Contra Costa County Court Records

Contra Costa County court records are official documents of all legal proceedings handled within the county's court system. These records cover all parts of a case, from the initial filing to the judgment and any subsequent appeals. Court records can be in various formats, such as written and printed papers, audio/video recordings, photographs, and electronic data. Typically, Contra Costa court records encompass dockets, pleadings, exhibits, orders, judgments, motions, transcripts, warrants, summons, and any other legal documents filed by case parties.

Are Court Records Public in Contra Costa County?

Yes. Court records are generally open to the public in Contra Costa County per California state law. Consequently, members of the public can view or copy court records through the various means provided by the court administration. However, some restrictions and limitations apply.

Certain types of records may be exempt from public disclosure due to legal requirements, court orders, or court rules. The California Trial Court Records Manual (TCRM) outlines these exemptions in Appendix 1. Though not an exhaustive list, some of the exempted records include:

• Confidential records, such as social security number and driver's license number and any financial information
• Subpoenaed records
• Special immigrant juvenile findings
• Documents filed under seal
• Juvenile delinquency and dependency records
• Records of arrest that did not result in conviction
• Reports regarding a defendant's mental competence
• Confidential name change as a result of domestic violence or sexual assault.

Contra Costa County Court Records Search

Individuals seeking access to court records in Contra Costa County can use one of the following search options:

• Court Clerk's Office: Members of the public can visit the clerk of the courthouse where the case was filed to request access to specific court records.
• Electronic Portals: The Contra Costa County Superior Court provides online access to certain court records through its electronic case management system.
• Third-Party Public Records Websites: Various private companies offer online databases that allow individuals to access court records from Contra Costa County and other jurisdictions.

Contra Costa County Court Records Search by Name

In Contra Costa County, individuals can conduct a name search if they have the first and last name of the party involved in the case. There are two primary search methods:

In-Person Search

To conduct an in-person search, inquirers may visit the Court Records department at the Contra Costa County courthouse. The Court staff will provide a form on which requesters will provide information to facilitate the search.

Online Search

The Contra Costa County Superior Court offers a public portal that allows individuals to conduct a court record search by name. After entering the names of the case parties, the portal will return information on cases with similar names. Alternatively, third-party aggregate websites also offer name-based searches for court records. However, the records may not be as comprehensive or up-to-date as those from the official database.

Contra Costa County Courts

Contra Costa County operates a unified court system. One primary trial court handles most civil, criminal, family law, probate, and small claims matters. The court is known as the Superior Court and has courthouses in different locations within the county:

Wakefield Taylor Courthouse
725 Court Street,
Martinez, CA 94553
Phone: (925) 608-1000

A.F. Bray Courthouse
1020 Ward Street,
Martinez, CA 94553
Phone: (925) 875-7800 (Traffic)
Phone: (925) 875-7746 (Small Claims, Landlord/Tenant)

Spinetta Family Law Center
751 Pine Street,
Martinez, CA 94553
Phone: (925) 608-1000

Richmond Superior Court
George D. Carroll Courthouse
100 - 37th Street,
Richmond, CA 94805
Phone: (925) 608-1000

Pittsburg Superior Court
Richard E. Arnason Justice Center
1000 Center Drive,
Pittsburg, CA 94565
Phone: (925) 608-1000

Walnut Creek Superior Court
640 Ygnacio Valley Road,
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Phone: (925) 608-1000

Contra Costa County Superior Court Case Search

The Superior Court of Contra Costa County is the county's trial court. This court has jurisdiction over the following types of cases:

• Civil Cases: Disputes between private parties involving contracts, property, personal injury, and more
• Family Law Cases: Matters related to divorce, child custody, spousal support, and others
• Probate Cases: Issues concerning wills, trusts, and estate administration.
• Criminal Cases: Felony and misdemeanor offenses prosecuted by the state
• Small Claims Cases: Claims involving relatively small dollar amounts.

