This page helps users handle a court records need in San Diego County, California, by explaining how to find case numbers, court locations, Register of Actions options, and official copy routes.
The Superior Court of California, County of San Diego provides the Court Index for locating many case records and directs users to the appropriate business office for official court records and certified copies.
San Diego Superior Court Court Index
Use the search the Court Index tool to look for Civil, Criminal, Family Court, Mental Health, and Probate case records filed with the San Diego Superior Court.
Have one of these details ready before searching:
- Party name associated with the case
- Case number
- District Attorney case number for a criminal case
The search results can help identify the case title, case number, court location, case type, filing date, and parties involved.
- Open the Court Index and accept the court’s user agreement if you agree to its terms.
- Search by party name, case number, or DA case number.
- Use the case number and court location shown in the result to decide whether to view the file, request copies, or use a Register of Actions option.
The Court Index is not the official record of the court. For charges, disposition, certified copies, or the official court file, use the clerk’s business office where the case was filed.
Register of Actions options
Some case types have separate Register of Actions access. Civil, Small Claims, and Probate cases initiated on or after January 1, 2008, may have documents available for download from the online Register of Actions.
The court lists a Family Register of Actions search and a Civil, Small Claims, Probate, and Criminal Register of Actions search. If a Register of Actions site is unavailable for maintenance, use the Court Index to confirm the case number and court location, then follow the in-person or mail copy process.
For imaged Family cases filed on or after August 24, 2015, some documents can be purchased online and mailed. For Criminal cases filed on or after February 17, 2026, some documents can be purchased online and mailed, but criminal case documents are not available for online viewing or download.
Online search limits and excluded records
The Court Index does not provide charges or case dispositions. It also does not include juvenile cases, infractions, Traffic or Minor Offense cases, or cases from before 1974.
Civil Limited and misdemeanor records may only be available for 10 years at some court locations. Older information may be available on microfilm, but court staff do not perform microfilm research.
Traffic and Minor Offense files are handled through the court facility where the case was tried. These files are not available online and may be stored off-site after a short period.
View a court file in person
To view a hard copy court file, go to the courthouse business office where the file is located. Bring the case number or party name, complete the required court form, and show a valid driver’s license or other valid photo identification.
Files must be viewed in the records section of the court’s business office and cannot be removed from the court. Some documents may also be available at computer kiosks in the appropriate business offices.
Cameras, including phones with cameras, may not be used to take pictures of the contents of a court file.
Obtain copies of court files
Once you know the case number and court location, you may request copies online, in person, or by mail depending on the case type and record format. The court does not send court files electronically or by fax.
For in-person copy requests, provide the case number at the appropriate business office counter. The clerk will pull up to 10 cases per request, per customer, per transaction. Some copy requests may require at least two court days to process.
For mail requests, send a letter to the court facility where the case was tried. Include the case number, party names, the documents you want copied, your phone number, mailing address, and email address. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope with enough postage and payment for copy or research fees.
Use the court’s copy instructions to request a copy of a court file when you need hard copies, certified copies, or mailed records.
Fees and older records
Copies from a file, microfilm, or microfiche cost 50¢ per page. Certifications for Central Division Older Records cost $40.00 per document. Additional fees may apply for certified copies, records searches lasting longer than 10 minutes, and retrieval of older cases from off-site storage.
Central Division Older Records has case indexes from 1880 to mid-1974 at the Central Courthouse Older Records office, 1100 Union Street, 14th Floor, San Diego, CA 92101. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For current costs, use the court’s fee schedule before mailing payment or requesting certified copies.
Court records locations
Business offices are open 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The table shows the court record locations and copy request deadlines listed by division.
| Division | Record type | Location | Copy request deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central | Civil | Hall of Justice, 330 West Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101 | 3:30 p.m. |
| Central | Criminal | Central Courthouse, 1100 Union Street, San Diego, CA 92101 | Waiting in line at closing time |
| Central | Family | Family Court, 1100 Union Street, San Diego, CA 92101 | 3:30 p.m. |
| Central | Traffic | Kearny Mesa Branch, 8950 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego, CA 92123 | 3:30 p.m. |
| East | Criminal, Traffic, Restraining Orders, Family | East County Regional Center, 250 East Main Street, El Cajon, CA 92020 | Waiting in line at closing time |
| North | Civil, Family, Small Claims | North County Regional Center, 325 South Melrose, Vista, CA 92081 | 3:30 p.m. |
| South | Criminal, Traffic, Civil, Family, Small Claims | South County Regional Center, 500 Third Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91910 | Waiting in line at closing time |
San Diego Superior Court contacts
Use the business office that matches the case type and court location shown in the Court Index or other court record lookup.
- Central Division Civil Business Office, Hall of Justice, 330 W Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101; phone: (619) 450-7275
- Central Division Criminal Operations and Older Records, Central Courthouse, 1100 Union Street, San Diego, CA 92101; phone: (619) 844-2400
- Family Law Court Business Office, 1100 Union Street, San Diego, CA 92101; phone: (619) 844-2777
- Probate Court, 1100 Union Street, San Diego, CA 92101; phone: (619) 844-2676
- Kearny Mesa Branch Traffic - Minor Offense, 8950 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego, CA 92123; phone: (858) 634-1800
- North County Division General Information, 325 South Melrose Drive, Vista, CA 92081; phone: (760) 201-8600
- East County Division General Information, 250 East Main Street, El Cajon, CA 92020; phone: (619) 456-4100
- South County Division General Information, 500 3rd Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91910; phone: (619) 746-6200
Common questions
Where do I start a San Diego County court records search?
Start with the Court Index case search if you have a party name, case number, or District Attorney case number.
Are Court Index results the official court record?
No. The Court Index helps identify filed cases, but it does not provide the official record, charges, or disposition. For the official record, use the clerk’s business office where the case was filed.
Can I view criminal case documents online?
Criminal case documents are not available for online viewing or download. For Criminal cases filed on or after February 17, 2026, some documents can be purchased online and mailed after the request is fulfilled.
What if the case is not in the online index?
Traffic and Minor Offense cases, juvenile cases, infractions, and pre-1974 cases are not included in the Court Index. Older archived records may require in-person research at the court location where the case was tried.
How do I get a certified copy of a San Diego Superior Court record?
Request the specific documents in person or in writing through the appropriate court facility. Certification and copy fees may apply, and sealed or confidential records may require a court order.