Sacramento County Court Records Search

Sacramento County court records are maintained by the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento, which serves the state capital region with a population of over 1.5 million people. The Sacramento court stands out because it has dropped all fees for online searches and document downloads through its Public Case Access System. You can search civil, criminal, family law, probate, small claims, and traffic records through this free online tool. This page explains how to use the system, what you can find, and what to do when you need certified copies or in-person access to court records in Sacramento County.

Sacramento County Court Records Online

The Sacramento Superior Court runs the Public Case Access System, or PCAS, at services.saccourt.ca.gov. This is one of the best free court records tools in California. The court has discontinued all fees for online searches and document downloads. You can search by name, case number, or filing date and pull up case information at no cost.

The screenshot below shows the Sacramento PCAS system where you search for court records online.

The PCAS system gives free access to case index data, registers of actions, and document images for Sacramento County court records.

Criminal case data goes back to 1989 in the system. Civil and other case types have varying start dates depending on when they were digitized. The system covers all case categories that the Sacramento Superior Court handles. You can view the register of actions, hearing schedules, and in many cases download actual document images. The free access to document downloads is unusual for a California court and makes Sacramento County one of the easiest places to research court records online.

Keep in mind that Rule 2.503 still applies. Family law, criminal, and other restricted case types have limits on what documents are available remotely. You can see the case index and register of actions for all types, but full document access for restricted categories may still need a courthouse visit.

Visiting the Sacramento Courthouse

The main courthouse is the Gordon D. Schaber Sacramento County Courthouse at 720 9th Street in downtown Sacramento. This is where you go for in-person access to court records. The clerk's office has the civil records unit on site. Bring a photo ID. You can view files at no charge and request copies while you are there.

Sacramento County also operates the Carol Miller Justice Center and other locations for specific case types. Most record requests go through the main courthouse, though. If you are not sure where to go, call the civil records unit first. They can tell you which location has the file you need and whether it is available for same-day viewing.

Sacramento County Court Record Fees

Online searches and downloads are free. That is the big news for Sacramento County. The court dropped all online access fees, so you can search, view, and download documents through PCAS at no charge. This does not apply to all services, though. If you need certified copies, standard statewide fees still apply.

In-person copy fees are $0.50 per page for plain copies. Certified copies cost $40.00 per document. The search fee is $15.00 if the clerk's search takes more than 10 minutes. Exemplification is $50.00. Certified dissolution judgment copies run $15.00 each. These are set by state law and are the same at every California court.

Fee waivers are available for low-income individuals. The court's self-help center can guide you through the application process. If your request is approved, the court may waive fees for copies, filings, and other court costs associated with records in Sacramento County.

Note: The free online downloads are for standard document images, not certified copies, so plan accordingly if you need an official certified version.

Types of Sacramento County Court Records

Sacramento County Superior Court handles all trial-level case types. Civil cases include lawsuits, contract disputes, personal injury, and property matters. Criminal records cover felonies and misdemeanors from 1989 to the present in the online system. Family law files hold divorce, custody, and support cases. Probate records deal with estates, wills, and conservatorships. Small claims and traffic violations also create records in Sacramento County.

State retention rules apply. Civil unlimited records last 10 years. Felony records stay for 75 years. Family law files are kept 30 years. Permanent records include adoptions and name changes. The PCAS system may not include very old cases if they predate digitization or have passed the retention period for Sacramento County court records.

Legal Resources in Sacramento County

Legal Services of Northern California is the main free legal aid provider in the Sacramento area. Call (916) 551-2150 to learn about their programs. They help low-income residents with civil legal problems, housing issues, family law, and other matters. The Sacramento Superior Court also operates self-help centers at its courthouse locations.

The California Courts Self-Help Center provides statewide information and forms. LawHelpCA connects people in Sacramento County with legal aid based on their location and legal issue. The Sacramento County Bar Association offers a lawyer referral service if you need a private attorney. For basic court records questions, the clerk's office at 720 9th Street can help point you in the right direction.

Cities in Sacramento County

Sacramento County includes the state capital and several surrounding cities. All cases go through the Sacramento Superior Court. These major cities have their own court records pages:

Other cities in Sacramento County include Citrus Heights, Folsom, Rancho Cordova, and Arden-Arcade. All court cases from these communities are handled by the Sacramento County Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

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