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Los Angeles County Court Records | Free Online Search
Looking for Los Angeles County court records can feel confusing because civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic, divorce, real estate, and federal records do not all live in one place. Use this page like a practical search map: choose the record type, click the correct official link, enter the right details, understand the fee or limit, and know what to do if the record does not appear.
Quick answer: Los Angeles County court records are mainly accessed through the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. Use LASC Access a Case when you already have a case number. Use Public Access Online Services when you need a civil, family, probate, small claims, or criminal name search. Use Case Document Images when you need downloadable scanned documents. For official or certified copies, use the LASC court-record copy process.
First Decide What Record You Actually Need
The fastest way to get the right Los Angeles County court record is not “search everywhere.” It is choosing the correct official route first. Use this table before clicking anything paid.
| Your situation | Click this official route | What to enter | What you should check next |
|---|---|---|---|
| I already have a court case number | Find Case Information | Exact case number from paperwork, notice, attorney email, or court document. | Confirm case type, courthouse, party names, filing date, status, and next hearing. |
| I only know a person or company name for a civil/family/probate/small claims case | Search for Case by Name | Party name, business name, spelling variants, and case type if known. | Save the case number immediately so you do not repeat a paid name search. |
| I need a criminal case by defendant name | Search Criminal Defendant Name | Defendant name and identifying details if available. | Read the disposition carefully. A case result is not proof of conviction. |
| I need a scanned court filing or PDF image | Search Case Document Images | Valid case number. Use name search first if you do not have it. | Download and save purchased documents before access expires. |
| I need a certified court record | Obtain Copies of Court Records | Case number, party names, document title, document date, and return information. | Ask if plain, certified, or exemplified copy is required. |
| I need a divorce judgment | LA County Divorce Record Guidance | Party names, filing year, courthouse, and case number if known. | Use the Superior Court where filed. LA County RR/CC does not house divorce records. |
| I need deed, mortgage, or real estate records | LA County Real Estate Records | Owner name, document type, recording year, or parcel-related details. | Remember this is a recorder search, not a Superior Court case search. |
| I need federal case records in Los Angeles | PACER or Central District of California | Federal case number, party name, filing year, attorney, or district. | Do not search federal cases inside LASC state court tools. |
Micro Steps: How to Search Without Getting Lost
Use this simple path if you are on a phone, new device, or helping a senior family member. It tells you what to do before you click, while you search, and after you see a result.
Person name, business name, case number, ticket number, courthouse, or filing year.
Case number, name search, document image, copy request, traffic, divorce, property, or federal.
Use the LASC or LA County official link in the matching section. Avoid ad links.
Match party names, case type, filing date, courthouse, and status before paying.
Save case number, receipt, PDF, confirmation, and official instructions.
If You Already Have the Case Number
This is the cleanest path. A case number usually avoids wrong-person name matches and reduces the chance of paying for a useless search.
Open “Access a Case”
Click the official LASC Access a Case route below. Stay on the LACourt.ca.gov or official court service page.
Choose the matching case type
Select the route that matches your record: criminal, civil, family law, probate, small claims, or traffic. Do not guess if the paperwork shows a case prefix or courthouse.
Enter the case number exactly
Include letters, numbers, leading zeros, and hyphens if shown. If it fails, try the number with and without spaces or hyphens.
Check the case summary
Confirm the party names, filing date, courthouse, department, case status, next hearing, and whether document images are available.
Decide your next action
If you only need the status, save the case number. If you need a filing image, use document images. If you need official proof, request a copy from LASC.
If You Only Know a Name
LASC Public Access Online Services lets users perform criminal name searches, civil name searches, and purchase document images. Name search can help find a case number, but it can cost money and may return wrong-person results, so search carefully.
Civil, family, probate, small claims name search
Use this when you need a case number for a lawsuit, divorce, custody, probate, small claims, or similar non-criminal matter.
- Try exact name first.
- Try business name if a company is involved.
- Use spelling variations for common names.
- Save the case number immediately after finding it.
Criminal defendant name search
Use this when you need a criminal case number by defendant name. It is separate from civil/family/probate name search.
- Use the full legal name when possible.
- Check spelling and middle initials.
- Do not treat a name match as proof of guilt.
- Read the case status and disposition carefully.
If You Need Court Documents, Not Just a Case Summary
A case summary tells you what happened in the case. A document image is the scanned filing, order, judgment, or other court document. Use LASC Case Document Images when available for supported civil, small claims, family law, probate, and limited civil matters.
Get the case number first
Use case-number search or name search to find the exact case number. Document-image search works best when the case number is correct.
Open Case Document Images
Click the official document image link. Confirm you are on the LASC PAOS service before entering payment information.
Check the document list before buying
Look at the document title, filing date, page count, and case number. Do not buy the wrong document because of a similar party name.
Download immediately
Guest purchased documents remain available for 30 days after receipt date. Download, print, or save the PDF where you can find it later.
Request official copy if needed
A downloaded image may not satisfy an agency that requires a certified copy. Use LASC copy guidance for official certification.
| Document-image fee item | LASC listed amount | Practical warning |
|---|---|---|
| Pages 1-5 | $1.00 per page | Check page count before buying. Blank pages may still count if included in the image. |
| Pages 6 and above | $0.40 per additional page | Large filings can add up, so verify the document title before purchase. |
| Maximum per document | $40.00 | This is for document images, not necessarily certified copies or transcripts. |
If You Need Certified Copies or Official Court Records
Use official copies when a court, agency, employer, attorney, immigration office, licensing board, title company, or government office needs proof. Do not rely on a screenshot if the request says “certified copy.”
Plain copy
Useful for personal review, general reference, or reading a document. It may not carry court certification.
