Search Tulare County Court Records
Court records in Tulare County are maintained by the Superior Court of California, County of Tulare. The county seat is Visalia, and the court serves a population of roughly 477,000 people across a large agricultural region in the southern San Joaquin Valley. The court handles civil, criminal, family law, probate, small claims, and traffic cases at multiple locations. Tulare County provides an online portal for case searches, and you can visit the courthouse in person as well. This page explains how to find and access court records, what fees to expect, and where to get legal help in Tulare County.
Tulare County Court Records Quick Facts
Tulare County Court Records Online
The Tulare County Superior Court provides an online portal for searching court case records. The Tulare Online Portal lets you search by party name, case number, or other criteria. The system covers civil, criminal, family, probate, small claims, and traffic cases filed in the county.
The following screenshot shows the Tulare County online portal used for public court records searches.
Results include case numbers, party names, filing dates, case types, and current status. The register of actions shows every event in a case. Civil records are generally the most accessible for remote viewing. Criminal, family law, and juvenile case documents are restricted to courthouse access under California Rules of Court Rule 2.503. You can still see basic index data for those case types online.
The portal is free for basic searches. No registration is required. If a case does not appear in the system, it may predate the digital records or be confidential. Contact the clerk's office for help finding records that are not in the online system.
In-Person Access in Tulare County
The main courthouse is the Civic Center Courthouse at 221 South Mooney Boulevard in Visalia, CA 93291. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday. You can walk in to view court records at no cost. Bring a photo ID. The clerk will search by case number or party name and pull files for your review.
Tulare County has additional court locations in Porterville and Dinuba. The Porterville Division and the North County Division each handle certain case types for their areas. Check with the court about which location holds the record you need. The main Visalia courthouse has the broadest collection of records.
| Main Courthouse | Civic Center Courthouse 221 South Mooney Boulevard Visalia, CA 93291 |
|---|---|
| Porterville Division | 300 East Olive Avenue Porterville, CA 93257 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Phone | (559) 730-5000 |
Tulare County Court Record Fees
Court record fees in Tulare County follow the California statewide schedule. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $40.00 per document. Certified dissolution judgment copies are $15.00. Search fees run $15.00 when the clerk spends more than 10 minutes. Comparison with the original is $1.00 per page. Exemplification is $50.00.
Online searches through the portal are free for case index lookups. Fees apply only when you request copies or certified documents. You can pay at the clerk's window at any court location. For mail requests, include a check or money order payable to the Tulare County Superior Court along with a written description of what you need.
Fee waivers are available for people who cannot afford the fees. The standard California fee waiver form is available at any court location or through the self-help center. A judge reviews each request. If approved, the court waives filing and copy fees.
Note: Some online document viewing or downloading may carry additional fees beyond the basic index search.
Types of Court Records in Tulare County
Tulare County Superior Court handles a full range of case types. Civil cases include lawsuits, contract claims, property disputes, and evictions. Criminal cases range from minor traffic infractions to serious felonies. The county sees a significant number of agricultural-related legal matters as well. Family law files cover divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, and domestic violence restraining orders.
Probate cases deal with wills, estates, conservatorships, and guardianships. Small claims handle disputes up to the state dollar limit. Traffic violations create their own category of court records. Each case type has specific public access rules. Civil and small claims are the most open. Criminal and family law have tighter controls on what can be viewed remotely.
Legal Help in Tulare County
The Tulare County Superior Court has a self-help center that assists people with forms, court procedures, and finding the right resources. This service is free. You do not need a lawyer to use it. The center helps with family law, small claims, restraining orders, and other common case types.
Central California Legal Services provides free legal help to low-income residents in Tulare County. Call (800) 675-8001 for details. California Rural Legal Assistance also serves the area, with a focus on agricultural workers and rural communities. The California Courts Self-Help Center has statewide resources available online.
The Tulare County Bar Association can refer you to private attorneys in the Visalia and Porterville areas. Many local lawyers offer an initial consultation at no cost. For basic court records questions, the clerk's office at any Tulare County court location can point you in the right direction.
Cities in Tulare County
Tulare County includes Visalia, Tulare, Porterville, Dinuba, Lindsay, Exeter, Woodlake, and Farmersville. Visalia is the county seat and the largest city with about 144,000 residents. However, no city in the county has a population over 100,000 that meets the threshold for a separate city page. All court cases in these cities file through the Tulare County Superior Court.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Tulare County. Each one operates its own Superior Court with separate court records.