Find Madera County Court Records

Court records in Madera County are held by the Superior Court of California, County of Madera. The courthouse sits in the city of Madera, which serves as the county seat. Madera County has a population of roughly 157,000 people and spans from the San Joaquin Valley floor up into the Sierra Nevada foothills. The court handles civil, criminal, family law, probate, small claims, and traffic cases. This page walks you through how to search for court records in Madera County, what fees to expect, and where to find legal help.

Madera County Court Records Online

The Madera County Superior Court runs a public portal where you can search for case information. The Madera County Public Portal allows searches by name or case number. You can view registers of actions, hearing dates, and basic case details for civil, criminal, family law, probate, small claims, and traffic cases.

Here is a look at the Madera County case portal, accessible through the court's public portal page.

The portal is free to use for basic case lookups. You do not need an account to search.

Remote access limits apply under California Rules of Court Rule 2.503. Family law, criminal, and juvenile case documents are not fully available online. You can see limited data like the register of actions and hearing schedule. For complete documents in those case types, go to the courthouse. Civil records are more open and show more detail through the online system.

Note: The online portal may not include very old cases that were filed before the electronic system was set up in Madera County.

Visit the Madera County Courthouse

The Madera County courthouse is located in the city of Madera. Walk in during business hours to view court records for free. Give the clerk a name or case number. They will pull the file. Bring your photo ID. You only pay when you want copies.

Madera County also has a court branch in Oakhurst that handles certain matters for the mountain communities. The main courthouse in Madera handles the majority of cases. If a file is at the other location, the clerk can direct you.

The Oakhurst branch is at 49074 Civic Circle, Oakhurst, CA 93644. It handles traffic, small claims, and some civil matters for that area. Call ahead to check if your case is at the branch location.

Madera County Court Record Fees

Madera County charges the standard California court fees. Plain copies run $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $40.00 per document plus $0.50 per page. Search fees apply at $15.00 if the clerk spends more than 10 minutes looking up records. Certified copies of dissolution judgments cost $15.00.

You can pay at the clerk's office. Cash, checks, and money orders are the most common payment forms. Check with the court about credit card options. Mail-in requests should include a check or money order.

Fee waivers are available if you cannot pay. File a fee waiver request form with the court. A judge will review your financial situation. If approved, the court waives some or all fees. Forms are on the California Courts Self-Help Center website.

How to Search Madera County Records

The easiest way to start is the online portal. Enter a name or case number and the system will return matching cases. Click on a result to see the register of actions, which lists every filing and event in the case. For many purposes, this gives you enough detail without a trip to the courthouse.

If you need copies of filed documents like complaints, motions, or orders, plan a visit to the Madera courthouse. The clerk can pull the physical or electronic file and print copies for you. Having the case number speeds things up. If you only know a party's name, search the portal first to find the case number before going in.

For records that are not in the electronic system, ask the clerk about older archives. Cases filed before the court started using its current system may be on paper only. The clerk can tell you what time period the electronic records cover and what is available for Madera County court records.

Legal Resources in Madera County

The Madera County Superior Court offers self-help services. Staff can assist with forms, filing procedures, and locating records. This is free for everyone.

Central California Legal Services provides free legal help to people with low income in Madera County. Call (800) 675-8001. They handle family law, housing, public benefits, and other civil matters. California Rural Legal Assistance also serves the area at (800) 337-0690.

The California Courts Self-Help Center has statewide resources online. You can find forms, guides, and step-by-step instructions for common court processes that apply to Madera County court records.

Note: Self-help center staff cannot give legal advice, but they can help you understand the steps and forms you need.

Cities in Madera County

Madera County includes the city of Madera and the city of Chowchilla. No city in Madera County has a population over 100,000. All court cases file through the Madera County Superior Court. Other communities include Oakhurst, Bass Lake, North Fork, and Raymond.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Madera County. Each county has its own separate court system.