Find Court Records in Humboldt County

Humboldt County court records are handled by the Superior Court of California, County of Humboldt. The county sits on the North Coast and has about 135,000 residents. Eureka is the county seat. The court operates from two locations in Eureka and does not currently offer e-filing. Online record access is limited compared to larger counties. This page explains how to find court records in Humboldt County, what fees to expect, and what options you have for searching.

Humboldt County Court Records Search

Humboldt County has limited online access for court records. The Humboldt County Superior Court website provides general court information, but it does not currently offer a full online case search portal like many other California counties. E-filing is also not available at this time.

Below is a screenshot of the Humboldt County court website homepage.

The website lists office hours, contact information, and basic court procedures. For case lookups, you will need to contact the clerk directly or visit in person.

The court has a drop box that is open from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Regular office hours for the clerk run from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. These shorter hours are worth noting if you plan to call or visit. For records from higher courts, the California Appellate Courts system covers appeals from Humboldt County.

The California DOJ Record Review handles personal criminal history requests. This is a statewide system. You submit Live Scan fingerprints and pay $25 to get your own record.

Visiting Humboldt County Courts

Humboldt County has two court locations in Eureka. The courthouse at 825 5th Street handles most case types. The clerk's office sits at 421 "I" Street. Walk in with a photo ID, and the clerk can pull case files for you. Viewing is free. Copies cost extra.

Office hours are 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM Monday through Friday. This is shorter than many courts. The drop box hours are longer, running 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. If you need to talk to someone in person, make sure you arrive during the 9 to 2 window.

Court Record Fees in Humboldt County

Humboldt County charges the statewide fees for court records. Plain copies are $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $40.00 per document. If the clerk needs more than 10 minutes to search for a record, the fee is $15.00. Exemplification runs $50.00.

Certified copies of dissolution judgments cost $15.00. These fees are set by the California Government Code and are the same across all counties. You pay at the clerk's window when you pick up copies.

Fee waivers are available for qualifying individuals. Fill out the waiver form and submit it to the court. A judge reviews your financial situation and decides if fees get waived for Humboldt County court records.

Note: Since Humboldt County has limited online access, most record requests require an in-person visit or a written request to the clerk, which may incur the search fee.

Types of Humboldt County Court Records

The Humboldt Superior Court handles all trial-level cases. Civil matters include lawsuits, property disputes, and contract claims. Criminal cases cover felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions. Family law involves divorce, custody, and support. Probate handles wills, estates, and conservatorships. Small claims and traffic cases round out the categories.

Access rules follow state law. Civil records are the most open. Criminal and family law records have restrictions under Rule 2.503. Since Humboldt County does not have a full online portal, the practical effect is that most record types require a visit to the clerk's office. Juvenile records are confidential everywhere in California.

• Civil and small claims cases
• Criminal felonies and misdemeanors
• Family law including divorce and custody
• Probate, estates, and guardianship
• Traffic and infraction cases

Legal Resources in Humboldt County

Legal Services of Northern California serves Humboldt County residents with free legal help. Call (916) 551-2150 to see if you qualify. California Rural Legal Assistance is another resource for the North Coast at (800) 337-0690.

The California Courts Self-Help Center has statewide resources online. Forms, guides, and plain-language info about court procedures are available for anyone looking up Humboldt County court records. The clerk's office in Eureka can also help answer basic questions about finding records.

Cities in Humboldt County

Humboldt County has seven incorporated cities: Eureka, Arcata, Fortuna, Blue Lake, Ferndale, Rio Dell, and Trinidad. None have a population over 100,000, so there are no separate city court records pages. All court cases in Humboldt County go through the Superior Court in Eureka.

Nearby Counties

Humboldt County sits on the Northern California coast. These counties share borders with Humboldt and have their own court systems.