California
· Verified May 2026
How to look up court records in San Diego County, California
All the official portals, fees, and what's actually searchable. We don't host the records — we just tell you where to find them.
Official search portals
Civil cases
Most useful
Free to search
San Diego Superior Court · Public Records Search
Civil, family, and probate cases.
Criminal records
Free to search
Criminal Case Information
Felony and misdemeanor case access.
Common filing fees
Civil case ≤ $50,000
$370.00
Small claims
$75.00
Fees are publicly posted by the clerk and updated periodically. Confirm with the clerk's office before filing.
Frequently asked
- Where do I look up San Diego County court records?
- Use the San Diego Superior Court public access tools for available civil, family, probate, and criminal case information. The court separates some search tools by case type, so start with the portal that matches the kind of matter you are researching.
- Are San Diego County court records online complete?
- Online search is best treated as a public-access index, not a guarantee that every filing is available remotely. Confidential, sealed, juvenile, adoption, and some family-law records may be restricted or require a clerk request.
- How do I get certified copies in San Diego County?
- Certified copies usually come from the clerk rather than from a general search page. Use the online docket to identify the case number, then follow the court copy-request instructions for certified or complete records.
Not legal advice. Portal availability and fees change.
Verify with the clerk's office before relying on any specific link or
number. We update this directory periodically; if you spot a stale link,
please let us know.