Marin County Civil Case Search

Civil court records in Marin County are maintained by the Superior Court and made available through an online portal system. The court serves a population of over 260,000 people from its main location in San Rafael. You can search civil cases, probate matters, and small claims disputes through the court's ePortal. The online system provides access to case information, registers of actions, and documents filed in public cases. Some records require in-person viewing at the courthouse due to privacy protections or confidentiality orders. Access to court files follows California Rules of Court Rule 2.503, which defines what records can be viewed remotely and what must be accessed at the courthouse.

Access the eCourt Online Portal

Marin County Superior Court provides public access to case records through its ePortal at marin.courts.ca.gov. The system allows you to search for civil cases by party name, attorney name, or case number. Once you find a case, the portal displays the register of actions showing all filings, hearings, and court orders. Many documents filed after 2008 are available to view and download directly from the portal.

The ePortal covers civil unlimited cases, civil limited cases, small claims, and probate matters. Not all case types have remote access. Family law cases can be searched by name and case number, but documents are only available at the courthouse. The same goes for cases that have been sealed or made confidential by court order. When you search for a case, the system shows you what is available for remote viewing and what requires an in-person visit.

Document downloads cost $0.50 per page. The portal requires a credit card for payment. There is no charge to search or view the register of actions. You only pay if you download a document. The court uses these fees to maintain the online system and comply with cost recovery rules in Government Code Section 68150.

Some cases may not appear in the online portal. Very old cases filed before the court implemented electronic records may only exist in paper format. These files are stored in the courthouse archives. You need to visit the court or submit a written request to access archived paper files.

Viewing Records at the Courthouse

The Marin County Superior Court is at 3501 Civic Center Drive in San Rafael. The courthouse is open for public records access from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays. You need a valid government photo ID to view case files. Court staff will not release files without proper identification.

Tell the clerk which case you want to see. Provide a case number if you have one. If not, give the names of the parties and an approximate filing date. The clerk will search the index to locate the file. Files stored on-site are usually available right away. Files kept off-site in storage take longer to retrieve.

Off-site file retrieval costs $5 per file. Staff will notify you when the file arrives at the courthouse for review. Plan ahead if you need older files that are likely in storage. Retrieval can take several days depending on workload and storage facility schedules.

You can take notes while reviewing files. You cannot remove documents or make marks on court papers. If you need copies, ask the clerk. Copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost an additional $40 for the certification on top of the copy fee. Certification verifies that the copies are true and accurate reproductions of the official court record.

Court Filing and Copy Fees

Filing a civil complaint in Marin County follows California's statewide fee schedule. Unlimited civil cases claiming more than $35,000 cost $435 to file. The defendant's answer or first responsive paper also costs $435. Limited civil cases with claims between $10,000 and $35,000 cost $370 for the initial filing. Cases under $10,000 have a $225 fee for answers and first papers filed by defendants.

Small claims cases cost less to file. The fee depends on how much you are claiming and how many cases you have filed this year. Most people pay between $30 and $75 to file a small claims case. Businesses that file more than 12 small claims per year pay higher fees.

Copy fees are uniform across California. Every page costs $0.50. Certification adds $40 regardless of page count. A certified copy of a five-page order costs $2.50 for copies plus $40 for certification, which totals $42.50. The court publishes its fee schedule online and updates it when state law changes. Check the current schedule before filing or requesting services.

Types of Civil Cases Filed

Marin County Superior Court handles all civil disputes within the county. Unlimited civil cases involve claims over $35,000. These include personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death, breach of contract, business disputes, real estate litigation, and professional negligence. Complex cases with multiple parties or difficult legal issues go through unlimited civil procedures.

Limited civil cases cover amounts from $10,001 to $35,000. Typical limited civil matters include landlord-tenant disputes, property damage claims, debt collection lawsuits, and contract disagreements. Unlawful detainer eviction cases are limited civil matters. The process is faster than unlimited civil with simplified rules. Most limited civil cases resolve within six to twelve months.

Small claims court is for disputes up to $10,000. You do not need a lawyer. The judge hears both sides and makes a decision the same day in most cases. Common small claims cases include:

• Security deposit disputes between landlords and tenants
• Minor auto accident property damage claims
• Unpaid bills for services or goods
• Breach of contract under $10,000
• Consumer complaints about products or services

Probate cases are also handled by the civil division. These involve wills, trusts, conservatorships, and guardianships. Probate records are public unless sealed by court order. You can search probate cases through the same ePortal used for civil cases.

Self-Help and Legal Aid

Marin County Superior Court operates a self-help center for people who do not have lawyers. The center provides information about court procedures, forms, and filing requirements. Staff cannot give legal advice but can explain how the process works. The self-help center is located at the courthouse in San Rafael.

Legal Aid of Marin serves low-income residents with free civil legal assistance. They handle housing issues, family law, consumer problems, and public benefits disputes. You must meet income guidelines to qualify for their services. Contact Legal Aid at legalaidmarin.org to see if you are eligible.

The State Bar of California operates a lawyer referral service. You pay a small fee for a 30-minute consultation with a private attorney. This helps you understand your options and decide if you need full representation. Visit the State Bar website to find participating attorneys in Marin County.

Public Access and Privacy Rules

Most civil court records are public. California Rules of Court Rule 2.503 requires courts to provide electronic access to civil case records to the extent feasible. The rule balances public access with privacy protections. Some case types have restricted remote access even though they are technically public records.

Family law cases appear in name searches, but you can only view documents at the courthouse. The same applies to guardianship, conservatorship, mental health, and civil harassment cases. These restrictions protect sensitive personal information from widespread internet distribution. You can still access these records by visiting the court in person with valid identification.

Sealed cases do not appear in public searches at all. A judge seals a case when there is a compelling reason to keep it confidential. Sealed cases are rare. Parties must file a motion and convince the judge that sealing is necessary to protect trade secrets, privacy, or other interests that outweigh the public's right to access.

Unlawful detainer eviction records have special access rules under Code of Civil Procedure Section 1161.2. These cases are masked from public view for 60 days after filing. After 60 days, they become searchable if the landlord wins the case. This delay protects tenants from having eviction filings immediately show up in background checks when they are looking for new housing.

Note: Access rules can be complex. If you have questions about a specific case, contact the court clerk's office for guidance.

Marin County Superior Court Contact

The main courthouse is at 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903. The civil division handles all civil filings, record requests, and public access services. Phone the civil clerk's office at (707) 263-2374 for questions about case status, filing requirements, or document requests.

Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The courthouse is closed on state holidays. Some services like filing and records access may close earlier than 4:00 p.m. for processing. Arrive before 3:30 p.m. if you need same-day service.

For online access, visit marin.courts.ca.gov. The website has forms, fee schedules, court calendars, and links to the ePortal case search. You can also find information about local rules, court procedures, and self-help resources.

Major Cities in Marin County

San Rafael is the county seat and largest city in Marin County. The courthouse is located in San Rafael. Other incorporated cities include Novato, San Anselmo, Mill Valley, Sausalito, Corte Madera, Larkspur, Fairfax, Ross, Tiburon, and Belvedere. All civil cases filed in these cities go through the Marin County Superior Court in San Rafael.

Nearby Counties

Marin County borders several other counties. Sonoma County is to the north. San Francisco County is to the south across the Golden Gate Bridge. Contra Costa County is to the east across the bay. Each county has its own Superior Court system with separate records. Civil cases must be filed in the county where the dispute arose or where the defendant resides.