Search Imperial County Civil Records

Imperial County Superior Court maintains civil court records for all cases filed in the county. The court provides online access through an eCourt public portal where you can search for case information. Civil cases include unlimited actions over $35,000, limited cases up to $35,000, and small claims under $10,000. The court serves El Centro, Calexico, Brawley, and all other communities in Imperial County. Most records are open to public inspection, though some sensitive cases may have restricted access under California law.

eCourt Public Portal

Imperial County Superior Court offers free online case searches through the eCourt public portal at ecourt.imperial.courts.ca.gov. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney name. The system displays case information for civil, family, probate, and other case types.

Search results show the case number, filing date, case type, and current status. Click on a case to view the register of actions. The register lists every document filed and every court event in chronological order. You can see when papers were submitted, when hearings took place, and what orders the judge signed.

The online portal provides access to case summaries and registers of actions. Some documents may be available for download depending on the case type and when they were filed. For document copies not available online, you must visit the courthouse or submit a written request to the court clerk.

Imperial County Courthouses

Imperial County has multiple courthouse locations. The main courthouse is in El Centro, the county seat. Other locations serve communities throughout the county. When you file a case, you file at the courthouse that has jurisdiction based on where the dispute occurred or where the parties live.

Each courthouse handles different case types and has its own hours. Most locations open around 8:00 AM and close by 4:00 or 5:00 PM on weekdays. Some offices close for lunch. Call ahead or check the court website to confirm hours before you visit. The website lists all courthouse locations with addresses, phone numbers, and maps.

When you visit in person, bring a valid photo ID. Security staff check identification at the entrance. Tell the clerk the case number or the names of the parties. The clerk will pull the file for you to review or help you with filing paperwork.

Civil Filing and Copy Fees

Filing fees in Imperial County follow California's statewide schedule. An unlimited civil complaint costs $435 to file. This applies to cases seeking more than $35,000 in damages. The defendant's answer in an unlimited case also costs $435.

Limited civil cases have lower fees. A complaint seeking between $10,000 and $35,000 costs $370. For cases under $10,000, the answer or first paper costs $225. Small claims filings range from $30 to $100 depending on the claim amount and how many cases you file per year.

Copy fees are $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $40 for the certification plus the per-page copy fee. If you need certified copies of a 10-page document, you pay $5.00 for copies and $40.00 for certification, totaling $45.00. If court staff must spend more than 10 minutes searching for records without a case number, a $15 research fee applies.

Fee amounts can change when the state legislature updates the law. Check the current fee schedule on the court website before filing or requesting services.

Civil Case Types

Imperial County Superior Court handles all kinds of civil disputes. Unlimited civil cases involve claims over $35,000. These include personal injury from car accidents, medical malpractice, breach of contract, real estate disputes, and business litigation. Complex cases with multiple parties or difficult legal issues often fall into this category.

Limited civil cases cover amounts between $10,000 and $35,000. Common limited civil matters include landlord-tenant disputes, property damage, debt collection, and contract disagreements. Unlawful detainer eviction cases are limited civil cases. The procedures in limited civil court are simpler and faster than unlimited civil cases.

Small claims court handles disputes up to $10,000 for most people. Businesses filing more than 12 small claims per year are limited to $5,000 per case. You represent yourself in small claims. No lawyers are allowed. You present your evidence directly to the judge. The judge decides the case and announces the ruling the same day in most situations.

Common small claims cases are:

• Unpaid loans or debts between individuals
• Security deposit disputes when a tenant moves out
• Property damage from accidents or negligence
• Breach of contract for services or goods
• Consumer complaints about defective products
• Minor vehicle damage from collisions

Note: Civil case records are generally public, but some documents may be sealed or restricted by court order or law.

Getting Copies of Records

You can request copies of civil court records several ways. The fastest way is to visit the courthouse in person. Ask the clerk for copies. Staff can make copies while you wait if the file is on-site and the request is not too large. Bring the case number to speed up the process.

You can also mail a written request to the court. Include the case number, the names of the parties, and what documents you need. Provide a return address and phone number. Mail requests take longer than in-person visits because staff process requests in the order received.

Some case files may be stored off-site if they are old or inactive. If the file you need is not at the courthouse, staff will request it from storage. Retrieval times vary. Ask the clerk for an estimate when you make your request.

Legal Help and Forms

The California Courts self-help website at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov provides free guides and forms for civil cases. You can find instructions for filing a lawsuit, responding to a complaint, or handling small claims cases. Forms are available in English and Spanish.

Imperial County residents may qualify for free legal assistance from legal aid organizations. These groups help low-income individuals with civil legal problems. Contact local social service agencies or the State Bar of California to find legal aid resources in your area.

Court clerks cannot give legal advice. They can answer questions about court procedures and forms, but they cannot tell you what to do in your case or help you fill out paperwork. If you need legal advice, consult an attorney.

Major Cities in Imperial County

Imperial County includes several cities. Residents of these communities file civil cases in Imperial County Superior Court.

Nearby California Counties

Imperial County borders other counties with their own Superior Courts.