San Bernardino County Court Records

What Is San Bernardino County Court Records

San Bernardino County court records constitute the official documentation of proceedings, filings, and dispositions within the county's judicial system. These records are maintained pursuant to California Government Code § 68150, which establishes requirements for the creation, maintenance, and accessibility of court records. The San Bernardino Superior Court generates and preserves various documents related to civil, criminal, family, probate, and juvenile cases.

Court records typically include:

• Case filings and pleadings
• Court orders and judgments
• Hearing and trial transcripts
• Evidence admitted during proceedings
• Case calendars and dockets
• Judicial opinions and rulings

The San Bernardino County Superior Court maintains these records at various courthouse locations throughout the county, with the main courthouse located at:

San Bernardino Justice Center
247 West Third Street
San Bernardino, CA 92415
(909) 384-1888
San Bernardino Superior Court

Records are maintained in both physical and electronic formats, with increasing digitization efforts to improve public accessibility while ensuring document integrity and security in accordance with California Rules of Court, rule 2.500 et seq.

Are Court Records Public In San Bernardino County

Most court records in San Bernardino County are public documents available for inspection pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6250 et seq.) and the common law right of access to judicial records. The California Constitution, Article I, Section 3(b) further establishes the public's right to access information concerning the conduct of government business.

However, certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure:

• Records sealed by court order
• Juvenile case records (with limited exceptions)
• Adoption proceedings
• Mental health proceedings
• Certain family law matters involving minors
• Records containing confidential personal information
• Grand jury proceedings prior to indictment

The San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-Clerk's office handles many public records requests and can provide guidance on accessing available court documents:

San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-Clerk
222 West Hospitality Lane, First Floor
San Bernardino, CA 92415-0018
(909) 387-8306
San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-Clerk

Members of the public seeking access to court records must comply with established procedures and may be required to submit a formal request using designated forms available through the Public Records Request portal.

How To Find Court Records in San Bernardino County in 2025

San Bernardino County offers multiple methods for locating court records in 2025, with enhanced digital access options complementing traditional in-person services. Individuals seeking court records may utilize the following approaches:

1. Online Portal Access: The San Bernardino Superior Court's case management system allows for remote searches of many court records through the court's official website. Users can search by case number, party name, or filing date.

2. In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit any San Bernardino County courthouse during regular business hours to request record searches. The Records Department at each location can assist with locating specific case files.

3. Written Requests: Written requests for copies of court records may be submitted by mail to the appropriate courthouse location, including case-identifying information and required fees.

4. Public Access Terminals: Self-service computer terminals are available at courthouse locations for searching electronic court records without assistance from court personnel.

For specialized record searches, the following departments maintain specific types of records:

San Bernardino County Civil Division
247 West Third Street
San Bernardino, CA 92415-0210
(909) 708-8678
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
San Bernardino County Official Site

San Bernardino County Criminal Records
247 West Third Street
San Bernardino, CA 92415-0240
(909) 708-8678
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
San Bernardino Superior Court

How To Look Up Court Records in San Bernardino County Online?

San Bernardino County provides digital access to court records through several online platforms. The electronic search systems allow for efficient retrieval of case information without requiring physical presence at courthouse facilities. Pursuant to California Rules of Court, rule 2.503, electronic access to court records is subject to certain limitations to protect privacy interests.

The primary online resources include:

• San Bernardino Superior Court Case Information Portal: This system allows searches by case number, party name, attorney, or hearing date. Users can access case summaries, register of actions, and calendaring information.

• Document Access Portal: For cases filed after 2010, many court documents are available for viewing and downloading through the court's secure document portal. Access requires registration and may involve nominal fees for document retrieval.

• California Courts of Appeal Database: For appellate cases involving San Bernardino County matters, the California Courts of Appeal website provides access to opinions, case information, and appellate history.

• Statewide Case Index: The California Courts portal offers a comprehensive search function that includes San Bernardino County cases within the statewide judicial system.

To access these systems, users must comply with the court's terms of use and may need to create user accounts with verified credentials. Certain sensitive documents may require additional verification or court authorization before online access is granted.

Can You Search San Bernardino County Court Records for Free?

