state court finder above if you need to confirm which courthouse in Butte County handles your matter.
Under California Rules of Court Rule 2.503, full document access for criminal and family law cases is limited to courthouse terminals. The online portal shows basic case data for these types, but you may need to visit in person to see the full documents for court records in Butte County.
Visit the Butte County Courthouse
Butte County has two court locations. The main courthouse is in Oroville. The second is the North Butte County Courthouse in Chico. You can visit either one to view court records in person at no cost. Bring a photo ID and have the case name or number ready.
The clerk at each location can pull files for review. If you need copies, they can make them while you wait. The Oroville courthouse handles most case types. The Chico location deals with certain civil and criminal matters for the northern part of the county.
| Butte County Courthouse | One Court Street Oroville, CA 95965 |
|---|---|
| North Butte Courthouse | 1775 Concord Avenue Chico, CA 95928 |
| Main Phone | (530) 532-7002 |
Note: Hours run Monday through Friday during regular business hours, but call the main line to confirm before making the trip.
Butte County Court Record Fees
Fees follow the statewide schedule. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $40.00 per document. Search fees run $15.00 if the clerk spends more than 10 minutes looking for a record. Exemplification of a record costs $50.00.
Certified copies of dissolution judgments are $15.00. Comparing a copy with the original is $1.00 per page. These fees are set by the California Government Code and apply at both Butte County courthouse locations. Searching on the online portal is free.
Fee waivers are available for low-income individuals. Ask the clerk for the waiver form or download it from the California Courts website. A judge reviews your request and decides if fees get waived in whole or in part for Butte County court records.
How to Search Butte County Court Records
Start with the online portal if you have a name or case number. Type it in and see what comes up. The system covers cases from 1988 onward. For older records, you will need to contact the clerk directly or visit the courthouse in Oroville.
If you search by name, try different spellings. The system matches exact entries. A wrong letter can mean no results even if the case exists. Case numbers work better if you have them. You can also search by filing date range on the portal.
- Go to the Butte County online portal
- Enter a name, case number, or date range
- Review the register of actions and hearing info
- For full documents, visit the courthouse
- Request copies at the clerk's window
For criminal background checks through the state, the California Department of Justice handles personal record reviews. You submit Live Scan fingerprints and pay a $25 fee. That process is separate from the county court search.
Legal Resources in Butte County
Legal Services of Northern California covers Butte County with free legal help for people who qualify. Call (916) 551-2150. They handle civil matters, housing, and family law. California Rural Legal Assistance also serves the area at (800) 337-0690.
The California Courts Self-Help Center has statewide guides, forms, and tools for anyone looking up court records. The Butte County courthouse in Oroville may have a self-help window where staff can point you to the right forms and explain basic court procedures.
Cities in Butte County
Butte County has several cities and towns. Chico is the largest, followed by Oroville and Paradise. Gridley, Biggs, and Durham are smaller communities. None of the cities in Butte County have a population over 100,000, so there are no separate city pages. All court cases in these areas go through the Butte Superior Court system.
Nearby Counties
Butte County is in the northern Sacramento Valley. These neighboring counties each have their own court system and separate records.