Imperial County Court Records

Imperial County court records are documents containing information about cases adjudicated within the jurisdiction of Imperial County. These records are created as cases move through the judicial system and are maintained in perpetuity. Record maintenance facilitates public education and access to case facts.

Persons who obtain California court records can expect to find information about the petitioner, why the case was filed, the defendant, and the court’s decision. This information is contained in court records like motions, affidavits, summons, orders, and court transcripts.

Are Court Records Public in Imperial County?

Yes. Imperial County court records are public per the California Public Records Act (Gov Code 7920.530). This law gives everyone the statutory right to request and obtain records in the custody of a government agency, including the judiciary.

Despite the provisions of the California PRA, certain documents are exempt from public inspection or copying. This limitation typically exists when a record contains sensitive information or information that may compromise the privacy or safety of an individual if released. For example, juvenile court records are not public. The same applies to court records containing identifying details about minors or victims of sexual offenses.

Only authorized individuals may view or obtain copies of a court record when access is restricted. These typically include public officials whose duties require them to access the record, as well as the record subject or their authorized legal representative. Third parties who wish to access restricted court records must possess a court order to that effect. Generally, when considering whether to grant such orders, the court weighs the petitioner’s need against the statutory provision or legal necessity protecting the document in the first place.

Imperial County Court Records Search

There are four ways to lookup Imperial County court records:

• Search electronic databases
• Visit the record custodian’s office
• Mail a request letter to the custodian's office
• Use third-party service providers.

Of the above options, searching electronic databases for court records is the most convenient method. However, immediate access is not guaranteed because of the lag between when a record was created and when the record custodian’s office uploads the document.

On the other hand, in-person and mail-in requests circumvent this limitation. However, these methods may be comparatively slower and more expensive because the requestor has to pay administrative search and copying fees. Regardless of the method used, persons who wish to lookup Imperial County court records must, at least, know the name of a case party.

Imperial County Court Records Search by Name

Interested persons may find Imperial County court records by name via the electronic case record search portal maintained by the Superior Court Clerk’s Office. However, to find court records by name, the searcher must create an account on the search portal. Furthermore, there is a non-refundable search fee attached to each name search.

Besides searching court records online, requestors may get the same records by providing the case party name at the Clerk’s Office. While the petitioner’s name is generally preferred, the defendant’s name, as well as the names of the representing attorneys or the presiding judge may also facilitate a record search.

Imperial County Courts

The Imperial County court system comprises the Superior Court and its divisions. Generally, the Superior Court has original jurisdiction over trial cases in Imperial County. Divisions of the court include the Civil, Criminal, Probate, Juvenile, and Traffic Divisions. The addresses and contact information of courts in Imperial County are provided in the list below.

Imperial County Superior Court - Brawley
220 Main Street
Brawley, CA 92227
Phone: (760) 336-3550

Imperial County Superior Court - El Centro
939 West Main Street
El Centro, CA 92243
Phone: (760) 482-2200

Imperial County Superior Court - Jail Court
328 Applestill Road
El Centro, CA 92243
Phone: (760) 336-3575

Imperial County Superior Court - Juvenile Court
324 Applestill Road
El Centro, CA 92243
Phone: (760) 336-3581

Imperial County Superior Court - Valley Plaza Infractions Court
1625 West Main Street
El Centro, CA 92243
Phone: (760) 336-3500 (Civil)
Fax: (760) 336-3592 (Civil)
Phone: (760) 336-3500 (Criminal)
Fax: (760) 336-3593 (Criminal).

Imperial County Superior Court - Winterhaven
2124 Winterhaven Drive
Winterhaven, CA 92283
Phone: (760) 336-3500

Imperial County Superior Court Case Search

Interested persons may find case information by searching the Superior Court electronic records database. This database supports name-based searches and case number searches.

To find court records:

• Visit the Imperial County Superior Court page
• Click the Online Services menu
• Select “ROA/Case Lookup” if the case number is known
• Select “Record Searches by Name” otherwise
• Select “Attorney of Record Search” if case number and party names are unknown
• Enter the search term depending on the search option chosen.
• Click search.

