Search Kings County Court Records

Court records for Kings County are held by the Superior Court of California, County of Kings, located in Hanford. The court serves the entire county, which sits in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley. Kings County has a population of about 152,000 people. The court handles civil, criminal, family law, probate, small claims, and traffic matters. This page covers how to look up Kings County court records online, visit the courthouse, understand fees, and find legal help in the area.

Kings County Court Records Online Search

The Kings County Superior Court offers a public portal for case searches. The Kings County Case Index lets you look up cases by name or case number. It covers civil, criminal, family law, probate, small claims, and traffic records. You can view the register of actions and basic case data through this tool. Full document access may require a visit to the courthouse.

Below is a view of the Kings County case search portal from the court's public portal.

The portal is free to use for basic searches. You can run searches from any device with internet access.

California Rules of Court Rule 2.503 limits what you can see online for certain case types. Criminal, family law, and juvenile records show only limited data through remote access. Civil court records are more open. The register of actions, calendars, and case indexes for civil cases can be viewed from anywhere. For criminal or family law details, you may need to go to the courthouse and use a public terminal there.

Visit the Kings County Courthouse

The Kings County courthouse is in Hanford. You can visit the clerk's office to look at court records for free. The clerk will pull files for you if you provide a name or case number. Bring a photo ID. You do not pay anything just to view records. Fees apply only when you want copies made.

Kings County also has a court location in Corcoran and in Avenal for certain case types. The Hanford courthouse handles most matters. If your case was filed at a branch court, the clerk in Hanford can tell you where the file is stored. Walk-in visitors can come during regular business hours.

Note: The court does not conduct record searches by phone or email, so plan to use the online portal or visit in person.

Court Record Fees in Kings County

Kings County uses the same statewide fee schedule as all California superior courts. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $40.00 per document. If the clerk needs more than 10 minutes to search for a record, the search fee is $15.00. A certified copy of a dissolution judgment costs $15.00.

You can pay at the clerk's window. Accepted forms of payment typically include cash, check, and money order. Some courts accept credit cards. Ask the clerk when you arrive. The court does not refund copy fees once the copies are made.

Fee waivers exist for people who meet income limits. You fill out the fee waiver request form and file it with the court. A judge reviews the request and decides if you qualify. The California Courts Self-Help Center has the forms and instructions for this process.

How to Search Kings County Records

Start with the online portal if you have a name or case number. The search tool will show matching cases with basic details like the case type, filing date, and parties. You can click on a case to see the register of actions, which lists every event and filing in the case. This is often enough to find what you need without going to the courthouse.

If you need actual documents, such as a filed complaint, a judgment, or an order, you will likely need to go to the Hanford courthouse. The clerk can pull the file and make copies for you. Bring exact case details if you can. The more info you have, the faster the clerk can find your file. If you only have a name, the clerk or the online portal can help you find the case number first.

For older records, be aware that not everything is in the electronic system. Cases filed before a certain date may only exist on paper or microfiche. The clerk can tell you what is available and how far back the electronic records go for Kings County court records.

Legal Help for Kings County

The Kings County Superior Court has a self-help center to assist people who are handling their own court matters. Staff can help you fill out forms, understand court procedures, and locate records. This is a free service.

Central California Legal Services provides free legal aid to low-income residents in Kings County. Call (800) 675-8001 for information about their programs. They cover civil matters, housing, family law, and other areas. California Rural Legal Assistance also serves the Kings County area and can be reached at (800) 337-0690.

The California Courts Self-Help Center website has statewide guides, forms, and resources that apply to Kings County court records and all case types heard in California courts.

Cities in Kings County

Kings County includes Hanford, Lemoore, Corcoran, and Avenal. No city in Kings County has a population over 100,000. All court cases in the county go through the Kings County Superior Court system in Hanford.

Nearby Counties

These counties are next to Kings County. Each has its own court system. Make sure you are searching the right county for your case.