Plumas County Court Records

Plumas County court records are kept by the Superior Court of California, County of Plumas, located in the mountain town of Quincy. This small rural county has a population of about 19,000 and operates a single courthouse. The court handles civil, criminal, family law, probate, small claims, and traffic cases for the entire county. Because Plumas County is a smaller court, record searches and copies are handled by staff rather than through a full online document system. This page covers how to search for and get copies of court records in Plumas County.

Plumas County Court Records Search

The Plumas County Superior Court provides information about requesting record searches on its website. The Plumas Record Searches page explains the process. Unlike larger courts, Plumas does not run a full self-service online case search portal. Instead, the clerk's office handles search requests directly. You submit a request, and court staff look up the information for you.

Below is the Plumas County record searches page, which outlines how to request court records in this county.

The page walks you through the steps to request a name search or copies of court records in Plumas County.

To request a search, you can contact the clerk by phone, mail, or in person. Name searches cost $15.00 per name when they take more than 10 minutes. The clerk will check the court's case management system and let you know what cases come up under the name you provide. This process works well for a county of this size, though it does take longer than an online self-service portal would.

For basic case status questions, calling the clerk's office is often the fastest route. Staff are usually able to check a case number or tell you if a case exists without a formal search fee, as long as you have enough info to make it quick.

Visiting the Plumas County Courthouse

The Plumas County courthouse is in Quincy. It is the only court location in the county. You can visit during business hours to view court records on site at no charge. Bring a photo ID. The clerk can pull files for you to look at in the office. If you want copies, standard fees apply.

Quincy is a small town in the northern Sierra Nevada mountains. If you are traveling from outside the area, plan your trip around the courthouse hours. There are no other court locations in Plumas County, so all records are in one place. This actually makes things simpler for in-person record searches since you do not have to figure out which branch has your file.

Note: Plumas County is in a remote mountain area, and winter weather can affect travel to the courthouse, so check road conditions before visiting.

Court Record Fees in Plumas County

Plumas County follows the same statewide fee schedule as every other California court. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $40.00 per certification plus the per-page copy fee. Comparing a copy with the original is $1.00 per page. The search fee is $15.00 when the clerk spends more than 10 minutes looking for your record.

Dissolution judgment certified copies cost $15.00 per document. Exemplification of a record runs $50.00. These are the same rates you would pay at any court in the state. For mail-in requests, send a check or money order payable to the Plumas County Superior Court along with your request details and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Fee waivers can be requested by people who meet the income requirements. The self-help resources on the court's website have information about how to apply for a fee waiver for court record copies in Plumas County.

Types of Records in Plumas County

Even though Plumas County is small, the Superior Court handles the full range of case types. Civil cases include lawsuits, property disputes, and contract matters. Criminal cases cover felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions. Family law files hold divorce, custody, support, and restraining order cases. Probate handles estates and guardianships. Small claims and traffic cases round out the list.

Access rules match the state standards. Civil records are the most open to the public. Family law, criminal, and juvenile records have limits on who can see them and how they can be accessed. Under Rule 2.503, full documents in restricted case types are only viewable at the courthouse. Since Plumas County does not have a full online document access system, most record viewing happens in person regardless of case type.

Plumas County Legal Resources

Legal aid options in Plumas County are more limited than in larger areas, but help is still available. Legal Services of Northern California covers Plumas County and provides free legal help to qualifying low-income residents. Call (916) 551-2150 to find out if they can assist you. California Rural Legal Assistance also serves rural communities like those in Plumas County. Their number is (800) 337-0690.

The California Courts Self-Help Center has online guides and forms that work for any county in the state, including Plumas. The court's website also links to self-help information. For questions about where to find specific court records in Plumas County, calling the clerk's office is usually the best starting point since the staff can walk you through the options available.

Note: Because Plumas County is rural, some legal aid services may be available by phone or video rather than in-person appointments.

Cities in Plumas County

Plumas County is rural and sparsely populated. There are no cities in the county that meet the 100,000 population threshold. Quincy is the county seat and the main town. Other communities include Portola, Chester, Greenville, and Graeagle. All court cases from these areas are handled by the single Plumas County Superior Court in Quincy.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Plumas County. Each has its own court and keeps separate records.