Upon clicking search, the system will return a list of matching results as well as case descriptions. Searchers will also see the case filing date and case status. For additional case details and access to case files, the searcher must create an account and search through the electronic records portal.

Imperial County District Court Records

Imperial County is under the 4th District Court of Appeal. The District Court of Appeal handles appellate cases initially trialed in the Superior Court. To find appellate case information, visit the Appellate Court case information system or the Clerk’s Office during business hours.

4th District Court of Appeal — Division 1
750 B Street, Suite 300
San Diego, California 92101
Phone: (619) 744-0760

4th District Court of Appeal — Division 2
3389 12th Street
Riverside, CA 92501
Phone: (951) 782-2500

4th District Court of Appeal — Division 3
601 W. Santa Ana Boulevard
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone: (714) 571-2600

Imperial County Criminal Records

Criminal history records of persons living in Imperial County are available through the California Department of Justice. Per state laws, only record subjects may request and obtain their own criminal records. Third parties must possess authorization or a court order. This service is available at the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office.

To perform an Imperial county arrest and criminal record search:

• Complete the Live Scan form
• Visit the Sheriff’s Office for fingerprinting
• Complete the criminal record application at the Sheriff’s Office
• Pay the applicable service fees ($25).

The $25.00 processing fee is non-refundable, regardless of whether results are available. Requestors can expect to receive their criminal history records within 14 business days. For additional information or inquiries, contact the Bureau of Criminal Investigation at:

California Department of Justice
Bureau of Criminal Information and Analysis
Record Review & Challenge Section
P.O. Box 160207
Sacramento, CA 95816-0207
Phone: (916) 227-3835
Email: recordreview@doj.ca.gov.

Imperial County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Criminal case court records are available to interested persons at the Clerk’s Office or the Criminal Division of the Superior Court. To obtain these records, visit the Clerk’s Office or the court during business hours. Alternatively, search the electronic case management portal for online access to court records.

Imperial County Superior Court — Criminal Division
650 Wake Avenue
El Centro, CA 92243
Phone: (760) 482-2245
Fax: (760) 336-3593

Get Imperial County Civil Court Records

Civil court records refer to all documents generated in cases between individuals or between individuals and entities (private or public companies). Available records include case files related to landlord/tenant cases, probate/guardianship, small claims, divorce, child support, alimony, and protective orders.

The Superior Court Clerk is the custodian of civil court records. To obtain these records, search the electronic case record system using the case party name or the case number if known. Otherwise, visit the Clerk’s Office in person during business hours.

Imperial County Superior Court — El Centro Courthouse
939 W Main Street
El Centro CA 92243.
Phone: (760) 482-2273

Imperial County Superior Court — Winterhaven Courthouse
2124 Winterhaven Drive
Winterhaven CA. 92283
Phone: (760) 336-3500

Imperial County Superior Court — Brawley Courthouse
220 Main Street
Brawley, CA. 92227
Phone: (760) 336-3550

Imperial County Family Court Records

Imperial County Superior Court has original jurisdiction over family law cases, e.g., marriage dissolution, divorce, child support, spousal support, and protective orders. Persons who obtain family court records access the case facts, status, as well as the terms of the court’s final adjudication.

To obtain family court records, visit the Clerk’s Office in person during business hours or search the electronic records portal. However, unlike other court records, family court records often contain sensitive information. Consequently, access to sensitive case files will only be open to case parties and their legal representatives.

Imperial County Clerk-Recorder
940 West Main Street, Suite 202
El Centro, CA 92243
Phone: (442) 265-1076
Fax: (442) 265-1091

Imperial County Dissolution of Marriage Records

Dissolution of marriage records in Imperial County are available at the Clerk-Recorder’s Office or the court where the case was decided. Searchers may also find these records online by visiting the electronic case record portal. Another way to obtain dissolution of marriage records is by mailing a request letter describing the records sought.

In any way, persons who wish to obtain dissolution of marriage records must provide sufficient details to aid administrative staff locate the document. Acceptable details include the case parties' names and the case number. The case filing date, names of the representing attorneys, and the presiding judge’s name may also help expedite the search.

