Marin County Court Records

Private and public entities settle all manner of disputes through court cases. Criminal justice agencies also rely on Marin County courts to prosecute crimes. The motions, pleadings, electronic recordings, evidence, and documents filed during these legal proceedings are called Marin County court records.

Court records are important for the following reasons:

• Court clerks rely on them to efficiently organize legal proceedings
• Judges refer to historical court data when deciding cases and drafting opinions
• Members of the public can use court records to follow up personal proceedings, public cases that shape public policies, and high-profile criminal prosecutions.
• Legal professionals also depend on details from older legal matters, including California court records generated in other jurisdictions, to prepare legal arguments.
• Individuals who may want to expunge criminal records require their case history information to file expungement petitions.

Obtaining these records typically involves using electronic and physical resources provided by the Marin County Superior Court.

Are Court Records Public in Marin County?

Yes, the California’s judiciary court rules (Rule 2.503) permit public access to Marin court records. While the California Public Records Act (PRA) establishes the state’s public transparency policy, it only ensures access to records created for judicial administrative purposes, not files and information generated during court cases.

Be that as it may, certain court data and materials are not considered Marin County public records and are only available to individuals with statutory permission. These case files and details generally include the following:

• Arrest records of people who have been found factually innocent
• Fund requests submitted by indigent defendants who cannot afford legal fees
• Mental health evaluation records and reports
• Defendants' statement of assets
• Victim information, including impact statements, names, and contact details.
• Criminal history information (rap sheets), search warrants, certain police reports, and records from drug rehabilitation centers and marijuana-related offenses.
• Fee waiver applications
• Certain sensitive financial information like credit card and bank account numbers
• Personal details (including social security numbers)
• Subpoenaed business records
• Juvenile court records
• Immigration status
• Certain family court records, such as child welfare, confidential marriage-related matters, and family conciliation proceedings
• Confidential probate documents, including records related to guardianships and conservatorships

Additionally, records protected by state and federal law cannot be released to members of the public.

Marin County Court Records Search

The Marin County Superior Court offers different avenues for finding court records. People can use online databases, request in-person inspection, and order records using mail-in, email, and drop-box options.

Individuals can also use third-party aggregate websites to obtain publicly available Marin court records.

Marin County Court Records Search by Name

The Marin County Superior Court's ePortal system allows members of the public to pull up case information using the names of people involved in the case they want to inspect. The Court Records Division also allows people to search for court records by name using its designated viewing room.

Individuals should note the Marin County Court Records division will not help requesters research case records via email or over the phone. Case research can be requested by mail or online and costs $15 per case.

Marin County Courts

The Marin County Superior Court is the county’s main judicial body. It comprises different divisions, such as the Civil, Criminal, Juvenile, Probate, Traffic, Small Claims and Family courts. They are located in the following addresses:

Marin County Superior Court
3501 Civic Center Drive
San Rafael, CA 94903
Phone: (415) 444-7000

Marin County Juvenile Hall
16 Jeannette Prandi Way
San Rafael, CA 94903
Phone: (415) 444-7045

Civil
Civic Center, Hall of Justice,
Room 113
Phone: (415) 444-7040
Email: civil@marin.courts.ca.gov

Criminal
Civic Center, Hall of Justice
Room C-10
Phone: (415) 444-7070
Email: criminal@marin.courts.ca.gov

Family Law
Civic Center, Hall of Justice
Room 113
Phone: (415) 444-7040
Email: familylaw@marin.courts.ca.gov

Probate
Civic Center, Hall of Justice
Room 113
Phone: (415) 444-7040
Email: probate@marin.courts.ca.gov

Traffic
Civic Center, Hall of Justice
Room C-10
Phone: (415) 448-8230
Email: traffic@marin.courts.ca.gov

Small Claims
Civic Center, Hall of Justice
Room 113
Phone: (415) 444-7130
Email: selfhelp@marin.courts.ca.gov

Marin County Superior Court Case Search

The Marin County Superior Court is the county's main trial court system where criminal, civil, family, probate, traffic, small claims, and juvenile matters are handled. While court clerks receive and file records, the Court Records Division mentioned earlier is the main repository where records are maintained and dispensed.

Individuals can visit the division to research and inspect records in person. In-person inspections are free but members of the public must pay to order copies of court documents.

