Riverside County Court Records

Riverside County court records are official documents generated by the Riverside County courts during judicial proceedings within the judicial district. These materials may include case files, registers of actions, rulings, and related submissions produced throughout legal proceedings to record the administration of justice. Preserved per California's Public Records Acts (Gov. Code § 6250 et seq.) and judicial regulations, they promote openness, accountability, and public access within the court system.

Although court records mainly document civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases, they remain linked to other categories of public records, such as vital statistics, arrest and detention information, or federal case filings.

Are Riverside County Court Records Public?

According to California law, Riverside County court documents are generally accessible to the public. The California Public Records Act (Gov. Code §§ 7920.000-7931.000) upholds the public's right to access records, and the California Rules of Court, specifically Rules 2.550- 2.551, establish a presumption of open access. Unless sealed explicitly by court order, most cases, civil, criminal, probate, family (except sensitive facts), and traffic, are open for public scrutiny.

Nevertheless, some records, such as adoption files, private family law documents, mental health proceedings, sealed records, juvenile delinquency, and dependency procedures (Welf. & Inst. Code § 827), are prohibited to preserve privacy or security. In some instances, access is restricted to those who are allowed or require court approval. Therefore, California law carefully balances openness and secrecy in critical case categories, even though transparency is the norm in Riverside County.

What Information is Available in Riverside County Court Records?

Depending on the type of case, Riverside County court records typically contain the following:

• Civil Case Records: Civil documents might include judgments, settlement agreements, motions, responses, complaints, and discovery filings. Dockets, hearing notifications, and orders settle disputes on contracts, property, or personal injury.
• Criminal Case Records: Charges, arrest records, information on bail or bonds, plea deals, trial transcripts, sentence guidelines, and probation or parole requirements are frequently included in criminal files. Meanwhile, the California Department of Justice must be contacted to obtain thorough statewide criminal history checks.
• Family Law Records: Divorce decrees, child custody and visitation orders, spousal or child support decisions, restraining orders, and adoption or guardianship proceedings are examples of family records, often with sensitive information prohibited.
• Probate Case Records: Court orders about asset distribution, conservatorships, guardianships, wills, and trusts are all recorded in probate records.
• Traffic Case Records: Traffic files typically include citations, hearing dates, fines, and case outcomes.

Regardless of type, court records may include case identifiers, party names, pleadings, minute entries, exhibits, and final rulings. Sensitive material, such as medical information, Social Security details, or sealed juvenile cases, remains protected under state law. These records document judicial activity while maintaining a balance between openness and confidentiality.

Riverside County Court Records Search

There are various ways to search Riverside County court records, depending on the user's needs and the nature of the case:

• Online Access: The Superior Court of California, County of Riverside, offers a digital repository for public case data. Users can search civil, criminal, probate, traffic, and small claims cases using case numbers, names, or citations. Privacy regulations prevent web access to sealed, juvenile, and adoption proceedings. The Public Access portal can be found here.
• In-Person Access: All Riverside County courthouses have clerk of the Court offices where records are accessible. Clerks can assist with file retrieval, and patrons can search case indexes using public access terminals. Additionally, certified copies can be bought in person using regular payment methods.
• Mail and Phone Requests: In addition to the case number or party information, mail requests must contain the document specification, payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope for return. Phone inquiries usually only include basic case information; written or in-person follow-up is required for record copies.

Contingent on the service, fees differ. Public terminals often offer free record inspection, but certified or simple copies cost money. Per-page copy fees ($1.00 for the first five copies and $.50 for each additional copy, up to a maximum of $50 per document), certification fees, and search expenses in the absence of a case number are frequently included in standard prices. Subject to the request type, checks, money orders, or credit cards are typically accepted forms of payment. The public access site often charges $1 to $250 for online name searches. In the interim, consult the court's fee schedule for additional details.

Riverside County Courthouse Locations

The addresses and contact information of Riverside County courthouses are as follows:

Criminal Records Access in Riverside County

In California, county-level courts do not directly handle criminal background investigations. The official authority for fingerprint-based criminal history reports is the California Department of Justice (DOJ). These background checks are frequently required for employment, occupational licensing, or immigration purposes.

Individuals requesting a report must undergo Live Scan fingerprinting at a certified location. This procedure involves submitting a Request for Live Scan Service form (BCIA 8016). The DOJ imposes a standard processing fee, typically around $25, plus an additional charge for the fingerprinting service, which may vary depending on the site.

Criminal history information can only be obtained by the subject of the record or an authorized organization; the general public is not permitted to access another person's DOJ record. For case-level details within Riverside County, the Riverside County Superior Court portal provides online access to criminal filings from 1991 to the present. Requests for older cases or certified copies must be submitted in person at the courthouse where the matter was originally adjudicated.

Riverside County Probate Records

Riverside County probate records record how estates, including guardianships, conservatorships, trusts, and wills, are administered. These documents offer a framework for managing assets, designating conservators or guardians, and allocating property in accordance with the deceased's intentions.

Although older records sometimes require in-person requests, recent filings are typically available online via the Riverside Superior Court's public case portal. Access to sensitive probate cases, including those affecting minors, classified trusts, or sealed conservatorships, is limited and requires court approval.

Copies of records are subject to fees, which can be paid with cash, check, money order, or credit card. Typically, these expenses include certification fees and per-page charges. To ensure that both historical and current probate information can be retrieved within the bounds of privacy and public records law, available filings typically encompass instances from the early 1990s to the present.

Riverside Family Court Records

Records from Riverside County family courts include cases involving divorce, adoption, child custody and visitation, and spousal or child support. A large number of recent filings are available through the Riverside Superior Court's online public case portal, which allows searches by case number or party name. In general, sensitive topics, like adoption or instances involving minors, are private and might not be accessible online. At family law courthouses, where clerks can help locate files and public terminals enable case searches, in-person access is provided.

When requesting certified copies of papers in person or by mail, a self-addressed stamped envelope, the case number, the document description, and any applicable costs are usually required. Typically, fees include certification and per-page copies.

Federal Court Records in Riverside County

The United States District Court for the Central District of California has jurisdiction over federal cases in Riverside County. This court deals with criminal and civil cases under federal law, such as federal offenses, bankruptcy, and civil rights. Court records can be viewed at the clerk's office of the district courthouse, which offers guidance and public terminals. Furthermore, authorized users can search, view, or obtain case papers electronically through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records), which makes federal filings accessible online.