San Luis Obispo County Civil Cases

Civil court records for San Luis Obispo County are maintained by the Superior Court and made available through the re:SearchCA platform. This county serves over 280,000 people and includes cities like San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, and Atascadero. The online system lets you search civil cases by party name, case number, or attorney. You can view case summaries, registers of actions showing all filings and court events, and download many documents filed since 2008. Civil cases include unlimited matters over $35,000, limited cases from $10,000 to $35,000, small claims under $10,000, and probate proceedings. San Luis Obispo County was the first in California to use the re:SearchCA multi-jurisdictional platform, which now serves several counties.

Using the re:SearchCA Platform

San Luis Obispo Superior Court provides case access through re:SearchCA at slo.courts.ca.gov. This platform was developed specifically for California courts. San Luis Obispo was the first county to implement it. The system now serves multiple California counties with a unified search experience.

There is no cost to register and search cases with re:SearchCA using the Basic Free package. Type a party name or case number into the search box. The system returns matching cases from civil, family, probate, traffic, and criminal divisions. Results show the case number, filing date, case type, and current status.

Click on a case to see the register of actions. The register lists every document filed, every hearing held, and every order issued. This gives you a complete timeline of what happened in the case from start to finish. The level of detail helps you understand how the case progressed through the court system.

Documents are available for download and purchase at $0.50 per page. The platform requires payment by credit card. Many documents filed after 2008 are scanned and available online. Older cases may only have partial records available for download. Some case types have restricted remote access under California Rules of Court Rule 2.503.

Visiting the Courthouse for Records

The main courthouse is at 1035 Palm Street in San Luis Obispo. This location handles most civil unlimited cases, probate matters, and family law. The North County courthouse is at 1122 Morro Road in Atascadero. This branch handles civil limited cases, small claims, and some traffic matters from North County areas. Both locations provide public access to case files during business hours.

You need valid government-issued photo identification to view case files. Court staff will not release files without proper ID. Tell the clerk which case you want to see. Provide a case number if you have one. If you only know party names, the clerk will search the index to find the case.

Files stored at the courthouse are usually available within minutes. Files kept in off-site storage take longer to retrieve. Retrieval times vary depending on archive workload and the age of the file. Contact the court for an estimate if you need an older file that might be in storage.

You can review files and take notes. 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

San Luis Obispo County follows California's statewide civil fee schedule. Filing an unlimited civil complaint over $35,000 costs $435. The defendant's answer in an unlimited case also costs $435. Limited civil complaints seeking $10,000 to $35,000 cost $370 to file. Cases under $10,000 cost $225 for the answer or first paper filed by the defendant.

Small claims cases have lower filing fees. The amount depends on your claim size and how many small claims cases you have filed this year. Most individuals pay between $30 and $75. Businesses that file more than 12 small claims per year pay higher fees. Check the court's fee schedule for the exact amount based on your situation.

Copy fees are uniform across California at $0.50 per page. Certification adds $40 to any document. If you request a certified copy of a 12-page order, you pay $6 for copies plus $40 for certification, totaling $46. The court also charges a $15 research fee if staff spend more than 10 minutes searching for records without a case number.

Exemplification costs $50 plus copy fees. Exemplification is a higher authentication level than certification. It is sometimes required for use in federal court or other states. Most people only need regular certified copies, not exemplification.

Types of Civil Cases

San Luis Obispo County Superior Court handles all civil disputes within the county. Unlimited civil cases involve claims over $35,000. These include personal injury from auto accidents or slip and fall incidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death, breach of contract, business litigation, employment disputes, real estate conflicts, and professional negligence. Unlimited civil cases use full discovery procedures with depositions, interrogatories, and document requests.

