Kern County Superior Court Case Search

Kern County Superior Court records are documents and case information of civil and criminal trials within the Kern County Superior Court. As the apex trial court in Kern County, the Kern County Superior Court generates court records during case filings, legal proceedings, and court rulings. These records are publicly accessible except undisclosable by law.

The clerks of the various branches of the Kern County Superior Court are responsible for maintaining and ensuring the accessibility of Kern County trial court records. Kern County Superior Court case search may become necessary for personal reasons, background checks, and legal research.

What Kinds of Cases Have been heard in Kern Superior Court?

Per the California judicial system, the Superior Courts are the only trial courts in Kern County. The Kern County Superior Court has general jurisdiction over all criminal, civil, juvenile, family, probate, and traffic cases.

Also, the Kern County Superior Court has divisions that handle specific case types like:

• Civil Division
• Criminal Division
• Family Law Division
• Probate Division
• Juvenile Division
• Traffic Division
• Appeals Division
• Small Claims Division
• Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).

The Kern County Superior Court Civil Division consists of the unlimited and the limited divisions. The Unlimited Civil Division handles civil cases where the amount in dispute is more than $25,000.00. In contrast, the Limited Civil Division presides over civil cases where the amount in controversy is $25,000.00 or less. In Kern County, the criminal division of the Superior Court generally handles felony and misdemeanor cases.

Kern County Superior Court

The Kern County Superior Court is part of California’s unified judicial system. In California Counties, the superior courts are the highest trial courts. The Kern County Superior Court has several divisions handling various criminal and civil case types. In addition, these courts play crucial roles in resolving legal disputes and upholding the rule of law.

The following is the contact information for the various Kern County Superior Courts:

Kern County Superior Court - Delano
1122 Jefferson Street
Delano
CA 93215
Phone: (661) 610-7300

Kern County Superior Court - Juvenile Justice Center
2100 College Avenue
Bakersfield
CA 93305
Phone: (661) 610-6900

Kern County Superior Court - Lamont
12022 Main Street,
Lamont,
CA 93241
Phone: (661) 610-7100

Kern County Superior Court - Metropolitan Division
1415 Truxtun Avenue,
Bakersfield,
CA 93301
Phone: (661) 610-6000

Kern County Superior Court - Metropolitan Division
Justice Building
1215 Truxtun Avenue,
Bakersfield,
CA 93301
Phone: (661) 610-6000

Kern County Superior Court - Metropolitan Traffic Division
3131 Arrow Street,
Bakersfield,
CA 93308
Phone: (661) 610-7000

Kern County Superior Court - Mojave
1773 State Highway 58 Business
Mojave
CA 93501
Phone: (661) 610-7400

Kern County Superior Court - Ridgecrest
132 East Coso Avenue
Ridgecrest,
CA 93555
Phone: (661) 610-7450

Kern County Superior Court - Shafter
325 Central Valley Highway,
Shafter,
CA 93263
Phone: (661) 610-7200

Kern County Superior Court - Taft
311 Lincoln Street
Taft
CA 93268
Phone: (661) 868-5800

Kern County Case Lookup

Kern County case lookup allows individuals to access public court records and information through the Kern County Clerks of Superior Court. The Kern County Superior Court Clerk's Office offers online, in-person, and mail access to the county’s civil and criminal records.

Interested persons seeking online access to Kern County case records should:

• Log into the Kern County Criminal Case Information Portal:
  • Select a search criterion from the options (name or case number)
  • Use the search tools to enter the necessary information and click Search to access Kern County criminal records
• Log into the Superior Court of California, Kern County Online Records Search webpage (this portal is for Kern County non-criminal case search)
  • Fill out the registration form with valid information
  • Scroll down, enter the verification characters into the text field, and submit for account activation
  • Sign in and request access to Kern County non-criminal records.

Alternatively, the public may request civil, probate, or family law case documents through the Request Case Documents Portal by completing and submitting the online document request form.

The general public should note that access to Kern County Superior Court case files is only available by mail or in-person visit to the appropriate Kern County Superior Court Clerk's Office.

In-person requests for Kern County Superior Court records

Record seekers may visit the clerk’s office at the Metropolitan Division - Justice Building or the clerk's office at any of the Kern County Superior courthouses to view or obtain copies of case records during working hours:

• Monday - Thursday: 8:00 am-4:00 pm
• Friday: 8:00 am-12:00 pm.

Requesters should note that access to certified copies of Kern County Superior Court records may require valid government-issued photo IDs.

Mail-in requests
Also, requesters may mail their requests to the appropriate Kern County Superior Courthouse. Mail-in requests for Kern County Superior Court records should include the following:

• Names of the plaintiff and defendant
• Case number (if known)
• Self-addressed stamped envelopes
• Check to cover for applicable fees.

Requesters should also note that it may require ten business days to process a mail request for Kern County Superior case records. In addition, the costs for copies of Kern County Superior Court records include:

• Copy fees - 50 cents per page
• Certified copies of orders - $40.00 per document plus 50 cents per page
• Certified copies of judgment of dissolution - $15.00
• Search fees - $15.00 per file for a search of more than 10 minutes
• Off-site retrieval fee - $20.00 per file.

Payments for copies of Kern County Superior Court records are by checks and money orders.

Kern Superior Court Case Search by Name

A name-based case search requires using a name to retrieve case records or information from the relevant Kern County Superior Courthouse. Interested individuals may log into the Kern County Criminal Case Information/Defendant Search Portal and use the defendant's full name to search for Kern County Superior Court criminal case information. Also, requesters must register as users on the Kern County Online Records Search Portal to access Kern County non-criminal case information.

Alternatively, inquirers may visit or send mail to the appropriate Kern County Superior Courthouse with the correct name spelling. Individuals may also need to provide additional identifying information to improve accuracy and narrow search results.

Kern Superior Court Docket Search

Kern County Superior Court dockets are official records containing information about case filings and prosecutions within the various Kern County Superior Court branches. In Kern County, court dockets are public records that allow individuals to track case progress, ensure transparency in legal proceedings, and aid legal research. These documents contain:

• Case numbers
• Names of the litigants
• Filing dates
• Attorney names
• Hearing dates
• Motions
• Orders
• Rulings
• Name of the trial court
• Case status.

Interested individuals seeking access to Kern County Superior Court dockets should contact the relevant Kern County Superior Courthouse. Alternatively, information seekers may log into the Kern County Superior Court Criminal Information Search Portal and look for criminal cases by defendants’ name or case number. Users should register with the Kern County Superior Court Online Records Search to access Kern County Superior Court civil, family, probate, and other non-criminal case information.

Lookup Kern County Superior Court Online

Kern County Superior Court records are accessible through third-party platforms like Californiacourtrecords.us. These private websites may provide simplified search options for Kern County Superior Court records. Furthermore, third-party websites gather information from various sources and offer users 24/7 access to Kern County Superior Court information. However, such sites operate independently of government agencies. As such, users may have to confirm the accuracy and authenticity of documents and information.

Supreme Court vs. Superior Court

California Supreme Court
The California Supreme Court is the highest appellate court in California and serves as the court of last resort. It comprises seven justices (this includes the chief justice and six associate justices who deliberate on legal interpretations and appeals from lower courts). Also, the California Supreme Court reviews death penalty cases and makes final decisions on state law cases unless a federal constitutional issue allows for review by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Kern County Superior Court
In contrast, Kern County Superior Court is a trial court that has general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases within the county. Each Superior Court in Kern County is independent and has a presiding judge. Both courts play essential roles within the Texas legal system, ensuring justice and due process.