The Clerk-Recorder’s Office charges $2.00 for the first page of the record and $1.00 for each additional page. Certification of the court record costs $2.50 per document. For additional information or inquiries, contact the Clerk-Recorder’s Office.

Imperial County Clerk-Recorder
940 West Main Street, Suite 202
El Centro, CA 92243
Phone: (442) 265-1076
Fax: (442) 265-1091

Imperial County Marriage and Divorce Records

Generally, non-certified marriage and divorce records in Imperial County are available to the public unless otherwise specified by court order or state law. Furthermore, if case parties successfully petition the court to seal their marriage or divorce records for privacy reasons, the documents will not be available for viewing or copying without authorization.

To obtain public marriage and divorce records, visit the Clerk-Recorder’s Office during business hours. Alternatively, complete a vital records application form and submit it by mail. It is also possible to order marriage and divorce records online from the Clerk-Recorder’s Office.

In any way, the requestor must cover the administrative cost of finding and duplicating the court records. The County-Recorder’s Office charges $17.00 per record. This fee is non-refundable.

Imperial County Clerk-Recorder
940 West Main Street, Suite 202
El Centro, CA 92243
Phone: (442) 265-1076
Fax: (442) 265-1091

Imperial County Birth and Death Records

Birth and death records are vital records, i.e., official documentation of important life events. These records are useful for identification and administrative purposes. For example, birth records are typically required when processing international passports and getting a social security number. Death records, on the other hand, are often used by the decedent’s survivors to process insurance claims and social security benefits.

The Clerk-Recorder’s Office maintains Imperial County birth and death records. Certified copies of these records are available to the record subject, their immediate family members, and their authorized legal representatives. On the other hand, third parties must show authorization (viz court order or notarized affidavit from the record subject).

Interested persons may obtain these records by walking into the Clerk-Recorder’s Office during business hours or mailing in a vital records application form. It is also possible to order birth and death records online from the Clerk-Recorder’s Office.

The cost of obtaining a birth record is $32.00 while a certified death record costs $24. This fee is non-refundable and payable by cashier's check, money order, or credit card. For additional information, contact the Clerk-Recorder’s Office at:

Imperial County Clerk-Recorder
940 West Main Street, Suite 202
El Centro, CA 92243
Phone: (442) 265-1076
Fax: (442) 265-1091

Imperial County Probate Court Records

The Probate Division of the Imperial County Superior Court handles matters related to the administration of decedents’ estates, wills, and trusts, as well as conservatorship. To obtain probate court records, visit the probate court during business hours or the Clerk-Recorder’s Office.

Imperial County Superior Court — Probate Division
El Centro Courthouse
939 W Main Street
El Centro, CA 92243

Imperial County Clerk-Recorder
940 West Main Street, Suite 202
El Centro, CA 92243
Phone: (442) 265-1076
Fax: (442) 265-1091

Imperial County Property Records

Imperial County property records contain information on real and personal property located in the county. Available information includes the owner’s name, property address, property description, liens, valuation, picture, and tax information.

The Imperial County Property Assessor’s Office is the custodian of property records. Interested persons may lookup property records by searching the property information portal (ParcelQuest Lite) or visiting the Assessor’s Office during business hours.

Imperial County Property Assessor
940 West Main Street, Suite 115
El Centro, CA 92243
Phone: (442) 265-1300
Fax: (442) 265-8030
Email: assessor@co.imperial.ca.us.

Imperial County Court Records Online

Imperial County court records are generally available to interested persons at the record custodian’s office or via online repositories maintained by the agency. However, available information is typically restricted to records maintained by that specific custodian and limited to county jurisdiction.

Third-party search sites offer more convenience when accessing court records from multiple cities or counties. For instance, searchers can find court records from all counties in California on Californiacourtrecords.us, a central repository for court records, including those generated in Imperial County courts and courts in adjacent counties in California.

Unlike official court records, records obtained from third-party sources are not certified. In other words, there is no guarantee of the accuracy, completeness, or currency of the records obtained. Furthermore, these records may not be used for official purposes like employment or tenant screening.