Fresno Civil Court Records

Civil court records for Fresno are maintained by the Superior Court of California, County of Fresno. The court handles all civil cases filed by Fresno residents and businesses. This includes unlimited civil cases over $35,000, limited civil matters between $10,000 and $35,000, and small claims under $10,000. The court provides online access to case information through its public portal. You can search by party name or case number. The system uses the Tyler Technologies Odyssey platform for case management. Archives for older records are located at 1963 E Street in Fresno. The archives are open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. to noon. Call (559) 457-4903 for archive assistance.

Court Jurisdiction

All civil cases for Fresno are filed in Fresno County Superior Court. The main courthouse is located in downtown Fresno. The court serves one of the largest populations in Central California.

Fresno County Superior Court uses the Odyssey case management system. This platform handles e-filing, case information, and public access to records. The system is used by many California counties for consistent record keeping.

Cases are filed at the courthouse location that serves the area where the dispute arose or where parties live. For most Fresno residents, the main courthouse is the correct filing location. Check the court website for specific location requirements.

Online Case Search

The Fresno Superior Court provides online case access at publicportal.fresno.courts.ca.gov. The public portal allows you to search civil, family, probate, criminal, and traffic cases. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney name.

The portal displays basic case information including filing date, case type, case status, and party names. The register of actions shows all documents filed in the case with filing dates and document descriptions. This gives you a complete view of the case history.

Some documents may be available for viewing or download through the portal. Check the system for document access and any fees. Not all documents are available online. Older cases or certain document types may only be accessible at the courthouse.

Filing Civil Cases

Fresno County uses electronic filing through the Odyssey portal. You must register for an account to file documents online. The e-filing system 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 costs $435. Limited civil fees are lower and depend on the amount in dispute. Small claims fees are based on the claim amount.

Fee waivers are available if you cannot afford court costs. You must file a fee waiver application with financial information. The court reviews it and decides whether you qualify. Approved waivers eliminate most court fees.

Archives for Older Records

Fresno County maintains archives for older civil court records at 1963 E Street in Fresno. The archive facility stores inactive files and older cases that are not kept at the main courthouse. Call (559) 457-4903 for help locating archived records.

Archive hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. to noon. If you need to access an older case, contact the archives first to confirm the file is available. Some files may take time to retrieve from storage.

Copy fees are $0.50 per page even for archived records. Certified copies cost an additional $40 certification fee. Bring the case number and party names to help staff locate the correct file quickly.

Viewing Files at the Courthouse

You can view case files in person at the Fresno courthouse. Bring photo ID. Court security checks identification at the entrance. Clerks will pull files for you to review at the clerk's office.

Copy requests are processed at the courthouse. If you need just a few pages, copies can be made while you wait. Larger requests take longer. The clerk will give you an estimate of when copies will be ready.

If you need a copy of a document but do not have the case number, the court charges a research fee of $15 for searches over 10 minutes. Provide party names, approximate dates, and case type to help clerks search.

Fresno City Records

The City of Fresno maintains separate administrative records from the court system. City Clerk records include city contracts, permits, ordinances, and city business documents. The city has a document portal at fresno.gov for accessing city records.

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

Court Help and Resources

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

Self-help centers at the courthouse offer assistance to people without lawyers. Staff can answer questions about procedures but cannot give legal advice. If you need a lawyer, contact the Fresno County Bar Association for referrals.

Legal aid organizations in Fresno serve low-income residents with civil legal problems. These groups focus on housing, family law, consumer issues, and other civil matters. Contact information is available through the court website.

Nearby Cities

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