Fresno County CA Superior Court: Case Search & Records

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Fresno County CA Superior Court: Case Search & Records

Fresno Superior Court’s online Case Information system can help you locate public case data, but it is not the official court record. For certified copies, older files, criminal records, divorce decrees, judgments, complaints, orders, and other case documents, you may need the Archives Division or the correct clerk’s office.

Fresno-specific search tip: for civil cases, the court says to remove the final three letters from the case number shown on documents before searching. For example, if a document shows 03CECG00001SJK, search 03CECG00001 in the Case ID field.

Independent guide reviewed September 2026. Confirm current access rules, clerk hours, traffic deadlines, copy fees, certification requirements, and official case status directly with Fresno Superior Court before relying on any record.

Fresno Superior Court search workflow A visual showing the path from case type to online search, docket review, archive records, and certified copies. case clue Portal search → verify → archive → certified record
Start with the exact task

Which Fresno Superior Court Record Route Should You Use?

Fresno Superior Court has online case information, a public portal, eFiling resources, traffic services, Archives, courthouse clerk windows, and case-index ordering. The right path depends on whether you want to look up a case, pay or extend a traffic citation, request an official record, file a document, or research older court files.

Case lookup Search public case information

Use the Court’s Case Information page or public portal to search public case data. Some portal functions may require account registration.

Open Case Information →
Civil case number tip Remove the last three letters

For civil cases, Fresno tells users to remove the final three letters from the case number shown on documents before entering the Case ID.

Read court search note →
Traffic Pay, extend, or resolve a traffic case

Use the traffic division route for fines, one eligible 90-day extension, traffic school, and court appearance information.

Open Traffic Division →
eFile File civil, family, probate, or other documents

Represented parties in civil, family law, and probate actions must generally eFile unless excused; self-represented parties are encouraged to use eFiling.

Open eFile Resources →
Official record Request certified copies or older files

Use Archives or the correct clerk’s office for official certified records, older files, non-confidential copies, divorce decrees, judgments, and orders.

Open Archives Facility →
Wrong agency? Not every Fresno record is a court record

Birth, death, marriage, property recording, and many county records may be handled outside Superior Court.

Read court general information →
Practical first move: if you have a case number, search by case number before trying names. If the case number came from a Fresno civil document, remove the last three letters before using the Case ID field.
Court divisions and filing locations

Fresno Case Types: Where They Usually Route

Fresno case routing can feel confusing because different case types are handled at different courthouses. A civil case, traffic citation, felony matter, family case, juvenile matter, probate matter, and archive request may not be handled at the same counter.

Case or service type Common Fresno route Useful official clue What to verify
Civil limited / unlimited B.F. Sisk Courthouse, 1130 O Street Civil Limited and Unlimited pages list B.F. Sisk Courthouse and telephone 559-457-1900. Civil case number, amount/type, parties, filing date, hearing department, order or judgment.
Small claims B.F. Sisk Courthouse and small-claims resources Small claims is listed among B.F. Sisk services and has its own division page. Claim amount, defendant name, hearing date, service status, judgment.
Unlawful detainer / eviction B.F. Sisk Courthouse Fresno states unlawful detainer cases are not available for 60 days after the complaint is filed. Filing date, access restriction, response deadline, hearing date, judgment.
Family law B.F. Sisk Courthouse, 2nd Floor Family Law lists 1130 O Street, 2nd Floor and telephone 559-457-2100. Case type, party names, order type, hearing date, confidentiality limits.
Probate / guardianship / conservatorship B.F. Sisk Courthouse and Probate Department Probate eFiling contact is probate.efile@fresno.courts.ca.gov and phone 559-457-1888. Estate or ward name, case number, letters/orders, investigation fees, file access.
Criminal felony / misdemeanor Downtown courthouse, Jail Annex, or related criminal divisions Downtown and Jail Annex locations list criminal departments; traffic/criminal contact uses 559-457-1700 for many public questions. Defendant name, case number, charge, disposition, sentencing minute order, expungement or relief status.
Traffic infractions “M” Street Courthouse, 2317 Tuolumne Street M Street handles Criminal Infractions and Traffic Infractions; traffic department telephone is 559-457-1700. Citation number, appearance date, bail/fine amount, extension eligibility, traffic school option.
Older records and files Archives Facility, 1963 “E” Street Archives stores more than one million cases, including records as early as 1860. Case type, year, case number, non-confidential status, ID requirement, certification need.
Access limit: unlawful detainer cases are not available for 60 days after the complaint is filed with the court. Do not assume “no result” means no eviction case exists.
Copies, archives and official records

