Contra Costa County Court Records Lookup, Public Portal and Clerk Copy Help
Use official Contra Costa Superior Court resources to search public court records, hearings, civil cases, criminal records, family law, small claims, probate, traffic cases, copies, certified documents, e-filing, courthouse locations and federal PACER records without relying on private background-check websites first.
If you are searching for contra costa county court records, choose the task closest to what you need. Contra Costa Superior Court records can involve the Court Public Portal, Court Traffic Portal, Court Records Unit, Civil Records, Criminal Records, Family Law, Probate, small claims, unlawful detainer, e-filing, court locations, or PACER for federal cases.
Choose one option. The official action card below updates for public portal search, civil records, criminal records, certified copies, family, probate, traffic, e-filing, courthouse locations and federal court records.
🔎 Search public portal — use Contra Costa Court Public Portal
Use this for: searching court records and hearings through the official Contra Costa Superior Court Public Portal.
Best official path: start with the court’s Online Services page, then open the Public Portal for records and hearing information.
Before relying on it: minutes, case documents and orders may require Court Records contact or a separate document request depending on case type.
Contra Costa County Court Records Quick Facts Before You Search
Contra Costa County court records are handled by the Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa. The court’s official Online Services page points users to the Court Public Portal for court records and hearings, the Court Traffic Portal for traffic cases, and separate services for e-filing, electronic recordings, calendars, family law appointments and tentative rulings.
The main Court Records location is listed at Wakefield Taylor Courthouse, 725 Court Street, Room 103, Martinez, CA 94553. The court lists the general phone as (925) 608-1000. Court Records business hours are listed as 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding court holidays, and court phones are answered from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
What This Contra Costa County Court Records Guide Covers
Contra Costa Court Public Portal for Free Online Case Records and Hearings
The official Contra Costa Court Public Portal is the best first step for most online court record searches. The court’s Online Services page describes it as the place to search court records and hearings. Use it when you want to look up a case, check a hearing, review available case information or find the correct next step before calling Court Records.
Use caution with expectations. The court’s Records page says users can research court records through the Public Portal, but also notes that minutes, case documents and orders are not available online in that general records section. The criminal records page repeats that criminal minutes, case documents and orders are not available online and must be obtained through court records or the correct request process.
Open official Online Services
Start on the Contra Costa Superior Court Online Services page and open the Court Public Portal from there. This avoids fake or private duplicate portals.
Search by case number first
A case number is more accurate than a name search. Use the number from your court notice, filing receipt, docket, ticket, minute order, attorney letter or judgment.
Confirm the court and case type
Compare the party names, case type, filing date, hearing date, courthouse and department before relying on a result.
Request documents separately when needed
If the record you need is not viewable online, contact Court Records, the Civil Records Unit, Criminal Records, Family Law, Probate or the assigned filing location.
Contra Costa Civil, Small Claims, Unlawful Detainer and Probate Case Records
The official Civil Online Case Information page explains that users can look up civil, small claims and probate cases, as well as daily court calendars. It also says unlimited and limited civil case documents and minutes are available on the Court Public Portal and may be downloaded for no fee from the Public Portal.
There are important exceptions. Limited unlawful detainer cases are not available online. The court instructs users to call the Clerk’s office at 925-608-1000 for limited unlawful detainer case information, and to go to the assigned filing location in Martinez, Pittsburg or Richmond for copies. For probate, registers of actions are available through the Public Portal, but probate case documents require Court Records contact.
Public documents and minutes may be available on the Court Public Portal. The court says these can be downloaded for no fee from the portal.
Small Claims case documents and minutes are listed as available on the Court Public Portal.
Limited unlawful detainer cases are not available online. Call 925-608-1000 and use the assigned filing location for copies.
Probate registers of actions are available through the Public Portal, but probate documents require Court Records contact.
Contra Costa Criminal Court Records, Name Searches and Copy Requests
For criminal records, the official criminal court records page directs users to research court records using the Court Public Portal. However, it also clearly warns that minutes, case documents and orders are not available online. To get documents or orders, users must contact court records or use the listed criminal records request forms.
