Burbank Civil Court Records Search

Civil court records for Burbank residents and businesses are maintained through Los Angeles Superior Court. Burbank has roughly 103,300 people. The city is located in Los Angeles County. All civil litigation involving Burbank parties goes through the county court system. You can search for case information online through the court's Civil Case Name Search portal. The Burbank courthouse handles most local civil matters. Records date back to the 1980s for many case types. The court provides daily updates to its online database with new filings and case activity from all Los Angeles County courthouses.

Los Angeles County Court Jurisdiction

Burbank falls under Los Angeles County Superior Court. The city does not operate its own independent court system. Cases filed by or against Burbank residents go through the county's trial court network. Los Angeles Superior Court is the largest trial court in the nation with dozens of courthouse locations serving different areas of the county.

Burbank has its own courthouse at 300 East Olive Avenue, Burbank, CA 91502. The building opened in 1977 and serves the northwest area of Los Angeles County. The courthouse handles civil, criminal, family law, probate, and small claims matters. Civil trials, motion hearings, and settlement conferences take place here. The phone number for civil matters is (818) 557-2611.

The Burbank courthouse has ample parking in a public lot adjacent to the building. Security screening is required for all visitors. Bring a photo ID. The building has elevators and is wheelchair accessible. Courtrooms are located on multiple floors. Check the daily calendar posted in the lobby to find your courtroom assignment.

For certain complex civil cases, you may be directed to the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles. That location at 111 North Hill Street handles high-value commercial litigation and complex civil matters. The clerk's office can tell you which courthouse will handle your specific case based on the amount in dispute and the type of claim.

Searching for Civil Cases

Los Angeles Superior Court provides online access to civil records through its Civil Case Name Search portal at lacourt.ca.gov. The system lets you search by party name for civil, small claims, family law, and probate cases. The database includes cases from all Los Angeles County courthouses, including Burbank.

Each name search costs $4.75. You pay by credit card before searching. Enter the first and last name of a party in the case. The system searches through all public records on file. Results show case numbers, parties, case types, filing dates, and courthouse locations. You also see the number of documents available for viewing and download.

Click on a case to view the register of actions. This is a chronological list of everything that happened in the case. You see filings, court orders, hearing dates, and trial information. The register of actions is included in your search fee. You do not pay extra to view it. This gives you a complete history of the case without additional charges.

Documents are available for purchase and download. The fee structure is $1.00 per page for the first five pages of a document. Pages six and up cost $0.40 per page. The maximum charge per document is $40.00. You can buy individual documents as needed. Most people review the register of actions first to see which documents are important before spending money on downloads.

The online system includes records going back many years. Unlimited civil cases from the Stanley Mosk Courthouse date back to March 2000. Limited civil cases start in 1970. Small claims records begin in 1988. Family law cases are available from May 2000 forward. The system updates daily, so new filings appear within 24 hours.

For older cases not available online, contact the court's archives department. Cases filed before 1965 are at one archive center. You can call (213) 974-1378. Cases from 1965 onward are at a different location. Call (213) 893-0809 for those. Archives staff can retrieve files for viewing or copying, but allow time for the retrieval process.

Filing Civil Lawsuits in Burbank

To file a civil case in Burbank, prepare your complaint. Fill out all required information. Make copies for each defendant plus one copy for your records. Take your documents to the Burbank courthouse. The civil clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The clerk reviews your paperwork. If forms are incomplete or incorrect, the clerk will tell you what needs to be fixed. Once everything is in order, you pay the filing fee. Unlimited civil cases over $35,000 cost $435. Limited civil cases between $10,000 and $35,000 cost $370. Smaller amounts have lower fees based on a sliding scale.

Small claims cases up to $10,000 for individuals or $5,000 for businesses have fees ranging from $30 to $75. The exact amount depends on how much you are claiming. Ask the clerk for the specific fee for your case. Payment methods include cash, check, money order, and credit cards.

If you cannot afford the filing fee, apply for a fee waiver. Request form FW-001 from the clerk. Fill it out with details about your income, expenses, household size, and financial situation. Submit the form to the clerk. The court will review your application and decide whether you qualify for a full or partial waiver. Most decisions come within a few business days.

