Search Los Angeles County Court Records
Los Angeles County court records are held by the largest trial court system in the country. The LA Superior Court handles over 5 million case filings and serves roughly 10 million people across more than 30 courthouse locations. You can search civil, criminal, family law, probate, and small claims records through several online portals that the court runs. This page covers how to find, view, and get copies of court records in Los Angeles County, along with the fees, online tools, and contact info you will need.
Los Angeles County Court Records Quick Facts
LA County Court Records Online Search
The Los Angeles Superior Court runs its own online case search system for public court records. The LA Civil Case Index lets you search by name for litigants in civil, small claims, family law, and probate cases.
The system gets updated every day. It covers a wide range of filing dates. Unlimited civil, probate, and family law cases go back to 1983. Limited civil cases start from 1991. Small claims records begin at 1992. Guest users pay $4.75 per name search. If you set up an account and do bulk searches, the per-search fee drops. The first 10 searches cost $1.00 each. After that, rates range from $4.25 to $4.75 depending on your total volume. You can reach the online services team at onlineServices@lacourt.org if you run into problems searching Los Angeles County court records.
Criminal case records have a separate search tool. The LA Criminal Case Summary portal shows case data for criminal matters.
This portal covers criminal cases filed in Los Angeles County. Under California Rules of Court Rule 2.503, remote access to full criminal case documents is limited. The online tool shows the register of actions, hearing dates, and case status, but full documents in criminal cases may only be viewed at a courthouse terminal. Civil court records have fewer limits on what you can see online in Los Angeles County.
Los Angeles County Court Records In Person
You can visit any LA Superior Court location to view court records in person. The main courthouse is the Stanley Mosk Courthouse at 111 North Hill Street in downtown Los Angeles. Hours run Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:10 PM. Bring a valid photo ID. The clerk can look up cases by name or case number and pull files for you to review. You do not pay to look at records on site. Fees only apply when you want copies.
Los Angeles County has over 30 court locations. Where a case was filed matters. Traffic cases, small claims, and some civil matters go to the courthouse closest to where the events took place. You can use the court's website to check which location handles a specific case type for your area. The clerk at any location can tell you where to find a particular file if it is not held at that branch.
| Main Courthouse | Stanley Mosk Courthouse 111 N. Hill Street Los Angeles, CA 90012 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:10 PM |
| Online Services Email | onlineServices@lacourt.org |
Note: Some older court records in Los Angeles County may be stored offsite and could take extra time to retrieve.
Court Record Fees in Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County follows the statewide fee schedule for court records. These fees are set by the California Government Code and apply at all LA court locations. The standard copy fee is $0.50 per page for plain copies. Certified copies cost $40.00 per document. If the clerk needs to search for a record and it takes more than 10 minutes, the search fee is $15.00.
Online search fees are separate from copy fees in Los Angeles County. Guest users pay $4.75 for each name search on the civil case index. Registered users who do high volumes get a lower rate. Document images may cost extra depending on the page count. The court does not charge to view the register of actions or case summary data, only for full document access and copies of court records in Los Angeles County.
Fee waivers are an option for people with low income. You can file a request with the court, and a judge will review it. If approved, the court waives some or all fees for filing and copies. The LA Self-Help Center can walk you through the fee waiver process.
The self-help center also helps with forms, court procedures, and understanding your case. It is a free resource for anyone who needs help with court records in Los Angeles County.
Types of Court Records in LA County
Los Angeles County Superior Court handles all trial-level cases. This means the court keeps records across every major case type. Civil cases include lawsuits over money, property disputes, and contract claims. Criminal cases cover felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions. Family law files hold divorce, child custody, support, and domestic violence cases. Probate records deal with wills, estates, and conservatorships. Small claims cases involve disputes under a set dollar amount. Traffic violations also create court records in Los Angeles County.
Each case type has different rules for public access. Civil court records are the most open. You can see full case documents online for most civil matters. Criminal records show limited data through remote access. Family law records are restricted to courthouse viewing only under Rule 2.503. Probate and small claims records fall somewhere in between. The type of case determines what you can access online versus what requires an in-person visit to view court records in Los Angeles County.
Legal Help in Los Angeles County
The Stanley Mosk Courthouse Self-Help Center is on the 4th floor in Room 426. Staff can help you find court records, fill out forms, and understand court procedures. The phone number is (213) 830-0845. This is free. You do not need a lawyer to use it.
The Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles gives free legal services to people with low income in Los Angeles County. Call (800) 399-4529 to ask about their programs. They handle civil matters, family law, housing, and other case types. For finding a private attorney, the Los Angeles County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. The California Courts Self-Help Center also has statewide guides that apply to Los Angeles County court records and all case types heard in the state.
Note: The self-help center does not give legal advice, but staff can point you in the right direction for your court records search in Los Angeles County.
Cities in Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County has over 80 cities. All court cases file at the LA Superior Court. The courthouse that handles your case depends on where you live or where the events took place. These major cities have their own court records pages:
Other cities in Los Angeles County include Santa Monica, Whittier, Compton, Carson, Hawthorne, and Alhambra. All of these file court cases at the LA Superior Court system.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Los Angeles County. If you are not sure which county handles your case, check the address where the events took place. Court records in each county are separate.