The court states that until further notice, the criminal clerk’s office is unable to process most file copy requests in person and tells users not to come to the clerk’s office expecting same-day criminal record copies. Instead, users should use the required forms and follow the instructions carefully.
Use the Court Public Portal or Open Access route for criminal case research when available.
Minutes, case documents and orders are not available online through the criminal records page. Contact court records for documents or orders.
The court lists CR-147 Criminal Records Search Request for criminal records name searches.
The court lists CR-114 Criminal Records Copies Request for copies of records and credit-card payment.
Criminal records office locations listed by the court
- Martinez: Court Records, 725 Court Street, Room 103, Martinez, CA 94553.
- Pittsburg: Criminal Clerk’s Office, 1000 Center Drive, Pittsburg, CA 94565.
- Richmond: Criminal Clerk’s Office, 100 – 37th Street, Richmond, CA 94805.
- Phone: 925-608-1000, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., except holidays.
How to Search Contra Costa County Court Records by Name, Case Number or Hearing
A good court record search starts with the strongest identifier you have. A case number is better than a name. A hearing date is useful but not enough by itself. A name search can return multiple people, similar spellings, businesses, old cases, dismissed cases or unrelated matters.
If you only have a party name, narrow the search by case type, approximate year, courthouse, hearing date and party role. For official use, request a copy or certified copy instead of relying on a screen result. Court records can affect legal rights, employment, licensing, housing, immigration, family law, custody and safety decisions, so loose matches are not good enough.
Use for: the most accurate search when you have a court notice, filing receipt, ticket, order, minute entry or attorney paperwork.
Use for: finding possible records when the case number is unknown. Verify identity carefully before relying on any result.
Use for: finding upcoming hearing information, court calendars or department assignments where available.
Use for: documents, orders, certified copies, older files, criminal records forms and records not visible online.
How to Request Contra Costa Court Record Copies and Certified Documents
If you need official proof, use the Court Records process. The court lists Court Records at 725 Court Street, Wakefield Taylor Courthouse, Room 103, Martinez, CA 94553. For mail requests, the Records page lists Court Records, 725 Court Street (P.O. Box 911), Martinez, CA 94553.
The court lists a 50¢ per page fee for copies from the Court Records Unit received in person or by mail. Certifications are listed as $40.00 plus 50¢ per page. Certifications for divorce judgments are listed as $15.00, including copies. Always verify current fees before mailing payment because court fees can change.
Identify the court record and case type
Use the Public Portal or your court paperwork to confirm whether the record is civil, criminal, family, probate, small claims, traffic or another type.
Ask for the exact document
Request the specific document you need, such as judgment, order, minutes, divorce judgment, criminal disposition, probate filing, complaint, docket or certified copy.
Confirm copy fees and certification
Ask whether the copy is regular or certified, how much it costs, how to pay, and whether mailing, portal download or in-person request is the correct method.
Use certified copies for official proof
If the record is for court, employment, licensing, immigration, government proof, school, family law, probate or legal filing, ask whether certification is required.
Family, Probate, Traffic, Juvenile and Special Case Records in Contra Costa County
Contra Costa County court records are easier to search when you know the case type. A civil case, criminal case, family case, traffic citation, probate matter, small claims case, unlawful detainer case and juvenile matter can follow different rules. The same person may have records in more than one division, so one search may not cover every record.
Family filings are connected to the Peter L. Spinetta Family Law Center at 751 Pine Street, Martinez, CA 94553. Divorce, custody, support and DVRO-related matters may have special rules and privacy limits.
Probate registers of actions are available on the Public Portal, but probate case documents require contact with Court Records.
Use the Court Traffic Portal for traffic cases, hearing scheduling, petitions and ticket-related online services where available.
Juvenile records are often restricted. Use official juvenile court resources and do not assume juvenile records are searchable like adult civil or criminal cases.
Small claims documents and minutes may be available through the Court Public Portal, but copy needs should be checked with the court.
Limited unlawful detainer cases are not available online according to the court’s civil case information page; call 925-608-1000 for case information.
Contra Costa Court Locations for Records, Criminal, Traffic, Family and Civil Cases
Contra Costa Superior Court has multiple locations. A case record search may show the courthouse, department or branch connected to the case. Do not visit a location just because it is the nearest courthouse. Use the court record, court notice, assigned filing location or official locations page to confirm where to go.
