Sacramento County CA Superior Court: Case Search & Records
Sacramento Superior Court records are searchable online, but the correct path depends on the case type. Criminal, civil, family law, probate, traffic, small claims and unlawful detainer records do not all behave the same way. Use this guide to choose the right official search tool, verify a match, request copies, and avoid the frustrating “no result” loop.
Independent guide reviewed September 2026. Confirm case status, document availability, hearing dates, copy fees, certification requirements and courthouse location on the official court website before relying on a result.
Choose the Right Sacramento Superior Court Route
Sacramento’s search tools are case-type driven. If you search the wrong portal, a missing result may only mean the case lives in a different system. Start with the clue you already have: case number, party name, filing date, driver license number, citation number, hearing date or courthouse assignment.
Best for criminal, family, traffic and other case types when the case number appears on your notice or filing.
Open Case Search →Civil, probate, small claims and unlawful detainer searches may require an account before you can use the search feature.
Open Public Case Access →Sacramento launched a new criminal case management system effective August 10, 2026.
Open Criminal Portal →Traffic search can also show options to resolve and remote appearance links when a hearing is scheduled.
Open Traffic Search →Parties may need enrollment for expanded family-law document access.
Open Family Case Access →Certified copies, exemplified copies and older records require records-unit procedures and fees.
Open Court Records page →Sacramento Superior Court Case Search by Case Type
The court’s official Case Search page separates searches by division. Use this table as a router before entering a name or case number.
| Search route | Use it for | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal | Criminal case information, party/case-number searching and newer criminal portal records. | The new criminal public portal took effect August 10, 2026; copy requests still follow Criminal Records procedures. |
| Civil | Civil case information, case participants, events and documents where applicable. | The court states civil searches require or prompt account creation. |
| Family Law | Family law case information by name, case number or filing date. | Parties and attorneys may need participant enrollment for expanded document access. |
| Probate | Probate case participants, events, public probate records and copy requests. | Probate records are generally public unless confidential by law or sealed by the court. |
| Traffic | Traffic citations by driver license number, citation number, case number or Xref number. | Case access may show options to resolve, related documents and Zoom information for scheduled hearings. |
| Small Claims | Small claims case information. | The court says this search may require or prompt account creation. |
| Unlawful Detainer | Landlord/tenant unlawful detainer cases. | Access requires specific party names and the property address; the court says to select Limited Civil as the case type. |
How to Search a Sacramento Superior Court Case
A good search is not just a name search. It is a chain: choose the case type, search with the strongest identifier, compare the result, read the docket in sequence, then use the records unit only when you need a copy or certification.
- Identify the case type first. Decide whether the matter is criminal, civil, family law, probate, traffic, small claims or unlawful detainer.
- Use the case number if you have it. Copy letters, numbers, dashes and year information exactly from your notice, citation, filing or order.
- Open the official Sacramento Case Search page. Use the court’s own page rather than a scraper or background-check website.
- Choose the correct search route. Criminal routes may use the new portal; traffic has its own driver-license/citation/case-number searches; family has name, case-number and filing-date routes.
- Search by name only when necessary. Try full legal name first, then retry with spelling variations, middle initial removed, business suffix removed or date limits.
- Open the likely result and compare details. Check case number, party role, filing date, case type, courthouse, events, documents and disposition.
- Read the docket in order. A filed motion, charge, petition or hearing entry does not equal the final outcome.
- Request official copies separately. Use civil, criminal, family, probate or traffic records instructions when you need a certified or exemplified copy.
Sacramento Criminal Case Search & Records
Sacramento Superior Court states that its new criminal case management system launched at 8 a.m. on August 10, 2026. Criminal searches now route through the newer public portal, while criminal copy requests still use the Criminal Records Unit instructions.
Use the criminal public portal
- Open the new criminal public portal.
- Search by party name or case number where allowed.
- Open the case and compare parties, charges, events, hearings and disposition.
- Write down the criminal case number before requesting copies.
- Use Criminal Records if you need a certified or non-certified copy.
Use Criminal Records for official copies
Sacramento’s Criminal Records page says criminal records may be searched online or at public access kiosks, and copy requests can be submitted using the local criminal records forms. The court researches Sacramento County criminal record information for cases dating from 1989 to the present.
Read Criminal Records instructionsHow to Request Sacramento Superior Court Records or Certified Copies
Online viewing and official copies are different. If an agency, employer, immigration filing, title matter, benefits application or court filing requires proof, ask for the correct copy type. Sacramento publishes separate copy instructions for civil, criminal, family, probate and traffic records.
| Copy request type | Published fee / rule | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Regular court copy | $0.50 per page for staff-prepared copies | Useful when a plain copy is enough. |
| Certified copy | $40 per certification, plus per-page copy fees | Ask for this when a receiving agency requires certification. |
| Exemplification | $50 per exemplification, plus per-page copy fees | Confirm this is what you need; it is not the same as a regular certified copy. |
| Staff search over 10 minutes | $15 per search longer than 10 minutes | Supplying a case number can avoid unnecessary search time. |
| Self-service copier | Civil Records page notes privately maintained copy machines at $0.25 each | This is for in-person copying, not certification. |
Civil Records Unit
Certified or exemplified civil copies can be obtained at the civil front counter or by mailing a completed Request for Copies of Civil Records form with fees.
Civil Records instructionsCriminal Records Unit
Use CR-278A for name searches and CR-278C for copy requests. The public Criminal Records Unit address is at the Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye Sacramento County Courthouse.
