Search Monterey County Court Records

Court records for Monterey County are managed by the Superior Court of California, County of Monterey, with its main courthouse in Salinas. Monterey County stretches from the Pacific coast inland through the Salinas Valley, with a population of about 439,000 people. The court handles civil, criminal, family law, probate, small claims, and traffic cases across multiple courthouse locations. This page covers how to search Monterey County court records online, visit the courthouse, understand fees, and find legal help.

Monterey County Court Records Online

The Monterey County Superior Court provides an online case search portal. The Monterey County Case Portal lets you search cases by name, case number, or other criteria. It covers civil, criminal, family law, probate, small claims, and traffic records. You can view registers of actions, hearing dates, and basic case information through this tool.

Here is a screenshot of the Monterey County case portal from the court's search page.

The portal is free for basic case lookups and can be accessed from any device with internet.

Under California Rules of Court Rule 2.503, some case types have restricted remote access. Criminal, family law, and juvenile case documents are limited online. You can see the register of actions and hearing schedules, but not full documents for those case types. Civil records are more open and show more detail through the portal. For complete criminal or family law documents, a visit to the courthouse is usually needed.

Note: Monterey County handles a large volume of cases, so search results may return many matches for common names.

Visit the Monterey County Courthouse

The main courthouse is in Salinas. 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 a photo ID. You pay only for copies.

Monterey County has additional court locations in Monterey and King City. The Salinas courthouse handles most civil and criminal matters. The Monterey location covers some civil and traffic cases. King City handles matters from the southern part of the county. The clerk at any location can tell you where a specific file is stored.

Monterey County Court Record Fees

Monterey County follows the California statewide fee schedule. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $40.00 per document. A clerk search that goes past 10 minutes costs $15.00. Certified copies of dissolution judgments are $15.00. Exemplification of a record runs $50.00.

You can pay at the clerk's office with cash, check, or money order. Some locations may accept credit or debit cards. Ask when you arrive. For requests by mail, include a check or money order made out to the Monterey County Superior Court.

Fee waivers are available for people who meet the income limits. You file a fee waiver request form with the court, and a judge reviews it. If approved, fees for copies and other court services can be waived. The California Courts Self-Help Center has the waiver forms online.

Types of Monterey County Court Records

The Monterey County Superior Court handles all trial-level cases. Civil records include contract claims, personal injury lawsuits, real property disputes, and debt collection. Criminal records cover felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions. Family law records include divorce, legal separation, custody, child support, and domestic violence restraining orders.

Probate records deal with estates, wills, trusts, conservatorships, and guardianships. Small claims cases handle disputes up to $12,500 for individuals. Traffic violations create their own records. California Government Code Section 68152 governs retention periods. Civil unlimited cases stay 10 years. Felony records are kept 75 years. Family law is retained 30 years. Adoption records are permanent.

Juvenile records are confidential. Sealed records need a court order to view. Everything else is presumed open to the public in Monterey County.

Legal Help in Monterey County

The Monterey County Superior Court provides a self-help center in Salinas. Staff help with forms, court procedures, and finding records. The service is free and open to all.

Central California Legal Services offers free legal aid to low-income residents in Monterey County. Call (800) 675-8001. They handle family law, housing, public benefits, and consumer issues. California Rural Legal Assistance also serves the area at (800) 337-0690, covering farm worker communities and rural residents.

The California Courts Self-Help Center has statewide forms and guides that apply to Monterey County court records and all California case types.

Note: Self-help staff assist with forms and procedures but cannot provide legal advice or represent you in court.

Cities in Monterey County

Monterey County includes several cities. All court cases in the county go through the Monterey County Superior Court system.

Other cities in Monterey County include Monterey, Seaside, Marina, Pacific Grove, King City, Soledad, and Gonzales. These cities all file court cases through the Monterey County Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

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