The Superior Court offers both in-person and online access to court records. Inquirers can visit the presiding courthouse to fill out a record request form. The Court personnel will assist with searching the internal system for case information using the details provided. Inquirers can also request copies of desired documents within a case file for a small fee.

The Superior Court also provides an online case information database that is free and accessible to the public. On the portal, individuals can search by case number or names of parties involved in the case. An advanced filtering option lets users search by FBI number, booking number, case status, case type, and filing date. Online search only provides access to basic case details. Case documents, orders, and minutes are not accessible online.

Alternatively, interested parties can send a formal request by mail to the Court Records Department. Note that this method can only be used for Family Law, Civil, Limited Civil, Probate, and Adoption cases.

Along with their application, requesters must include a self-addressed stamped envelope and address it to:

Court Records
725 Court Street (P.O. Box 911)
Martinez, CA 94553

Copies of court records retrieved in-person and by mail cost 50 cents per page. Certifications cost $40 and an additional $.50 per page. Divorce Judgment certifications cost $15.

Contra Costa County District Court Records

Contra Costa County does not have an independent district court system. Instead, the Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa, handles all court cases and legal proceedings. To access court records in Contra Costa County, regardless of the case type or jurisdiction level, requests must be made through the Superior Court.

Contra Costa County Criminal Records

Contra Costa criminal records are maintained by law enforcement agencies and are accessible to the public under the California Public Records Act (CPRA). However, the provision for disclosure is not absolute.

Pursuant to CPRA Section 7923.610, Contra Costa County law enforcement agencies typically release basic information following a Contra Costa County arrest. This includes the arrestee's name, date of birth, physical descriptions, and booking details (arresting agency, charges, bail information).

Contra Costa County criminal records are generally available at county and state levels. However, county records are often limited to criminal activities within the county jurisdiction, while statewide records are more comprehensive. Only the subject of a record or their authorized designee can obtain a local summary criminal history directly from a Contra Costa County law enforcement agency.

The process for requesting a local summary criminal history includes writing a formal written request, taking fingerprints for identification purposes and providing valid government-issued I.D. for verification. Individuals or authorized agencies can also obtain a statewide criminal history report directly from the California Department of Justice (DOJ).

Contra Costa County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Contra Costa County Superior Court provides online, mail, and in-person access to criminal case information. To access criminal court case records in person, individuals must visit one of three courthouse locations depending on where the case was heard. The locations are the Martinez, Pittsburg and Richmond Criminal Clerk's Office. These offices are open Monday to Friday between 8 am and 4 pm. Inquirers must be prepared to provide details like the defendant's name and any other known case information to aid the search.

Individuals can also send written requests by mail to the Martinez, Pittsburg, and Richmond Criminal Clerk's Office. To do this, fill out the Criminal Records Search Request form to request a name-based search. Alternatively, use the Criminal Records Copies Request form to request copies and submit credit card payment information for processing.

A self-addressed stamped envelope and payment or proof of payment must be attached to the mail. Copies are $0.50 per page, while certification incurs an additional $40.00 per document.

To access criminal case information online, individuals can use the public access portal provided by the Superior Court. This portal offers two search options:

• Smart Search
• Search Hearings

The Smart Search option allows users to search for criminal court records using the names of case parties or case numbers. It also has an advanced filter option that allows users to modify their search by location, FBI number, SO number, booking number, case type, case status, and filing date. The Search Hearings tool lets users search for court hearings within a specified date range.

Get Contra Costa County Civil Court Records

Civil court records in Contra Costa County are official documents of legal proceedings concerning disputes between private parties, i.e., individuals and businesses. The Clerk of Courts is the custodian of these records and makes them available for public access.

