Lake County Court Records Search

Court records in Lake County are maintained by the Superior Court of California, County of Lake, headquartered in Lakeport. The court handles civil, criminal, family law, probate, small claims, and traffic cases for the county. Lake County is a smaller, rural county in Northern California with a population of around 68,000 people. The court operates out of one main location. This page covers how to search for Lake County court records, visit the courthouse, understand the fees, and get legal help locally.

Lake County Records Online Access

The Lake County Superior Court has a public portal for case searches. The Lake County Public Portal lets you search by name or case number. You can view registers of actions and basic case data for civil, criminal, family, probate, small claims, and traffic matters. Full documents may not be available through the online system for all case types.

The California statewide court system provides guidelines for what can appear online. Under Rule 2.503, criminal, family law, and juvenile records have limits on remote viewing. Civil records are the most accessible online. You can see case indexes, calendars, and registers of actions for civil matters from any computer or phone.

The screenshot below is from the California Court Finder, a statewide tool that helps you locate the right court for Lake County.

This state-level tool can direct you to the Lake County Superior Court site and contact details.

Note: The Lake County portal may experience occasional downtime, so try again later if you get a connection error.

Visit Lake County Superior Court

The Lake County courthouse is in Lakeport. You can walk in during business hours to view court records at no cost. Give the clerk a name or case number and they will pull the file for you. A photo ID is needed. Copying fees apply only when you want printed copies.

Lake County is a small court with one main location. This makes things simpler since all records are in one place. You will not need to figure out which branch has your file. The clerk handles all case types at this location, from civil to criminal to traffic matters.

You can also send a written request by mail. Include the case name, case number if you have it, and what you need. Send a check or money order for the copy fees. The clerk will process your request and mail the copies back to you.

Court Record Fees for Lake County

Lake County follows the same statewide fee schedule as every California superior court. These fees come from the California Government Code and are the same at all courthouses in the state. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $40.00. A search that takes the clerk more than 10 minutes costs $15.00. Certified copies of dissolution judgments are $15.00.

Paying at the clerk's window is straightforward. Cash and checks are accepted. Some locations take credit or debit cards. Check with the court before your visit if you plan to pay by card. Money orders are always accepted for mail-in requests.

Fee waivers are an option for anyone who meets the income requirements. You file a request form with the court. A judge reviews it and decides. If approved, fees for copies and filing can be waived. The California Courts Self-Help Center has the fee waiver forms online.

Types of Lake County Court Records

The Lake County Superior Court handles all trial-level cases. Civil cases include lawsuits over contracts, property, personal injury, and debt. Criminal cases range from felonies to misdemeanors to infractions. Family law records cover divorce, custody, child support, and restraining orders. Probate cases deal with estates, wills, conservatorships, and guardianships.

Small claims cases in Lake County involve disputes where the amount at issue is $12,500 or less for individuals. Traffic violations create their own set of court records. Each case type has different retention periods under California law. Civil unlimited cases are retained for 10 years. Felonies are kept for 75 years. Family law records stay on file for 30 years. Adoption and name change records are kept permanently.

Juvenile records are confidential. Sealed records need a court order to view. All other records are presumed open to the public under California law, unless a judge has ordered otherwise.

Legal Resources in Lake County

The Lake County Superior Court has a self-help center where staff can assist with filling out forms, understanding court procedures, and finding records. The service is free and available to anyone. You do not need a lawyer to use it.

Legal Services of Northern California provides free legal aid to low-income residents in Lake County. Call (916) 551-2150 to find out if you qualify. They help with housing, family law, public benefits, and other civil matters. The California Courts Self-Help Center website also has forms, guides, and tools for handling court matters on your own.

Note: Staff at the self-help center cannot give legal advice or represent you, but they can help you find the right forms and understand the process for Lake County court records.

Cities in Lake County

Lake County includes the cities of Lakeport and Clearlake. No city in Lake County has a population over 100,000. All court cases in the county go through the Lake County Superior Court in Lakeport. Other communities include Kelseyville, Upper Lake, Nice, and Lucerne.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Lake County. Each one has its own separate court system and records.