Fontana Civil Court Records

Civil court records for Fontana are maintained by the Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino. You can search for case information online through the county's public access portal. Fontana has its own courthouse district at 17780 Arrow Boulevard, which handles civil and other case types for the western part of San Bernardino County. All civil litigation involving Fontana residents or businesses goes through San Bernardino County Superior Court, which operates multiple district locations. The court provides remote access to view case documents and registers of actions for a fee of $0.50 per page.

San Bernardino County Handles Fontana Cases

Civil cases involving Fontana residents or businesses are filed with San Bernardino County Superior Court. California does not have city courts for civil litigation. All civil matters go through the county Superior Court system. Fontana is served by the Fontana District courthouse, which is one of several district locations operated by San Bernardino County.

The Fontana District courthouse is at 17780 Arrow Boulevard, Fontana, CA 92335. The phone number is (909) 350-9322. This courthouse handles civil, criminal, traffic, and family law cases for Fontana and nearby communities in the western part of San Bernardino County. You can file civil cases here or at other district courthouses based on where the dispute arose or where parties live.

San Bernardino County operates several courthouse districts due to the county's large geographic size. The Rancho Cucamonga District serves communities to the west. The San Bernardino District is the main facility for the county seat. The Victorville District serves the High Desert region. Each district has its own clerk's office and filing procedures, but all are part of the same Superior Court system.

You can search for cases online at cap.sb-court.org. This portal covers all districts in San Bernardino County. Case data for cases filed before 1998 may be limited. For older cases, contact the specific district where the case was filed. Staff can help you locate archived records.

Online Case Search

The Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino provides remote access to civil case information. The portal lets you search by party name, case number, or attorney name. Results display case summaries from all court districts. Click on a case to see the full register of actions.

The register of actions lists every filing, motion, hearing, and order in the case. You can see when documents were filed and when court events took place. This gives you a complete timeline from filing to judgment. The register is updated regularly as new events occur in the case.

Documents can be viewed and downloaded for $0.50 per page. Payment is by credit card when you access the document. The court uses this fee to maintain the online system. Not all documents in every case are available online. Some older filings or certain case types may require an in-person visit to the courthouse.

The online portal is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can search from home or any location with internet access. This saves time compared to visiting the courthouse. The system works the same whether you are searching for cases filed in Fontana, San Bernardino, Rancho Cucamonga, or any other district location.

Visit the Fontana Courthouse

You can review case files in person at the Fontana District courthouse. The address is 17780 Arrow Boulevard, Fontana, CA 92335. Court hours are typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Call (909) 350-9322 to confirm current hours before you visit. Some departments may have different schedules.

Bring a valid photo ID. Court security requires identification to access case files. Tell the clerk the case number or the names of the parties. Staff will retrieve 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, which took effect January 1, 2026.

Copies cost $0.50 per page when requested in person. Certified copies cost an additional $40 for the certification on top of the per-page fee. You need certified copies for official purposes like appeals or legal filings in other courts. Regular copies work fine for personal reference or informal use.

If the file you need is stored off-site, staff will request it from the records facility. This takes additional time. Ask the clerk for an estimate of how long retrieval will take. Some files can be delivered within a few days. Others may take longer depending on where the records are stored and how busy the archives staff is.

Civil Case Types

San Bernardino County Superior Court handles all types of civil disputes. Unlimited civil cases involve claims over $35,000. These include personal injury lawsuits from car accidents, slip and falls, medical malpractice claims, business litigation, contract disputes, real estate disagreements, and employment cases. Cases with complex legal issues or multiple parties typically exceed the $35,000 threshold.

Limited civil cases cover amounts between $10,000 and $35,000. Common limited civil matters include:

• Landlord-tenant disputes over unpaid rent or property damage
• Debt collection lawsuits from credit cards or loans
• Property damage claims from accidents or negligence
• Contract disagreements between businesses or individuals
• Unlawful detainer eviction cases

Small claims court resolves disputes up to $10,000 for most people. Businesses that file more than 12 small claims per year are limited to $5,000 per case. You do not need a lawyer in small claims court. The process is informal. You present your evidence to the judge, who decides the case the same day in most situations.

Typical small claims cases include security deposit disputes, unpaid debts between individuals, property damage from minor accidents, breach of contract for services or goods, and consumer complaints about defective products. The filing fee for small claims is much lower than regular civil cases, making the court accessible for everyday disputes.

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

Court Fees in Fontana

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

Small claims filing fees depend on claim amount. Claims up to $1,500 cost $30. Claims between $1,500.01 and $5,000 cost $50. Claims from $5,000.01 to $10,000 cost $75. These fees make small claims court affordable for most people with smaller disputes.

Copy fees are $0.50 per page. Certification adds $40. A certified copy of a 30-page document costs $15.00 for copies plus $40.00 for certification, totaling $55.00. Research fees of $15 may apply if staff spends more than 10 minutes searching for records when you do not provide a case number.

San Bernardino and Riverside counties have some local fee surcharges that differ from other California counties. Check the court's fee schedule for current rates. Fee amounts can change when state law is updated. The court website lists all current fees and surcharges.

Legal Help in Fontana

Inland Counties Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to low-income residents of San Bernardino 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 for services.

The Superior Court Self-Help Center offers assistance with court forms and procedures. Staff can explain how to fill out forms, what documents to file, and what happens at court hearings. They cannot give legal advice about your specific case or represent you in court. The Self-Help Center has locations at several courthouses throughout the county.

The San Bernardino County Law Library provides free access to legal research materials. Libraries are located at major courthouse facilities. You can use law books, online databases, and research computers. Staff can help you find resources but cannot give legal advice about your case.

Private attorneys in Fontana 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 with your type of case during your first meeting.

Nearby California Cities

Other major cities in the Inland Empire file civil cases through their respective county Superior Courts.