Civil court records comprise contain a wide range of cases, including:

• Contract disputes
• Breach of warranty claims
• Personal injury lawsuits
• Real estate disagreements
• Debt collection actions
• Injunctions (court orders to stop an action)
• Evictions (unlawful detainers)
• Small claims cases (involving claims under a specific dollar amount)

To access Contra Costa County civil court records, interested persons may opt for any of the following options:

In-Person

Visit the Superior Court's Records Department between 8 am and 3 am, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). Alternatively, contact the office between the same time at (925) 608-1000.

The Records Department is located at:

Court Records
1111 Ward Street
Martinez, CA 94553

Note that some electronic court records, especially those pertaining to small claims and unlawful detention cases, may only be retrieved at Richmond and Pittsburgh courthouses.

Online

The Contra Costa Superior Court offers a public portal for limited case information on civil cases. To access full case documents, individuals must enter the required parameters into the search engine provided and pay any associated fees.

Mail

The Superior Court supports mail request for civil court records using the form Court Records Mail Request form.

Individuals must state the names of case parties and send a self-addressed stamped envelope with the mail. This is required to make sending a return mail easy. The mail request option is only available for Family Law, Civil, Limited Civil, Probate and Adoption cases.

Contra Costa County Family Court Records

There's no independent family court in Contra Costa County. The Superior Court handles all family law matters. These matters typically involve domestic relations issues such as:

• Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce)
• Legal Separation
• Annulment (Nullity)
• Child Custody and Visitation
• Child Support
• Spousal Support
• Paternity (Fatherhood) Establishment
• Domestic Violence Restraining Orders
• Guardianships and Conservatorships (for adults)

There are generally no restrictions on who can access public family court records in Contra Costa County. However, personal identifying information like Social Security numbers or minor children's names might be redacted. Additionally, certain court orders may seal specific documents within a family law case file to protect privacy, especially concerning sensitive matters involving children.

To obtain Family Court Records in Contra Costa County, individuals can use three methods: In-person, online, or written request.

To access the records in person, visit the courthouse where the family law case was filed. Court staff will provide inquirers with further information so they can view the case file or request document copies. Inquirers must present necessary case-identifying information to aid the search.

Inquirers can use the public portal provided by the Superior Court to access family court records. However, the portal won't provide access to the full case file. Minutes, case documents, and orders are not available online.

The Superior Court also allows inquirers to submit a written request by mail using the Mail Request Form. Adequate payment to cover for copies and a self-addressed stamped envelope must be included to facilitate the request.

Contra Costa Dissolution of Marriage Records

Dissolution of marriage records in Contra Costa County encompasses all documents related to a divorce or annulment case handled by the Superior Court. Dissolution of marriage falls under family court matters.

Similar to family court records, dissolution of marriage records can be accessed via the Superior Court's public portal or in person at the courthouse where the divorce was filed. By conducting a search online or in person, individuals would have access to divorce judgments and case summaries related to dissolution of marriage proceedings.

Note that some portions of the case file may be confidential or sealed, particularly those involving sensitive information related to minor children or personal financial information.

Contra Costa County Marriage and Divorce Records

Contra Costa County marriage certificates and related records are handled by the County Clerk-Recorder's Office. Divorce records, on the other hand, are handled by the Contra Costa County Superior Court.

Marriage records are divided into public and confidential categories. Public marriage records are accessible to anyone and typically include details like the couple's names, wedding date, and location. Confidential marriage records contain additional information but are only available to the spouses or through a court order.

There are three ways to obtain copies of Contra Costa County marriage records:

• In-Person: By visiting the County Clerk-Recorder's office, inquirers can request for public and confidential marriage record copies (if they are eligible) for a fee.
• Mail: Individuals can also submit a written request by mail, specifying the type of marriage record and the names of the spouses involved.
• Online: The County Clerk-Recorder uses a third-party vendor for online marriage record requests. This option is only available for public marriage records and incurs a fee.

There are no online search options for divorce records in Contra Costa County. Individuals can visit the courthouse where the divorce was filed to view the case file or request copies of documents ($15 fees apply). Alternatively, a requester can write the court clerk's office asking for copies of divorce documents by mail.

