Access Sonoma County Court Records

Court records in Sonoma County are managed by the Superior Court of California, County of Sonoma, headquartered in Santa Rosa. The county serves approximately 488,000 residents across a region known for its wine country, coastline, and suburban communities north of San Francisco. The court handles civil, criminal, family law, probate, small claims, and traffic cases at its main courthouse and branch locations. Whether you need to search for a case online or visit in person, this page covers the tools, fees, procedures, and resources you need to access Sonoma County court records.

Sonoma County Records Online Search

The Sonoma County Superior Court provides online access to court records through its Records Division. The Sonoma Records Division page has information about how to search for and request records. The court uses a public portal system that lets you look up cases by name, case number, or filing date.

The image below shows the Sonoma County court records division page outlining the services offered for public case access.

Results from the online system include case numbers, party names, filing dates, and case status updates. You can view the register of actions, which logs every event in a case. Civil case documents tend to be the most accessible through remote access. Criminal, family law, and juvenile case documents are restricted to courthouse viewing under Rule 2.503 of the California Rules of Court.

The court uses Tyler Technologies software for its case management system. Searches are free for basic case information. If you need full document copies, those come with fees. The portal covers cases across all Sonoma County court locations.

Visit the Sonoma County Courthouse

The main courthouse is at 600 Administration Drive in Santa Rosa, CA 95403. The clerk's office handles records requests during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. You can view court records in person at no cost. Bring a photo ID. Give the clerk a case number or party name, and they will pull the file for you to review.

Sonoma County also has a branch court in Petaluma. Not all records are available at the branch location. The main Records Division in Santa Rosa is your best bet for most court record requests. If you plan to visit, call ahead to check that the file you need is on site. Some older records may be in storage and could take time to retrieve.

Note: Sonoma County sometimes adjusts court hours due to budget constraints, so calling ahead is always a good idea.

Sonoma Court Record Fees

Court record fees in Sonoma County follow the California statewide schedule. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $40.00 per document. A certified copy of a dissolution (divorce) judgment is $15.00. Search fees are $15.00 when the clerk spends more than 10 minutes. Comparing a copy with the original costs $1.00 per page. Exemplification runs $50.00.

Online case index searches are free. You only pay when you need paper or digital copies of documents. The clerk's window at the Santa Rosa courthouse handles all payments. If you are sending a mail request, include a check or money order made out to the Sonoma County Superior Court along with your written request.

If you cannot afford the fees, you can apply for a fee waiver. Fill out the state fee waiver form and file it with the court. A judge will review your request. The self-help center at the courthouse can help you with the paperwork.

Types of Sonoma County Court Records

The Sonoma County Superior Court handles a full range of case types. Civil cases include lawsuits over money, contract disputes, personal injury claims, and property matters. Criminal cases cover misdemeanors, felonies, and infractions. Family law files include divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, spousal support, and restraining orders. Probate cases deal with wills, estates, conservatorships, and guardianships. Small claims handle disputes up to the state dollar limit. Traffic violations also create court records.

Public access varies by case type. Civil and small claims records are the most open. You can view full documents online for many civil cases. Criminal records show limited data through remote access. Family law documents are restricted to courthouse viewing only. Juvenile records are confidential by state law. Records that a judge has sealed cannot be accessed without a court order. The clerk will let you know if any record you are looking for has restrictions.

Legal Help in Sonoma County

The Sonoma County Superior Court has a self-help center at the main courthouse in Santa Rosa. Staff can assist with finding records, understanding forms, and navigating court procedures. This service is free for everyone. You do not need to hire an attorney to get help from the self-help center.

Bay Area Legal Aid serves Sonoma County residents who need free legal help. Call (800) 551-5554 for information about their programs. Legal Services of Northern California also covers the region. The California Courts Self-Help Center provides online guides and forms that apply statewide. Legal Aid of Sonoma County is another local option for people who qualify.

The Sonoma County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service for people who want to hire a private attorney. Many local lawyers offer free first consultations. For straightforward court records questions, the clerk's office is often the fastest way to get answers.

Note: Legal aid organizations have limited capacity and income requirements, so contact them early if you think you might need help.

Cities in Sonoma County

Sonoma County has several cities, with Santa Rosa being the largest and the county seat. All court cases file through the Sonoma County Superior Court.

Other cities in Sonoma County include Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Windsor, Healdsburg, Cloverdale, Cotati, and Sebastopol. All court cases in these communities go through the Sonoma County Superior Court system.

Nearby Counties

These counties share borders with Sonoma County. Each maintains separate court records through its own Superior Court.