Criminal Records instructionsFamily Law records
Family records have special access rules. Parentage, mediation and psychological or drug-test-related materials may be restricted.
Family Court RecordsProbate records
Probate records are public unless confidential by law or sealed. Older pre-1937 records may require the Center for Sacramento History.
Probate Records instructionsRestricted, Confidential, Older or Missing Sacramento Court Records
A missing online record does not always mean no record exists. It may be the wrong portal, a restricted case type, a file stored off-site, a pre-online record, a confidential document, or a record held at another agency.
| Problem | Likely reason | Best next move |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal case not found in old search | Sacramento launched a new criminal system in August 2026. | Use the new criminal public portal and Criminal Portal Public Users Guide. |
| Civil or probate search asks for an account | The court says civil, probate, small claims and unlawful detainer searches may require account creation. | Create or sign in to the required public portal account if you need those records. |
| Family law document is not visible | Family law documents and protected materials may require party enrollment or may be confidential. | Use the Family Law Case Participant Enrollment process or family records copy request route. |
| Probate file is very old | Probate records filed before 1937 may be at the Center for Sacramento History. | Contact the Center for Sacramento History or follow the probate records page instructions. |
| Criminal case older than 1989 | Criminal Records says the court researches Sacramento County criminal cases from 1989 to present. | Use public microfiche at the Criminal Records Unit or check instructions for older records. |
| Traffic issue not clear online | You may need options to resolve, copy request help, or hearing assistance. | Use the Traffic Virtual Public Counter, call the Traffic Call Center, or visit the Carol Miller Justice Center. |
| Sealed, juvenile, adoption or protected matter | Public access is limited by law, court rule or court order. | Do not try to bypass access limits. Ask the relevant division what authorized-access procedure applies. |
Sacramento Superior Court Locations That Matter for Records
Sacramento court records and hearings are split by division and building. Before visiting, check the case record and the official location page because traffic, family, probate, criminal, civil and small claims tasks can route to different courthouse locations.
| Location | Official address | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye Sacramento County Courthouse | 500 G Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 | Main downtown courthouse for civil and criminal case processing support units, civil hours and criminal hours. |
| William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse | 3341 Power Inn Road, Sacramento, CA 95826 | Family Law and Probate divisions, Self-Help Center, Family Court Services and Family Law Facilitator. |
| Carol Miller Justice Center | 301 Bicentennial Circle, Sacramento, CA 95826 | Traffic, Small Claims and Unlawful Detainer matters; Traffic Division room 100. |
| Lorenzo Patiño Hall of Justice | 651 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 | Houses Sacramento County Main Jail and specified criminal court departments. |
| Juvenile Courthouse | 9605 Kiefer Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95827 | Juvenile matters have special privacy and access rules. |
Common Sacramento Court Record Terms
Official Sacramento Superior Court Sources
These links are included because they perform a real task or explain a records rule. Start with the court website before relying on a directory, scraper, background-check site or old forum post.
Sacramento Superior Court Case Search & Records FAQs
1. Where do I search Sacramento Superior Court cases online?
Start with the official Sacramento Superior Court Case Search page. It routes users to Criminal, Civil, Family Law, Probate, Traffic, Small Claims and Unlawful Detainer search options.
2. Is Sacramento online case searching free?
Sacramento’s Public Case Access System states that the court has discontinued all fees associated with online searches and document downloads. Copy, certification, exemplification and staff-search fees may still apply when requesting official records from a records unit.
3. What changed for Sacramento criminal case searches in 2026?
Sacramento Superior Court launched a new criminal case management system effective August 10, 2026. Criminal case access now routes through the new criminal public portal, while copy requests still follow the Criminal Records Unit instructions.
4. Can I search Sacramento court records by name?
Yes, depending on the case type. Sacramento Public Case Access supports searching by name, case number or filing date in supported areas. Traffic also allows searches by driver license number, citation number, case number or Xref number.
5. Why do civil, probate or small claims searches ask me to create an account?
The court’s Case Search page says Civil, Probate, Small Claims and Unlawful Detainer searches may require or prompt account creation. Create or sign in to the required public portal account when the case type requires it.
6. How do I request certified copies from Sacramento Superior Court?
Use the records page for the correct division: Civil Records, Criminal Records, Family Court Records, Probate Records or Traffic Records. Certified copies generally require page-copy fees plus a certification fee, and some requests require a division-specific form.
7. How much does Sacramento Superior Court charge for certified copies?
The court’s records-related fees include $0.50 per page for staff-prepared copies, $40 per certification in addition to copy fees, $50 per exemplification and $15 for searches longer than 10 minutes. Always confirm the current fee schedule before sending payment.
8. Where are family law and probate records handled?
Family Law and Probate are handled at the William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse, 3341 Power Inn Road, Sacramento, CA 95826. The courthouse also houses the Self-Help Center, Family Court Services and Family Law Facilitator’s Office.
9. Where are Sacramento traffic records handled?
Traffic matters are handled through the Traffic Division and the Carol Miller Justice Center at 301 Bicentennial Circle, Room 100, Sacramento, CA 95826. The court also offers traffic search and virtual public counter options online.
10. What if the Sacramento case is older than the online system shows?
Older records may require division-specific procedures. Probate records filed before 1937 may be at the Center for Sacramento History. Criminal Records says the court researches Sacramento County criminal cases from 1989 to present; older criminal records may require public microfiche or other instructions.