Mendocino County Civil Court Records

Civil court records for Mendocino County are maintained by the Superior Court of California, County of Mendocino. The main courthouse is in Ukiah and handles all civil litigation for the county. Online access is available through re:SearchCA, a multi-jurisdictional case search platform. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney to find cases. The portal displays case registers of actions, court calendars, and indexes at no charge for basic viewing. Documents can be downloaded for a fee of $0.50 per page. California law makes most civil records public, though certain sensitive case types have restricted online access to protect privacy.

re:SearchCA Portal Access

Mendocino County uses re:SearchCA at mendocino.courts.ca.gov/portal. This is a new multi-jurisdictional case search platform that several California counties have adopted. The system lets you search court cases and hearings across participating counties. There is no cost to register and search cases using the Basic Free package.

Enter a party's name to find all cases involving that person or business. The system searches the Mendocino County court database and returns matching results. Each result shows the case number, filing date, case type, and current status. Click on a case to view the register of actions. This register lists every filing, motion, hearing, and court order in chronological sequence.

If you have the case number, search by that for precise results. The portal updates regularly as new filings occur and court events happen. Basic searches and case viewing are free. Documents are available for download and purchase at $0.50 per page. You can pay with a credit card through the portal.

Mendocino County Courthouse

The Mendocino County Superior Court main location is at 100 North State Street in Ukiah, California 95482. All civil cases for the county are filed here. Call (707) 463-4611 for general court information. The civil clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Visit the courthouse during business hours to file documents, pay fees, or get copies of records. Bring valid photo ID if you want to review physical case files. The clerk's office staff can help with procedural questions and direct you to the right forms. They cannot give legal advice about your case but can explain court rules and filing requirements.

Public parking is available near the courthouse. Some spots have time limits. Read parking signs to avoid tickets. All visitors pass through security screening at the entrance. Do not bring weapons, large bags, or recording devices without permission. The court website lists prohibited items.

The court also has branch locations in Fort Bragg for certain case types. Civil cases are primarily handled at the Ukiah courthouse. Contact the clerk's office if you are unsure which location serves your needs.

Fees for Records and Filing

Copy fees in Mendocino County follow California state law. Copies cost $0.50 per page. A 30-page document costs $15.00 for plain copies. Certified copies add a $40 certification fee. If you certify those 30 pages, you pay $15.00 for copies plus $40.00 for certification, totaling $55.00.

The court charges a $15 search fee when you do not provide a case number and staff must search for more than 10 minutes. Give the case number whenever possible to avoid this charge and get faster service. Exemplification costs $50 plus the per-page copy fee. This higher form of certification is sometimes required for out-of-state use.

Filing fees match the California statewide schedule. An unlimited civil complaint where the amount exceeds $35,000 costs $435 to file. The defendant pays $435 to file an answer in an unlimited case. Limited civil complaints between $10,000 and $35,000 cost $370. An answer in a limited civil case under $10,000 costs $225.

Small claims filing fees range from $30 to $75 based on the claim amount. Claims under $1,500 cost $30. Claims from $1,500 to $5,000 cost $50. Claims over $5,000 up to the $10,000 limit cost $75. Fee waivers are available for low-income parties who qualify. Ask the clerk for fee waiver forms or download them from the court website.

Civil Case Categories

Mendocino County Superior Court hears unlimited civil cases involving more than $35,000. These include personal injury lawsuits from car accidents, slip and fall incidents, and other injuries. Medical malpractice cases fall under unlimited civil jurisdiction. Business disputes over contracts, fraud, and partnership issues are unlimited civil matters. Real estate litigation involving title disputes, boundary issues, and construction defects also goes to unlimited civil court.

Limited civil cases cover amounts from $10,000 to $35,000. Common limited civil cases include landlord-tenant disputes, property damage claims, contract disagreements, and debt collection lawsuits. Unlawful detainer eviction proceedings fall under limited civil jurisdiction. These cases have simpler procedures than unlimited cases. Discovery is more limited and trials are shorter.

Small claims court handles disputes up to $10,000 for individuals. Businesses filing more than 12 small claims per year are limited to $5,000 per claim. Lawyers cannot represent parties in small claims hearings. Both sides present evidence directly to the judge. The judge usually decides that day. Common small claims matters include:

• Security deposit disputes after tenants move out
• Minor vehicle damage from accidents
• Personal loans that were not repaid
• Disputes over defective products or poor service
• Breach of simple contracts
• Property damage caused by neighbors

Probate cases involve estates of deceased persons. The court supervises distribution of assets according to wills or intestacy laws. Executors are appointed to manage estates. Will contests are heard in probate court. Guardianships of minor children and conservatorships of incapacitated adults also go through the probate division.

Public Access and Privacy

Most civil court records in California are public. Anyone can search for cases online or at the courthouse. You do not need to be a party to the case. You do not need to explain why you want the records. State law gives the public a right to access court files. But some information is kept confidential to protect privacy.

Family law cases have limited online access. You can view the register of actions but not the actual filed documents remotely. This protects privacy in divorce, custody, and support cases. You must visit the courthouse to see documents in most family matters. Criminal case documents are also restricted from remote access. The register is available online but actual filings require courthouse access.

Sensitive information is removed from public records. Financial account numbers are redacted. Social Security numbers are truncated or removed. Information about minor children in custody cases is often sealed. A party can file a motion asking the judge to seal records by showing good cause. Sealed records do not appear in public searches.

Unlawful detainer eviction cases have a 60-day confidentiality period. During the first 60 days after filing, the case is not available to the general public unless you are a party or provide specific case details. After 60 days, if judgment was entered for the plaintiff after trial, the case becomes fully public.

Request Processing Times

Online searches give instant results. Type a name or case number and the portal displays matches within seconds. Download a document and it becomes available in minutes after payment. The online portal is the fastest way to get case information and documents that are available electronically.

In-person requests at the courthouse vary by workload and file location. If the file is on-site and staff are not busy, you might get copies in under an hour. If the file is stored off-site, retrieval takes longer. Ask the clerk how long it will take when you make your request. Bring the case number to speed things up.

Written requests by mail take the longest time. The court processes them in order received. Processing time depends on current workload. It can take several weeks during busy periods. Include complete contact information on mail requests so staff can reach you with questions. If you need records quickly, use the online portal or visit in person rather than mailing a request.

Cities in Mendocino County

Mendocino County includes several cities and unincorporated areas. All civil cases from county residents are filed at Mendocino County Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

Mendocino County borders other counties with separate Superior Court systems.