Solano County Civil Case Access

Civil court records for Solano County are kept by the Superior Court and made available through an online case portal. The county has over 450,000 residents and includes cities like Fairfield, Vallejo, and Vacaville. You can search for cases by party name, case number, or attorney using the court's online system. The portal displays case summaries, registers of actions showing all filings and court events, and many documents filed since the court began electronic filing. Civil cases include unlimited matters over $35,000, limited cases from $10,000 to $35,000, small claims under $10,000, and probate proceedings. The court uses Tyler Technologies Odyssey software for its case management and public access system.

Search Cases Through Online Portal

Solano County Superior Court provides online case access at portal.solano.courts.ca.gov. The portal runs on Odyssey software from Tyler Technologies. You do not need to register or create an account to search. Just enter a party name or case number to begin your search.

Search results show the case type, filing date, and current status. Click on any case to view the full register of actions. The register lists every document filed, every hearing held, and every order issued. This provides a complete timeline of what happened in the case from start to finish.

Many documents are available to download for a fee. The court charges $0.50 per page to download documents. You pay by credit card when you access the file. Documents filed after the court began electronic filing are more likely to be available. Older cases may only have partial records scanned. There is no charge to search cases or view the register of actions. You only pay if you download actual documents.

Some case types have restricted remote access under California Rules of Court Rule 2.503. Family law cases appear in searches, but you cannot download documents online. You must visit the courthouse to view family law files. The same restriction applies to guardianship, conservatorship, mental health, and civil harassment cases. These limits protect sensitive personal information from widespread internet distribution.

Viewing Files at the Courthouse

Solano County has courthouses in several cities. The main civil courthouse is at 600 Union Avenue in Fairfield. This location handles most unlimited civil cases and probate matters. The Vallejo courthouse at 321 Tuolumne Street handles civil limited cases and small claims. Both locations provide public access to case files during business hours.

You need valid photo identification to view case files. 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 a few minutes. Files kept in off-site storage take longer to retrieve.

You can review files and take notes. No cameras or phones are allowed in the file review area. 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. If the clerk spends more than 10 minutes searching for records without a case number, the court charges a $15 research fee.

Filing Fees and Court Costs

Solano 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 filing fees depend on the claim amount and how many cases you have filed. Most individuals pay between $30 and $75 to file a small claims case. Businesses that file more than 12 small claims per year pay higher fees. The court website has a complete fee schedule showing all filing, motion, and service fees.

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 20-page order, you pay $10 for copies plus $40 for certification, totaling $50. Exemplification costs $50 plus copy fees. Exemplification is a higher authentication level sometimes required for use in other states or federal proceedings.

Types of Civil Cases

Solano County Superior Court handles all types of civil disputes within the county. Unlimited civil cases involve claims over $35,000. These include personal injury from auto accidents, slip and fall incidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death, breach of contract, business disputes, employment litigation, 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. Common limited civil matters include:

• Landlord-tenant disputes over rent or lease violations
• 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 represent yourself without a lawyer. 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 or family, and contract disagreements under $10,000.

Probate cases deal with estates of deceased persons, 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 basic case information online, but you must visit the courthouse to view actual documents. These restrictions protect sensitive personal information.

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. Parties seeking to seal records 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 delay protects tenants from having eviction filings immediately appear in background checks when they search for new housing.

Note: If you are unsure whether you can access a specific record remotely, contact the court clerk's office for guidance.

Self-Help and Legal Assistance

Solano 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 courthouses in Fairfield and Vallejo.

Legal Services of Northern California serves Solano County with 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 assist with your case.

The Solano 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 civil courthouse is at 600 Union Avenue, Fairfield, CA 94533. This location handles unlimited civil cases and probate matters. The Vallejo courthouse is at 321 Tuolumne Street, Vallejo, CA 94590. This branch handles civil limited cases and small claims.

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.

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

Major Cities in Solano County

Fairfield is the county seat with a population around 120,000. Vallejo is the largest city with over 120,000 residents. Vacaville has a population around 100,000. Other incorporated cities include Benicia, Suisun City, Dixon, and Rio Vista. All civil cases filed in these cities go through the Solano County Superior Court system.

Nearby Counties

Solano County borders Napa County to the northwest, Yolo County to the north, Sacramento County to the northeast, Contra Costa County to the south, and Marin County to the southwest. 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 Solano County.