Stanislaus County Court Records

Stanislaus County court records refer to records or documentation that the county judicial system generates, collates, and maintains. Records may exist in different forms, from court proceedings stored as typed or written documents to photocopies, pictures, electronically/magnetically recorded information, audio, video recordings, and any other storage medium. Some common examples of Stanislaus County court records include case exhibits, pleadings, rulings, motions, judgments, indictments, docket information, and any other documentation filed during the case.

Are Court Records Public in Stanislaus County?

Court records for Stanislaus County are considered public records under the California Public Record Act (CPRA). This means that private individuals, the media, businesses, and organizations may request court records from their custodians.

However, while court records are generally public and open to full disclosure, several types of court records are subject to restricted access or full exemptions. Examples of such records restricted or exempted under the CPRA include:

• Documents filed under a court seal
• Documents that are the subject of a motion to seal
• Personal information excluded from court calendars, indexes, and registers
• Records containing the identity of victims of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault
• Personnel records of peace or custodial officers

Note: Appendix 1 of the California Trial Court Records Manual provides further information about restricted or exempted court records. The general public may be able to access otherwise restricted records via a court order or with the exempted parts removed or redacted.

Stanislaus County Court Records Search

Record seekers have several options for performing a Stanislaus County court records search, including the following methods.

• Visit the Stanislaus County Superior Court Clerk
• Visit the exact Stanislaus County Superior Court Location where the case was heard
• Use any of the online record portals provided by the superior court
• Use a third-party online records website

Stanislaus County Court Records Search by Name

Court record searches by name are available for Stanislaus County court records via several options. Offline searches can be made in person at the physical court location or using any of the court kiosks at the court houses. During the search, requesters must provide the full name of the subject of the record(Plaintiff or Defendant) plus the case number or year the case was filed. Records seekers will be required to provide valid government-issued identification before accessing physical court records.

Court record search requests can also be made by mail. Requesters may send a written request stating what records should be searched for and copied or mail a Research Request Form (Civil) or Research Request Form (Criminal) to the superior court. Mailed requests should include a self-addressed envelope with enough postage to cover returning the required copies.

Research and copy requests will cost a search fee plus any fees for copies of the records. Search fees are $15 per search, while copies cost $0.50 per page. If the record is stored off-site, it may be acquired for an additional retrieval fee of $10 for regular delivery, $55 for urgent delivery, and $95 for emergency delivery. Certification of the record will cost $40 per document. Payment is acceptable in a check or money order payable to the Stanislaus County Superior Court.

As of March 2024, only civil court case information is available via the superior court's online Public Search portal. Records can also be researched using the public computer kiosks at superior court locations.

Stanislaus County Courts

The various divisions of the Stanislaus County Superior Court are responsible for hearing cases in the county. Listed below are the Superior Court locations found around Stanislaus County.

Stanislaus County Superior Court - City Towers
Civil and Probate Division (Estates, Trusts and Conservatorships)
801 10th Street, Modesto, CA 95354
Phone: (209) 530-3100
The Stanislaus County Superior Court’s City Towers location hears civil and probate cases.

Stanislaus County Superior Court - Juvenile Court
2215 Blue Gum Avenue, Modesto, CA 95358
Phone: (209) 530-3100
The Juvenile Court handles delinquency cases.

Stanislaus County Superior Court - Modesto Central
Main Courthouse
800 11th Street, Modesto, CA 95354
Phone: (209) 530-3100
The Stanislaus County Superior Court Modesto main courthouse hears criminal, family law, and probate cases.

Stanislaus County Superior Court - Traffic Division
2260 Floyd Avenue, Modesto, CA 95355
Phone: (209) 530-3100
The Stanislaus County Superior Court at this location hears adult and juvenile traffic cases.

Stanislaus County Superior Court - Turlock
300 Starr Avenue, Turlock, CA 95380
Phone: (209) 530-3100
The Stanislaus County Superior Court at this location hears small claims and unlawful detainers.

Stanislaus County District Court Records

In California, the court system is split into three tiers. In Stanislaus County, the local Superior Court serves as the trial court/district court equivalent. The Divisions of the superior court are responsible for handling most court cases and other legal proceedings. The following types of cases are handled by Stanislaus County Superior Court.

• Criminal
• Civil
• Family Law
• Probate
• Traffic
• Juvenile
• Unlawful Detainers

Court records concerning these cases can be obtained from the Superior Court, where the case was handled.

Stanislaus County Criminal Records

California’s penal code permits an individual the right to obtain a copy of their criminal record. Stanislaus County criminal records can be obtained from Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department or the California Department of Justice.