People who want to request records by mail, email, or drop-box must fill out the Marin Superior Court Records Request form. The form allows them to specify the case type (family, probate, small claims, criminal) and type of document being requested (regular or certified). There are also fields for requester name, address, and contact information, especially how they want their records delivered.

Completed forms should include checks payable to Marin County Superior Court to cover copy costs. Requesters can indicate a “Not to Exceed” amount to cap spending and account for additional fees that may occur.

Ordering copies of case files and other related services attract the following fees:

• 50 cents per page
• $40 per certification
• $1 to compare a copy with its original
• $15 to search for cases (first two searches) beyond 10 minutes
• $5 for additional record searches

Individuals can also use the court's ePortal system to view court records. The system has different levels of access for case parties, attorneys, and the public. Each entity must create an account using the recommended process for each access category.

Public access accounts allow members of the public to search the court calendar and general case information. They cannot view documents, minute records, and other sensitive information. However, users with party and attorney access accounts can view general case information, court calendars, and court documents.

Marin County District Court Records

The county does not have a district court, as the California court system only consists of the Superior (trial) Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court. Trial cases in Marin County are handled in different divisions of its Superior Court, such as the Criminal, Civil, Family, Probate, Traffic and Small Claims courts.

Marin County Criminal Records

Marin County criminal records include arrest information and prosecution histories maintained by the county’s law enforcement agencies and the California Department of Justice. Law enforcement bodies generally maintain Marin County arrest records, which cover details of people apprehended and booked for alleged crimes within the county. The Department of Justice holds compilations of any individual's encounters with the criminal justice system.

The California Public Records Act allows public access to certain Marin arrest records, such as arrestee name, physical description, arresting agency, and booking details. Individuals can look up these details using resources provided by agencies like the Marin County Sheriff's Office and local police departments. The Records Division of the sheriff's office holds every booking record created by the department. Interested parties can also go through the Sheriff's online public booking log to see details about people remanded in jail. The office’s Online Warrant Search system also publishes active arrest warrants issued in the county.

Further, local police departments dispense arrest records online and offline. For example, the San Rafael Police Department operates an arrest log with details about individuals arrested by the agency.

Marin County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Marin Criminal records are the main documents, materials, and data generated during prosecution proceedings in the Superior Court's criminal and traffic divisions. They also include details of each defendant's arrest and booking. Individuals can find these records through the Superior Court's ePortal system and Court Records Division as explained above. They can also contact the court’s criminal division for more inquiries.

Get Marin County Civil Court Records

Civil court cases are legal matters where disputes are resolved between two parties. A party can be an individual or organization. One can also get these case records by using the Superior Court’s case management system, visiting the courthouse, and approaching the court clerk. The civil division is also available for inquiries should a requester seek more clarifications about obtaining records.

Marin County Family Court Records

Family court records are created when the Marin County Unified Family Court handles the following matters:

• Child welfare, including custody, visitation, adoption, parental rights, and support.
• Legal separation, divorce, and annulment.
• Domestic partnerships
• Emancipation of minors
• Domestic violence

Individuals can approach the clerk's office at the following address to inquire about records:

Family Law Clerk's Office
Civic Center
Hall of Justice
Room 113
San Rafael, CA 94903
Phone: (415) 444-7040

They can also use the ePortal database to search for publicly available cases. Another option involves completing the Marin Superior Court Records Request form, specifying the type of family court records one seeks, and sending it to the Court Records Division.

Individuals must note that certain records may only be available to individuals authorized by law to review certain documents, such as adoption information and records related to family conciliation proceedings (CA Fam Code § 1818).

Marin Dissolution of Marriage Records

Dissolution of marriage proceedings are matters where married couples or domestic partners end their unions. The Marin County Unified Family Court handles such matters. Court files and information generated during these proceedings are part of Marin County marriage records. They can be obtained using any of the court's resources, as explained previously, to obtain these records.

Certified copies of a domestic partnership or marriage dissolution court records cost $15 to the general public. However, individuals who want to order copies of specific files, such as pleadings and motions alongside the case judgment will pay the regular fees charged by the civil division.

Marin County Marriage and Divorce Records

People seeking divorce records can use the same method as obtaining dissolution of marriage records. Other marriage documents are classed as Marin County vital records. They include marriage certificates and licenses issued by the county’s recorder.

Individuals seeking these records must fill out the Marin County Marriage Certificate Request Form and submit it to the recorder by mail or in person using the following information:

Marin County Recorder
P.O. Box C
San Rafael, CA 94913

Each copy costs $17.