725 Court Street, Martinez, CA 94553. Court Records, civil, criminal and probate-related services may connect to this location.
1020 Ward Street, Martinez, CA 94553. Listed as one of the official Contra Costa court locations.
751 Pine Street, Martinez, CA 94553. Family law filings and family law services connect to this location.
1000 Center Drive, Pittsburg, CA 94565. Criminal, traffic, small claims and other branch matters may connect to this location.
100 – 37th Street, Richmond, CA 94805. Criminal, traffic, small claims and branch court services may connect here.
640 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek, CA 94596. Juvenile and traffic services may connect to this location.
Contra Costa Court E-Filing, Filing Services and Self-Represented Options
If your goal is to file a document, not just search a record, use the official Contra Costa Court E-Filing Services page. The court states that the Civil Division is implementing mandatory electronic filing for attorneys and provides the option of e-filing to self-represented litigants.
E-filing is not the same as public court record search. E-filing is for submitting court documents. Public Portal is for records and hearings. Court Records is for copies and documents that cannot be obtained online. Mixing these paths creates delay, rejection or wrong expectations.
Before filing in Contra Costa Superior Court
- Use the official court e-filing services page.
- Confirm whether your case type requires e-filing.
- Check local rules and standing orders before submitting documents.
- Use official California court forms where available.
- Do not use e-filing as a way to search public court records.
- Ask self-help or a qualified attorney if you do not understand deadlines or service rules.
Sealed, Juvenile, Confidential and Restricted Contra Costa Court Records
Not every Contra Costa County court record is fully public online. California court access can be limited by sealing orders, juvenile confidentiality, adoption rules, family law privacy, domestic violence protection, mental health confidentiality, victim safety, redaction rules and protected personal information.
A missing online record does not automatically mean no case exists. It may be sealed, restricted, recently filed, older than the online system, stored physically, federal, juvenile, filed under another name or connected to a case type that is not available online.
Records that may need extra care
- Juvenile delinquency and juvenile dependency records.
- Adoption, parentage, family and custody records with confidential details.
- Domestic violence restraining order-related records.
- Sealed, expunged, dismissed or restricted criminal matters.
- Limited unlawful detainer cases not available online.
- Older civil files filed before November 13, 2007.
- Federal court records, which are separate from Contra Costa Superior Court.
Federal Court Records for Contra Costa County Are Searched Separately
Federal court records are not searched through the Contra Costa Superior Court Public Portal. If the case was filed in U.S. District Court, U.S. Bankruptcy Court or a federal appellate court, use PACER or the correct federal court website.
Contra Costa County is in California, but federal case records are maintained by the federal judiciary. If your paperwork says U.S. District Court, federal indictment, bankruptcy, federal civil rights case, federal agency, Northern District of California or federal appeal, do not rely on the county Superior Court portal alone.
Superior Court civil, criminal, family, probate, small claims, traffic and local California court matters.
Statewide self-help, Judicial Council forms, appellate court resources and California court information.
Federal district court, bankruptcy and federal appellate records.
The court name on your notice, summons, ticket, order, judgment or docket decides the correct search system.
Official Contra Costa County Court Records Links
Use these official resources for Contra Costa County court records, case lookup, court hearings, criminal records, civil records, copy requests, traffic cases, e-filing, court locations and federal records.
Contra Costa Superior Court
Main official website for Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa.
Open Court WebsiteOnline Services
Official page for Public Portal, Traffic Portal, e-filing, electronic records, calendars and other court services.
Open Online ServicesCourt Public Portal
Search court records and hearing information through the official public portal.
Open Public PortalRecords Page
General records page explaining online access, mail requests and Court Records location.
Open Records PageCivil Online Case Info
Look up civil, small claims, probate records and daily court calendars where available.
Open Civil Case InfoCourt Records
Non-criminal records page with mail requests, in-person location, fees and certification information.
Open Court RecordsCriminal Records
Criminal court records page with public portal guidance, copy forms and branch locations.
Open Criminal RecordsTraffic Portal
Search traffic cases, schedule hearings, file petitions and access traffic services.