Limited civil cases cover amounts between $10,001 and $35,000. Typical limited civil matters include:

• Landlord-tenant disputes over lease violations or unpaid rent
• Unlawful detainer eviction proceedings
• Property damage claims under $35,000
• Debt collection lawsuits by creditors
• Breach of contract between individuals or businesses
• Consumer complaints about goods or services

Small claims court handles disputes up to $10,000. You cannot have a lawyer represent you in small claims. You present your case directly to the judge. The process is informal and quick. Most cases are heard within two to three months of filing. The judge makes a decision the same day in most situations. Common small claims cases include security deposit disputes, minor vehicle damage, unpaid loans between friends, and contract disagreements under $10,000.

Probate cases involve estates, wills, trusts, conservatorships, and guardianships. Probate records are generally public unless sealed by court order. Simple uncontested estates might close in six to nine months. Contested probate litigation can take years to resolve.

Public Access and Privacy Rules

California law requires courts to make records reasonably available to the public. Government Code Section 68150 establishes the framework for electronic record access. Courts must provide access to records in some form, whether electronic or paper. But access varies by case type under California Rules of Court Rule 2.503.

Civil unlimited and limited cases have full remote access. You can search cases and download documents from anywhere with an internet connection. Family law, guardianship, conservatorship, mental health, civil harassment, workplace violence, elder abuse, and gun violence restraining order cases have limited remote access. You can see case numbers and basic information online, but you must visit the courthouse to view actual documents.

These restrictions protect sensitive personal information from widespread internet distribution. The goal is to balance public access with individual privacy. Courts regularly review access rules as technology and legal standards evolve.

Sealed cases do not appear in any public search. A judge seals a case only when required by law or when a party proves a compelling interest that outweighs the public's right to access. Sealing motions must follow strict procedures. Most civil cases remain fully public throughout their existence.

Unlawful detainer eviction cases are masked from public view for 60 days after filing under Code of Civil Procedure Section 1161.2. After 60 days, the case becomes searchable if the landlord obtained a judgment after trial. This protects tenants from having eviction filings immediately show up when they apply for new housing.

Note: If you have questions about whether a specific record is available remotely, contact the court clerk's office for guidance.

Self-Help and Legal Assistance

San Luis Obispo County Superior Court operates a self-help center for people without lawyers. The center provides information about court procedures, forms, and filing requirements. Staff can explain how the process works but cannot give legal advice about what you should do in your case. Self-help services are free and available at the San Luis Obispo courthouse.

Legal Services of San Luis Obispo County provides free civil legal assistance to low-income residents. They handle housing, family law, consumer, and public benefits matters. You must meet income guidelines to qualify. Contact Legal Services to see if they can help with your case.

The San Luis Obispo County Bar Association operates a lawyer referral service. For a modest fee, you get a 30-minute consultation with a private attorney. This helps you understand your legal options and decide whether to hire a lawyer for full representation. The bar association website lists participating attorneys by practice area.

Court Contact Information

The main courthouse is at 1035 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408. This location handles unlimited civil cases, probate, and family law. The North County courthouse is at 1122 Morro Road, Atascadero, CA 93422. This branch handles civil limited cases and small claims for North County areas.

Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Some services close earlier for processing. Arrive before 3:30 p.m. if you need same-day filing or records access. The courthouse is closed on state holidays. Check the court website for holiday schedules and any temporary closures.

For general information, visit slo.courts.ca.gov. The website has forms, fee schedules, local rules, court calendars, and links to online services including the re:SearchCA platform. You can also find contact information for specific departments and services.

Major Cities in San Luis Obispo County

San Luis Obispo is the county seat with a population around 47,000. Paso Robles is the largest city with over 30,000 residents. Atascadero has a population around 30,000. Other incorporated cities include Morro Bay, Pismo Beach, Grover Beach, and Arroyo Grande. All civil cases filed in these cities go through the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court system.

Nearby Counties

San Luis Obispo County borders Monterey County to the north, Santa Barbara County to the south, and Kern County to the east. Each county operates its own Superior Court with separate case records. If your case involves parties or property in another county, you may need to file there instead of San Luis Obispo County.