Los Angeles County Civil Court Records

Civil court records in Los Angeles County are maintained by the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. This court handles all civil cases filed within the county, including unlimited civil actions over $35,000, limited civil cases between $10,000 and $35,000, and small claims under $10,000. The court provides online access to case information through multiple portals. Records date back to the early 1980s for most case types, with document images available from 2000 forward for many divisions.

Search Civil Cases Online

Los Angeles Superior Court offers online access to civil case information through the Civil Index portal at lacourt.ca.gov. You can search by name for litigants in civil, small claims, family law, and probate cases. The system is updated daily. Each search returns a list of names, case types, filing dates, filing locations, and the number of available imaged documents.

The Civil Index charges a fee for searches. Each name search costs $4.75. You pay by credit card when you conduct the search. The fee helps reimburse the court for the costs of providing public access to electronic records, as allowed under California Rule of Court 2.506 and Government Code Section 68150.

Document downloads from the system cost money too. The fee schedule is $1.00 per page for documents between 1 and 5 pages. Additional pages cost $0.40 each. The maximum charge per document is $40.00. If you need several documents from a case, the costs can add up fast.

The online system contains records for unlimited civil cases dating back to 1983. Limited civil records, which include unlawful detainer eviction cases, start in 1991. Small claims records begin in 1992. Family law records go back to 1983 as well. Probate records in the system start in 1983. Document images are available for different case types starting on different dates. Unlimited civil document images at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse begin on March 15, 2000. Limited civil documents start from January 1, 1970. Small claims documents date from January 21, 1988. Family law documents begin on May 1, 2000. Probate documents start on January 1, 2001.

Los Angeles Court Locations

Los Angeles County has more than 40 courthouse locations. The Civil Division main office is at 111 N. Hill Street in downtown Los Angeles. This location handles many unlimited civil cases. The Stanley Mosk Courthouse serves as the central civil courthouse for the county.

Other courthouses handle civil cases in different geographic areas of the county. Cases are filed at the courthouse that serves the area where the dispute arose or where the defendant lives. You can find a complete list of court locations and their addresses on the Los Angeles Superior Court website.

If you need to visit a courthouse in person, bring photo ID. Court security requires identification to enter the building. Public hours vary by location but most courthouses open around 8:00 or 8:30 in the morning and close by 4:00 or 4:30 in the afternoon on weekdays.

Filing Documents in Los Angeles County

Los Angeles Superior Court uses an e-filing portal powered by Journal Technologies. You can access the portal at portal-lasc.journaltech.com. The portal allows attorneys and self-represented litigants to file documents electronically. E-filing is required for most civil cases. Some exceptions exist for self-represented parties in certain case types.

To use the e-filing portal, you must create an account. The system asks for basic contact information. Once registered, you can upload documents in PDF format. The system accepts filings 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Documents filed before 11:59 PM on a court day are considered filed that day, as long as you submit them correctly.

Filing fees are paid through the portal using a credit card or e-check. The portal shows the fee amount before you submit the filing. Court fees in Los Angeles County match the statewide schedule for most case types. Filing a complaint in an unlimited civil case costs $435. The answer costs $435 as well. Limited civil filing fees are lower. Small claims cases have fees based on the amount claimed.

Getting Copies of Court Records

You have several ways to get copies of civil court records in Los Angeles County. Online access through the Civil Index portal lets you download documents for a fee if images are available for that case. Not all cases have document images, especially older cases or cases from certain courthouses.

For records not available online, you can visit the courthouse where the case was filed. Ask the clerk for copies of specific documents. Provide the case number or the names of the parties. Clerks charge $0.50 per page for copies. Certified copies cost an additional $40 certification fee on top of the per-page cost.

You can also request copies by mail. Send a written request to the court location where the case is filed. Include the case number, the specific documents you want, and your contact information. Mail a check for the estimated costs. The court will process your request and mail the copies to you. Processing times for mail requests vary depending on workload.

For very old records, the court maintains archives. Records before 1965 are at one archive facility. Records from 1965 forward are at a different location. Call the Civil Division at (213) 974-1378 for pre-1965 records or (213) 893-0809 for post-1965 records. Archive staff can help you locate older case files.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Los Angeles Superior Court publishes answers to common questions about online access at lacourt.org. The FAQ page covers topics like search fees, document costs, what records are available online, and how far back the records go.

If you have technical problems with the online portal, you can email the court at onlineServices@lacourt.org. Include details about the error you encountered and what you were trying to do. The online services team responds to technical support requests during business hours.

For general questions about civil cases, court procedures, or filing requirements, the court website at lacourt.ca.gov has extensive information. The site includes guides for different types of cases, forms, local rules, and contact information for specific divisions.

The court also operates a public help center where you can get assistance in person. Staff can answer questions about procedures but cannot give legal advice. If you need a lawyer, the Los Angeles County Bar Association offers a referral service.

Civil Case Types in Los Angeles County

Los Angeles Superior Court handles all categories of civil cases. Unlimited civil cases involve amounts over $35,000. These cases include complex business disputes, personal injury lawsuits, real estate litigation, and professional malpractice claims. Trial procedures in unlimited civil cases are more formal than in limited civil cases. Discovery is extensive. Trials can last weeks or months for complicated matters.

Limited civil cases cover disputes between $10,000 and $35,000. Common limited civil cases include breach of contract actions, property damage claims, landlord-tenant disputes, and collection lawsuits. Unlawful detainer eviction cases fall under limited civil jurisdiction. These cases move faster than unlimited civil cases. Discovery is restricted. Trials are usually shorter.

Small claims cases handle amounts up to $10,000 for individuals and $5,000 for businesses that file frequently. People use small claims court for unpaid debts, security deposit disputes, minor car accidents, and other everyday conflicts. You do not need a lawyer in small claims court. Both sides present their evidence to the judge. The judge decides the case the same day in most instances. Appeals from small claims go to the limited civil division.

Note: Family law cases are kept in a separate system with restricted public access under California privacy rules.

Major Cities in Los Angeles County

Los Angeles County includes numerous cities and unincorporated areas. Residents of these cities file civil cases in Los Angeles Superior Court. Major cities include:

Nearby California Counties

Los Angeles County borders several other counties. Each has its own Superior Court system for civil cases.