San Bernardino Civil Court Records

The Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino maintains civil court records for all cases filed in San Bernardino County. The court offers remote access to view documents from civil cases through an online portal. You can search case information and download documents for a fee. Records are available for cases filed in 1998 or later. Older cases have limited data in the online system. The county has multiple court districts serving different geographic areas.

Court Access Portal

San Bernardino Superior Court provides online access at cap.sb-court.org. The Court Access Portal lets you search for case information and view documents. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney name. The system returns matching cases with basic information like case number, filing date, and case type.

Documents can be viewed and downloaded from the portal. The cost for this service is $0.50 per page. You pay by credit card when you download documents. The portal processes your payment and makes the file available for download immediately in most cases.

Case data for cases filed before 1998 may be limited. For older cases, contact the specific court district where the case was filed. Staff can help you locate older files that may not be fully available in the online system. Some very old cases exist only in paper form at courthouse archives.

San Bernardino Court Districts

San Bernardino County has four main court districts. The San Bernardino District handles criminal matters at 247 West Third Street in San Bernardino. The phone number is (909) 384-1888. The Rancho Cucamonga District is at 8303 Haven Avenue in Rancho Cucamonga. Call (909) 350-9764 for information. The Victorville District serves the High Desert area at 14455 Civic Drive in Victorville. The phone is (760) 245-6215. The Fontana District is at 17780 Arrow Boulevard in Fontana with phone (909) 350-9322.

Each district serves specific cities and communities in the county. When you file a case, you file in the district that has jurisdiction over your matter. This depends on where the parties live or where the dispute occurred. Contact the clerk's office if you are unsure which district handles your case.

Civil cases are assigned based on case type and location. The clerk will direct you to the correct courthouse when you file. You can find maps, directions, and detailed contact information for all court locations on the San Bernardino Superior Court website.

Getting Copies of Documents

You have several options to get copies of court documents in San Bernardino County. The online Court Access Portal offers the fastest option for cases with electronic documents. Search for the case, find the document you need, and download it for $0.50 per page. This works well for recent cases filed after 1998.

For cases not available online, visit the courthouse in person. Bring photo ID. Tell the clerk the case number or party names. The clerk will pull the file for you to review. You can request copies of specific documents. Copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies add a $40 certification fee on top of the per-page cost.

You can also request copies by mail. Write to the court district where the case is filed. Include the case number, the documents you need, and your contact information. Send payment for estimated costs. The court will process your request and mail the copies to you. Mail requests take longer than online or in-person methods.

Court Fees

Filing fees in San Bernardino County include state fees plus local surcharges. The total cost to file an unlimited civil complaint exceeds the base statewide amount of $435 due to local fees. Limited civil cases and small claims have lower fees. Check the court's current fee schedule for exact amounts including all surcharges.

Copy fees follow the standard California rate. Copies cost $0.50 per page. A certified copy costs $40 for certification plus the per-page fee. If you need 15 pages certified, you pay $7.50 for copies and $40.00 for certification, totaling $47.50.

The court charges a $15 research fee if staff spend more than 10 minutes searching for records when you do not provide a case number. This fee covers the extra time needed to locate files. Providing a case number whenever possible helps avoid this charge.

Fee waivers are available for people who cannot afford court costs. File a fee waiver application with proof of low income. The judge will decide if you qualify. Approved waivers reduce or eliminate filing fees for your case.

Types of Civil Cases

San Bernardino Superior Court handles all civil case types. Unlimited civil cases involve claims over $35,000. These include personal injury lawsuits, breach of contract actions, real estate disputes, business litigation, and professional malpractice claims. Discovery is extensive. Trials can last days or weeks depending on complexity.

Limited civil cases cover disputes between $10,000 and $35,000. Common limited civil matters include landlord-tenant disputes, property damage claims, contract disagreements, and debt collection lawsuits. Unlawful detainer eviction cases fall under limited civil jurisdiction. Procedures are simpler and faster than unlimited civil cases.

Small claims court handles amounts up to $10,000 for individuals. Businesses filing more than 12 small claims per year are limited to $5,000 per case. No attorneys are allowed in small claims court. You present your evidence to the judge yourself. The judge decides the case and announces the ruling the same day in most situations.

Common small claims cases include:

• Unpaid personal loans or debts
• Security deposit disputes
• Car accident property damage
• Defective product complaints
• Contract breaches under $10,000
• Property boundary disputes

Court Resources and Help

The San Bernardino Superior Court website at sanbernardino.courts.ca.gov provides information about procedures, forms, and services. The civil division page at sanbernardino.courts.ca.gov/divisions/civil has resources specific to civil cases. You can find local rules, filing instructions, and contact information for each court district.

The court offers self-help services for people representing themselves. Self-help staff can explain procedures and help you complete forms. They cannot give legal advice or tell you what arguments to make in your case. If you need a lawyer, the San Bernardino County Bar Association operates a referral service to connect you with attorneys.

Online services information is available at sanbernardino.courts.ca.gov/online-services/case-information-documents. This page explains how to use the Court Access Portal, what records are available, and how to get copies of documents.

Note: Court hours and services may change, so check the website or call ahead before visiting.

How Long Records Take

Online searches return results immediately. Type in a name or case number and the portal displays matching cases right away. Document downloads take just a few minutes after you pay the fee. The system is usually fast and responsive.

In-person requests vary by how busy the clerk's office is. If the file is on-site and staff are available, you might get copies in an hour or less. If the file is stored off-site, retrieval takes longer. Ask the clerk for an estimate when you make your request.

Mail requests take the longest. The court processes written requests in the order received. Allow several weeks for the court to locate the file, make copies, and mail them to you. If you need records urgently, online access or an in-person visit works better.

Cities in San Bernardino County

San Bernardino County includes many cities. Residents file civil cases in San Bernardino Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

San Bernardino County borders other counties with separate court systems.