Madera County Court Records

Official records pertaining to the actions and resolutions of court matters falling under the county's purview are called court records in Madera County, California. Numerous case types, including civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic matters, are included in these records, which are kept up to date by the Madera County Superior Court. Legal experts and the general public can easily access court records because they are usually kept in both hard copy and digital formats. (California Rules of Court Rule 2.502(3))

Court records usually contain the following information: case numbers, party names, filing dates, accusations or charges, rulings from the court, and judgments. Other information may also be supplied, such as transcripts of hearings, orders, motions, and evidence submitted. California state regulations control access to these documents, seeking to strike a balance between public access and privacy protections.

Are Court Records Public in Madera County?

Indeed, Madera County court documents are regarded as public records, which means that the public is free to view them. The county's public records provisions, such as which records are public, the organizations that keep these data, and how to obtain them, are included in the California Public Records Act (Government Code 7920.000 - 7931.000) and California Court Records Rules. Additionally, certain records or parts of court records are not open to the public but are exempt from disclosure. These records may include:

• In most circumstances, records pertaining to juvenile cases are private. Records pertaining to dependency cases and juvenile delinquency are included in this.
• Documents pertaining to adoption procedures are private and sealed.
• Confidential court documents are frequently kept for mental health matters, including conservatorship procedures under the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act. (Division 5 §§ 5540-5546 of the California Welfare and Institutions Code)
• Documents that list the names of people who have been sexually assaulted or abused as children are safeguarded.
• Certain details about protective orders, like the protected persons' identities and locations, might be kept private.
• A judge may decide to seal information that is thought to be trade secrets or private company information.
• Settlement agreements that the court orders to be kept private may be sealed.
• Certain material in family law proceedings, like those concerning paternity or domestic abuse, may be sealed in the records.

Madera County Court Records Search

Court records in Madera County, California, are available from the following places:

• Madera County Superior Court Clerk’s Office
• Madera County Clerk-Recorder's Office
• Madera Superior Court's Online Case Search
• Third-party online Services

Madera County Court Records Search by Name

The first step in doing a name-based search for court records in Madera County is getting in touch with the court division that is in charge of keeping the document in question. It is crucial to remember that the following conditions would ensure that the search was successful:

• The requester might have to get in touch with the record custodian online, by letter, or in person at the office.
• The requester must have the complete name of the record subject on hand in order to complete the county clerk's office request form or enter it into a computer terminal at the office.
• Publicly available court records may be accessed for free; however, copies of these data may be subject to fees, which would vary depending on the type of request and the quantity of copies sought.

Through the case management system, the Madera County Superior Court offers online case searches. This system's goal is to make it possible to look up and identify criminal, civil, traffic, probate, and family law cases in the Superior Court of California, County of Madera, for a certain case or citation number. Users are limited to 45 case searches each day. Before they can access any information, users must first create an account and log in. Next, one can perform a name-based search by entering the "Last Name," "First Name," or "Company Name". Please take note that official copies may only be obtained through the clerk's office and are not accessible to the general public through this portal.

Madera County Courts

Since California has a single court system, Superior Courts handle all judicial actions and this is the arrangement for Madera County. Depending on the nature of the case, Superior Courts are divided into divisions. A Superior Court may have the following divisions: Traffic, Small Claims, Family, Probate, Criminal, and Civil. The Madera County court locations are listed below:

Madera County Superior Court - Main Courthouse
200 South G Street
Madera, CA 93637
Phone: (559) 416-5599 (Main Line)
Phone: (559) 416-5525 (Civil)
Fax: (559) 675-6565 (Civil)
Phone: (559) 416-5550 (Criminal)
Fax: (559) 675-7618 (Criminal)
Phone: (559) 416-5555 (Traffic)
Fax: (559) 675-5036 (Traffic)
Phone: (559) 416-5580 (Juvenile)
Fax: (559) 673-0542 (Juvenile)

Madera County Superior Court - Sierra Division
40601 Road 274
Bass Lake, CA 93604
Phone: (559) 416-5564

Madera County Superior Court Case Search

The Madera County Superior Court maintains general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases; this means that, depending on the case, the various court divisions are responsible for maintaining all court records. Court records are kept on file in both paper and electronic formats and are made available to the public upon request, excluding situations in which exemptions apply. Interested parties can make a request in person, online, by phone, or by mail by contacting the superior court clerk's office.