How to Request Fresno Superior Court Records and Certified Copies

If you need the official record, a certified copy, an older file, a divorce decree, criminal record, complaint, judgment, traffic ticket, order, or case document, do not use the administrative-record request address. Fresno tells users to contact Archives or the appropriate clerk’s office based on case type.

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Case numberThe best identifier. For civil online searching, remove the final three letters if shown on the document.
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Names and rolesParty, defendant, plaintiff, petitioner, respondent, estate, business, or protected person.
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Case typeCivil, criminal, traffic, family, probate, juvenile, small claims, or appellate.
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Document neededJudgment, order, complaint, minute order, divorce decree, sentencing record, docket, or entire non-confidential file.
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Copy typePlain copy, certified copy, exemplification, transcript, or case-index report.
Records service Published rule or fee reference Practical note
Certified court record The online case system says official certified records must be requested in person or in writing. Do not treat a portal screen as certified proof.
Archives file review A picture ID is required to receive any file folder from Archives. Archives staff can pull non-confidential files, make copies, and certify requested documents.
Copies California statewide civil fee schedule lists preparing a copy at $0.50 per page. Verify the current fee and whether your case type follows a separate rule before paying.
Certification California statewide fee schedule lists certifying a copy at $40. Criminal records for out-of-state and federal agencies also reference $0.50/page plus $40 certification.
Record search over 10 minutes Statewide schedule lists $15 for searching records or files when the search is longer than 10 minutes. Have case number, year, party names, and case type ready to reduce search time.
Case index ordering Fresno publishes a case-index ordering route for monthly criminal/traffic and civil/small claims case-index reports. Confirm the current order form amount before mailing payment because online page/form amounts can change.
Recorded proceeding transcript Fresno’s recorded-proceedings form lists $52 per hearing, with additional per-page charges over 13 pages. The form says payment must be made in the applicable clerk’s office before processing.
Archives

Archives Facility

1963 “E” Street
Fresno, CA 93706

Stores and retrieves court case files and records. Fresno says Archives houses more than one million cases, with some records as early as 1860.

Telephone: 559-457-4903

Mail / written request

Use the correct clerk or Archives route

For case records, Fresno warns not to send requests to the administrative-record address. Use Archives or the appropriate clerk’s office based on case type.

Read court general information
Historical research note: Fresno says records dated before 1911 are considered historical, and Archives receives genealogy researchers as well as users looking for more recent court files.
Traffic tickets, fines and extensions

Fresno Traffic Case Search, Payments and Extensions

Fresno traffic cases are handled through the Traffic Division and “M” Street Courthouse. The court offers several ways to resolve many traffic infraction cases without coming to court, but appearance dates and payment deadlines still matter.

Traffic lookup

Traffic case workflow

  1. Open the Fresno traffic division or online services page.
  2. Use the court’s case information portal or payment route for eligible citations.
  3. Search using the citation/case details shown on your ticket or reminder notice.
  4. Review the total amount, court date, traffic school eligibility, and whether appearance is mandatory.
  5. Do not use text-message payment links claiming to be from the court or California Judicial Branch.
Extension

One 90-day extension may be available

  1. Check whether your citation is eligible and does not require a mandatory court appearance.
  2. Request the extension online, by phone, by email/contact form, fax, written request, or in person.
  3. Use Traffic Department phone 559-457-1700 if you need help.
  4. Do not wait until after a deadline if you have not received a reminder notice.
  5. Save confirmation of any extension or payment.
Scam warning: Fresno’s traffic page warns about scam text messages claiming to be from the California Judicial Branch with fraudulent payment links. Use the court’s official domain for traffic payments.
Electronic filing and redaction

Fresno eFiling: What Searchers Should Know

Fresno’s eFiling resources matter for records because electronically filed civil documents may become viewable in the online case information portal under California Rule of Court 2.503(b). The court also warns filers that it is their responsibility to redact sensitive information before transmission.

