Riverside Civil Court Records

Civil court records for Riverside are maintained by the Superior Court of California, County of Riverside. All civil litigation filed by Riverside residents and businesses goes through the Riverside County court system. The court handles unlimited civil cases over $35,000, limited civil cases between $10,000 and $35,000, and small claims under $10,000. Online case search is available through the Public Portal. Civil records for Riverside date back to October 1991. Documents can be purchased online at $1 per page for the first 5 pages and $0.50 for each additional page, with a cap of $50 per document. Name searches require credits. Unlawful detainer eviction cases are confidential for the first 60 days after filing. The courthouse address is 4050 Main Street, Riverside, CA 92501.

Court Jurisdiction

Civil cases for Riverside are filed in Riverside County Superior Court. The main courthouse for Riverside is located at 4050 Main Street, Riverside, CA 92501. This courthouse handles civil and probate cases for the Riverside area.

Riverside County Superior Court operates multiple courthouse locations throughout the county. Other locations include Indio, Palm Springs, Corona, and Temecula. Cases are filed at the location that serves the geographic area where the dispute arose or where parties live.

The court uses electronic case management and e-filing systems. Public access to case information is provided through the online portal. Riverside County is one of the largest counties in California by area.

Online Case Search

Riverside Superior Court provides online access through the Public Portal at epublic-access.riverside.courts.ca.gov. You can search civil, family, probate, criminal, and traffic cases. The portal shows case information and the register of actions.

Civil records for Riverside date back to October 1991. Indio civil records start in May 1991. Palm Springs civil records begin in September 1993. Corona civil records start in March 1994. Temecula civil records begin in October 1996. The date range varies by courthouse location.

Name searches require credits. Credit packages are $1.00 for 1 credit, $3.50 for 5 credits, $5.00 for 10 credits, $25.00 for 75 credits, or $250.00 for 30 days of unlimited searches. If you know the case number, you can search for free.

Documents can be purchased at $1 per page for the first 5 pages and $0.50 per page for each additional page. The maximum fee per document is $50. Not all documents are available online. Some may require an in-person visit to the courthouse.

Note: Unlawful Detainer eviction cases are confidential for the first 60 days and cannot be viewed during that period.

Filing Civil Cases

Riverside County uses electronic filing for civil cases. You must register for an account to file documents online. The e-filing system is available 24 hours a day. Documents filed before midnight on a court day are considered filed that day.

Filing fees follow the California statewide schedule with possible local surcharges. A complaint in an unlimited civil case costs $435. The answer also costs $435. Limited civil fees depend on the claim amount. Small claims fees are based on how much money is claimed.

Fee waivers are available for people who cannot afford court costs. You file a fee waiver application with financial information. The court reviews it and decides whether you qualify.

Viewing Files at the Courthouse

You can view case files in person at the Riverside courthouse at 4050 Main Street. Bring photo ID. Court security checks identification at the entrance.

Copy fees are $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost an additional $40 certification fee. A certified copy of a dissolution judgment costs $15 instead of $40. Clerks can process small copy requests while you wait. Larger requests take more time.

If you need the court to search for records without a case number, provide as much information as possible. Party names, approximate filing dates, and case type all help clerks locate the case.

Riverside City Records

The City of Riverside maintains separate administrative records from the court system. City records include city contracts, permits, ordinances, and city business documents. The City Clerk manages these records. Contact the city for information about city administrative records.

City records are not civil court cases. If you need to file a lawsuit or search for civil litigation, you must use Riverside County Superior Court. The city does not maintain court case files.

Court Help and Resources

The Riverside Superior Court website at riverside.courts.ca.gov provides information about procedures, forms, and services. The site includes guides for civil cases and other case types.

Self-help centers at courthouse locations can answer questions about procedures. Staff cannot give legal advice but can explain court processes. If you need a lawyer, local bar associations offer lawyer referral services.

Legal aid organizations in Riverside County serve low-income residents with civil legal problems. These groups focus on housing, family law, consumer issues, and public benefits cases.

Nearby Cities

Other major cities in Southern California with populations over 100,000: