Solano County Court Records Search

Court records in Solano County are held by the Superior Court of California, County of Solano. The court serves around 453,000 people living in cities like Vallejo, Fairfield, and Vacaville. Fairfield is the county seat and the location of the main courthouse. The court handles all trial-level cases including civil, criminal, family law, probate, small claims, and traffic matters. Solano County offers an online portal for case searches, and you can also visit the courthouse to view records in person. This page covers the tools, fees, and steps you need to find court records in Solano County.

Solano County Court Records Online

The Solano County Superior Court runs an online case search portal. The Solano Case Search Portal lets you look up cases by party name, case number, or other search criteria. The system covers civil, criminal, family law, probate, small claims, and traffic cases filed in Solano County.

Below is a screenshot of the Solano County court records search portal used for public case lookups.

The portal shows case numbers, filing dates, party names, and case status. You can also view the register of actions for a case, which lists all events and filings. Under California Rules of Court Rule 2.503, remote access to full documents is restricted for criminal, family law, and other sensitive case categories. For those, you can see the index and basic data online but need to visit the courthouse to view actual documents.

Civil case records are more widely available through remote access. The court makes registers of actions, calendars, and indexes available online for most case types. If a case does not appear in the portal, it may be sealed, confidential, or filed before the system was set up. The clerk's office can help with those situations.

In-Person Access in Solano County

The main courthouse is the Hall of Justice at 600 Union Avenue in Fairfield, CA 94533. This is where most court records are held. You can walk in during business hours and ask to view files. There is no charge to look at records on site. Bring a valid photo ID. The clerk can search by case number or party name and pull the file for you.

Solano County also has a court location in Vallejo. The Vallejo Branch Court is at 321 Tuolumne Street. Not all case types are handled at the Vallejo location, so check with the court first if you plan to visit that branch. The main records office in Fairfield has the most complete collection of files.

Solano County Court Record Fees

Fees at the Solano County Superior Court follow the statewide schedule. Copies are $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $40.00 per certification. A certified copy of a dissolution judgment is $15.00. Search fees of $15.00 apply when the clerk searches for more than 10 minutes. Comparison with the original is $1.00 per page. Exemplification costs $50.00.

Online searches through the case portal are free for basic lookups. You do not pay to view the index or register of actions. Fees kick in when you request copies of documents or need the clerk to do an extended search. The same rates apply at both the Fairfield and Vallejo court locations.

Note: Fee waivers are available for people who meet the income requirements set by state law.

Types of Solano County Court Records

Solano County Superior Court handles all trial-level case types. Civil cases include personal injury, contract disputes, property matters, and unlawful detainer actions. Criminal cases range from traffic infractions to serious felonies. Family law covers divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, and domestic violence restraining orders. Probate files deal with estates, wills, conservatorships, and guardianships. Small claims cases handle disputes under the state dollar limit.

The county sees a mix of case types given its population and location between the Bay Area and Sacramento. Solano County's position along major highways also contributes to a high volume of traffic cases. Each case type has its own access rules. Civil and small claims are the most open. Criminal and family law records are more restricted when it comes to online access.

Retention periods vary by case type. Civil judgments stay on file permanently. Family law records are kept for 30 years. Felony criminal records are retained for 75 years. Minor traffic cases may be destroyed after shorter periods under Government Code Section 68152.

Legal Resources in Solano County

The Solano County Superior Court offers self-help services at the courthouse. Staff can help with forms, explain court procedures, and point you toward the right resources. This is a free service. You do not need a lawyer to use it. The self-help center handles a wide range of topics from family law to small claims.

Legal Services of Northern California provides free legal help to qualifying residents in Solano County. Call (916) 551-2150 for details. Bay Area Legal Aid also serves the area given Solano County's proximity to the Bay Area. The California Courts Self-Help Center provides statewide resources online including forms, guides, and videos.

The Solano County Bar Association can refer you to private attorneys in the area. Many lawyers in Fairfield, Vallejo, and Vacaville offer initial consultations at no charge. If you just need help finding a court record, start with the clerk's office or the online portal.

Cities in Solano County

Solano County has several cities, three of which have populations over 100,000. All court cases in these cities are filed at the Solano County Superior Court.

Other cities in Solano County include Benicia, Dixon, Suisun City, and Rio Vista. All of these file court cases through the Solano County Superior Court system.

Nearby Counties

Solano County shares borders with these counties. Each has a separate court system and maintains its own court records.