Los Angeles County CA Court Case Search & Dockets
Looking for a Los Angeles court case, hearing date, criminal charge, civil lawsuit, divorce docket, probate filing or judgment? The most important detail is whether you already have a case number. If you do, you can often go straight to the court’s case-access system. If you only have a name, you may need a paid name-index search first.
This guide covers the actual search routes, their differences, how to read docket entries, public-access limits, historical coverage, costs, document downloads and certified records. It also explains what to do when a case appears in one court service but not another.
Independent guide reviewed October 2026. Court status, hearings, public-access restrictions and charges must be confirmed on official court systems.
Which Los Angeles County Case Search Should You Use?
The Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles handles most state trial-court cases in the county. But case-number access, name indexes, document downloads and traffic citation searches are not interchangeable.
| What you have | Correct starting point | Expected information |
|---|---|---|
| Civil, family or probate case number | Court Access Portal | Available case information and docket access |
| Civil litigant or company name only | Civil name index | Case number, name, category, filing date and location where matched |
| Criminal defendant name only | Criminal name index | Criminal case number, defendant, filing date and location |
| Traffic citation or infraction | Court Traffic Citations | Available traffic citation information and service options |
| Case number and need a PDF filing | Case Document Images | Public imaged filings available to purchase |
| Older case or missing filing | Archives or the filing courthouse | Research, inspection or copies subject to availability |
| Federal court case | PACER | Federal case information, separate from California trial courts |
How to Search a Los Angeles County Court Case by Number
A case-number search reduces the risk of confusing people with similar names and is a practical way to locate the filing courthouse and review available case progress.
- Locate the complete case number. Copy letters, digits and suffixes from a court-issued document.
- Open the official Court Access Portal.
- Use the available case-search function. Follow any applicable login or access instructions.
- Enter the number accurately and submit the search.
- Check the case title, category, parties, filing date and courthouse before assuming it is the correct case.
- Review the case timeline or docket, including later orders and changes to scheduled events.
- Use the appropriate document-image service if you need to read a filing, rather than only its docket description.
- Save the case number and filing location for follow-up requests or certified copies.
What should a useful case result contain?
Unique reference for the court file and related copy requests.
The parties and nature of the proceeding.
The courthouse or court office associated with the record.
When the case was formally opened or filed.
Filings, hearings, orders and subsequent case activity.
Judgments, dismissals and disposition entries when available.
Los Angeles Court Case Search by Name
Los Angeles Superior Court has separate paid public-access indexes for civil-side litigants and criminal defendants. Their coverage differs, and an unsuccessful paid name search is still chargeable.
Civil Name Search
- Open the official Civil Name Index.
- Choose guest access or a registered account.
- Enter last and first name, or a company name.
- Review the fee before confirming the transaction.
- Compare litigant name, case type, filing date and filing location.
- Record the correct case number before buying document images.
Covers available Unlimited Civil, Limited Civil, Small Claims, Family Law and Probate name records.
Criminal Defendant Name Search
- Open the official Criminal Name Index.
- Select guest or registered access.
- Enter the defendant’s name and use available search options.
- Review the applicable payment notice.
- Compare the matching criminal case number, defendant, filing date and location.
- Continue with the court’s case-summary system for more case information.
This criminal defendant index excludes traffic and other infractions.
How far back do the name indexes go?
| Case type | Published coverage | If your record is older |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Civil | 1983–present | Check Archives |
| Limited Civil | 1991–present | Check Archives or the responsible court |
| Small Claims | 1992–present | Ask about older files |
| Family Law | 1983–present | Contact Archives or the family-law filing courthouse |
| Probate | 1983–present | Ask the relevant probate courthouse |
| Criminal felony | 1980–present | Contact Archives |
| Criminal misdemeanor | 1988–present | Some earlier records reach 1983 depending on local automation |
What Is a Los Angeles Court Docket?
A docket, sometimes called a register of actions, is the procedural record of a case. It lists filings and court activity in date order. It is not the same as the full text of every document, and not every docket event proves the ultimate outcome.