Civil, family law and probate eFiling

Represented parties in civil, family law and probate actions must generally file electronically unless excused. Self-represented parties are encouraged to participate.

Pre-April 13, 2015 cases

If a case filed before April 13, 2015 is not available in the eFile system, Fresno tells users to contact the appropriate department listed on its eFile resources page.

Redaction responsibility

The court states it cannot redact electronically filed civil documents because of the nature and volume of eFiling; filers must redact sensitive information before filing.

eFile does not equal certified copy

eFiling submits a document. Certified records, older files, copies, and archive pulls still follow the court’s records or clerk process.

Department contacts: Fresno’s eFile page lists department contacts such as Civil 559-457-1900, Family Law 559-457-2100, Probate 559-457-1888, Criminal/Traffic 559-457-1700, and department email routes.
Courthouses and records offices

Fresno Superior Court Locations for Case and Records Help

Fresno Superior Court locations are specialized. Before visiting, confirm which building handles your case type, whether the file is at Archives, and whether the clerk window is open.

Location Address Phone / hours clue Common services or case types
Fresno Superior Courthouse Downtown 1100 Van Ness Avenue, Fresno, CA 93724-0002 General information 559-457-2000; clerk’s office 8 AM–4 PM Criminal, dependency, drop box, general courthouse services.
B.F. Sisk Courthouse 1130 O Street, Fresno, CA 93721-2220 559-457-2000; clerk’s office Monday–Thursday 8 AM–3 PM, Friday 8 AM–12 PM Civil limited/unlimited, probate, family law, small claims, unlawful detainer, restraining orders, self-help.
“M” Street Courthouse 2317 Tuolumne Street, Fresno, CA 93721-1220 559-457-1700; clerk’s office Monday–Friday 8 AM–4 PM Criminal infractions and traffic infractions.
Jail Annex 1265 M Street, Fresno, CA 93721 559-457-2000; hours listed Monday–Friday 8 AM–4 PM Criminal and domestic violence departments 95 and 96.
Juvenile Justice Court 3333 East American Avenue, Suite A, Fresno, CA 93725 559-457-4810; 8 AM–4 PM Juvenile misdemeanor criminal, juvenile felony criminal, juvenile drug court.
Archives Facility 1963 “E” Street, Fresno, CA 93706 559-457-4903; public hours vary by day Storage and maintenance of court files, record retrieval, record management, microfilming, copies and certifications.
Drop-box note: Fresno lists drop boxes at the Main Courthouse, “M” Street Courthouse, and B.F. Sisk Courthouse. Documents should be time-stamped before deposit; documents stamped after 5:01 PM or not time-stamped are processed as of the next business day.
Troubleshooting

No Fresno Case Found? Try This Recovery Path

A no-result screen does not always mean no case exists. It can mean the case number was formatted incorrectly, the final civil suffix letters were included, the case is restricted, the file is older, the wrong division was searched, or the record must be pulled from Archives.

Problem Likely reason Best next move
Civil case number does not work You may have entered the final three letters shown on a document. Remove the final three letters and retry in the Case ID field.
Unlawful detainer not visible Fresno says unlawful detainer cases are not available for 60 days after filing. Use authorized court access; do not assume the case does not exist.
Portal search requires login The Fresno portal notes that searching case data requires users to create/register for an account. Create an account only through the official Fresno court portal domain.
Older case is missing The record may be stored at Archives or may predate newer online systems. Contact Archives with case type, year, parties, and any case number.
Traffic amount unclear The statewide bail schedule may not show the total due because additional assessments and fees can apply. Use Fresno traffic services or contact the Traffic Department before paying.
Need a certified record Online information is not the official record of the court. Request the specific document in person or in writing through the Court or Archives.
Birth, death, marriage, or property record needed Those are usually county recorder or vital-records tasks, not Fresno Superior Court case records. Use the appropriate county/state records office instead of the court case portal.
Portal support limit: Fresno’s portal support email is for technical account-access issues, not case-specific questions or remote-appearance issues. For case questions, contact the department where the case is filed.
Fresno-specific shortcuts

Local Tips That Save Time With Fresno Superior Court Records

Remove the civil suffix before searching

This is the biggest Fresno-specific search mistake. For civil case documents, remove the last three letters before entering the Case ID.