San Bernardino County provides several no-cost options for accessing basic court record information, though comprehensive document retrieval may involve fees. Pursuant to Government Code § 68150(l), courts must provide reasonable access to court records without charge for viewing.

Free access options include:

• Public Access Terminals: Available at all San Bernardino County courthouse locations during regular business hours, these terminals allow free searches of case indexes and basic case information.

• Basic Online Case Index: The San Bernardino Superior Court website offers free access to case index information, including party names, case types, filing dates, and case status.

• Public Counter Assistance: Court clerks can provide basic case information and verify case status without charge at courthouse public counters.

Fee-based services include:

• Document copies ($0.50 per page for standard copies)
• Certified copies ($25.00 for first page, $0.50 for each additional page)
• Complex searches requiring staff research ($15.00 per name/case)
• Expedited document retrieval ($10.00 additional fee)

Fee waivers may be available for qualifying individuals pursuant to Government Code § 68631. Applications for fee waivers must be submitted using Judicial Council forms and approved by a judicial officer.

What's Included in a San Bernardino County Court Record?

San Bernardino County court records contain comprehensive documentation of judicial proceedings as mandated by California Government Code § 68150. The content of court records varies by case type but generally includes the following components:

• Case Initiation Documents: Complaints, petitions, indictments, or other filings that commence legal proceedings.

• Party Information: Names, contact information, and representation details for all parties involved in the case.

• Pleadings and Motions: All formal written submissions by parties, including answers, demurrers, motions, and supporting documentation.

• Court Orders and Judgments: Official decisions and directives issued by judicial officers throughout the case.

• Hearing and Trial Records: Minutes, transcripts, and recordings of court proceedings when available.

• Evidence Log: Inventory of exhibits and evidence presented during hearings or trials.

• Financial Information: Records of filing fees, fines, restitution orders, and payment histories.

• Case Management Documentation: Scheduling orders, continuances, and administrative notations.

• Service and Notice Records: Documentation of proper service and notification to parties.

• Disposition Information: Final resolution of the case, including settlements, dismissals, or verdicts.

Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of court records in accordance with California Rules of Court, rule 2.550-2.551, including social security numbers, financial account numbers, and information about minors.

How Long Does San Bernardino County Keep Court Records?

San Bernardino County retains court records according to schedules established by the Judicial Council of California pursuant to Government Code § 68152. Retention periods vary based on case type, significance, and legal requirements.

Standard retention periods include:

• Civil Unlimited Cases: 10 years after final disposition
• Civil Limited Cases: 5 years after final disposition
• Small Claims Cases: 10 years after judgment
• Criminal Felony Cases: 75 years for serious felonies; 50 years for other felonies
• Criminal Misdemeanor Cases: 5-10 years depending on offense type
• Traffic Infractions: 3-5 years after final disposition
• Family Law Cases: Indefinite retention for judgments; 30 years for other documents
• Probate Cases: Indefinite retention for decrees and orders; 10 years for other documents
• Juvenile Dependency: Until subject reaches age 28
• Juvenile Delinquency: Until subject reaches age 38 for serious offenses; age 21 for less serious matters

Records of significant historical value may be preserved permanently through transfer to the California State Archives or local historical repositories. Electronic records are maintained according to the same schedules as physical records, with appropriate digital preservation measures implemented to ensure long-term accessibility.

Types of Courts In San Bernardino County

San Bernardino County's judicial system comprises multiple court types operating within the California state court structure. Each court exercises specific jurisdiction as established by the California Constitution and statutes.

The primary courts in San Bernardino County include:

• Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino: The trial court of general jurisdiction handling civil, criminal, family, probate, mental health, and juvenile matters. The Superior Court operates at multiple locations throughout the county, including:

  San Bernardino Justice Center
  247 West Third Street
  San Bernardino, CA 92415
  (909) 384-1888

  Rancho Cucamonga District
  8303 Haven Avenue
  Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
  (909) 350-9764

  Victorville District
  14455 Civic Drive
  Victorville, CA 92392
  (760) 245-6215

• Appellate Division of the Superior Court: Reviews appeals from limited civil and misdemeanor cases within the county.

• California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division Two: Located in Riverside, this court hears appeals from San Bernardino County Superior Court cases.