After filing, you receive a case number and a summons. You must serve the defendant with copies of the summons and complaint. Service must be done by someone over 18 who is not a party to the case. Professional process servers charge fees for this service. The Los Angeles County Sheriff also provides civil process service. Call the civil division for information about rates and scheduling.

Electronic filing is available for most civil cases. Attorneys are required to e-file in many situations. Self-represented parties may choose to e-file or file on paper. To e-file, you need an account with an approved e-filing service provider. The court's website lists approved providers. E-filing is available 24 hours a day except during scheduled maintenance periods.

Types of Civil Cases

Burbank residents file many types of civil lawsuits. Personal injury cases are common. Car accidents on the I-5 freeway and local streets lead to injury claims. Burbank also has entertainment industry disputes. Production companies, talent agencies, and media businesses file lawsuits over contracts, intellectual property, and employment matters. These cases can be complex with significant amounts of money at stake.

Contract disputes make up a large portion of civil filings. These include unpaid debts, breach of contract claims, and disagreements over business deals. Many contract cases settle before trial through negotiation or mediation. When cases go to trial, they can last several days depending on the complexity of the issues and the number of witnesses.

Landlord-tenant disputes happen regularly. Eviction cases move quickly through the court system. Tenants have only five days to respond after being served with an unlawful detainer complaint. Trials are short. The judge focuses on whether the tenant owes rent or violated the lease. Many eviction cases result in default judgments when tenants fail to file a response.

Small claims court handles everyday disputes. Common cases include security deposit disagreements, unpaid loans between individuals, minor property damage, and consumer complaints about defective merchandise or poor service. You represent yourself in small claims court. Attorneys are not allowed. Both sides present evidence to the judge. Most hearings last 15 to 30 minutes. The judge makes a decision the same day in most cases.

Real estate litigation involves property disputes, title issues, boundary disagreements, and construction defects. Neighbors sue over fence lines, tree removal, and noise complaints. Homeowners sue contractors over shoddy work. These cases often require expert witnesses such as contractors, engineers, or surveyors to testify about the issues in dispute.

Available Services

The Burbank courthouse provides several services. The civil clerk's office handles filings, fee payments, and basic procedural questions. Clerks can tell you what forms to use and where to file them. They cannot give legal advice or tell you what to say in your documents. Legal advice must come from a lawyer.

Copy services are available. Standard copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies require an additional $40 certification fee per document. Certified copies have the official court seal and are required by some agencies and institutions. Let the clerk know you need certification when you make your request.

The courthouse has a self-help center. Self-help staff explain court procedures and help you fill out forms. They provide information packets on common civil matters. The center operates on a walk-in basis. Bring your court papers and any documents related to your case. Services are free, but staff cannot represent you in court or give legal advice.

Public computers are available for legal research and case lookups. You can access the court's case management system to search for information. Some locations have law libraries with books and reference materials. Ask the clerk where these resources are located.

Finding Legal Representation

Many civil cases benefit from having a lawyer. The Los Angeles County Bar Association operates a Lawyer Referral Service. Call (213) 243-1525 to get matched with an attorney who handles your type of case. The initial consultation costs a small fee. After that, you and the lawyer negotiate fees for ongoing representation.

If you have low income, you may qualify for free legal aid. Public Counsel provides free civil legal services to eligible clients. They handle housing, family law, consumer, and public benefits cases. Call (213) 385-2977 for intake. Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles is another option. Their phone number is (800) 399-4529. Both organizations have income requirements for eligibility.

The State Bar of California website at calbar.ca.gov has a directory of all licensed attorneys in California. You can search by location and practice area. The directory shows whether a lawyer is in good standing or has disciplinary issues. Check credentials before hiring anyone.

For simpler cases, you might represent yourself. The California Courts Self-Help website at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov has guides and forms for many civil matters. The site explains each step of the legal process in plain language. You can print forms directly from the website. The Los Angeles Superior Court also has local forms and instructions on its website.

Nearby California Cities

Other cities in Los Angeles County with civil court records: