Bakersfield Civil Court Records

Civil court records for Bakersfield are maintained by the Superior Court of California, County of Kern. All civil litigation filed by Bakersfield residents and businesses goes through the Kern County court system. The court handles unlimited civil cases over $35,000, limited civil cases between $10,000 and $35,000, and small claims under $10,000. The court provides a public portal for online case search. You can view case information, registers of action, and calendars through the portal. Access to case files is not available via the internet. You must visit the courthouse in person to view full case files. The main courthouse is located at 1415 Truxtun Avenue in Bakersfield. Copy fees are $0.50 per page. Certification costs an additional $40.

Court Jurisdiction

Civil cases for Bakersfield are filed in Kern County Superior Court. The main courthouse is at 1415 Truxtun Avenue in Bakersfield. This courthouse serves as the central location for civil cases in the Bakersfield area and much of Kern County.

Kern County Superior Court uses the Tyler Technologies Odyssey case management system. This platform handles case tracking, e-filing, and public access to case information. The court serves one of the largest populations in Central California.

Bakersfield is the county seat of Kern County. Most civil cases for the area are filed at the Bakersfield courthouse. The court also has branch locations in other parts of Kern County for cases filed in those areas.

Online Case Search

Kern Superior Court provides online case search at portal.kern.courts.ca.gov. The portal allows you to search civil, family, probate, criminal, and traffic cases. You can search by party name or case number.

The portal shows basic case information including case number, filing date, case type, and case status. You can view the register of actions which lists all documents filed in the case with filing dates and document descriptions.

Note: Access to case files is not available via the internet. This means you cannot download case documents through the online portal. To view actual case documents, you must visit the courthouse in person.

Filing Civil Cases

Kern County uses electronic filing through the Odyssey e-filing portal. You must register for an account to file documents online. The portal is available 24 hours a day. Documents filed before midnight on a court day are considered filed that day.

Filing fees follow the California statewide schedule. A complaint in an unlimited civil case costs $435. The answer also costs $435. Limited civil fees depend on the claim amount. Small claims fees are based on how much money is being claimed.

Fee waivers are available for people who cannot afford court costs. You file a fee waiver application with financial documents. The court reviews it and decides whether you qualify.

Viewing Files at the Courthouse

To view case files and documents, you must visit the Kern County courthouse in person. The main courthouse is at 1415 Truxtun Avenue in Bakersfield. Bring photo ID. Court security checks identification at the entrance.

Clerks will pull case files for you to review. You can request copies of documents. Copy fees are $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost an additional $40 certification fee. A certified copy of a dissolution judgment costs $15 instead of $40.

If you need the court to search for records without a case number, provide as much information as possible. Party names, approximate filing dates, and case type all help clerks locate cases. A research fee of $15 applies for searches over 10 minutes.

Bakersfield City Records

The City of Bakersfield maintains separate administrative records from the court system. City records include city contracts, permits, ordinances, and city business documents. The city operates a public records portal at bakersfieldca.justfoia.com. Phone is (661) 326-3767.

City records are not civil court cases. If you need to file a lawsuit or search for civil litigation, you must use Kern County Superior Court. The city does not maintain court case files.

Court Help and Resources

The Kern Superior Court website provides information about procedures, forms, and services. The site includes guides for civil cases and other case types. You can find contact information for the courthouse and different court divisions.

Self-help centers at the courthouse can answer questions about procedures. Staff cannot give legal advice but can explain court processes. If you need a lawyer, the Kern County Bar Association offers lawyer referral services.

Legal aid organizations in Bakersfield serve low-income residents with civil legal problems. These groups focus on housing, family law, consumer issues, and public benefits cases.

Nearby Cities

Other major cities in Central California with populations over 100,000: