Search Santa Barbara Court Records

Santa Barbara County court records are maintained by the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara, which serves about 450,000 people along the southern Central Coast. The court operates locations in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc. Two online portals give you access to search case information for different case types. This page walks you through the online tools, fees, courthouse locations, and legal resources for finding court records in Santa Barbara County.

Santa Barbara Court Records Online

The Santa Barbara County Superior Court provides two online portals for searching court records. The main SB Public Portal covers criminal, traffic, family law, probate, and small claims cases. A separate SB Civil Portal handles civil case searches. Both portals are powered by Tyler Technologies and let you search by name, case number, or date.

Here is the Santa Barbara County public portal for court records searches.

This portal covers most case types filed in Santa Barbara County.

The civil portal is your go-to for lawsuits, personal injury cases, contract disputes, and other civil matters. The general portal covers everything else. Having two separate portals means you need to pick the right one based on what type of case you are looking for. Both show the register of actions, case status, hearing dates, and party information.

Below is the civil portal used specifically for civil court records in Santa Barbara County.

The civil portal offers more detailed document access for civil cases in Santa Barbara County.

Under Rule 2.503, criminal and family law documents have restricted remote access. You can see case indexes and hearing data online, but full document viewing for those types may require visiting the courthouse. Civil records have the fewest restrictions on online access.

Visiting Santa Barbara County Courts

Santa Barbara County operates three courthouse locations. The main courthouse in Santa Barbara handles cases from the southern part of the county. The Santa Maria courthouse covers the northern area. The Lompoc Division handles cases from the Lompoc Valley. Which courthouse holds your file depends on where the case was filed.

Bring a photo ID to any location. You can view court records on site for free. The clerk can look up cases by name or number and pull files for you to review. Fees apply only when you request copies. If you are not sure which location has your case, call the clerk's office first. They can check the system and tell you where the physical file is kept.

Santa Barbara Court Record Fees

Santa Barbara County follows the statewide fee schedule. Copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $40.00 per document. The search fee is $15.00 when the clerk's search goes past 10 minutes. Exemplification is $50.00 per document. Certified dissolution judgment copies cost $15.00 each. These rates are set by state law and apply at all three courthouse locations.

Online portal searches are free for basic case lookups. You do not need an account to search. Document copies ordered through the clerk have the standard per-page fees. For mail requests, include a check or money order with your request details and a self-addressed envelope. Fee waivers are an option for qualifying low-income individuals.

Note: Fees are the same at the Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc locations, so you can request copies at whichever courthouse is most convenient.

Types of Santa Barbara Court Records

The Santa Barbara Superior Court handles all trial-level cases. Civil records include lawsuits, contract claims, property disputes, and personal injury matters. Criminal records cover felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions. Family law files hold divorce, custody, support, and restraining order cases. Probate records deal with estates, wills, and conservatorships. Small claims and traffic violations also create records in Santa Barbara County.

State retention periods apply. Civil unlimited records stay 10 years. Felony records last 75 years. Family law files are kept 30 years. Adoptions and name changes are permanent. Older records past the retention date may be destroyed. If you need a very old case in Santa Barbara County, check with the clerk to see if the file is still available.

Legal Resources in Santa Barbara County

Central California Legal Services provides free legal assistance in Santa Barbara County. Call (800) 675-8001 for information. California Rural Legal Assistance at (800) 337-0690 also serves parts of the county, especially in the agricultural areas around Santa Maria. The Santa Barbara Superior Court runs self-help centers at its courthouse locations.

The California Courts Self-Help Center offers statewide resources that apply to Santa Barbara County cases. LawHelpCA can connect you with the right legal aid organization for your needs. The Santa Barbara County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service for those who want a private attorney. You do not need a lawyer to access court records in Santa Barbara County, but having one can help if you need to understand complex case filings.

Cities in Santa Barbara County

Santa Barbara County has no cities that meet the 100,000 population threshold. The city of Santa Barbara is the county seat with about 90,000 people. Santa Maria is the largest city with around 110,000. Other communities include Lompoc, Goleta, Carpinteria, and Solvang. All court cases from these areas go through the Santa Barbara County Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Santa Barbara County. Each has its own Superior Court and separate records.