Find San Joaquin County Court Records

San Joaquin County court records are maintained by the Superior Court of California, County of San Joaquin, which serves about 780,000 people in the Central Valley east of the Bay Area. The county seat is Stockton, where the main courthouse is located. The court handles civil, criminal, family law, probate, small claims, and traffic cases for the entire county. An online case management system lets you search for records from any computer. This page covers the tools, fees, and steps for accessing court records in San Joaquin County.

San Joaquin Court Records Online

The San Joaquin County Superior Court offers an online case management system for public searches. The SJ Case Management system lets you search by name or case number. It covers civil, criminal, family, and other case types filed in San Joaquin County. You can view case details, the register of actions, and hearing schedules from your own device.

Below is the San Joaquin County case management system used for online court records searches.

This tool provides case index and register of actions data for San Joaquin County court records.

The online system gives you a good overview of cases without needing to visit the courthouse. However, California Rules of Court Rule 2.503 still limits what you can see remotely for certain case types. Criminal, family law, and other restricted categories show limited information through remote access. The case index and hearing calendar are usually available, but full document viewing for those types may need an in-person visit.

Civil case records have the fewest restrictions on online access. You can typically see more detail for civil matters than for criminal or family cases when searching San Joaquin County court records online.

Visiting the San Joaquin Courthouse

The main courthouse is in downtown Stockton. This is where most court records for San Joaquin County are kept. Visit the clerk's office during business hours to view case files. Bring a valid photo ID. You can look at records on site for free. Fees come up when you want copies made.

San Joaquin County also has a branch courthouse in Manteca and handles some case types at other locations. Most record requests are handled at the Stockton courthouse, though. If you are not sure which location has your file, call the clerk's office first. They can check the system and tell you where the physical file is stored before you make the trip.

San Joaquin Court Record Fees

San Joaquin County follows the statewide fee schedule. 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 runs $50.00 per document. Certified dissolution judgment copies are $15.00 each.

For mail requests, send a check or money order payable to the San Joaquin County Superior Court. Include details about the record you need, the names involved, and approximate dates. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for the response. Online searches through the case management system are free for basic case lookups.

Fee waivers are available for qualifying individuals. The court's self-help center can assist with the application. If approved, fees for copies and filings may be waived based on your financial situation.

Note: Processing times for mail-in requests to San Joaquin County vary depending on how busy the clerk's office is at the time.

Types of San Joaquin Court Records

The San Joaquin County Superior Court keeps records across all case types. Civil cases include lawsuits, contract disputes, and property matters. Criminal records cover felonies and misdemeanors. Family law files hold divorce, custody, and support cases. Probate records deal with estates, wills, and guardianships. Small claims and traffic cases also generate records.

Retention periods match state rules. Civil unlimited records last 10 years. Felony records stay for 75 years. Family law files are kept 30 years. Adoptions and name changes are permanent. Older cases that have passed the retention period may have been destroyed, which is something to keep in mind when searching for San Joaquin County court records from many years ago.

Legal Resources in San Joaquin County

Central California Legal Services provides free legal help to low-income residents in San Joaquin County. Call (800) 675-8001 for more information. They handle civil matters, family law, housing disputes, and other legal issues. The San Joaquin Superior Court runs a self-help center at the Stockton courthouse where staff assist with forms, procedures, and basic record searches.

The California Courts Self-Help Center offers statewide resources and forms. LawHelpCA connects you with legal aid based on your situation and location. The San Joaquin County Bar Association has a lawyer referral service if you need a private attorney. For basic questions about finding court records, the clerk's office is a reliable starting point.

Cities in San Joaquin County

San Joaquin County has several cities. All cases go through the San Joaquin Superior Court. Stockton is the largest city and the county seat:

Other cities in San Joaquin County include Tracy, Manteca, Lodi, Lathrop, and Ripon. All court cases from these cities file through the San Joaquin County Superior Court system.

Nearby Counties

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