Inyo County Court Records

Inyo County court records are maintained by the Superior Court of California, County of Inyo. This is one of the largest counties by land area in California but one of the smallest by population, with about 18,000 residents. The county seat is Independence, tucked in the Owens Valley between the Sierra Nevada and the White Mountains. The court does not have a full online case search portal. This page explains how to access court records in Inyo County, what fees apply, and where to get copies.

Inyo County Court Records Search

Inyo County does not currently offer a full online case search portal for the general public. The Inyo County Superior Court website has location and contact information but lacks a searchable case database. Record requests go through the court clerk at the Independence courthouse.

Below is a screenshot of the Inyo County court locations page.

The website shows court locations and basic contact info. For case searches, you need to reach out to the clerk directly.

This means that for most searches, you either call the court, send a written request, or visit in person. The clerk can look up cases by name or case number. Statewide resources are still available. The California Appellate Courts Case Information System covers appeals from Inyo County. The California DOJ Record Review handles personal criminal history requests through Live Scan.

Because Inyo County is remote and has a small population, the case volume is low. The clerk handles searches individually. This can actually work in your favor since you often get more personal attention than you would at a bigger court.

Visiting the Inyo County Courthouse

The courthouse sits in Independence, a tiny town on Highway 395 in the Owens Valley. This is the only court location in the county. Walk in with a photo ID, and the clerk will pull files for you. Viewing is free.

Independence is about 40 miles south of Bishop and 60 miles north of Lone Pine. If you are coming from out of the area, Highway 395 is the main route. The town is small, and the courthouse is easy to find. Call ahead to confirm hours since the court may have limited schedules.

Note: Inyo County is remote and weather can affect travel, especially in winter when mountain passes may close. Plan ahead if driving from the west side of the Sierra.

Fees for Inyo County Court Records

Inyo County follows the California statewide fee schedule. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $40.00. The search fee is $15.00 if the clerk needs more than 10 minutes. Exemplification runs $50.00. Comparing a copy with the original is $1.00 per page.

Certified copies of dissolution judgments cost $15.00. Since all searches go through the clerk, the $15.00 search fee is likely to apply for most requests. Viewing records on site is free, but getting copies always has a cost.

Fee waivers are available for qualifying individuals. Submit the waiver form, and a judge will decide if you get a full or partial reduction in fees for Inyo County court records.

Types of Inyo County Court Records

Even though Inyo County is sparsely populated, the Superior Court handles all case types. Civil lawsuits, criminal prosecutions, family law matters, probate, small claims, and traffic cases all go through the Independence courthouse. The volume is low, but the same rules and procedures apply as in any California court.

Public access follows state rules. Civil records are the most open. Criminal and family law records are restricted for remote access under Rule 2.503. Since Inyo County does not have an online portal, the practical impact is that all record types go through the clerk whether you visit or call. Juvenile records are confidential.

• Civil cases and property disputes
• Criminal felonies and misdemeanors
• Family law, divorce, and custody
• Probate and estate matters
• Small claims and traffic infractions

State retention rules apply. Civil cases are kept for 10 years. Felonies stay on file for 75 years. Family law records last 30 years under Government Code 68152.

Legal Help for Inyo County

California Rural Legal Assistance serves rural counties like Inyo. Call (800) 337-0690 to check if you qualify. Inland Counties Legal Services is another option at (888) 245-4257. Both help low-income individuals with civil and family law matters.

The California Courts Self-Help Center provides statewide resources that apply to Inyo County. Forms, guides, and instructions are available online. The clerk in Independence can also help with basic questions about finding and requesting court records.

Note: Because of its remote location, Inyo County residents may need to access legal resources by phone or online rather than in person.

Cities in Inyo County

Inyo County has one incorporated city: Bishop, which sits at the north end of the county. Independence, Lone Pine, Big Pine, and Tecopa are unincorporated communities. None have a population over 100,000, so there are no separate city court records pages. All court cases go through the Inyo Superior Court in Independence.

Nearby Counties

Inyo County is the second-largest county in California by area. It stretches along the eastern Sierra Nevada. These counties border Inyo and each have their own court system.