Find Moreno Valley Civil Records

Civil court records for Moreno Valley are kept by the Superior Court of California, County of Riverside. You can search for civil case information online through the county's public access portal. Moreno Valley is located in Riverside County, so all civil litigation involving residents or businesses from Moreno Valley goes through Riverside County Superior Court. The court operates multiple locations throughout the county, with the main civil facility in Riverside. Remote access to case records is available online, letting you view case information and download documents from any location with internet access.

Riverside County Handles Moreno Valley Cases

Civil cases involving Moreno Valley residents or businesses are filed with Riverside County Superior Court. California does not have city courts for civil litigation. All civil matters go through the county Superior Court system. Riverside County operates several courthouse locations to serve different areas of the county.

The main civil courthouse is at 4050 Main Street, Riverside, CA 92501. This facility handles unlimited civil cases, limited civil cases, probate matters, and small claims. Phone number is (951) 777-3147. Hours are Monday through Friday, typically 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Call ahead to confirm current hours before you visit.

Riverside County also operates courthouses in Temecula, Indio, Palm Springs, and other locations. Each facility handles cases for its geographic area. Moreno Valley residents typically file cases at the Riverside courthouse or other nearby locations based on where the dispute arose or where the defendant lives.

You can search for cases online through the Riverside County public access portal at epublic-access.riverside.courts.ca.gov. This system lets you search by party name, case number, or attorney name. The portal displays case information from all courthouse locations throughout Riverside County.

Online Case Search

The Riverside County public portal provides access to civil case information dating back to the early 1990s. Date ranges vary by courthouse location. Riverside civil cases go back to October 1991. Indio civil cases start in May 1991. Palm Springs cases begin in September 1993. Corona cases start in March 1994. Temecula cases begin in October 1996.

To search, enter a party name or case number. The system displays matching cases 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 for a fee. The fee is $1 per page for the first 5 pages of each document. Each additional page costs $0.50. The maximum charge per document is $50. Payment is by credit card when you download the file. The court uses these fees to maintain the online access system.

Name search credits are required to search by party name. One name search credit costs $1.00. You can buy 5 credits for $3.50, 10 credits for $5.00, or 75 credits for $25.00. Unlimited searches are available for $250.00 per 30 days. If you search often, the unlimited option saves money.

Note: Unlawful detainer eviction cases are confidential for the first 60 days after filing. You cannot view these cases online during the initial 60-day period. After 60 days, the cases become public and appear in search results.

Visit the Courthouse

You can review case files in person at Riverside County courthouses. The main civil facility is at 4050 Main Street, Riverside, CA 92501. 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.

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. Regular copies work fine for personal use.

The clerk's office hours are typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Some departments may have different schedules. Call ahead to confirm before you visit. Arrive early if you need help from staff, as lines can be long during peak times.

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. Processing times vary depending on where the records are stored and how busy the archives staff is.

Civil Case Types

Riverside 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, medical malpractice claims, business litigation, contract disputes, real estate disagreements, and employment cases. Complex cases with multiple parties or difficult legal issues 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.

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.

Court Fees in Moreno Valley

Filing fees in Riverside 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.

Copy fees are $0.50 per page. Certification adds $40. A certified copy of a 25-page document costs $12.50 for copies plus $40.00 for certification, totaling $52.50. Research fees may apply if staff spends significant time searching for records without a case number.

Riverside County has 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.

Legal Help in Moreno Valley

Inland Counties Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to low-income residents of Riverside 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 Riverside County 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 case or represent you in court. The Self-Help Center has locations at several courthouses.

Private attorneys in Moreno Valley and Riverside 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.

The Riverside County Law Library provides free access to legal research materials. The main library is at the Riverside courthouse. 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 Riverside County and the Inland Empire file civil cases through their respective county Superior Courts.