Merced County Civil Court Records

The Superior Court of California, County of Merced maintains civil court records for all cases filed within the county. The court provides online access to case information through its online records portal. Civil cases include unlimited actions over $35,000, limited cases up to $35,000, and small claims under $10,000. The court serves Merced and other communities throughout Merced County. Most civil records are available to the public, though certain sensitive cases may have restricted access as required by state law or court order.

Online Records Portal

Merced County Superior Court offers free online case searches through the online records portal at merced.courts.ca.gov. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney name. The system displays case information for civil, family, probate, criminal, and traffic cases.

Search results show the case number, filing date, case type, and current status. When you click on a case, you can 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. This gives you a complete timeline of what happened in the case.

Some documents may be available for download through the portal depending on the case type and when they were filed. For document copies not available online, you must visit the courthouse in person or submit a written request to the court clerk.

Merced County Courthouse

The Merced County Superior Court is located in Merced, the county seat. This courthouse handles all civil filings for the entire county. If you need to file a case, review files in person, or speak with court staff, this is where you go.

Court hours are typically Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Some offices may close for lunch. Call ahead to confirm current hours before making the trip. The phone number and directions are available on the court website.

When you visit in person, bring a valid photo ID. Court security checks 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. Clerks cannot give legal advice, but they can explain court procedures and requirements.

Court Fees in Merced County

Filing fees in Merced County follow California's statewide schedule. An unlimited civil complaint costs $435 to file. This applies when your claim exceeds $35,000. The defendant's answer in an unlimited case also costs $435.

Limited civil cases involve claims between $10,000 and $35,000. A limited civil complaint 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 before filing or requesting services.

Civil Case Types

Merced County Superior Court handles all types 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 resolves disputes up to $10,000 for most people. Businesses that file 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
• Vehicle damage from minor collisions

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

How to Get Copies

You can request copies of civil court records in person or by mail. Visit the courthouse and ask the clerk for copies. Staff can make copies while you wait if the file is on-site and your request is not too large. Bring the case number to speed up the process.

For mail requests, send a written letter to the court. Include the case number, the names of the parties, and what documents you need. Provide a return address and phone number in case staff need to contact you. 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.

Online searches give instant results. Type in a name or case number and the portal displays matching cases right away. Downloading documents from the portal takes just a few minutes once you pay the fee, if documents are available online.

Legal Resources

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.

Merced 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.

Nearby California Counties

Merced County borders other counties with their own Superior Courts.