• California Supreme Court: The state's highest court, which may review decisions from lower courts including those originating in San Bernardino County.

San Bernardino County courts operate under the administrative oversight of the Judicial Council of California and follow procedures established in the California Rules of Court.

What Types of Cases Do San Bernardino County Courts Hear?

San Bernardino County courts adjudicate a diverse range of legal matters pursuant to jurisdictional authority granted by the California Constitution and statutes. The Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino processes the following case categories:

• Civil Cases: Including unlimited civil (claims exceeding $25,000), limited civil (claims $25,000 or less), small claims (disputes up to $10,000), unlawful detainer (evictions), and civil harassment matters.

• Criminal Proceedings: Encompassing felonies, misdemeanors, infractions, and traffic violations. The court processes approximately 30,000 felony and 90,000 misdemeanor cases annually.

• Family Law Matters: Including divorce, legal separation, nullity, child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support, domestic violence restraining orders, and parentage determinations.

• Probate Proceedings: Handling decedents' estates, conservatorships, guardianships, and trust administration.

• Juvenile Cases: The Juvenile Court addresses both dependency cases (involving abused or neglected children) and delinquency cases (involving minors who violate criminal laws).

• Mental Health Proceedings: Including conservatorships, involuntary commitments, and capacity determinations.

• Appeals: The Appellate Division reviews appeals from limited civil cases, misdemeanors, and infractions originally heard in the Superior Court.

Specialized court programs include Veterans Court, Drug Court, Mental Health Court, and Homeless Court, which provide alternative approaches to addressing specific populations' needs within the justice system.

How To Find a Court Docket In San Bernardino County

Court dockets in San Bernardino County provide chronological listings of all proceedings and filings in specific cases. Members of the public may access docket information through several methods established pursuant to California Rules of Court, rule 2.503.

To locate a court docket:

1. Online Case Information System: The San Bernardino Superior Court's website offers a case information portal where users can search for cases by number, party name, or filing date. The system displays register of actions (docket) information for most non-confidential cases.

2. Public Access Terminals: Self-service computer terminals at courthouse locations provide more comprehensive docket access than the public website, including some documents not available online.

3. Clerk's Office Assistance: Court clerks can provide printed docket reports upon request at public counters during regular business hours:

   San Bernardino Justice Center Records Department
   247 West Third Street, 1st Floor
   San Bernardino, CA 92415
   (909) 708-8678
   Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

4. Written Requests: Individuals may submit written requests for docket information by mail, including case identifying information and applicable fees.

5. Subscription Services: For attorneys and frequent users, subscription-based case management services provide enhanced docket tracking and notification features.

Docket information typically includes case number, party names, attorney information, filing dates, document titles, hearing dates, and judicial assignments. Certain case types, including juvenile, mental health, and sealed cases, have restricted docket access in accordance with statutory privacy protections.

Which Courts in San Bernardino County Are Not Courts of Record?

In San Bernardino County, all judicial proceedings currently take place within the Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino, which is a court of record as defined by California Constitution Article VI, Section 1. Following court unification in California, which was completed in 2001 pursuant to Proposition 220, all former municipal and justice courts were merged into the Superior Court system.

Prior to unification, San Bernardino County maintained:

• Municipal Courts (for urban areas)
• Justice Courts (for rural districts)

These lower courts were not courts of record for all purposes, though they maintained records of proceedings. Since unification, all judicial proceedings in San Bernardino County are conducted within the Superior Court structure and are courts of record, meaning:

• Official verbatim records of proceedings are maintained
• Formal judgments and orders are entered and preserved
• Proceedings are subject to appellate review based on the record

While all courts in San Bernardino County are now courts of record, certain proceedings within these courts may have simplified recordkeeping requirements, including:

• Small claims hearings (though judgments are recorded)
• Traffic infraction proceedings
• Certain preliminary matters and informal conferences

The San Bernardino Superior Court maintains records of all proceedings in accordance with Government Code § 68150, regardless of the formality level of the proceeding.

Lookup Court Records in San Bernardino County

San Bernardino Superior Court records

Request public records from San Bernardino County

Access official public records through the Recorder's Index

Submit a public records request to the Assessor's office

Search California statewide judicial resources

Find appellate case information for San Bernardino County