Only the subject of the record may request a criminal record from the Stanislaus County Sheriff. The requester must fill out and submit an “application to examine arrest records” and show one form of valid identification. These records detail an individual’s arrest record within Stanislaus County alone.

Requesters can also request an Incarceration Letter, which outlines the dates and times of an individual's incarceration within Stanislaus County Jail facilities. The Stanislaus County Arrest record letter and incarceration letter both cost $25 each. Record seekers can obtain these records from

Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department
Records Division
250 E. Hackett Road
Modesto, California 95358
Business Phone: (209) 525-7117
Fax: (209) 525-7111

On the state level, criminal record checks can be obtained from the California Department of Justice. The department offers individuals a fingerprint-based criminal record check for crimes committed in California. All applicants must submit fingerprint scans from any Live Scan locations closest to them..

Stanislaus County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Stanislaus County Criminal Court case information can be obtained by visiting the Main Courthouse and looking up case information using the court-provided kiosks. Record seekers can also request by mailing a Criminal Research Request Form to the Criminal Division Superior Court at:

Stanislaus County Superior Court
Attn: Criminal Division
P.O.Box 1098,
Modesto, CA 95353

Record fees include a non-refundable search fee of $15, a copy fee of $0.50 per page, and a certification fee of $40 per case. For any inquiries, requesters can email the division at Criminal.Requests@stanct.org.

Get Stanislaus County Civil Court Records

Stanislaus County civil court records consist of rulings, motions, judgments, claims, and other documentation from cases. Such records can be obtained in person at the counter or the clerk's office or using any of the court kiosks.

To view physical files, requesters must provide a valid government-issued photo ID. Records can also be obtained by mailing a research request form to the superior court. During requests, requesters must provide the full name of the record subject, a case number, or the year the case was filed. Mailed requests must include a self-addressed and stamped envelope for returning the record.

Record fees include a $15 search fee plus copy fees at $0.50 per page. If the records are stored off-site, the requester will be charged off-site retrieval fees depending on the urgency of retrieval. Payment should be made via a check or money order payable to the Stanislaus County Superior Court. If an accurate estimate of the fees is unknown, requests may add a blank check with “no to exceed” and an anticipated amount.

Stanislaus County civil court records can also be obtained online using the Superior Court Public Portal. Users can search for records by subject name, business name, case number, case type, and filing date.

Stanislaus County Family Court Records

The Stanislaus County Family Court hears cases regarding legal separation, divorce, spousal support, child support, child custody, visitation, restraining orders, arbitration, and mediation.

Interested parties may obtain family court records from the Family Law Division of the Stanislaus County Superior Court. The Family Law division has three locations in Stanislaus County.

• Superior Court’s Self-Help Center at 800 11th Street, Room 220, Modesto, CA
• Family Law Clerk's Office at 1100 I Street, Modesto, CA, during regular office hours
• Stanislaus County Law Library at 1101 13th Street, Modesto, CA

Record seekers may request family court records by visiting the family law clerk’s office in person. Requests can also be made by mailing a Family Law Research Request Form to the Superior Court at:

Superior Court
Family Law
P.O. Box 1098
Modesto, CA 95353

Court records can also be obtained online using the Public Index online portal to look up records.

Record seekers with inquiries can call the Family Law division at (209) 530-3100 or email FamLaw.Requests@stanct.org.

Stanislaus Dissolution of Marriage Records

Stanislaus County dissolution of marriage records are records of cases concerning divorces and legal separations within the county’s jurisdiction. These records can be obtained from the Family Law division of the Stanislaus County Superior Court or online via the Superior Court public index database.

Stanislaus County Marriage and Divorce Records

Different agencies in the county maintain Stanislaus County marriage and divorce records. Marriage records are maintained by the Stanislaus County Clerk-Recorder, and the Stanislaus County Superior Court maintains divorce records.

Stanislaus County offers requesters either informational marriage records or authorized certified marriage records. Requests can be made by submitting an Application for Marriage Certificate in English or Spanish in person at the Clerk-Recorder office.

To request an authorized copy of the record, select “authorized” in part two of the application form, indicate your relation to the registrant, and then complete and sign the sworn statement in the presence of a Notary Public. Informational copies cannot be used for any legal business, so requesting one does not require a sworn statement.

Completed application form can be returned in person or mailed together with payment to the Clerk-recorder at:
Stanislaus County Clerk-Recorder
P.O. Box 1670
Modesto, CA 95353-1670

Vital records such as marriage certificates can also be ordered online. However, online orders must be picked up and paid for at the Clerk-Recorder’s Office.

