Modesto Civil Records Search

Civil court records for Modesto residents and businesses are maintained by the Superior Court of California, County of Stanislaus. The court provides online access to case information through a public portal where you can search by name or case number. Modesto serves as the county seat of Stanislaus County, and the main courthouse is located downtown. All civil litigation involving Modesto parties is filed with Stanislaus County Superior Court, which handles unlimited civil cases, limited civil matters, and small claims. The court offers remote access to view case documents and registers of actions through its online portal system.

Stanislaus County Handles Modesto Cases

All civil cases involving Modesto are filed with Stanislaus 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. Modesto is the county seat, so the main courthouse is located here.

The Stanislaus County Superior Court is at 800 11th Street, Modesto, CA 95354. This courthouse handles civil, criminal, family, probate, and other case types. If you need to file a civil case in Modesto, this is where you go. The clerk's office can help you determine which department handles your case type.

You can search for cases online through the court's public portal at stanportal.stanct.org. This system lets you look up cases by party name, case number, or attorney name. The portal displays case summaries, registers of actions, and links to available documents. It covers civil, family, probate, and criminal cases filed in Stanislaus County.

The online portal is updated regularly with new filings and case events. You can access the system 24 hours a day from any location with internet. This saves time compared to visiting the courthouse in person. Many documents can be viewed and downloaded online for a fee.

Search Cases Online

The Stanislaus County public portal provides free case searches. 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 of actions lists every filing, hearing, motion, and court order in chronological order. You can see when documents were filed, when hearings took place, and what rulings the judge made. This gives you a complete timeline of the case from start to finish. The register is updated as new events occur.

Documents can be viewed and purchased online. The court charges fees for downloading documents. Fee amounts vary by document length. Payment is processed by credit card at the time of download. Not all documents in every case are available online. Some older filings or certain restricted case types may require an in-person visit.

If you cannot find a case online, it may be an older case that has not been digitized. Contact the clerk's office for help locating older records. Staff can check the archive system and tell you if the file is available and where it is stored. Some records may be at an off-site storage facility.

Visit the Courthouse

You can review case files in person at the Stanislaus County courthouse in Modesto. The address is 800 11th Street, Modesto, CA 95354. Court hours are typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Call (209) 558-6000 to confirm current hours before you visit. Some departments may close for lunch or 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 records.

If the file you need is stored off-site, staff will request it from the records facility. This takes extra time. Ask the clerk how long retrieval will take. Plan ahead if you need to review older files that might be archived. Some files can be delivered within a few days. Others may take longer.

Types of Civil Cases

Stanislaus 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, debt collection lawsuits, property damage claims, and contract disagreements. Unlawful detainer eviction cases fall into the limited civil category. The 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. The process is informal and fast. Most cases are decided the same day as the hearing.

Common small claims cases include:

• Security deposit disputes when a tenant moves out
• Unpaid loans or debts between individuals
• Property damage from accidents or negligence
• Breach of contract for services like home repairs
• Consumer complaints about defective products
• Minor vehicle damage not covered by insurance

Court Fees

Filing fees in Stanislaus 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 between neighbors, landlords, and consumers.

Copy fees are $0.50 per page. Certification costs $40. If you request a certified copy of a 25-page judgment, you pay $12.50 for copies plus $40.00 for certification, totaling $52.50. Research fees of $15 may apply if staff needs to spend more than 10 minutes searching for records when you do not provide a case number.

Modesto City Resources

The City of Modesto maintains administrative records separate from court records. The City Clerk's office handles public records requests for city government documents. This includes city council minutes, resolutions, ordinances, planning documents, and municipal records. You can submit public records requests online at cityofmodestoca.nextrequest.com.

City records are different from court records. The City Clerk does not maintain civil case files or lawsuit information. For court records, you must contact Stanislaus County Superior Court. City staff can direct you to the appropriate county office if you are unsure where to find specific information.

Modesto City Hall is at 1010 10th Street, Modesto, CA 95354. The City Clerk's office is open Monday through Friday during business hours. Call (209) 577-5396 for general city information. For court matters, contact the Stanislaus County Superior Court at (209) 558-6000.

Legal Help in Modesto

Central California Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to low-income residents of Stanislaus 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 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 Modesto courthouse.

Private attorneys in Modesto 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. Legal fees vary widely based on case type and complexity.

The Stanislaus County Law Library provides free access to legal research materials. The library is at the courthouse in Modesto. 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 the Central Valley file civil cases through their respective county Superior Courts.