Fresno County Court Records
Fresno County court records are managed by the Superior Court of California, County of Fresno. With about one million residents, Fresno County is one of the most populated counties in the Central Valley. The city of Fresno serves as the county seat. The court handles a high volume of cases across civil, criminal, family law, probate, and small claims. An online public portal and a dedicated archives department make it possible to search and retrieve court records. This page explains how to use these tools, what fees apply, and where to go.
Fresno County Court Records Quick Facts
Fresno County Court Records Online
The Fresno Superior Court runs an online public portal. The Fresno Public Portal lets you search by name or case number. It covers civil, criminal, family law, probate, small claims, and traffic cases. The system is powered by Tyler Technologies Odyssey.
Below is a screenshot of the Fresno County court portal.
The portal shows case status, party names, hearing dates, and register of actions data for Fresno County cases.
The court also has an Archives Department that stores, maintains, and retrieves case files. Members of the public can get copies of non-confidential files by visiting the archives in person. A picture ID is required. The archives are at a separate location from the main courthouse.
Under California Rules of Court Rule 2.503, remote access to criminal and family law documents is limited. The online portal shows basic data for these case types, but full document review may require a courthouse visit. Civil records have the broadest online access for Fresno County court records.
In-Person Access to Fresno Court Records
The main courthouse is the B.F. Sisk Courthouse at 1100 Van Ness Avenue in Fresno. The archives department sits at a different location on E Street. You can view case files at either place depending on what you need. Active cases are usually at the main courthouse. Older or closed cases go to the archives.
Bring a photo ID. Tell the clerk what you need, and they will pull the file for you. Viewing is free. Fees apply only for copies. The archives has specific hours that differ from the main courthouse, so plan your visit accordingly.
| Main Courthouse | B.F. Sisk Courthouse 1100 Van Ness Avenue Fresno, CA 93724 |
|---|---|
| Archives Department | 1963 "E" Street Fresno, CA 93706 (559) 457-4903 |
| Archives Hours | Mon-Thu: 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM Friday: 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM |
Note: The archives closes at noon on Fridays, so plan early if you are going at the end of the week.
Court Record Fees in Fresno County
Fresno County uses the statewide fee schedule. Plain copies are $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $40.00. The search fee is $15.00 when the clerk spends more than 10 minutes. Exemplification runs $50.00. Comparing a copy with the original costs $1.00 per page.
Certified copies of dissolution judgments are $15.00. This rate is standard across California. Online portal searches are free for basic lookups. Document downloads or copies from the archives carry the standard per-page fee.
Fee waivers exist for low-income individuals. You file a waiver request, and a judge decides. The court's self-help center can assist with the process for Fresno County court records fees.
Types of Fresno County Court Records
Fresno County Superior Court handles all trial-level cases. Civil matters include contract disputes, personal injury claims, and property cases. Criminal cases range from serious felonies to misdemeanors and traffic infractions. Family law covers divorce, custody, child support, and restraining orders. Probate deals with wills, estates, and guardianships. Small claims handle lower-value disputes.
Access rules vary by case type. Civil records are the most open and available online. Criminal and family law records are restricted for remote access under Rule 2.503. You can see basic case info for these types on the portal, but full documents may require a courthouse visit. Juvenile records are confidential statewide.
- Civil unlimited and limited cases
- Criminal felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions
- Family law, divorce, custody, domestic violence
- Probate and estate administration
- Small claims and traffic violations
- Mental health and conservatorship cases
Legal Help in Fresno County
Central California Legal Services provides free legal help to low-income residents in Fresno County. Call (800) 675-8001 to check eligibility. They cover civil, family law, housing, and other case types. California Rural Legal Assistance also serves the area at (800) 337-0690.
The Fresno County courthouse has a self-help center for people who do not have a lawyer. Staff can assist with forms, court procedures, and basic record searches. The California Courts Self-Help Center has additional statewide resources online.
Note: Legal aid groups have limited capacity and may not be able to take every case, but they can usually refer you to other resources in the Fresno area.
Cities in Fresno County
Fresno County has 15 incorporated cities. All court cases go through the Fresno Superior Court. These major cities have their own court records pages:
Other cities in Fresno County include Sanger, Reedley, Selma, Kerman, Coalinga, and Kingsburg. All court cases from these cities go through the Fresno Superior Court system.
Nearby Counties
Fresno County is in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley. These counties share borders with Fresno and each have their own court system.