Civil Records for Concord

Civil court records for Concord are maintained by the Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa. Concord residents file civil cases at Contra Costa County Superior Court. The court handles all civil disputes filed within the county, including cases from Concord and surrounding East Bay communities. You can access case information online through the court's public portal. Records include unlimited civil cases over $35,000, limited civil cases between $10,000 and $35,000, and small claims under $10,000.

Which Court Handles Concord Civil Cases

The Contra Costa County Superior Court has jurisdiction over all civil cases filed in Concord. The court offers online case information through its public portal at cc-courts.org. Documents from the Public Portal are available free for cases filed after November 13, 2007.

When you file a civil case in Concord, you file at one of the Contra Costa County courthouses. The main civil courthouse is in Martinez, the county seat. Cases are processed by Contra Costa County Superior Court staff. All case types follow California Rules of Court and statewide procedures established by the Judicial Council.

Online Access to Court Records

Contra Costa County Superior Court provides online access to civil case information. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney name. The public portal displays case details, filing dates, and the register of actions. The register lists every filing and court event in chronological order.

Documents filed after November 13, 2007 are available free from the Public Portal. This is because Sacramento Superior Court discontinued all fees associated with online searches and document downloads. Earlier documents may require an in-person visit or mail request to obtain copies.

Some case types have restricted online access under California privacy rules. Family law cases, juvenile matters, and certain protective order cases limit what you can see remotely. You can view the register of actions for these cases but may need to visit the courthouse to see actual documents filed in the case.

Filing Civil Cases in Concord

To file a civil case affecting Concord, go to a Contra Costa County Superior Court clerk's office. Bring your complaint and any required attachments. Pay the filing fee at the time of filing. Fees vary based on case type and the amount in dispute. An unlimited civil complaint costs $435. Limited civil cases have lower fees.

The clerk assigns a case number when you file. You receive a filed copy of your complaint with the case number and filing date stamped on it. You must serve the defendant with a copy of the complaint and summons within the time allowed by law. Service of process has specific rules you must follow.

Electronic filing is available for many case types in Contra Costa County. You can file documents through the e-filing portal from any location with internet access. This saves a trip to the courthouse. You still pay the same filing fees when you e-file. The system accepts credit cards for payment.

Fee waivers are available for people who cannot afford court costs. File an application for waiver of court fees and costs. Include proof of your income and expenses. The judge reviews your application and decides if you qualify for a fee waiver based on your financial circumstances.

Types of Civil Cases

Concord residents file various types of civil cases at Contra Costa County Superior Court. Unlimited civil cases involve amounts over $35,000. These include personal injury lawsuits, business disputes, real estate litigation, breach of contract actions, and professional malpractice claims. Discovery is extensive. Trials can last days or weeks.

Limited civil cases handle disputes between $10,000 and $35,000. Common limited civil matters include landlord-tenant disputes, property damage claims, debt collection lawsuits, and contract disagreements. Unlawful detainer eviction cases are limited civil matters. Procedures are simpler and trials are shorter than unlimited civil cases.

Small claims court handles amounts up to $10,000 for most plaintiffs. Businesses that file more than 12 small claims per year are limited to $5,000 per case. No lawyers are allowed in small claims court. You present your evidence to the judge yourself. The judge decides the case and announces the ruling the same day in most situations.

Common small claims cases include:

• Security deposit disputes
• Unpaid loans or money owed
• Minor car accident damage
• Defective product complaints
• Service or workmanship issues
• Neighbor disputes over property

Courthouse Services

Contra Costa County has multiple courthouse locations. The main civil courthouse is in Martinez. Other locations serve different geographic areas of the county. Public hours are typically weekdays from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Some services may close earlier. Call ahead to confirm hours before you visit. Bring photo ID. Court security requires identification to enter.

The clerk's office can help with forms, filing procedures, and records requests. Staff can explain what documents you need for your case type. They cannot give legal advice or tell you what to do in your case. If you need a lawyer, the Contra Costa County Bar Association offers a referral service.

Self-help services are available for people representing themselves without a lawyer. Self-help staff can review your forms for completeness. They can explain court procedures and deadlines. They cannot predict what the judge will decide or tell you what legal arguments to make.

Getting Copies of Records

You have several ways to get copies of court records. Search online through the Contra Costa County public portal and download documents for free if they were filed after November 13, 2007. Visit the courthouse in person and request copies from the clerk. Send a written request by mail with payment for estimated costs.

Copy fees for documents not available online are $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost an additional $40 for certification. A certified copy of a marriage or domestic partnership dissolution judgment costs $15 total. If the clerk needs to search for records without a case number and the search takes over 10 minutes, a $15 research fee applies.

Processing times vary by method. Online downloads are immediate for available documents. In-person requests may be filled while you wait if the file is on-site and staff are available. Mail requests take the longest. Allow several weeks for the court to process written requests and mail copies to you.

Nearby Cities in California

Other East Bay cities are also served by their county Superior Courts.