Marriage records cost $17 per copy in a personal check, cashier’s check, certified check, traveler’s check, or money order made payable to the Stanislaus County Clerk-Recorder.

There is also the option to acquire a certified copy of a confidential marriage record, but only for parties to the confidential marriage. To request the confidential marriage record, tick confidential at the beginning of part two of the application.

Divorce records for Stanislaus County can be obtained from the Family Law division of the Stanislaus County Superior Court. Record seekers may visit the court in person or mail a Research Request form with a “divorce decree” selected from the documents requested. Mailed requests should include the completed form, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and payment. Divorce decrees from the superior court cost $15 per copy, payable in check or money order made out to the Stanislaus County Superior Court.

Mailed requests should be sent to:

Superior Court
Family Law
P.O. Box 1098
Modesto, CA 95353

Stanislaus Birth and Death Records

Stanislaus County birth and death records can be obtained from the Stanislaus County Clerk-Recorder. Along with marriage records, birth and death records comprise vital records and are important when verifying a citizen’s identity, age, parentage, and citizenship.

Stanislaus County offers its citizens the option of authorized or informational copies of birth and death records. Record seekers may order birth certificates by filling out the Application For Birth Certificate in English or Spanish. Death Certificates in turn can be ordered by mailing an Application For Death Certificate in English or Spanish.

To order an authorized certified copy of these records, requesters must fill out and sign the attached sworn statement in front of a notary public. They must also indicate their relationship to the subject of the records in Part Two of the application to show eligibility to receive an authorized certified copy. Informational copies cannot be used for any legal business, so ordering one does not require filling out the sworn statement and notarization.

The completed form can be returned in person or by mail to the Clerk-Recorder at:

Stanislaus County Clerk-Recorder
P.O. Box 1670
Modesto, CA 95353-1670

Birth records cost $32 per copy, while Death records cost $24. These fees are nonrefundable, and a Certificate of Search will be issued if no records can be found on file. Payment for Stanislaus County Birth and Death Certificates should be in the form of a Check or money order made payable to the Stanislaus County Clerk-Recorder. Cash may be accepted during in-person requests.

Record seekers can order copies of birth and death records Online, but payment and pick up must be made in person at the Stanislaus Clerk-Recorder’s office.

Stanislaus County Probate Court Records

The Stanislaus County Probate Court is a Superior Court division that handles cases involving wills, estates, and various issues affecting adults and children. These cases include guardianship of children, adoption, conservatorship of adults, trusts, mental health treatments, elder abuse, and dependent adult restraining orders.

Civil and Probate cases follow the same guidelines for viewing and/or copying case records in Stanislaus County. Stanislaus County Probate Court Records can be obtained online at the Stanislaus County Superior Court Public Portal. Records can also be viewed using the public computers available in the court kiosks.

Offline requests can be made in person at the civil court clerk's office. Requests can also be made by mailing the research request form. The requester must tick probate under the type of case in the application form.

Stanislaus County Property Records.

Property records are records concerning property transactions and include grants, deeds, plats, trusts, liens, and so on. Stanislaus County property records can be obtained from the Stanislaus County Assessor’s Office and the County Clerk-Recorder.

Record seekers may be able to access property data considered public records using the self-service computers at the Assessor’s Office during regular office hours(8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). The Assessor’s office also provides free property records online using the following options.

• The Public Inquiry database provides assessment and property information online for free.
• The ParcelQuest Lite is a commercial provider of property assessment information with free and paid results.
• Stanislaus Assessor Map Books database provides access to print and download information from the Assessor’s map books.

The Assessor Office also provides a selection of paid and contractual subscription plans on the Assessment Data page. Records seekers can search for property records at the county clerk-recorder office in person or using the on-site self-service computers. Records can also be looked up or ordered using the Recorder Works online database.

Stanislaus County Court Records Online

In general, record seekers have the option to access Stanislaus County court records using either government or third-party resources. Third-party websites like courtrecords.us are databases managed by private companies or individuals who compile public records from various sources such as online repositories and actual courthouses.

Third-party websites are convenient as they allow record seekers to access necessary information across jurisdictions from the comfort of their home, office, or on the go. All that is needed is an internet connection and an internet-capable device. The facilities on these websites are also designed to be easy to pick up and use, with search parameters usually being simple names.

However, data on third-party websites may not be accurate or up-to-date. It is recommended that whoever uses such websites verify the information obtained with official government records.