Search Glendale Civil Records

Civil court records for Glendale residents and businesses are maintained by the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. You can search for civil case information through the Los Angeles Superior Court's online portal system. Glendale is located in Los Angeles County, so all civil litigation involving parties from Glendale goes through LA Superior Court. The court provides extensive online access to case records through the Civil Index portal, which covers cases dating back to 1983. Documents can be viewed and downloaded through the Case Document Images website for a fee.

Los Angeles County Handles Glendale Cases

All civil court cases for Glendale are filed with Los Angeles County Superior Court. California does not operate city-level courts for civil litigation. The state court system runs Superior Courts at the county level with jurisdiction over all civil disputes within county boundaries. Los Angeles County is the most populous county in California, and its Superior Court system is the largest trial court in the nation.

Glendale has a courthouse location at 600 East Broadway, Glendale, CA 91206. This facility handles civil, criminal, family law, and probate matters for Glendale and surrounding communities. The main civil courthouse for Los Angeles County is the Stanley Mosk Courthouse at 111 North Hill Street in downtown Los Angeles. Cases may be filed at various courthouses depending on case type and location.

You can search for cases online through the LA Superior Court Civil Index at lacourt.ca.gov. This portal allows you to search by name for civil, small claims, family law, and probate cases. Each search costs $4.75. The system is updated daily with new filings and case information.

The search returns a list of litigant names, corresponding case types, filing dates, filing locations, and number of available imaged documents. Click on a case to see more details about the case and access document images if available.

Search Cases Online

The Civil Index contains case information dating back to 1983 for unlimited civil cases, family law, and probate. Limited civil cases go back to 1991. Small claims cases start in 1992. The system includes cases from all Los Angeles County courthouse locations, including Glendale.

Each name search costs $4.75. Your credit card is charged for every search you run. The fee reimburses the court for the costs of providing public access to electronic records in accordance with California Rule of Court 2.506 and Government Code Section 68150.

Once you find a case, you can view the register of actions at no additional charge. The register lists all filings, motions, hearings, and court orders in chronological order. This shows you what happened in the case from start to finish.

Documents can be downloaded from the Case Document Images website. Fees are $1.00 per page for documents 1 to 5 pages. Additional pages cost $0.40 per page. The maximum charge per document is $40.00. Available documents include unlimited civil cases from the Stanley Mosk Courthouse beginning March 15, 2000. Limited civil cases including unlawful detainer start January 1, 1970. Small claims begin January 21, 1988. Family law documents start May 1, 2000. Probate documents begin January 1, 2001.

Visit the Glendale Courthouse

You can review case files in person at the Glendale courthouse. The address is 600 East Broadway, Glendale, CA 91206. Court hours are typically Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Call the court to confirm current hours before you visit. Some departments may have different schedules.

Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. 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 if you just need information for your own use.

For older cases or archived files, you may need to contact the LA Superior Court Archives. Pre-1965 cases: call (213) 974-1378. Post-1965 cases: call (213) 893-0809. Archives staff can tell you if the file is available and how to request it.

Civil Case Types

Los Angeles 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. Cases with complex legal issues or multiple parties often exceed the $35,000 threshold.

Limited civil cases cover disputes 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 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. The process is informal and fast.

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. Most cases are decided the same day as the hearing.

Court Fees

Filing fees in Los Angeles 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. If you request a certified copy of a 20-page judgment, you pay $10.00 for copies plus $40.00 for certification, totaling $50.00. Research fees may apply if staff spends significant time searching for records when you do not provide a case number.

Legal Help in Glendale

Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles provides free civil legal assistance to low-income residents. 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 Los Angeles 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. Self-Help Centers are located at several courthouse facilities throughout the county.

Private attorneys in Glendale 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 Los Angeles County Law Library provides free access to legal research materials. The main library is at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, 111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles. Branch libraries operate at other courthouse locations. 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 Los Angeles County file civil cases through LA Superior Court.