When making an in-person request, interested parties must first decide which records they would like to view. Then, they must go to the court location, fill out the request form, and pay the appropriate fees, which vary according to the records and the division from which the request is being made. Calling the relevant division is another option for those looking for information on court records. For the contact details of the several divisions, refer to the section above on the court address.

The Madera County Case Search tool allows the public to browse unofficial case records online by performing a name-based or case number search. To access the site, users must first register and log in. Attorneys can utilize this portal to obtain information about individual and multiple cases by completing a request form that will grant them access to a token.

In the case of mail requests, applicants may simply complete a request form and mail it to the appropriate division address based on the type of record being sought after. However, there may be additional fees that must be paid. For example, the civil division has a request form that requesters must fill out with information about the type of record being sought after, the purpose of the request, the requestor's name, address, signature, and date. Requestors may also be required to pay a $15.00 search fee per name at the time of submission; $.50 for each copy requested; $40.00 for each certified copy requested in addition to the copy fee; and $15.00 for each certified copy of the dissolution judgment.

Madera County District Court Records

There are no district courts in California, and the Superior Court of California, County of Madera handles all county judicial procedures. All requests for court records are made to this court. Trial (superior) courts, courts of appeal, and the Supreme Court are the three tiers of the state's legal system.

Madera County Criminal Records

Under the California Public Records Act, certain criminal records pertaining to Madera County that are kept by law enforcement agencies are available to the general public. Following Section 7923.610 of the CPRA, the public is generally granted access to initial Madera County arrest information, which includes the name, date of birth, physical characteristics, and booking information of the arrestee.

Nevertheless, local summary criminal history records—a police department-compiled list of an individual's arrests—can only be requested by subjects of records and their designees in accordance with California Penal Code §§ 13300 -13326. A background check, arrest summary, arrest records search, or police clearance letter are some other names for this kind of investigation. Parties that qualify may have to:

• Send a police department a formal request, their entire set of fingerprints, or official identification. Documentation from the organization that sought a subject's criminal history may likewise be needed by an agency (if appropriate).
• The cost of obtaining a record may differ depending on the source. For example, the Madera County Sheriff's Office charges $8.00 for a live fingerprint scan that can be used to request a criminal history record.

Only arrest summaries made within its borders will be provided by a police agency. Alternatively, those who are arrested in more than one county can acquire a statewide criminal history record directly from the California Department of Justice (DOJ).

Madera County Criminal Court Case Lookup

The following methods are available to anyone looking to get information on Madera Criminal Court Cases:

• In the event that the records are not legally limited, the first option is to visit the criminal division of the superior court during business hours and obtain the records.
• Alternatively, as discussed in earlier sections, users can register and perform free searches using the Madera Superior Court Case Search web service.
• The public can also undertake a criminal court case lookup using name or case number as search parameters on third-party websites. Be aware that there may be no guarantee regarding these sources' veracity.

How to Get Madera County Civil Court Records

The Superior Court's Civil Division handles Civil Court cases in Madera County, California. It can be divided into divisions for "Limited" and "Unlimited" cases; "Limited" cases typically involve claims under $25,000, while "Unlimited" cases handle claims over $25,000. Civil cases also include small claims and adoptions.

The following methods are available for obtaining these records: in-person visits to the office, postal requests, or use the Madera County Superior Court online case search portal, as previously mentioned. To obtain this data, applicants must pay the appropriate fees and fill out a request form with their name and case number if making an in-person or mail-in request. Interested parties can also verify that records are available by calling the records section.

Madera County Family Court Records

The Family Division of Madera County typically deals with cases pertaining to families and children, such as divorce, legal separation, paternity, child support, custody, and abuse of children, as well as instances involving domestic violence, property division, and spousal support.

To get these records, one need only get in touch with the family division via phone, mail, or in person. Request forms are available, requiring applicants to fill them out with essential information and pay a $5.00 record search cost per name.

Also, visitors can look up available family division case data via the Madera County Superior Court Case Search online portal. Examine the search specifics covered in the earlier sections.

In the meantime, the judiciary established the Family Services Court Services Division to carry out investigations as ordered by the court and to provide services in the areas of child custody mediation, child custody investigations, stepparent adoption, declaring a minor free of parental control, probate guardianship/conservatorship investigations, and child custody mediation. Some family court documents are also kept in this division; however, access is limited.