Use Archives for older and official records

Archives stores older case files and can pull non-confidential files, make copies, and certify requested documents.

Do not send case records to the administrative-record address

Fresno’s general information page clearly separates administrative-record requests from court case records such as divorce decrees, criminal records, complaints, judgments, and traffic tickets.

Check B.F. Sisk clerk hours before visiting

B.F. Sisk has shorter clerk counter hours than the courthouse building hours, especially on Fridays.

Traffic is centered at M Street

Traffic and criminal infractions are tied to the “M” Street Courthouse, while civil and family matters often route to B.F. Sisk.

Redact before eFiling

Fresno warns that it cannot redact electronically filed civil documents. Sensitive information must be removed before filing.

Plain-English decoder

Fresno Court Record Terms You May See

Case InformationFresno’s online system for public case data. It is not the official court record.
Case IDThe field used to search by case number. For Fresno civil documents, remove the final three letters before searching.
ArchivesThe court department that stores and retrieves older and non-confidential case files and records.
Certified copyA copy certified by the court; useful when an agency, court, employer, licensing body, or legal process requires official proof.
Unlawful detainerAn eviction case. Fresno notes these cases are not available for 60 days after filing.
Case indexA report of case-index data ordered by month and case type under California Rule of Court 2.507 limits.
Drop boxA document deposit location. Fresno warns that documents should be time-stamped before deposit.
eFilingElectronic filing for eligible case types through approved electronic filing service providers.
Official resources

Official Fresno Superior Court Links Used in This Guide

These links are included because they help complete a real Fresno court-record task. Use them before relying on private directory, background-check, or people-search pages.

Frequently asked questions

Fresno Superior Court Case Search & Records FAQs

1. Where do I search Fresno Superior Court cases online?

Use Fresno Superior Court’s official Case Information page or public portal. The system provides public case data, but the court states that information obtained from the website does not constitute the official record of the Court.

2. Why does my Fresno civil case number not work?

For civil cases, Fresno says to remove the final three letters from the case number shown on documents before searching. For example, if the document shows 03CECG00001SJK, enter 03CECG00001 in the Case ID field.

3. Are Fresno online case results official certified records?

No. Fresno’s online case information is not the official record of the Court. To obtain an official certified record, request the specific document in person or in writing through the court, Archives, or the appropriate clerk’s office.

4. Why can’t I see an unlawful detainer case in Fresno?

Fresno states that unlawful detainer cases are not available for 60 days after the complaint is filed with the court. A missing online result during that period does not necessarily mean no case exists.

5. Where are older Fresno Superior Court records kept?

Older and stored case files are handled through the Archives Facility at 1963 “E” Street, Fresno, CA 93706. Fresno says Archives houses more than one million cases, with some records as early as 1860.

6. What case types are stored at Fresno Archives?

Fresno Archives lists appellate, civil-limited, civil-unlimited, criminal-felony, criminal-misdemeanor, family law, family support, juvenile-dependency, probate, small claims, and traffic records among the case types stored at Archives.

7. How much are Fresno court copies and certified copies?

The California statewide civil fee schedule lists preparing a copy at $0.50 per page and certifying a copy at $40. Fresno’s criminal-copy notice for out-of-state and federal agencies also references $0.50 per page and a $40 certification fee. Always verify current fees with the court before paying.

8. Where do I handle Fresno traffic tickets?

Fresno traffic and criminal infractions are connected to the “M” Street Courthouse at 2317 Tuolumne Street. The Traffic Department phone number listed by the court is 559-457-1700.

9. Does Fresno Superior Court allow eFiling?

Yes. Fresno’s eFile resources page states that represented parties in civil, family law, and probate actions must generally file electronically unless excused, and self-represented parties are encouraged to participate in electronic filing and service.

10. Where should I request a divorce decree, criminal record, complaint, judgment, traffic ticket, order, or case information?

Fresno’s general information page says not to send those requests to the administrative-record address. For case records such as divorce decrees, criminal records, complaints, judgments, traffic tickets, orders, or case information, contact the Archives Division or the appropriate clerk’s office based on case type.

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