Stanislaus County Civil Court Records

Civil court records for Stanislaus County are maintained by the Superior Court of California, County of Stanislaus. The main courthouse is in Modesto and serves the entire county for civil litigation matters. Online access to case information is available through a public portal system. Search by party name, case number, or attorney to locate cases. The portal displays case registers of actions, court calendars, and indexes at no charge for viewing. Documents filed in cases can be downloaded for fees set by state law. California law generally makes civil court records public, with specific exceptions for certain sensitive case types involving family law, criminal matters, and confidential information.

Stanislaus County Online Portal

The Stanislaus Superior Court provides online case access through stanportal.stanct.org. This Tyler Technologies Odyssey portal covers civil, criminal, family, probate, small claims, and traffic cases. You can search without creating an account. The portal is free to use for basic searches and viewing case information.

Type a person's full name or business name to search all cases. The system returns matches from the court database. Results display the case number, filing date, case type, and current status. Click on any case to see the complete register of actions. This register shows every filing, motion, hearing, and court order in chronological sequence.

If you have the case number, search by that for faster results. The portal updates daily as new filings occur and court events happen. Basic case data is free to view. Downloading actual filed documents requires payment through the portal system. Document fees are set by California law and go toward the cost of maintaining online access.

Stanislaus County Courthouse

The Stanislaus County Superior Court main location is at 800 11th Street in Modesto, California 95354. All civil cases for the county are filed here. Call (209) 530-3100 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 specific case but can explain court rules and filing requirements.

Public parking is available in lots and on streets near the courthouse. Some parking has time limits or meter fees. Read parking signs to avoid tickets. All visitors pass through security screening at the courthouse entrance. Leave weapons, large bags, and recording devices at home or in your car. The court website lists all prohibited items.

The court also operates branch locations in other parts of Stanislaus County for certain case types. Civil cases are primarily handled at the main Modesto courthouse. Contact the clerk's office if you are unsure which location serves your needs.

Fees for Records and Filing

Copy fees in Stanislaus County follow California state law. Copies cost $0.50 per page. A 40-page document costs $20.00 for plain copies. Certified copies add a $40 fee for the certification itself. If you certify those 40 pages, you pay $20.00 for copies plus $40.00 for certification, which totals $60.00.

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 or federal proceedings.

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

Small claims filing fees range from $30 to $75 based on the amount of the claim. 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 people who meet income requirements. Ask the clerk for fee waiver forms or download them from the court website at stanct.org.

Civil Case Categories

Stanislaus County Superior Court hears unlimited civil cases involving more than $35,000 in damages. These include personal injury lawsuits from vehicle accidents, slip and fall incidents, and dog bites. Medical malpractice cases fall under unlimited civil jurisdiction. Business disputes over contracts, fraud, partnership issues, and trade secrets are unlimited civil matters. Real estate litigation involving title disputes, easements, 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 are limited civil matters. These cases have simpler procedures than unlimited cases. Discovery is more limited and trials are shorter. Appeals go to the appellate division of Superior Court instead of the Court of Appeal.

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 the case that same day. Common small claims matters include:

• Security deposit disputes after tenants move out
• Minor vehicle damage from fender benders
• Personal loans that were not repaid
• Disputes over poor workmanship or defective products
• Breach of simple contracts
• Damage caused by neighbors or their pets

Probate cases involve estates of people who have died. The court supervises asset distribution according to wills or California intestacy laws when there is no will. Executors are appointed to manage estates and pay creditors. 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 under California court rules. You can view the register of actions remotely but not the actual documents filed in the case. This protects privacy in divorce, custody, and support matters. You must visit the courthouse to see documents in most family cases. Criminal case documents are also restricted from remote access. The register is available online but the actual filings require courthouse access.

Sensitive information is removed from public records. Financial account numbers are redacted or blacked out. Social Security numbers are truncated or removed entirely. Information about minor children in custody cases is often sealed by the court. 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 under California law. 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 processes. 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. During busy periods it can take several weeks. 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 Stanislaus County

Stanislaus County includes several cities. All civil cases from these communities are filed at Stanislaus County Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

Stanislaus County borders other counties with separate Superior Court systems.