While members of the public are generally allowed to obtain marriage certificate copies, only individuals authorized by law (CA Health & Safety Code § 103526) can request authorized certified copies. Plain certified copies will contain a remark establishing that the document is for informational purposes.

Only the following parties can request and receive authorized certified copies of marriage certificates:

• People named on the document.
• Members of either spouse's family, such as their parents, legal guardians, children, grandparents, and siblings.
• Each party's legal representative.
• Individuals who have obtained court orders to obtain the certificate.
• Law enforcement and government agencies.

Marin Birth and Death Records

Marin County birth records and death certificates are used to record people’s birth information and demise. However, they have various legal uses. Birth records help people prove their identity and citizenship, enroll in schools, and apply for things like passports, driver’s licenses, and social security. Death records are typically needed when settling a deceased person’s estate and other issues like life insurance and power of attorney.

Individuals can obtain copies of these records through the Marin County assessor-recorder-county clerk’s office. While most Marin County vital records are public documents, birth, and death certificates are not considered public information. Only the following individuals are allowed to view and obtain them:

• Immediate Family: This includes the subject’s parents or legal guardians, children, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, spouses, and domestic partners.
• Legal Representatives: These are attorneys and other entities authorized by courts to represent birth certificate registrants or deceased persons.
• Court-Authorized Individuals: People who have secured court orders to obtain the document.
• Government Officials: Law enforcement personnel or representatives from other government agencies can request birth and death records as part of their official business.
• Funeral Directors: When acting on behalf of a qualified family member or legal representative of the deceased’s estate to order certified copies of death certificates.

Interested parties must fill out the Marin County Birth Certificate or Death Certificate Request and submit it to the recorder’s office at the following address:

Marin County Recorder
P.O. Box C
San Rafael, CA 94913

It is important to note that individuals seeking these records must prove their identity. If they are submitting the request in person, they must sign a sworn statement in the clerk's presence. People submitting by mail must sign the statement in a notary public's presence and get the notary public to complete the Certificate of Acknowledgement in the form.

People can also approach the Vital Records office of the California Department of Health to obtain certified copies of Marin County marriage records created during 1905 to 1999 and 2008 to 2023. They must revert to the county clerk for records created from 2000 to 2007.

Marin County Probate Court Records

The Marin County Superior Court's Probate Division handles matters such as guardianships, deceased people's trusts and estates, conservatorships, commitments of developmentally challenged individuals, and establishment of fact of deaths, marriages, and births.

Interested parties can approach the Court Records Division to view and order copies of probate court filings. They can also use the Superior Court's ePortal system.

Marin County Property Records

Property records are real estate paperwork submitted to and created by the Marin County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk. These documents contain information related to property ownership, deeds, mortgages and liens, assessments, building plans and permits, and property tax.

Individuals usually search for property records to verify ownership and as part of real estate transaction due diligence. The records reveal whether there are outstanding liens or taxes attached to properties on sale and whether the properties are not violating regulations.

Interested parties can approach the Marin Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk's office to inspect or obtain copies of these records.

The office's records search page allows members of the public to find specific documents by subject name, document date range, document number, book and page, and document title. The name search section allows site users to select the specific type of document they want to view (such as deeds, conveyances, mortgages, etc..).

The results display the document number and title, recording date, number of pages, and other details such as grantees, grantors, and tax details, depending on the viewed document. Site users cannot view the actual document online. However, they can order documents through the same page or use the information they gathered to request copies.

Individuals can use the main Recorder Document or Map Order webpage to request official copies and maps. They must provide the document number (book and page if filed before 1981 or document reference number), number of copies, and delivery method. They can also add document titles and document names for specificity. People who want to order maps must specify the map reference, map type, number of copies, and delivery method. They must also indicate if they wish to certify the document and if they need a complete copy.

Copy requests attract the following fees:

Documents:

• $4 for the first page and $2 per additional page
• $4 certification fee per document (only complete documents)

Maps:

• $5 per page
• $4 certification fee per map page

Another records request method involves visiting the recorder's office at the following address to search for and order records:

Recorder
3501 Civic Center Drive, Suite 232
San Rafael, CA 94903
Phone: (415) 473-6092
Fax: (415) 473-7893

Marin County Court Records Online

Apart from public agencies and their vendors, individuals can also retrieve court records from third-party websites like Californiacourtrecords.us. While these sites are not affiliated with government organizations, they compile records from official sources and help users access them from one site.