Kern County Court Records

Court records in Kern County are managed by the Superior Court of California, County of Kern, based in Bakersfield. The court handles civil, criminal, family law, probate, traffic, and small claims matters for the entire county. Kern County covers a large geographic area in the southern end of the Central Valley and into parts of the mountain and desert regions. With a population of roughly 900,000 people, the court system processes a high volume of cases each year. This page explains how to search, view, and get copies of Kern County court records through online tools and in-person visits.

Kern County Court Records Online

The Kern County Superior Court provides an online portal for searching case information. You can look up cases through the Kern County Case Portal, which lets you search by name, case number, or other details. The portal covers civil, criminal, family, probate, small claims, and traffic case types. Keep in mind that full document access is not available through this online tool. You can see the register of actions, hearing dates, and basic case data, but viewing actual documents often requires a visit to the courthouse.

The screenshot below shows the Kern County case search portal, which you can access from the court's online portal page.

This is the main public search tool for Kern County court records. It runs on a system shared with several other California courts.

Under California Rules of Court Rule 2.503, some case types have limits on remote access. Family law, criminal, and juvenile records can only show limited data online. Civil case records are more open. You can see full register of actions and case index data for civil cases from any device with an internet connection. For all other case types, the court may restrict what shows up in the online search results.

Note: The court has warned about scam texts claiming to be from the court that include links to fake payment websites, so always go directly to the official court site.

Visit the Kern County Courthouse

The main courthouse for Kern County is in Bakersfield. You can go there to look up and view court records at no charge. The clerk can pull case files for you. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff can help you find the right file if you have a name or case number. You do not need to pay just to look at records. Fees only come up when you want copies.

Kern County also has court locations in other parts of the county for certain case types. The Bakersfield courthouse handles the bulk of cases. If your case was filed at a different branch, staff at the main courthouse can tell you where to go. Walk-in visitors are welcome during business hours.

Requests to look up a case number are not taken over the phone. You must visit in person or use the online portal. The court does not do record searches by email either.

Kern County Court Record Fees

Kern County follows the statewide fee schedule set by the California Government Code. Copy fees are $0.50 per page for plain copies. Certified copies cost $40.00 per document plus $0.50 per page. If you need the clerk to search for a record and it takes more than 10 minutes, there is a $15.00 search fee. Certified copies of a judgment of dissolution (divorce) cost $15.00.

You can pay fees at the clerk's office with cash, check, or money order. Some locations accept credit cards. The court does not refund fees for copies once they are made. If you need multiple certified copies, each one carries the full certification fee.

• Plain copies: $0.50 per page
• Certified copies: $40.00 plus $0.50 per page
• Search fee (over 10 minutes): $15.00
• Certified dissolution judgment: $15.00
• Exemplification of a record: $50.00

Fee waivers are available for people who cannot afford the costs. You fill out a fee waiver form and submit it to the court. A judge then decides if you qualify. The California Courts Self-Help Center has forms and guides for the fee waiver process that apply in Kern County.

Types of Kern County Court Records

The Kern County Superior Court keeps records for every case type heard at the trial level. Civil cases include contract disputes, personal injury lawsuits, real estate claims, and debt collection matters. Criminal records cover felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions filed by the Kern County District Attorney or city attorneys. Family law records include divorce filings, child custody orders, child support cases, and domestic violence restraining orders.

Probate records in Kern County deal with wills, trusts, conservatorships, and guardianships. Small claims cases cover disputes where the amount is $12,500 or less for individuals. Traffic cases make up a large share of the court's workload. Each case type has its own rules on how long records are kept. Under California Government Code Section 68152, civil unlimited cases are retained for 10 years. Felony records stay for 75 years. Family law cases are kept for 30 years.

Juvenile court records are confidential by law. You cannot access them through the public portal or at the clerk's window unless you are a party to the case or have a court order. Sealed records also require a specific court order to view.

Legal Resources in Kern County

The Kern County Superior Court has a self-help center where staff can assist with forms, filing procedures, and finding court records. This service is free. You do not need a lawyer. The center helps people who are representing themselves in court, sometimes called self-represented litigants or pro per parties.

Kern County Court Records information is posted on the court's website. It covers how to get copies, what fees apply, and what limits exist for different case types. The page also has warnings about scam texts that try to trick people into paying fake court fees.

For free legal help, California Rural Legal Assistance serves Kern County residents with low income. Call (800) 337-0690 to ask about their services. Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance also provides help with civil and family law matters. The statewide self-help website has guides, forms, and step-by-step instructions for common court processes that apply to Kern County court records.

Note: Self-help center staff can guide you through forms and processes, but they do not give legal advice or represent you in court.

Cities in Kern County

Kern County includes Bakersfield and several smaller cities. All court cases in the county go through the Kern County Superior Court. The courthouse that handles your case depends on where you live or where the events took place.

Other cities in Kern County include Ridgecrest, Delano, Wasco, Tehachapi, California City, Taft, Shafter, Arvin, and McFarland. These cities all file court cases through the Kern County Superior Court system.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Kern County. Court records in each county are separate. Check where the events took place to find the right court.