Nevada County Court Records Search

Court records in Nevada County are managed by the Superior Court of California, County of Nevada, based in Nevada City. This Sierra Nevada foothill county has a population of about 102,000 people and includes the cities of Grass Valley and Truckee. Despite sharing its name with the state of Nevada, this is a California county. The court handles civil, criminal, family law, probate, small claims, and traffic cases. This page covers how to find Nevada County court records through the online portal and at the courthouse.

Nevada County Court Records Online

The Nevada County Superior Court has an online portal for case searches. The Nevada County eCourt Portal lets you search by name or case number. You can view registers of actions, hearing dates, and basic case data for civil, criminal, family, probate, small claims, and traffic cases. The portal is free for basic searches.

Below is a look at the Nevada County case portal from the court's eCourt portal page.

This portal provides online access to Nevada County court records without requiring a trip to the courthouse.

Under California Rules of Court Rule 2.503, remote access to certain case types is restricted. Criminal, family law, and juvenile case documents are limited online. The portal shows the register of actions and hearing dates for these types, but full documents may only be available at the courthouse. Civil records are more open and show more complete information through the online system.

Note: Nevada County, California is not related to the state of Nevada, so make sure you are searching the correct jurisdiction when looking up court records.

Visit the Nevada County Courthouse

The main courthouse is in Nevada City. Walk in during business hours to view court records for free. The clerk can pull cases by name or number. Bring a photo ID. You only pay when you want copies.

Nevada County also has a court branch in Truckee for the eastern part of the county. The Truckee branch handles some traffic, small claims, and civil matters for the Truckee-Tahoe area. The Nevada City courthouse handles the bulk of filings. If your case is at the other location, the clerk can let you know.

Nevada County Court Record Fees

Nevada County follows the California statewide fee schedule. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $40.00 per document. A search that takes the clerk more than 10 minutes costs $15.00. Certified dissolution judgment copies are $15.00. Exemplification of a record is $50.00.

Pay at the clerk's office with cash, check, or money order. Check with the court about credit card options. For mail-in requests, send a check or money order payable to the Nevada County Superior Court along with your request.

Fee waivers are available if you cannot afford the fees. File a fee waiver request form with the court. A judge will review your financial situation. The California Courts Self-Help Center has the forms.

Types of Nevada County Court Records

The Nevada County Superior Court keeps records for all trial-level case types. Civil cases cover contract disputes, personal injury lawsuits, property claims, and debt collection. Criminal records include felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions. Family law records hold divorce, custody, child support, and restraining order files.

Probate records handle wills, trusts, estates, conservatorships, and guardianships. Small claims cases deal with disputes under $12,500. Traffic violations create separate records. Retention periods follow California Government Code Section 68152. Civil unlimited cases stay 10 years. Felonies are kept 75 years. Family law is held 30 years. Adoptions and name changes are permanent.

• Civil unlimited: 10-year retention
• Felony criminal: 75-year retention
• Family law: 30-year retention
• Adoption and name change: permanent
• Small claims: 10-year retention

Juvenile records are confidential. Sealed records require a court order. All other Nevada County court records are presumed open to the public.

Legal Help in Nevada County

The Nevada County Superior Court has a self-help center. Staff help with forms, filing procedures, and locating records. This is a free service.

Legal Services of Northern California provides free legal aid to qualifying residents in Nevada County. Call (916) 551-2150 for information. They handle housing, family law, public benefits, and other civil matters. The Nevada County Bar Association can also help connect you with local attorneys.

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

Note: Self-help center staff can guide you through procedures and forms but cannot give legal advice or represent you.

Cities in Nevada County

Nevada County includes Nevada City, Grass Valley, and Truckee. No city in Nevada County has a population over 100,000. All court cases go through the Nevada County Superior Court system. Other communities include Penn Valley, Lake of the Pines, Alta Sierra, and Lake Wildwood.

Nearby Counties

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