Search El Dorado Court Records
El Dorado County court records are managed by the Superior Court of California, County of El Dorado. The county spans from the Sacramento Valley foothills up to the Sierra Nevada crest and Lake Tahoe. About 195,000 people live here. The county seat is Placerville, and the court operates locations on both sides of the county. An online public portal makes it possible to search case records from home. This page explains how to find court records in El Dorado County, the fees involved, and where to go for help.
El Dorado County Court Records Quick Facts
El Dorado County Court Records Online
The El Dorado Superior Court has an online public portal for case searches. The El Dorado Public Portal lets you look up cases by name, case number, or date. It runs on the Journal Technologies platform, which several California counties use.
Here is a screenshot of the El Dorado County public portal.
The portal shows party names, case status, hearing schedules, and register of actions data for El Dorado County court cases.
You do not need to register for an account. Basic searches are free. Full document access depends on the case type. Civil records are the most open for remote viewing. Criminal, family law, and other sensitive case types have restricted document access under California Rules of Court Rule 2.503. For those, you may need to go to the courthouse.
The Appellate Courts Case Information System covers appeals from El Dorado County that reach a higher court. The state's Court Finder tool can help you figure out which El Dorado location handles your case.
Visit El Dorado County Courts
El Dorado County has two court locations. The main courthouse is in Placerville. A second location operates in South Lake Tahoe for the east side of the county. You can view court records in person at either location for free. Bring a photo ID and give the clerk a name or case number to pull a file.
The Placerville courthouse handles the bulk of cases since most of the county's population lives on the western slope. The South Lake Tahoe courthouse serves the Tahoe Basin area. Which location has your case depends on where the events took place or where the parties live.
| Placerville Courthouse | El Dorado County Superior Court 495 Main Street Placerville, CA 95667 |
|---|---|
| South Lake Tahoe | 1354 Johnson Blvd, Suite 2 South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 |
| Phone | (530) 621-6426 |
Note: The South Lake Tahoe location may have limited hours compared to Placerville, so call ahead before visiting.
Fees for El Dorado Court Records
El Dorado County charges fees based on the statewide schedule. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $40.00 per document. Clerk search fees are $15.00 if the search takes more than 10 minutes. Exemplification runs $50.00. A certified copy of a dissolution judgment costs $15.00.
Online portal searches are free for basic case data. Fees only apply when you request copies or certified documents. The court accepts payment at the clerk's window.
Fee waivers are an option for people with limited income. You submit a waiver request form, and a judge reviews it. If approved, filing and copy fees get reduced or eliminated for El Dorado County court records.
How to Search El Dorado Court Records
The online portal is the fastest way to start. Type in a name or case number and review the results. The system shows case summaries, hearing dates, and parties involved. For full document review in criminal or family law cases, you may need to visit the courthouse in Placerville or South Lake Tahoe.
If you need a statewide criminal history check, the California Department of Justice handles that separately. You submit Live Scan fingerprints and pay a $25 fee through the DOJ Record Review process. This covers records from all California counties, not just El Dorado.
- Start with the El Dorado public portal online
- Search by name, case number, or filing date
- Review register of actions and case status
- Visit the courthouse for restricted document types
Legal Resources for El Dorado County
Legal Services of Northern California covers El Dorado County with free legal help for qualifying individuals. Call (916) 551-2150. They handle civil and family law matters. The California Courts Self-Help Center has statewide guides and forms online.
The El Dorado County courthouse in Placerville may have a self-help resource window. Staff there can point you to the right forms and explain basic court procedures. For private attorney referrals, the El Dorado County Bar Association is a starting point.
Note: Self-help centers do not give legal advice, but they can explain court processes and help you find the right forms for your situation.
Cities in El Dorado County
El Dorado County has two incorporated cities: Placerville and South Lake Tahoe. Neither has a population over 100,000, so there are no separate city court records pages. Unincorporated areas like El Dorado Hills, Cameron Park, and Pollock Pines also have their cases handled through the El Dorado Superior Court.
Nearby Counties
El Dorado County stretches from the Sacramento suburbs to the Tahoe Basin. These counties share borders and each run their own court system.