Access San Bernardino Court Records

San Bernardino County court records are managed by the Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino, which covers the largest county by area in the entire United States. The court serves over 2.1 million people and operates district offices from Rancho Cucamonga to Barstow and beyond. You can search civil case information and buy document copies through the Court Access Portal, or visit any district office in person. This page lays out how to find, view, and obtain court records in San Bernardino County, including the online tools, fees, and locations you will need.

San Bernardino Court Records Online

The San Bernardino Superior Court runs the Court Access Portal for online searching of civil court records. The portal at cap.sb-court.org lets you look up civil cases, view the register of actions, and purchase document copies remotely. The cost for viewing documents is $0.50 per page. Case data for files before 1998 may be limited, so very old cases might not show up in the online system.

The screenshot below shows the San Bernardino Court Access Portal for searching court records.

This is the main online tool for civil case records in San Bernardino County.

The online portal covers civil cases primarily. Criminal case records have a separate process. For criminal records, you can contact the criminal division at the San Bernardino courthouse or the Rancho Cucamonga district office. Under California Rules of Court Rule 2.503, criminal and family law records have limits on remote electronic access. You can see case indexes and hearing schedules online for most types, but full document access for restricted categories typically requires visiting a courthouse.

The court website at sanbernardino.courts.ca.gov has more details about what is available online and how to order documents through the portal.

Visiting San Bernardino County Courts

San Bernardino County is enormous. The court runs several district offices across the county so residents do not have to drive hours to reach a courthouse. The main civil hub is in Rancho Cucamonga. The San Bernardino Criminal Division is downtown. Victorville has its own district for the high desert communities.

When you visit in person, bring a photo ID. You can view court records on site for free. The clerk pulls files for you and you review them at the office. Fees apply only for copies. Because the county is so spread out, cases are filed at the district office closest to where the events happened. If you need a file from a different location, there may be a delay while staff retrieves it.

Note: Call ahead to confirm a file is at the location you plan to visit, especially for older cases that may have been moved to storage in San Bernardino County.

Court Record Fees in San Bernardino County

San Bernardino County uses the statewide fee schedule for court records. Copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $40.00 per document. The search fee is $15.00 when the clerk spends more than 10 minutes on your request. Certified copies of dissolution judgments cost $15.00 each. Exemplification is $50.00 per document.

Online document purchases through the Court Access Portal also charge $0.50 per page for viewing civil documents. This is the same as the in-person copy rate. You pay through the online system when you view or download a document. The portal accepts credit cards for payment, which is more convenient than bringing cash or a check to the courthouse.

Fee waivers are available for people with qualifying low incomes. The court's self-help center can help you apply. A judge reviews the application and decides whether to waive some or all of your court record fees in San Bernardino County.

Types of San Bernardino Court Records

San Bernardino County Superior Court handles all trial-level cases. Civil records include lawsuits, personal injury claims, contract disputes, and property cases. Criminal records cover felonies and misdemeanors. Family law files contain divorce, custody, support, and restraining order cases. Probate records deal with estates, wills, guardianships, and conservatorships. Small claims and traffic violations are also part of the court's caseload.

Retention periods follow state law. Civil unlimited records stay 10 years. Felony records last 75 years. Family law files are kept 30 years. Adoptions and name changes are permanent. Because the online system may have limited data for cases filed before 1998, contacting the clerk directly is a good idea for older cases in San Bernardino County.

Legal Resources for San Bernardino County

Inland Counties Legal Services offers free legal help to qualifying low-income residents in San Bernardino County. Call (888) 245-4257 for information about their programs. They handle civil, family law, housing, and other legal matters. The San Bernardino Superior Court operates self-help centers at several of its district locations where staff assist with forms, procedures, and record searches.

The California Courts Self-Help Center provides statewide resources. LawHelpCA connects you with local legal aid based on your situation and location. California Rural Legal Assistance serves some of the more remote areas of San Bernardino County, especially in the high desert and mountain communities. Call (800) 337-0690 to reach them.

Cities in San Bernardino County

San Bernardino County has over 20 incorporated cities. All cases go through the San Bernardino Superior Court. These major cities have their own court records pages:

Other cities include Upland, Chino, Hesperia, Redlands, and Apple Valley. All file cases at the San Bernardino County Superior Court system.

Nearby Counties

These counties border San Bernardino County. Each one has its own court and keeps separate records.