Madera Dissolution of Marriage Records

All records pertaining to a divorce or annulment handled by a local court are included in the dissolution of marriage records maintained by Madera's County. These documents, which are family court records, are available for inspection at the presiding courthouse or through remote case search systems, as previously mentioned.

Madera County Marriage and Divorce Records

In Madera County, various offices maintain records pertaining to marriages and divorces. Divorce records are kept by the Madera County Superior Court, while marriage records are available via the County Clerk's office or the Registrar-Recorder.

In Madera County, a divorce record request can be submitted similarly to other family court record requests. The person making the request has two options for getting records: either visit the original courthouse or look up divorce records online using the Superior Court Online case search tool. Official copies of divorce records may be requested by qualified parties via the portal.

However, the county clerk's office offers certified (approved or informative) public and confidential marriage records, which can be obtained in person, by mail, or online through a third-party vendor. For those who do not qualify for a waiver, there is a non-refundable $17.00 fee to receive a certified copy of a marriage record. Application materials should be mailed to:

Madera County Recorder
Attn: Vital Records
200 W. 4th Street
Madera, CA 93637

Keep in mind that only the parties to a confidential marriage may obtain certified copies of their marriage licenses, and proof of identity must be shown at the time of the request. Confidential marriage certificates are not available in informational copies.

While it only keeps divorce records from 1962 to June 1984, the California Department of Public Health – Vital Records (CDPH-VR) also publishes marriage certificates for marriages that occurred between 1905 to 1999 and 2008 to 2023. The divorce decree itself is not included in these records; just the face page of the divorce action is. Only a Certificate of Record—which contains the names of the parties, the filing date, the county, and the divorce case number—can be obtained from CDPH-VR. Only the Superior Court in the county where the divorce occurred is able to provide copies of the actual divorce decree.

Madera County Birth and Death Records

The office of the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk provides authorized and instructional certified copies of Madera County birth and death records via mail, online, and in person. An authorized certified copy of a Madera County birth certificate costs $29.00, and an authorized certified copy of a Madera County death certificate costs $24.00. Interested parties may visit or deliver the completed application form to the following address for mail or in-person copies:

Madera County Recorder
Attn: Vital Records
200 W. 4th Street
Madera, CA 93637

Every birth and death that has taken place in California since July 1905 is also permanently and publicly recorded by the California Department of Public Health – Vital Records (CDPH-VR). For a search, interested parties may get in touch with them.

Madera County Probate Court Records

The management of deceased people's estates, including the transfer of assets to heirs, the settlement of debts, and the resolution of any disputes, is the main focus of Probate Court records in Madera County, California. In addition, the court handles guardianships, conservatorships, and trust administration. These documents include comprehensive details regarding the decedent's possessions, heirs, and any court cases pertaining to the estate.

A person can look for accessible documents online through the court's case search site or physically visit the Madera County Superior Court's Probate Department to receive probate court records. The Probate Department can be found at the Main Courthouse's Civil Division at:

Madera Superior Court
Civil Division
200 South "G" Street
Madera, CA 93637

By entering particular information, such as the case number, the name of the deceased, or the filing date to access the documents, one can look up probate case information and request copies. Getting copies of the documents can come with a cost.

Madera County Property Records

The Madera County Recorder's Office or Assessor's Office is where a person can obtain property records in Madera County, California. These documents offer a variety of information on properties, such as legal property descriptions, parcel numbers, assessed property values, and ownership details. Records pertaining to tax rates and valuation are kept up to date by the Assessor's Office for the purpose of property tax assessments.

In addition to recording official papers like liens and deeds, the Recorder's Office also provides information about past ownership, encumbrances, and property transactions. Geographic information system (GIS) data and property maps are also accessible, offering visual depictions of geographic characteristics and property borders. To access these records, people can utilize the online search capabilities on the county website, stop by the appropriate office in person, or send requests for specific documents or information via email or mail.

Madera County Court Records Online

Online resources from third parties provide easy access to court documents in Madera County, California, and are a useful substitute for going in person to the courthouse. Users can search for case information on websites such as Californiacourtrecords.us, which facilitates the remote acquisition of relevant papers by both individuals and legal experts.

Since users may access records at any time and from any location, these online platforms' main advantages are their accessibility and time-saving capabilities. However, limitations do include the possibility of out-of-date information, partial records, and possible costs for accessing particular papers. Additionally, privacy laws may prevent sensitive or private records from being accessible online.