Common docket phrases explained
| Term | Meaning | Important distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Complaint filed | A lawsuit or criminal pleading was filed | Does not mean the allegations were proved |
| Motion filed | A party requested court action | Does not mean the judge granted the request |
| Hearing set | A hearing was scheduled | It may later be continued or canceled |
| Minute order | A written record of a court proceeding or order | Read the actual order when wording matters |
| Judgment entered | A judgment was recorded | Check the judgment terms and later activity |
| Dismissal | A claim, count or case was dismissed | The effect depends on its scope and grounds |
| HTA / Held to Answer | A criminal matter was held over for further proceedings | This does not mean a conviction |
| Disposition | A recorded case or charge outcome | Check whether it covers the entire case or only one count |
Los Angeles Court Name Search & Document Fees
The Court’s established Public Access Online Services use cost-recovery fees. The figures below reflect the published legacy system, not a guarantee of pricing for every function in the newer portal.
| Service | Published fee | Important point |
|---|---|---|
| Guest name search | $4.75 per query | Charged even with no matches |
| Registered searches 1–10 monthly | $1 each | Sliding-scale schedule |
| Registered searches 11–99 | $4.75 each | Monthly count resets |
| Registered searches 100–999 | $4.50 each | Higher-volume rate |
| Registered searches 1,000–10,000 | $4.25 each | Higher-volume rate |
| Registered searches 10,001+ | $4 each | Higher-volume rate |
| Downloaded PDF pages 1–5 | $1 per page | For each purchased document |
| Additional PDF pages | $0.40 per page | Maximum $40 per document |
Verify the Court’s current fee information.
What happens after purchase?
- Name-search transactions can be charged before results appear.
- The Court warns that no-match name searches are still chargeable.
- Document-image fees are charged after selecting images to purchase.
- The legacy guest account page says purchased documents remain retrievable for 30 days.
- Save both your receipt and downloaded files promptly.
How to Download Los Angeles Court Case Documents
A case docket may identify a judgment, complaint, order or other filing without providing its full image. The official Case Document Images service allows purchasing scanned documents for supported categories.
- Find and verify the correct case number first.
- Open Case Document Images.
- Use the case number to locate available imaged records.
- Review document titles and dates before selecting files.
- Check the number of pages and final price; scanned blank pages can count.
- Authorize payment only for the document you intend to retrieve.
- Download the PDF and save your receipt.
Document-image coverage
| Category | Published image coverage | Important limit |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Civil | Stanley Mosk cases beginning March 15, 2000; specified Central Civil West coverage | Not all filings imaged |
| Limited Civil / eviction | January 1, 1970–present | Access restrictions still apply |
| Small Claims | January 21, 1988–present | Image availability varies |
| Family Law | May 1, 2000–present | Some sensitive matters are restricted |
| Probate | January 1, 2001–present | Not all documents imaged |
How to Obtain Certified Los Angeles Court Records
California Rule of Court 2.504 distinguishes remote electronic access from the court’s official record: unless electronically certified by the court, an electronic-access copy is not the official court record.
Case timeline
Best for researching case events, dates and status.
Document text
Best for reading the wording of a public imaged filing.
Authenticated record
Needed when a receiving authority requires official court certification.
Prepare a useful copy request
Copy it from an official court record if possible.
Helps the clerk confirm the correct file.
Judgment, dismissal, minute order, complaint, decree or another filing.
Useful when the case has many similar filings.
Specify whether you need certification or another form of authentication.
Use the filing courthouse and Archives
- Find the filing courthouse in the case result.
- Open the official Courthouse Directory.
- Choose the courthouse and read its relevant division contact information.
- Ask how to request a copy, whether the file is at that location, and what certification is available.
- For older matters, follow the court’s Archives and Records Center instructions.
- Confirm fees, mail or in-person procedures and acceptable payment methods before submitting.
How to Look Up a Los Angeles Traffic Court Case
The paid criminal defendant-name index specifically excludes traffic and other infractions. Traffic cases use the Superior Court’s separate Traffic Citations services.
- Open the Superior Court website.
- Select Traffic Citations.
- Choose the service appropriate to finding a citation, reviewing a hearing or checking payment options.
- Enter the available citation or case information using the portal’s requested fields.
- Compare the information with your paper citation.
- If the online result is unavailable or a deadline is near, use the official Traffic division contact process rather than treating the missing result as cancellation.
Filing Courthouse, Case Location & Local Search Tips
Los Angeles Superior Court lists 36 courthouse locations across its county. Searching the correct case number is only part of the task; you may also need the courthouse responsible for the record.
