Santa Clarita Civil Records

Civil court records for Santa Clarita residents and businesses are maintained by the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. You can search for civil case information through the LA Superior Court's online portal system. Santa Clarita is located in Los Angeles County in the Santa Clarita Valley north of the San Fernando Valley. All civil litigation involving parties from Santa Clarita goes through Los Angeles County Superior Court, which operates a courthouse facility in Valencia to serve the Santa Clarita Valley communities. The court provides extensive online access to case records dating back decades.

Los Angeles County Handles Santa Clarita Cases

All civil court cases for Santa Clarita are filed with Los Angeles County Superior Court. California operates Superior Courts at the county level. There are no city-level courts that handle civil litigation. Los Angeles County Superior Court has jurisdiction over all civil disputes within county boundaries.

The Santa Clarita Courthouse is located at 23747 West Valencia Boulevard, Valencia, CA 91355. This facility serves Santa Clarita and the surrounding Santa Clarita Valley communities. The courthouse handles civil, criminal, family law, and probate matters. Phone number is (661) 253-7300. Hours are typically Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

You can also file cases at other Los Angeles County courthouses. The main civil courthouse is the Stanley Mosk Courthouse at 111 North Hill Street in downtown Los Angeles. Cases are assigned to the appropriate courthouse based on case type and location factors.

You can search for cases online through the LA Superior Court Civil Index at lacourt.ca.gov. This portal allows you to search by name for civil, small claims, family law, and probate cases. Each search costs $4.75. The system is updated daily and covers cases from all Los Angeles County courthouse locations.

Search Cases Online

The Civil Index contains case information dating back to 1983 for unlimited civil cases, family law, and probate. Limited civil cases go back to 1991. Small claims cases start in 1992. The online database includes cases filed at all Los Angeles County courthouses, including the Santa Clarita location.

Each name search costs $4.75. Your credit card is charged for every search you run. The fee reimburses the court for costs of providing public access to electronic records. Once you pay for a search, the system returns a list of matching cases with case numbers, case types, filing dates, filing locations, and number of available imaged documents.

Click on a case to see the register of actions. This lists all filings, motions, hearings, and court orders in chronological order. The register shows you what happened in the case from start to finish. You can view the register at no additional charge after paying the initial search fee.

Documents can be downloaded from the Case Document Images website. Fees are $1.00 per page for pages 1 to 5 of each document. Additional pages cost $0.40 per page. The maximum charge per document is $40.00. Available documents vary by case type and filing date. Many documents filed after 2000 are available online. Older documents may require an in-person visit.

Visit the Santa Clarita Courthouse

You can review case files in person at the Santa Clarita Courthouse. The address is 23747 West Valencia Boulevard, Valencia, CA 91355. Court hours are typically Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Call (661) 253-7300 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 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 personal use.

For older cases or archived files, you may need to contact the LA Superior Court Archives. Pre-1965 cases: call (213) 974-1378. Post-1965 cases: call (213) 893-0809. Archives staff can tell you if the file is available and how to request it. Some files may be stored off-site and require advance notice to retrieve.

Types of Civil Cases

Los Angeles 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.

Court Fees

Filing fees in Los Angeles 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.

Copy fees are $0.50 per page. Certification costs $40. If you request a certified copy of a 30-page document, you pay $15.00 for copies plus $40.00 for certification, totaling $55.00. Research fees may apply if staff spends significant time searching for records without a case number.

Legal Help in Santa Clarita

Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles provides free civil legal assistance to low-income residents. 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 Los Angeles 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.

Private attorneys in Santa Clarita handle all types of civil litigation. The State Bar of California operates a lawyer referral service. Many lawyers offer free initial consultations. Ask about fees, payment plans, and experience during your first meeting.

The Los Angeles County Law Library provides free access to legal research materials. The main library is at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles. 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 Los Angeles County and Ventura County file civil cases through their respective county Superior Courts.