Court records in Contra Costa County, California, can be searched through several channels. ContraCostaCourt.us can help find publicly available information about court cases filed in the county. You can also access records through the Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa website, which offers an online public portal for case lookups. For records not available online, the court clerk's offices in Martinez and other courthouse locations accept requests in person, by mail, and through downloadable forms. Public terminals at courthouse locations provide additional on-site access.
Contra Costa Court System & Jurisdictions
California operates a unified trial court system, meaning each county has a single Superior Court that handles virtually all case types. There is no separate district court, magistrate court, or county court at the state level — the Superior Court of Contra Costa County is the trial court of general jurisdiction.
The court is organized into several divisions, each handling specific case types:
- Criminal Division — Felonies, misdemeanors, infractions, and traffic offenses. Arraignments, preliminary hearings, trials, and sentencing all take place here.
- Civil Division — Unlimited civil cases (over $25,000), limited civil cases ($25,000 or less), and small claims disputes (up to $12,500 for individuals). Unlawful detainer (eviction) cases are also filed in this division.
- Family Law Division — Divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, spousal support, domestic violence restraining orders, and paternity actions.
- Probate Division — Wills, estates, conservatorships, guardianships, and trust matters.
- Juvenile Division — Delinquency and dependency cases involving minors. Most juvenile records are confidential under California law.
- Traffic Division — Traffic infractions and some misdemeanor traffic violations, including DUI arraignments.
The main courthouse is the A.F. Bray Courthouse in Martinez. Additional courthouses operate in Richmond, Walnut Creek, and Pittsburg, each handling designated case types. The Judicial Branch of California website provides statewide court information and self-help resources.
Contra Costa Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
Daily court calendars show scheduled hearings, trials, and other proceedings. In Contra Costa County, you can find calendar information through these methods:
- Online case lookup — The court's online case information portal lets you search civil, small claims, and probate cases and view daily court calendars. You can search by case number, party name, or attorney name.
- Criminal case calendars — Criminal hearing dates can be checked through the court's public portal. Visit the criminal court records page for access instructions. Note that minutes, case documents, and orders are not available online for criminal cases.
- In-person review — Court calendars are typically posted at each courthouse location. You can visit the clerk's office or check posted schedules in the lobby area.
- Contact the clerk — Call (925) 608-1000 to ask about a specific hearing date or courtroom assignment.
Calendars generally cover the current day and upcoming scheduled dates. If you need to confirm a hearing time or location, contact the clerk's office at least one business day in advance, as calendars can change due to continuances or reassignments.
How to Get a Copy of a Contra Costa Court Document
The process for obtaining court documents depends on the case type and whether you need a certified or uncertified copy.
Certified vs. Uncertified Copies
- Uncertified copies are plain reproductions of court documents. They work for personal reference or informal use.
- Certified copies bear the court's official seal and clerk's signature. These are typically required for legal proceedings, government agencies, real estate transactions, and immigration matters.
How to Request Documents
Online: Use the court's public portal to view and print basic case information. Full documents, orders, and minutes generally require a formal request. Check the court's Order a File & Records page for current instructions.
By mail: Submit a written request using the court's mail request form, available on the civil court records page. Include the case number, document description, and a check or money order for applicable fees.
In person: Visit the appropriate clerk's office. For non-criminal cases, the Court Records office is located at:
For criminal case records, note that the criminal clerk's office has limited in-person processing. Use the court's downloadable forms instead, as described on the criminal court records page.
Divorce decrees: Certified copies of divorce decrees can only be obtained from the Superior Court in the county where the divorce was granted. The California Department of Public Health issues certificates of dissolution but not the actual decree.
What You'll Need
- Case number (if known)
- Names of the parties involved
- Approximate filing date or year
- Description of the specific document requested
- Payment for applicable fees
Restricted Records
Certain records are not publicly accessible, including:
- Sealed or expunged cases
- Juvenile case files
- Adoption records
- Mental health proceedings
- Records subject to a court confidentiality order
Ask the clerk whether the record you need is publicly available before submitting a request.
Contra Costa Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court record services in Contra Costa County are set by California Government Code sections 70620–70678 and the court's local fee schedule. The following table reflects standard fees — confirm current amounts with the clerk, as fees may be updated periodically.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.50 |
| Certification of a document | $40 per document |
| Search fee (per name or case, per 10-year period) | $15 |
| Retrieval of archived file | Varies — ask the clerk |
| Exemplified copy (double certification) | $50 |
| Copy of electronic recording (if applicable) | $20 |
Payment Methods
- In person: Cash, check, money order, and in some cases credit or debit card.
- By mail: Check or money order made payable to "Contra Costa Superior Court."
- Online: Some fees may be payable through the court's electronic systems. Check the court website for current online payment options.
If you are unsure of the total cost, contact the clerk's office at (925) 608-1000 before mailing a request. Overpayments by check are generally refunded; underpayments will delay processing. Fee waivers are available for qualifying individuals — ask the clerk for a fee waiver application (Judicial Council Form FW-001).