Sacramento County court records, California, are available through several channels. SacramentoCourt.us allows searching for public information on court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through the official online portals of the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento, directly at the Clerk's Office, and through public terminals located in court buildings.
Sacramento Court System & Jurisdictions
In California, the county-level court system operates differently than in many other states. There are no separate District Court or Magistrate Court at the county level — all cases are heard by the Sacramento County Superior Court.
This court is divided into several divisions:
- Criminal Division — criminal cases: felonies, misdemeanors, probation violations.
- Civil Division — civil lawsuits where the dispute amount exceeds $12,500.
- Small Claims — claims up to $12,500 (for individuals; for businesses — up to $6,250). Lawyers typically do not appear here.
- Family Law — divorces, child custody, alimony, restraining orders. Certified copies of divorce decrees are issued by the Superior Court, not the Clerk/Recorder.
- Probate — cases regarding inheritance, guardianship, and estate management after death.
- Traffic Division — traffic violations and fines.
Federal cases — bankruptcy, violations of federal law — are handled by a separate U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, which is also located in Sacramento but has its own record system (PACER).
Sacramento Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out the schedule of hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week, use the online portal of the Sacramento Superior Court. The court publishes hearing calendars through its case search system on the website www.saccourt.ca.gov — there you can find the date, time, and room number for a specific case by entering the case number or party name.
Besides online search:
- Call the office of the relevant court division and clarify the hearing date.
- Visit the court building in person — current schedules are available on information terminals in the lobby.
- For criminal cases, information about inmates and their hearing dates can be checked through the county sheriff's inmate search system.
The schedule may change at the last moment — the judge has the right to reschedule the hearing. Always check the current information in advance.
How to Get a Copy of a Sacramento Court Document
The Clerk of Court maintains all case materials heard in the Sacramento Superior Court. There are two types of copies:
- Uncertified copy — a regular photocopy suitable for review.
- Certified copy — has the clerk's seal and signature, confirming the document's authenticity. Required for official purposes: submission to another court, immigration procedures, etc.
How to Obtain a Copy
- Online: some documents can be ordered electronically through the court portal. A case number is required.
- In person: visit the Clerk's Office at the main court building address. Bring identification and know the case number or full party name.
- By mail: send a written request specifying the case number, document type, and a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
Mailing address of the Clerk's Office:
Some records have restricted access — including juvenile, adoption, and certain family cases. The clerk will inform you if a specific document is available for public viewing.
For records stored outside the court: birth and marriage certificates are issued by the Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder, and the online index of recorded documents allows searching for documented acts since 1849. State-level criminal history can be requested through the California Department of Justice by submitting fingerprints and paying $25.
Sacramento Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees are set according to California Government Code § 70626–70634 and local administrative orders. Below are approximate rates — always confirm the exact amount with the clerk, as fees are periodically reviewed.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Case search by name (per name) | Free through public terminal; mail request may incur a fee |
| Uncertified copy (per page) | $0.50 |
| Certified copy (first page) | $40 (includes certification fee) |
| Certified copy (each additional page) | $0.50 |
| Certification of an existing copy | $25 per document |
| DOJ criminal database search (own record) | $25 (payable to the Department of Justice) |
Payment is accepted at the Clerk's Office in cash, check, money order; for online orders — by credit or debit card. Personal checks must be made payable to Sacramento Superior Court.
For information on individuals in custody, the county sheriff's tool is available for free. Public records of the sheriff can also be requested through the NextRequest portal.