Colusa County Court Records

Colusa County court records include all adjudicative and non-adjudicative records maintained by the courts in relation to their official functions. Adjudicative records pertain to civil and criminal proceedings and include various documents, such as exhibits, dockets, orders, petitions, pleas, statements, warrants, motions, and judgments. Court records exist in paper and electronic formats. Members of the public peruse these California court records to stay informed about court cases of interest. The courts also depend on these records to preserve legal history and keep track of filings.

Are Court Records Public in Colusa County?

Yes. Colusa County court records (adjudicative records), unless sealed by law, are presumed public under the California Public Records Act (also known as CPRA). Although the CPRA does not cover judicial administrative records, these records, including budgetary records, also belong to Colusa County public records under Rule 10.500 of the California Rules of Court. Note that different procedures apply when requesting adjudicative and administrative records.

Notwithstanding the provisions of the CPRA, certain laws exist to restrict public access to some records if other concerns exist that outweigh the public's interest in such records. Appendix 1 of the California Trial Court Records Manual (TCRM) outlines some exempted records:

• Personnel records
• Subpoenaed records
• Investigative records
• Confidential legal advice
• Information protected by attorney-client privilege
• Juvenile dependency and delinquency records
• Mental health evaluation reports
• Sealed records.

Colusa County Court Records Search

The general public can access Colusa County court records using any of the following means:

• The court executive officer's office at the presiding courthouse
• Third-party websites.

Colusa County Courts

Colusa County has a Superior Court with two different courthouse locations. This court has various divisions, including a small claims court, traffic court, civil court, family court, and juvenile court, each with distinct case jurisdictions. The court locations and contact information are as follows:

Main Courthouse Department 1
547 Market Street
Colusa, CA 95932
Phone: (530) 458-5149

Courthouse Annex Department 2
532 Oak Street
Colusa, CA 95932
Phone: (530) 458-5149

Colusa County Criminal and Civil Records

Colusa County criminal records are filed in relation to felonies and misdemeanors heard in the county's superior court. Civil cases include domestic violence, probate, small claims, divorce, and child custody hearings. The Superior Court of Colusa hears all case types. Per rule 2.400(a) civil and criminal court case records are public, meaning that interested members of the public can inspect and copy them.

The Superior Court Executive Officer maintains court records and handles all public record requests. Information required for a request includes the case number and party's name. Individuals may make record requests in person at this office during regular business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Send mail-in requests to:

Court Executive Officer
Colusa Superior Court
532 Oak Street
Colusa, CA 95932.

These records differ from criminal history information, including Colusa County arrest records, which are managed and disseminated by the county’s law enforcement agencies.

Colusa County Marriage Records

Colusa County marriage records are created and maintained by the county clerk. The clerk's office may only issue authorized certificates to a registrant, their parent or legal guardian, child, grandparent, sibling, spouse, or domestic partner of the registrant. Other eligible non-family members include a party authorized by a court order (which must be included in the application), a law enforcement officer, a government representative, or a registrant's attorney.

Third parties without legal authorization are only eligible to receive informational copies. Record copies are available at a $24.00 fee. Interested individuals should apply to this office by completing the application and submitting it to:

Colusa County Clerk/Recorder
546 Jay Street, Suite 200
Colusa, CA 95932.

Colusa County Divorce Records

Divorce hearings take place in the Colusa County Superior Court. All records created and filed in the course of such proceedings are preserved by the court and may be accessed through the Court Executive Officer's office. Information required for a record request is usually the full name of one of the couple.

Colusa County Birth Records

The Colusa County Clerk documents births that occur in the county. The Clerk's Office is also responsible for maintaining the ensuing records and issuing birth certificates to eligible parties. A copy of a Colusa County birth certificate obtainable from this office costs $29.00. Birth records are classified as Colusa County vital records and are required for various official functions, including school enrollment and ID applications.

Information required to obtain a birth certificate includes the record subject's date of birth, name at birth, and mother's maiden name. Certified copies may only be issued to immediate family members, while informational copies are available to persons authorized by a court. Requesters (for authorized certified and informational copies) should complete the Application for Birth Certificate, notarize it, and submit it alongside the appropriate fee and a self-addressed envelope to:

Colusa County Clerk-Recorder
546 Jay Street, Suite 200
Colusa, CA 95932.

Colusa County Death Records

The county recorder's office maintains death certificates for deaths that occurred within the county. Certificates are typically available approximately four weeks after death. The agency issues copies of death certificates for a fee of $24.00 per copy. Eligible applicants for certified (not informational) copies include a surviving competent spouse, parent, adult child, adult sibling, deceased's conservator, and estate conservator.

Requirements for an application are the decedent's name and date of death. Complete the Application for Death Certificate and submit it by mail or in person to:

Colusa County Clerk-Recorder
546 Jay Street, Suite 200
Colusa, CA 95932.

Colusa County Probate Court Records

Probate cases, which include estate administration, trusts, guardianship and conservatorship, and will disputes, are heard in the county's superior court. Requests for probate records should go to the Court Executive Officer. A requester should be able to furnish their request with the name of a case party and the case number. Additional information that may improve a request includes filing dates, hearing dates, and attorney names.

Colusa County Property Records

Colusa County property records contain information about landed properties located within the county. They provide full details about a property's current ownership, location, legal encumbrances, taxation, etc. The various documents that make up property records include judgments, liens, easements, leases, plats, mortgages, and deeds.

The Colusa County Clerk-Recorder's Office updates and preserves these records, and is responsible for making them available upon request. Real property records maintained by this office date back to 1850. Documents recorded after 1989 may be viewed using the recorder's computerized index, while documents recorded prior to this year are only available in microfilm and index books.

Interested persons should mail the following to the recorder's office: money order or check for the copy fee ($1.00 per page), book page or instrument number, self-addressed stamped envelope, estimated recording date, and the name of the property owner. Records can be searched in person on the grantor/grantee index at the County Clerk-Recorder's Office during business hours (Monday - Friday; 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM).

546 Jay Street
Suite 200
Colusa, CA 95932
Phone: (530) 458-0500

Colusa County Court Records Online

Record seekers can access court records while saving time and money by using third-party websites like Californiacourtrecords.us. Searches usually only require a case party's name. Due to their wide coverage, users typically have to indicate the specific county where a case was filed during a search.

Note that many third-party websites require a paid subscription. On such sites, only basic case information is available to free users, while subscribers may view full records. In any case, records from third-party sources are best suited for informational purposes. Official court documents are the most reliable sources of the most complete and up-to-date court case information.