Open Traffic PortalCourt Locations
Official Contra Costa court locations in Martinez, Richmond, Pittsburg and Walnut Creek.
Open LocationsCourt E-Filing Services
Official e-filing page for Contra Costa Superior Court filing workflows.
Open E-FilingCalifornia Self-Help
Statewide California Courts self-help site for forms, filing topics and legal information.
Open CA Self-HelpPACER
Federal court record search for U.S. district, bankruptcy and appellate case information.
Open PACERMap for Contra Costa Court Records in Martinez, California
The main Court Records location is listed at Wakefield Taylor Courthouse, 725 Court Street, Room 103, Martinez, CA 94553. Use this map for general navigation only. It does not confirm which division handles your specific case or whether a record is available online.
Wakefield Taylor Courthouse – Court Records
Confirm the correct office before visiting, especially if you need criminal copies, civil files, probate documents, family law filings, traffic help, or records from Pittsburg, Richmond or Walnut Creek branches.
Contra Costa County Court Records FAQs
How do I search Contra Costa County court records online for free?
Start with the official Contra Costa Superior Court Online Services page and open the Court Public Portal. Use the case number if you have it. If not, search by name, case type or hearing information where available and verify the result before relying on it.
What is the official Contra Costa court records portal?
The official portal is the Court Public Portal linked from the Contra Costa Superior Court Online Services page. It is used to search court records and hearings.
Can I view Contra Costa criminal case documents online?
The criminal records page says minutes, case documents and orders are not available online. To get criminal documents or orders, use Court Records or the listed criminal records request forms.
How do I get certified copies of Contra Costa court records?
Use the Court Records page or the proper division request process. The court lists Court Records at 725 Court Street, Wakefield Taylor Courthouse, Room 103, Martinez, CA 94553. Ask for the exact document and confirm current copy and certification fees.
How much do Contra Costa court record copies cost?
The official Court Records page lists 50¢ per page for copies from the Court Records Unit received in person or by mail. Certifications are listed as $40 plus 50¢ per page. Certifications for divorce judgments are listed as $15, including copies. Always verify current fees before paying.
Are civil documents available online in Contra Costa County?
The civil online case information page says unlimited and limited civil documents and minutes are available on the Court Public Portal and may be downloaded for no fee. Older records and certain case types may still require Court Records or assigned filing locations.
Where are older Contra Costa civil case files kept?
The court says civil cases and documents filed before November 13, 2007 require viewing the physical case file. Physical civil files are kept at an off-site retention facility and may take about 10 business days to be delivered to the main courthouse.
How do I search Contra Costa traffic cases?
Use the official Court Traffic Portal linked from the Contra Costa Superior Court Online Services page. The traffic portal is for traffic cases, hearings, petitions and traffic-related services.
Where is Contra Costa Court Records located?
The court’s Records page lists Court Records at Wakefield Taylor Courthouse, 725 Court Street, Room 103, Martinez, CA 94553. For mail, the page lists Court Records, 725 Court Street (P.O. Box 911), Martinez, CA 94553.
What phone number do I call for Contra Costa court records?
The court lists 925-608-1000 as the main number. Court phones are listed as answered from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding court holidays.
Can I use Contra Costa court records as a full background check?
No single court search should be treated as a complete background check. Court records show case information from a court system. California criminal history, law enforcement records, federal PACER records and local agency records are different sources.
Are federal court records included in Contra Costa Superior Court search?
No. Federal court records are separate from Contra Costa Superior Court records. Use PACER or the correct federal court website for federal civil, criminal, bankruptcy and appellate records.
Bottom Line for Contra Costa County Court Records Search
For most Contra Costa County court record searches, start with the official Contra Costa Superior Court Online Services page and the Court Public Portal. Use the Public Portal for records and hearings, the Civil Online Case Information page for civil, small claims and probate guidance, the Criminal Records page for criminal document request rules, and the Traffic Portal for ticket-related cases.
If you need a certified copy, full document, criminal order, older civil file, limited unlawful detainer copy, probate document or official proof, contact Court Records or the correct courthouse branch. If the case is federal, use PACER. This route is safer than paying private record websites before checking official Contra Costa court sources.