Inyo County Civil Court Records

Civil court records in Inyo County are kept by the Superior Court of California, County of Inyo. The court operates two locations serving this Eastern Sierra county. Civil cases are filed at the Independence courthouse or the Bishop branch. All civil matters including unlimited civil cases, limited civil cases, and small claims fall under the court's jurisdiction. Records include case files, registers of actions, and court documents filed by parties in civil litigation.

Inyo County Courthouses

Inyo County Superior Court has two locations. The main courthouse is in Independence at 168 North Edwards Street, Independence, CA 93526. This is the county seat where most civil filings are submitted. The Bishop branch court is at 225 South Barlow Lane, Bishop, CA 93514. Both locations handle civil cases.

Court hours vary by location. Call ahead to confirm hours before visiting. The Independence court phone number is (760) 878-0218. The Bishop court phone is (760) 872-8800. Staff can tell you which location handles your type of case.

Inyo County covers a large geographic area in the Eastern Sierra. Travel distances can be significant. Independence is about 40 miles south of Bishop. Plan accordingly if you need to visit a specific courthouse.

Public access to court files is available during business hours. Bring photo ID to view files at the courthouse. Clerks can help you locate case files if you provide the case number or party names.

How to Access Court Records

Inyo County Superior Court handles records requests by mail and in person. Online access to case information is limited. You need to contact the court directly for most civil case records.

To request records by mail, send a written request to the courthouse where the case was filed. Include the case number, the names of the parties, and the specific documents you need. Provide your mailing address and phone number. Include payment for copy fees or ask for a cost estimate.

Copy fees are $0.50 per page under California Government Code Section 70627. This is the standard rate across all California courts. If you need certified copies, add a $40 certification fee. Certified dissolution judgments cost $15 to certify under Government Code Section 70674.

For searches that take more than 10 minutes, the court may charge a $15 research fee under Government Code Section 70627. Having the case number ready helps avoid this fee. The clerk can find files faster with a case number.

In-person visits let you view files and get copies the same day if staff is available. Bring cash, check, or money order to pay for copies. Call ahead to confirm payment methods accepted at each location.

Filing Civil Cases in Inyo County

File civil cases at the Inyo County courthouse serving the area where the case belongs. The clerk's office accepts complaints, answers, and other initial filings. You pay the filing fee when you submit your documents.

Filing fees follow the California statewide schedule. Unlimited civil complaints over $35,000 cost $435 to file. The defendant pays $435 to file an answer. Limited civil cases between $10,000 and $35,000 cost $370 for the complaint. Smaller limited civil cases under $10,000 cost $225.

Small claims cases have lower fees based on the claim amount. Claims up to $1,500 cost $30 to file. Claims between $1,500 and $5,000 cost $50. Claims between $5,000 and $10,000 cost $75. Small claims court is designed for people without lawyers.

Fee waivers are available for people who cannot afford court fees. Fill out a fee waiver application with information about your income and expenses. The court reviews the application and grants or denies the waiver. If granted, you can proceed without paying standard fees.

You can file some documents by mail. Send filings to the appropriate courthouse with payment. The clerk processes mailed filings and stamps them with the filing date. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want copies returned.

Types of Civil Cases

Inyo County Superior Court handles all civil case types under California law. Unlimited civil cases involve amounts over $35,000. These include business disputes, personal injury claims, real estate litigation, and contract cases. Discovery is extensive. Trials can take a full day or longer.

Limited civil cases cover smaller disputes up to $35,000. Common limited civil cases include landlord-tenant matters, debt collection, property damage, and breach of contract. Unlawful detainer eviction cases are limited civil matters. These cases move faster than unlimited civil cases with simplified procedures.

Small claims cases handle amounts up to $10,000. You represent yourself in small claims court. Both sides present evidence to the judge without formal rules of evidence. The judge makes a decision quickly, often the same day. Appeals from small claims go to the limited civil division.

The court also handles probate matters, guardianships, and conservatorships. These cases involve estates of deceased persons and protection of minors or incapacitated adults. Special procedures and timelines apply.

Note: Family law cases are handled separately with restricted public access under California privacy rules.

Legal Help and Resources

The Inyo County Superior Court website at inyo.courts.ca.gov has information about court procedures and contact information. Check the website for court hours, locations, and local rules.

California Courts Self-Help at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov provides guides for people representing themselves in civil cases. You can download forms and read step-by-step instructions for different case types. The guides are written in plain language.

Legal aid may be available if you have low income. Legal Services of Northern California serves rural California counties. They provide free legal help in civil matters for people who qualify. Contact them to see if they can assist with your case.

The State Bar of California operates a lawyer referral service at calbar.ca.gov. You can find attorneys who practice in Inyo County or nearby areas. Many lawyers offer reduced-fee initial consultations through the referral program.

Because Inyo County is rural, some legal services may be based in nearby counties. Attorneys licensed in California can represent clients anywhere in the state.

Public Records Access Rules

Most civil court records are public in California. Government Code Section 68150 requires courts to make records accessible to the public. You can view and copy case files unless the law restricts access.

California Rules of Court Rule 2.503 limits remote electronic access to some case types. Family law, guardianship, conservatorship, and mental health cases have restricted online access. You can only see registers of actions and calendars remotely. Full files must be viewed at the courthouse.

Unlawful detainer eviction cases have a 60-day confidentiality period under Code of Civil Procedure Section 1161.2. Public access is limited for the first 60 days after filing. The cases become public after this period if the plaintiff wins at trial.

Courts can seal records by court order. Sealed records are not available to anyone without permission from the judge. Sealing is only allowed when required by law or necessary to protect important privacy interests.

Nearby California Counties

Inyo County borders several other Eastern California counties. Each has its own Superior Court.