Find Tehama County Court Records

Court records in Tehama County are managed by the Superior Court of California, County of Tehama, based in Red Bluff. The county has a population of roughly 65,000 people and covers a rural stretch of the upper Sacramento Valley. The court handles civil, criminal, family law, probate, traffic, and small claims cases at its courthouse in Red Bluff. This page walks you through how to search for court records in Tehama County, including the online tools available, in-person access options, fees, and where to get legal help if you need it.

Tehama County Court Records Online

The Tehama County Superior Court has a page dedicated to its online services. The Tehama Online Services page provides information on what the court offers for remote access. The court has been expanding its digital services, though options remain more limited than in larger counties.

This screenshot shows the Tehama County court's online services page where you can find information about accessing court records remotely.

The court provides case index information through its online system. You can search for cases by name or case number. Basic case data like filing dates, case status, and hearing schedules are typically available. Full document access is more limited for certain case types. Under California Rules of Court Rule 2.503, criminal, family law, and juvenile case documents cannot be viewed remotely by the public.

If the online tools do not have what you need, the clerk's office in Red Bluff can help. Tehama is a smaller county, and some records may only be available in paper form at the courthouse. Older cases are especially likely to be in paper format.

Visit the Tehama County Courthouse

The courthouse is at 1740 Walnut Street in Red Bluff, CA 96080. The clerk's office handles records requests during regular business hours. You can visit in person to view court records at no charge. Bring your photo ID. The clerk will look up cases and pull files for you to review at the counter.

Red Bluff is on Interstate 5 in northern California, about 30 miles south of Redding. The courthouse is easy to find in the downtown area. If you are coming from out of the area, call ahead to make sure the record you need is available. The clerk can confirm whether a file is on site or in storage.

Tehama County Court Record Fees

Tehama County uses the same statewide fee schedule as all California Superior Courts. Copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $40.00 per document. A certified copy of a dissolution judgment is $15.00. Search fees are $15.00 for lookups exceeding 10 minutes. Comparison with the original runs $1.00 per page. Exemplification is $50.00.

Viewing records at the courthouse is free. Online index searches are also free. You only pay when you request physical or digital copies. The clerk's window accepts payment when you pick up documents. For mail requests, include a check or money order payable to the Tehama County Superior Court.

Note: Fee waivers are available for low-income individuals through the standard California application process.

Types of Tehama County Court Records

The Tehama County Superior Court handles civil, criminal, family law, probate, small claims, and traffic cases. Civil cases include lawsuits, evictions, and contract disputes. Criminal matters range from traffic infractions to felonies. Family law covers divorce, custody, support, and restraining orders. Probate deals with estates and guardianships. Small claims resolve minor disputes quickly.

Access rules are set by state law and apply the same way in Tehama County as anywhere else in California. Civil records are the most open. Criminal records have limits on remote viewing. Family law documents can only be seen at the courthouse. Juvenile records are confidential. The clerk will let you know if any restrictions apply to the record you are requesting.

Retention follows state rules too. Civil judgments are kept permanently. Family law records stay for 30 years. Felony cases are retained for 75 years. Some minor records are destroyed after shorter periods. The clerk can check whether an older record is still on file in Tehama County.

Legal Resources in Tehama County

The Tehama County Superior Court provides self-help resources at the courthouse. Staff can assist with forms and basic procedural questions. The service is free. You do not need a lawyer to use it. This is a good starting point if you need help understanding how to get court records or navigate the system.

Legal Services of Northern California serves Tehama County residents who need free legal help. Call (916) 551-2150 for information. California Rural Legal Assistance is another resource for rural communities. The California Courts Self-Help Center offers statewide online resources including forms and guides.

For private attorneys, you may need to look in Red Bluff or nearby Redding for lawyers who handle cases in Tehama County. The Tehama County area has a smaller legal community, but attorneys often practice across multiple counties in this part of the state. The clerk's office at the courthouse can answer basic questions about court records and procedures.

Cities in Tehama County

Tehama County includes Red Bluff, Corning, and Tehama. Red Bluff is the county seat with about 14,000 residents. No cities in the county have a population over 100,000. All court cases file through the single courthouse in Red Bluff.

Nearby Counties

Tehama County borders these counties. Each one has a separate Superior Court and its own court records.