Downtown cases
Stanley Mosk Courthouse is a major location for civil, family and probate-related services. It is not the filing location for every LA County case.
Regional cases
Los Angeles Superior Court serves communities including the San Fernando Valley, South Bay, Southeast Los Angeles, Westside and other districts. Search by case and confirm the actual filing courthouse.
Older misdemeanor records
Some legacy misdemeanor information reaches 1983 depending on when former Municipal Court locations automated their records.
Public access computers
The Court identifies courthouse public-access computers as another way to inspect available materials when remote document-image access does not meet your needs.
No Los Angeles Court Case Found? Troubleshooting Guide
| Problem | Likely reason | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Case number gives no match | Formatting error, different court system, inaccessible case | Check original number and court identity |
| Party-name search returns nothing | Name variation, wrong division, outside coverage | Check alternatives before paying again |
| Traffic ticket absent from criminal search | Criminal defendant index excludes infractions | Use Traffic Citations services |
| Docket lists a filing but no image | Not yet imaged, restricted, older or otherwise unavailable | Contact the filing courthouse for copy access |
| Older case not indexed | Pre-online date range | Ask Archives about availability |
| Eviction case missing | California law restricts certain unlawful-detainer public records | Use authorized court access only |
| Sealed or juvenile record missing | Confidentiality or access restrictions | Follow the appropriate court authorization process |
| PDF download unavailable after purchase | Receipt/session problem or download access expired | Use Guest Information or contact Online Services support |
10 Los Angeles County Court Case Search & Dockets FAQs
1. How do I search Los Angeles County court cases online?
Start with the Los Angeles Superior Court Court Access Portal when you have a case number. The court also provides a separate Access a Case route and legacy paid civil and criminal name-search systems when you need to identify a case number first.
2. Can I search a Los Angeles court case by a person’s name?
Yes. The legacy civil index covers Civil, Small Claims, Family Law and Probate litigants, while the criminal index searches criminal defendants. The Court currently lists a $4.75 guest fee per name search, charged even when no matching case is returned.
3. Are Los Angeles court dockets free to view?
Some case information can be viewed through the court’s case-access services, but the established paid name index and downloadable document-image service charge separately. The exact access and cost depend on which service you use.
4. How far back can I search LA County court case names?
The published legacy index begins in 1983 for Unlimited Civil, Family Law and Probate; 1991 for Limited Civil; 1992 for Small Claims; 1980 for felony cases; and 1988 for misdemeanor cases. Some misdemeanor records reach 1983 depending on local automation.
5. How do I find a Los Angeles criminal court docket?
If you know the criminal case number, use the appropriate official case-access service. If you only know the defendant’s name, use the Court’s paid Criminal Defendant Name Index to locate matching case numbers, filing dates and locations, then review available case-summary information.
6. Can I download actual Los Angeles court filings?
The Court’s Case Document Images service provides purchasable PDFs for supported Civil, Limited Civil, Small Claims, Family Law and Probate filings. Not every docket document is imaged or remotely public. The published legacy download fee starts at $1 per page for the first five pages, then $0.40 per additional page, with a $40 per-document maximum.
7. Is a court docket printout an official certified record?
No. California Rule of Court 2.504 says an electronically accessed trial court record is not the official court record unless electronically certified by the court. Ask the responsible courthouse for the certified-copy process when authentication is required.
8. Why is an LA eviction, juvenile or sealed case missing online?
Some court records are confidential, sealed or protected by specific laws. Unlawful-detainer case information can be restricted under California Code of Civil Procedure section 1161.2. A missing online result does not necessarily mean no case exists.
9. Can I search a Los Angeles traffic citation using the criminal name index?
No. The Court specifically excludes traffic and other infractions from its criminal defendant-name index. Use the Superior Court’s Traffic Citations services instead.
10. What should I do when an old Los Angeles court case does not appear online?
Check whether the case predates the online index or document-image coverage, then identify the responsible courthouse. Contact that courthouse or follow Archives procedures, providing the case number, party names, case type and approximate filing date whenever possible.
Official Los Angeles Court Case Search Links
These court-operated resources support the steps above. Use them for transactions, live case information and any updated access conditions.
This is an independent court-information guide, not a Los Angeles Superior Court or government website. Case data may change. For deadlines, appearances, legal status or certified documents, verify the record directly with the appropriate court.