Access Mariposa County Court Records

Court records for Mariposa County are kept by the Superior Court of California, County of Mariposa, in the town of Mariposa. This small mountain county sits on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada and is home to much of Yosemite National Park. Mariposa County has a population of only about 17,000 people, making it one of the least populated counties in the state. The court handles civil, criminal, family law, probate, small claims, and traffic cases at a single courthouse. This page covers how to search court records, visit in person, and find legal help in Mariposa County.

Mariposa County Records Online Search

The Mariposa County Superior Court offers an online case information tool. You can search for cases through the Mariposa County Case Information page. The system lets you look up cases by name or case number. It provides basic data like case type, filing date, parties, and the register of actions.

Here is a view of the Mariposa County online case search from the court's case information page.

This online tool provides a way to check Mariposa County court records without traveling to the courthouse.

Since Mariposa is a very small court, the online system may have limitations compared to larger counties. Not all case types may show full details remotely. Under California Rules of Court Rule 2.503, criminal, family law, and juvenile records are restricted from full remote viewing. Civil cases have the fewest limitations online.

Visit the Mariposa County Courthouse

The Mariposa County courthouse is in the town of Mariposa. It is the only court location in the county. You can visit during business hours to view court records at no charge. The clerk can pull files by name or case number. Bring a photo ID.

Mariposa is a small court. Staff know the system well and can help you find what you need. Since everything is in one building, you will not be sent to a different branch. For older records that might be archived, ask the clerk about retrieval times.

The courthouse sits along Highway 140, the main route into Yosemite. If you are driving from the valley, plan for winding mountain roads and extra travel time.

Court Record Fees in Mariposa County

Mariposa County follows the same statewide fee schedule used by all California superior courts. Copies are $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $40.00. The search fee for a clerk lookup that takes over 10 minutes is $15.00. Certified copies of dissolution judgments run $15.00.

Payment can be made at the clerk's office. Cash and checks are accepted. Money orders work for mail-in requests. Ask about credit card acceptance when you visit, as smaller courts sometimes have different payment options than larger ones.

Fee waivers are an option if you meet the income guidelines. The California Courts Self-Help Center has the forms. File the request with the Mariposa County court and a judge will review it.

Searching for Mariposa County Records

Start with the online case search. Enter a name or case number and see what comes up. The register of actions will give you a summary of every event in the case. This is often enough to answer basic questions about a case without going to the courthouse.

If you need actual documents, visit the courthouse. The clerk will pull the file and let you view it. You can then request copies of the specific pages you need. Having the case number ready makes the process faster. If you only have a name, search online first to find the case number before making the trip to Mariposa.

Keep in mind that very old records may not be in the electronic system. Mariposa County has been around since 1850, and paper records from early decades may be held in archives or at a different storage site. The clerk can tell you what is available and how to get older records.

Note: Mariposa County court records for confidential case types like juvenile and some family law matters are not available to the general public.

Legal Help for Mariposa County

The Mariposa County Superior Court has a self-help center. Staff can help with forms, procedures, and finding court records. This service is free.

Central California Legal Services serves Mariposa County with free legal aid for low-income residents. Call (800) 675-8001. California Rural Legal Assistance also covers rural areas like Mariposa County at (800) 337-0690. Both organizations can help with civil and family law matters.

The California Courts Self-Help Center website has statewide resources that apply to Mariposa County court records. You can download forms, read guides, and find information on common court procedures there.

Cities in Mariposa County

Mariposa County has no incorporated cities. The town of Mariposa is an unincorporated community that serves as the county seat. Other communities include Coulterville, El Portal, Midpines, and Catheys Valley. All court cases go through the Mariposa County Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

These counties are next to Mariposa County. Each has its own separate court system and records.