Elk Grove Civil Court Records

Civil court records for Elk Grove residents and businesses are maintained by the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento. You can search for civil case information through the county's online public portal system. Elk Grove is located in Sacramento County south of the city of Sacramento, so all civil litigation involving parties from Elk Grove goes through Sacramento County Superior Court. The court discontinued all fees for online searches and document downloads in recent years, making access completely free. Public cases and documents filed after November 13, 2007 are available through the Public Portal online system.

Sacramento County Handles Elk Grove Cases

All civil court cases for Elk Grove are filed with Sacramento County Superior Court. California operates Superior Courts at the county level. There are no city-level courts that handle civil litigation. Sacramento County Superior Court has jurisdiction over all civil disputes within county boundaries.

The main courthouse is the William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse at 3341 Power Inn Road, Sacramento, CA 95826. The Gordon D. Schaber Sacramento County Courthouse is at 720 9th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. Phone number for Civil Records Unit is (916) 874-7186. Hours are typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

You can search for cases online through the Sacramento County public portal. Two portals are available. The Public Case Access system is at services.saccourt.ca.gov. The Public Portal is at prod-portal-sacramento-ca.journaltech.com. Both systems provide free access to case information with no search fees or document download fees.

Sacramento Superior Court discontinued all fees associated with online searches and document downloads. This makes Sacramento County one of the most accessible court systems in California for online records access.

Search Cases Online

The Sacramento County public portals provide free case searches and document access. Public cases and documents filed after November 13, 2007 are available digitally. Cases and documents filed before November 13, 2007 are not available online. You will need to view the physical case file for older records.

Enter a party name or case number to find matching cases. The system displays results with case numbers, filing dates, case types, and current status. Click on a case to see the full register of actions. The register lists every filing, motion, hearing, and order in chronological order.

Documents can be viewed and downloaded at no charge. There are no fees for searches or downloads. This free access makes it easy to obtain case information without visiting the courthouse. The portals are available 24 hours a day from any location with internet access.

If you cannot find a case online, it may be an older case filed before November 13, 2007. All physical civil files are kept at an off-site retention facility. Files take approximately 10 business days to be delivered to the main courthouse. Call the Civil Records Unit at (916) 874-7186 to request retrieval of older files.

Visit the Courthouse

You can review case files in person at Sacramento County courthouses. The Gordon D. Schaber Sacramento County Courthouse is at 720 9th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. Bring a valid photo ID. Court security will ask for identification.

Tell the clerk the case number or the names of the parties. Staff will pull the file for you to review. You can take notes while reviewing the file. Some courthouses allow you to photograph records with your phone under California law AB 1524, effective January 1, 2026.

Copies cost $0.50 per page. If you need certified copies, the certification fee is $40 on top of the per-page cost. Certified copies are required for official purposes like appeals or filing documents in other courts. Regular copies work fine for personal use.

Written requests sent to the Records Unit take approximately 4 to 6 weeks to complete. Fees apply for copying, certifying, and researching. The search fee is $15.00 for searching records or files when the search takes longer than 10 minutes. Copies cost $0.50 per page. Certification costs $40.00. Exemplification costs $50.00.

Types of Civil Cases

Sacramento County Superior Court handles all civil case types. Unlimited civil cases involve claims over $35,000. These include personal injury lawsuits from car accidents, medical malpractice claims, business disputes, breach of contract cases, real estate litigation, and employment matters.

Limited civil cases cover disputes between $10,000 and $35,000. Common limited civil matters include landlord-tenant disputes, debt collection lawsuits, property damage claims, contract disagreements, and unlawful detainer eviction cases. Procedures are simpler and cases move faster than unlimited civil court.

Small claims court resolves disputes up to $10,000 for most people. Businesses filing more than 12 small claims per year are limited to $5,000 per case. No lawyers appear in small claims court. You present your case directly to the judge.

Typical small claims cases include:

• Security deposit disputes between landlords and tenants
• Unpaid loans or debts between individuals
• Property damage from accidents or negligence
• Breach of contract for services or goods
• Consumer complaints about defective products
• Minor vehicle damage not covered by insurance

Note: Most civil court records are public, but some information may be sealed or redacted by court order to protect privacy.

Court Fees

Filing fees in Sacramento County follow the statewide California schedule. An unlimited civil complaint costs $435 to file. The answer in an unlimited civil case also costs $435. Limited civil cases have lower fees. A complaint seeking between $10,000 and $35,000 costs $370. Cases under $10,000 cost $225 for the first responsive filing.

Small claims filing fees vary by claim amount. Claims up to $1,500 cost $30 to file. Claims between $1,500.01 and $5,000 cost $50. Claims from $5,000.01 to $10,000 cost $75. These lower fees make small claims court accessible for everyday disputes.

Copy fees are $0.50 per page. Certification costs $40. Exemplification costs $50. Search fees are $15.00 for searches longer than 10 minutes. If you request a certified copy of a 20-page document, you pay $10.00 for copies plus $40.00 for certification, totaling $50.00.

Legal Help in Elk Grove

Legal Services of Northern California provides free civil legal assistance to low-income residents of Sacramento County. They help with housing, family law, public benefits, and consumer issues. You must meet income guidelines to qualify. Apply online or call their intake line to see if you are eligible.

The Sacramento Superior Court Self-Help Center offers free assistance with court forms and procedures. Staff can explain how to fill out forms, what documents to file, and what to expect at hearings. They cannot give legal advice about your specific situation or represent you in court. The Self-Help Center is located at the Gordon D. Schaber Sacramento County Courthouse.

Private attorneys in Elk Grove and Sacramento handle all types of civil litigation. The State Bar of California operates a lawyer referral service to help you find an attorney. Many lawyers offer free initial consultations. Ask about fees, payment plans, and experience during your first meeting.

The Sacramento County Public Law Library provides free access to legal research materials. The library is at the Gordon D. Schaber Sacramento County Courthouse, 720 9th Street, Sacramento. You can use law books, online databases, and research computers. Staff can help you find resources but cannot give legal advice about your case.

Nearby California Cities

Other major cities in Sacramento County and surrounding areas file civil cases through their respective county Superior Courts.