Richmond Civil Court Records

Civil court records for Richmond are maintained by Contra Costa County Superior Court, which processes all civil litigation filed within the city. The court system handles unlimited and limited civil cases, small claims actions, and complex litigation. Online access to case information is provided through the county's public portal, with free document downloads and searchable records for civil cases filed after November 13, 2007.

Contra Costa County Superior Court

Richmond civil cases fall under Contra Costa County Superior Court jurisdiction. The county operates multiple courthouse facilities serving different regions. Richmond is in West Contra Costa County and is served by courthouse locations in Richmond and other areas.

The Richmond Hall of Justice is located at 100 37th Street, Richmond, CA 94805. This facility handles various case types including civil matters. Phone (925) 608-1000 for general court information and department locations.

Other courthouse locations in Contra Costa County include facilities in Martinez, Walnut Creek, Pittsburg, and Brentwood. Cases are assigned based on filing location and case type. Check your case documents for the assigned courthouse and department.

Online Case Information Portal

Contra Costa County provides online case access through the Public Portal. Search for civil cases by party name or case number. Results display case information and registers of actions. The portal is available at the court website at cc-courts.org.

Documents filed after November 13, 2007 are available for free viewing and download from the Public Portal. This includes most civil case documents filed in recent years. No fees are charged for online document access. Simply search for your case and click to view available documents.

Cases filed before November 13, 2007 may not have documents available electronically. You can view register information online, but documents require in-person viewing at the courthouse. Contact the clerk's office for assistance with older case files.

Filing Civil Actions

File civil cases at the appropriate Contra Costa County courthouse. Bring your complaint and required copies for service. Pay the filing fee when submitting documents. The clerk stamps your papers and assigns a case number.

Filing fees follow state guidelines. Unlimited civil cases over $35,000 cost $435. Limited cases from $10,001 to $35,000 cost $370. Cases under $10,000 cost $225. Small claims fees range from $30 to $100 based on claim amount and filing frequency.

After filing, serve the defendant with copies of the complaint and summons. You cannot serve these yourself. Use a registered process server or sheriff's office. File proof of service with the court showing the defendant received notice.

Electronic filing is available for civil cases. Registered users file documents through approved e-filing providers. E-filing allows 24-hour submission and provides instant confirmation of filings.

Note: Fee waivers are available for qualifying low-income filers through application process.

Civil Case Categories

Contra Costa County Superior Court handles various civil matters. Contract disputes form a large category. These include breach of contract claims, business disagreements, and collection actions. Parties seek to enforce agreements or recover damages.

Personal injury cases arise from car accidents, slip and falls, and medical malpractice. Plaintiffs pursue compensation for injuries and losses. Many cases settle through negotiation or mediation before trial.

Real estate litigation includes property disputes, boundary conflicts, and construction defects. Landlord-tenant cases including unlawful detainer actions for evictions are common. Employment cases involve wrongful termination, discrimination, and wage claims.

Professional malpractice suits target licensed professionals who allegedly failed to meet standards of care. Each case type has specific filing requirements under California law and court rules.

Civil Litigation Procedures

Defendants have 30 days to respond after service. Failing to respond allows plaintiffs to seek default judgment. When defendants file answers, cases proceed to discovery. Both sides exchange information and gather evidence.

The court schedules case management conferences to set deadlines and track progress. Judges issue scheduling orders for discovery cutoffs, motion dates, and trial dates. Many cases are referred to mediation or settlement conferences to encourage resolution without trial.

If cases do not settle, they proceed to trial before a judge or jury. Both sides present evidence and arguments. The fact finder issues a verdict. Post-trial motions and appeals may follow final judgments.

Contra Costa County has local rules that supplement state civil procedures. Find local rules on the court website. They cover filing requirements, motion practice, and courtroom protocols. Follow all rules to avoid delays or rejected filings.

Visiting the Courthouse

Visit courthouse locations to view physical case files. Bring valid photo ID. Provide case numbers or party names to staff. They retrieve files for viewing in designated areas. Files must remain in the clerk's office.

Request copies at the clerk's window. Copy fees are $0.50 per page for standard documents. Certification costs $40 per document plus the per-page copy fee. Certified copies of dissolution judgments cost $15.

AB 1524 now allows photographing public records with personal devices starting January 1, 2026. Bring your phone or camera to copy documents without per-page fees. Ask staff about specific photography policies.

Courthouse hours vary by location. Most are open Monday through Friday during business hours. Security screening is required at all entrances. Plan extra time for parking and security. Arrive early for same-day filing deadlines.

Legal Assistance and Self-Help

Contra Costa County Superior Court operates Self-Help Centers at courthouse locations. Centers provide forms, instructions, and procedural guidance. Staff explain court processes but cannot give legal advice. Visit during open hours for assistance.

Legal aid organizations serve qualifying low-income residents. Bay Area Legal Aid provides free legal services for civil matters including housing, consumer, and family issues. Contact them to check eligibility and case type coverage.

The California Courts Self-Help website at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov has extensive guides and video tutorials. Find instructions for filing complaints, responding to lawsuits, and preparing for hearings.

The Contra Costa County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. Get connected with local attorneys in your practice area. Initial consultations may be discounted. This helps you find qualified legal representation.

Court Fees and Costs

Online document access is free for cases filed after November 13, 2007. Courthouse copy fees are $0.50 per page. Certification costs $40 per document. Certified copies of dissolution judgments cost $15. Research fees of $15 apply when staff must search without case numbers.

Fee waivers are available for people who cannot afford court costs. Complete the application with financial documentation. Submit with your filing or separately. The court reviews and approves or denies based on income eligibility.

Get fee waiver forms at courts.ca.gov or courthouse clerk's offices. Approved waivers cover filing fees and most court costs. Waivers do not cover attorney fees or expert costs.

Court Programs and Services

The court offers alternative dispute resolution programs including mediation. ADR can resolve cases faster and cheaper than trial. Ask about programs when filing or at case management conferences.

Tentative rulings may be posted online for certain departments. Check the court website for your department's page. Rulings help you understand the judge's preliminary thinking and prepare arguments.

Court calendars are available online showing scheduled hearings and trials. Verify appearance dates before going to court. Bring all required documents and be prepared to address the court.

Interpreters are available for non-English speakers. Request an interpreter when filing or at least 10 days before hearings. The court provides interpreters in many languages at no charge for required proceedings.

Contra Costa County Court System

Richmond is one of several cities in Contra Costa County served by the Superior Court. All share the same court system and online portal. You can search cases from any location using county-wide tools.

For comprehensive information about Contra Costa County civil court records, visit the Contra Costa County page.