Contra Costa County Birth and Death Records

Birth and death records are considered part of Contra Costa County vital records, and they are not generally open to the public. Per California Health and Safety Code Section 103526, only authorized individuals, such as the record subject, parents, legal guardians, children, or spouses, can obtain certified copies of Contra Costa County birth certificates.

There are two primary agencies responsible for issuing birth and death certificates in Contra Costa County, depending on when the event occurred:

Contra Costa County Vital Registration Office

The Vital Registration Office handles birth and death certificates for events occurring within the current and preceding year. Individuals can order copies online, by mail, or in person at their office.

Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder's Office

This office holds birth and death records for events before the past two years. Interested individuals should visit the Clerk-Recorder's website. Choose a preferred method of request—online, in-person, or by mail—and follow the provided instructions. Inquirers can also contact the office at (925) 335-7900 to make further inquiries.

Contra Costa County Probate Court Records

In Contra Costa County, the Probate Division of the Superior Court handles cases related to the administration of estates, trusts, conservatorships, and guardianships. Most probate court records in Contra Costa County are considered public documents, and individuals can access them in person, online, by email, or by mail.

To access probate court records in person, visit the Court clerk's office at the courthouse where the probate case was filed. Some probate court records may be confidential or have restricted access due to their sensitive nature. In such cases, the court may require proof of a legitimate interest or legal standing to access the records.

Contra Costa's Superior Court public portal offers free online access to individuals who wish to access records from their homes or offices. Alternatively, inquirers can submit a written formal request for copies of probate documents by mail or email to the Court clerk's office. Individuals must provide case-identifying information like the case number, case title, and names of parties involved in the written request.

The online portal only provides basic case information. Inquirers must submit a formal request through the court clerk's office to access full case documents. The Court clerk charges a nominal fee for retrieving copies of probate court records.

Contra Costa County Property Records

Property records, also known as real estate records, offer valuable information about a property within Contra Costa County. This information is vital for real estate transactions, appraisals, or general research about a specific property.

In Contra Costa County, two primary government agencies manage property records. The Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder is the official custodian of real estate documents. They handle recording deeds, titles, and other documents affecting property ownership. The Contra Costa County Assessor is the primary source for comprehensive property and assessment information, including property values and tax details.

Property records in Contra Costa County typically include the following information:

• Current owner(s) and their contact information
• Property address and legal description
• Property characteristics (size, lot dimensions, building details)
• Recorded sales history, including purchase price and date
• Assessed property value
• Tax information, including tax rates and exemptions

To access property records in Contra Costa County, inquirers can use one of three methods:

Online

Both the Clerk-Recorder's office and the Assessor's office offer online search tools for property records. The Assessor's office manages the Contra Costa Map (CCMAP) tool, which allows individuals to access information on all properties within the county. It offers two search options: search by Address and Search by Assessor's Parcel Number (APN).

Inquirers can also use the County Clerk-Recorder's Official Records Index to search for and obtain property information. On the portal, individuals can search by name, document number, recording date, address, and type.

In-Person

Individuals can visit the Clerk-Recorder's office or the Assessor's office during business hours to conduct a search in person.

Mail or Email

The offices of the Clerk-Recorder and Assessor allow inquirers to forward property record requests via email and mail. This process is slower than online and in-person requests, but it may be helpful if that's the only option available to an inquirer.

Contra Costa County Court Records Online

In addition to the methods described in previous sections, members of the public can access court records from Contra Costa County via third-party online resources like Californiacourtrecords.us.

Third-party websites are owned and operated by independent companies. These companies aggregate public records from various sources and make them available to users for a fee. These websites make it easy for users to view court records remotely. They are also convenient for searching for records across multiple jurisdictions simultaneously. Users can easily find court records and other public records that match a specific name or criteria.

However, the records available on third-party websites may not be as up-to-date or comprehensive as those obtained directly from the courthouse or official government sources.