Ontario Civil Court Records
Civil court records for Ontario residents and businesses are maintained by the Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino. You can search for civil case information online through the county's public access portal. Ontario is located in San Bernardino County near the western county border with Los Angeles County. All civil litigation involving Ontario parties goes through San Bernardino County Superior Court, which operates the Rancho Cucamonga District courthouse nearby to serve this region. The court provides remote access to view case documents and registers of actions online for a fee.
Ontario Quick Facts
San Bernardino County Handles Ontario Cases
All civil court cases for Ontario are filed with San Bernardino County Superior Court. California operates Superior Courts at the county level. There are no city-level courts that handle civil litigation. San Bernardino County Superior Court has jurisdiction over all civil disputes within county boundaries.
Ontario residents typically file cases at the Rancho Cucamonga District courthouse. Address is 8303 Haven Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730. Phone number is (909) 350-9764. This courthouse serves the western part of San Bernardino County, including Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, and surrounding communities. The facility handles civil, criminal, traffic, and family law cases.
You can search for cases online through the San Bernardino County public access portal at cap.sb-court.org. This system lets you search by party name, case number, or attorney name. The portal displays case information from all courthouse districts throughout San Bernardino County. Case data for cases filed before 1998 may be limited.
The online portal is updated regularly with new filings and case events. You can access the system from any computer or mobile device with internet. This saves time compared to visiting the courthouse in person.
Search Cases Online
The San Bernardino 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 and case details.
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 picture of what happened in the case from start to finish.
Documents can be viewed and purchased online. The cost is $0.50 per page. Payment is by credit card at the time of download. 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, work, or anywhere with internet access. The system covers all San Bernardino County courthouse districts, so you can find cases filed in Rancho Cucamonga, San Bernardino, Fontana, Victorville, or any other location.
Visit the Courthouse
You can review case files in person at the Rancho Cucamonga District courthouse. The address is 8303 Haven Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730. Court hours are typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Call (909) 350-9764 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 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, 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 for personal 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.
Types of Civil Cases
San Bernardino 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.
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, contract disagreements, and unlawful detainer eviction cases. 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.
Typical small claims cases include:
- Security deposit disputes between landlords and tenants
- Unpaid loans or debts between individuals
- Property damage from accidents or negligence
- Breach of contract for services or goods
- Consumer complaints about defective products
- Minor vehicle damage not covered by insurance
Note: Most civil court records are public, but some information may be sealed or redacted by court order to protect privacy.
Court Fees
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 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 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 spends more than 10 minutes searching for records without 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 the most current rates. The court website lists all current fees.
Legal Help in Ontario
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.
Private attorneys in Ontario 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 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.
Nearby California Cities
Other major cities in the Inland Empire file civil cases through their respective county Superior Courts.