Certified copy
Used when another official body needs proof that the document is a true court record.
Transcript or recording
Used when you need what was said in court. This is different from a docket or filing copy.
Confirm the exact document needed
Ask the receiving party: “Do you need the judgment, order, decree, minute order, full case file, transcript, or docket?”
Prepare the request details
Write the case number, party names, document title, document date, courthouse, department, and your return contact information.
Open the official LASC copy page
Use the official copy-record guidance, then follow the correct mail, in-person, or courthouse route for that case.
Verify fee before payment
Fees can change. Confirm current copy, certification, transcript, mailing, and service fees before sending payment.
Save everything
Keep your request copy, mailing receipt, email confirmation, payment proof, clerk instructions, and callback details.
Civil, Family Law, Probate and Small Claims Records
For civil, small claims, family law, and probate cases, LASC PAOS can help find case numbers and available document images. This is useful for lawsuits, divorce filings, custody matters, probate cases, small claims, and limited civil matters.
| Case type | What users usually need | Best official action |
|---|---|---|
| Civil | Lawsuit, judgment, contract dispute, personal injury, debt, landlord-tenant/unlawful detainer. | Search civil case by name, then save the case number. |
| Family law | Divorce, custody, child support, parentage, domestic violence-related family filings. | Use LASC case access or name search, but expect remote-access limits for sensitive records. |
| Probate | Estate, trust, conservatorship, guardianship, probate notes, probate filings. | Check probate notes and use document images when available. |
| Small claims | Small claim lawsuit, judgment, hearing date, party record, document copy. | Use PAOS name search if you do not know the case number, then open case details. |
Los Angeles County Criminal Court Records
Use the criminal defendant name search when you do not know the criminal case number. If you already have the case number, use the case information route first. Criminal records can be sensitive, and a search result is not the same as a full criminal background check.
If you are searching your own case
- Use the exact name shown on court papers.
- Check case status and upcoming hearings.
- Save the case number.
- Call the courthouse if the online record looks incomplete.
- Talk to an attorney before acting on warrants, probation, or sealing questions.
If you are searching someone else
- Do not assume a name match is the right person.
- Check middle name, date, courthouse, case type, and disposition.
- Do not publish or misuse sensitive information.
- Use official background-check channels when required by law.
Los Angeles County Traffic Ticket Records and Payments
Traffic records are handled through LASC traffic services, not the civil name-search route. Use the citation or case number when available. Do not confuse a traffic court case with parking tickets, DMV driving records, or police reports.
Find your citation or case number
Use the number on the ticket, mailed notice, or court paperwork. Name-only traffic searching can be unreliable.
Open LASC Access a Case
Choose the traffic route if available from the court’s online service path.
Confirm before paying
Match the name, citation, violation, due date, courthouse, amount, traffic school option, and court appearance requirement.
Save the payment proof
Keep the transaction number, amount paid, date, citation number, and email confirmation until the court record updates.
Records People Often Search in the Wrong Place
Many “Los Angeles County court records” searches are actually asking for a different record office. Use this section to avoid wasting time.
| If you need | Do not use | Use this instead | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Divorce decree or divorce judgment | LA County RR/CC as the main source | LA County divorce record guidance + Superior Court case copy route | The County Clerk says it does not record or house divorce records. |
| Marriage record | LASC case search | LA County marriage record request | Marriage records are county clerk/recorder records, not court case records. |
| Deed, mortgage, real estate recording | Superior Court case search | LA County real estate records | Recorded land documents are kept by the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. |
| Federal civil or criminal case | LASC state court search | PACER or Central District of California | Federal court records are maintained by federal courts, not LA Superior Court. |
| Police report or sheriff incident record | Court docket search as the first source | LA County Sheriff record requests | Police reports and court case records are different record systems. |
Case Not Found? Use This Troubleshooting Checklist
If your Los Angeles County case does not appear online, do not assume it does not exist. Work through these fixes before giving up or paying a private lookup site.
Check case type
Criminal, traffic, civil, family, probate, small claims, juvenile, and federal cases use different routes.
Try case number formats
Enter letters and numbers exactly. Try removing spaces or hyphens if the portal rejects the format.
Search name variations
Try maiden name, business abbreviation, middle initial, spelling variants, and last-name-only search if allowed.
Check remote-access limits
Sensitive cases may not show full records online. You may need courthouse access or an official copy request.
Check the right county
Los Angeles city is not always the filing court. Cases can be filed in nearby counties or federal court.
Save receipts
If you paid for a search or document, save the receipt number and last four card digits for retrieval.
Los Angeles County Court Records Contact and Courthouse Help
Many users need help because the online record is incomplete, the fee screen is confusing, or they need a certified copy. When calling, have your case number ready. If you do not have it, prepare the party names, case type, filing year, and courthouse if known.
| Need help with | Contact / official route | What to have ready |
|---|---|---|
| General case or clerk help | Court Support Services call center: 213-310-7000 | Case number, case type, courthouse, party names, and document question. |
| Traffic ticket help | Traffic Call Center: 213-633-6300 | Citation number, name, due date, amount, and courthouse if listed. |
| Family law help | Family Law Call Center: 213-633-6363 | Case number, party names, hearing date, and courthouse. |
| Online service/payment issue | OnlineServices@lacourt.org | Receipt number, last 4 card digits, error message, search date, and document title. |
| Court location | LASC Courthouses | Case type and courthouse name or case prefix. |
Common Mistakes That Waste Time or Money
Search mistakes
- Paying for a name search before trying the case number.
- Using civil name search for a criminal defendant case.
- Expecting divorce records from the County Clerk instead of the Superior Court.
- Confusing real estate records with court case records.
- Not downloading purchased documents before guest access expires.
- Ignoring remote-access limits for family, criminal, juvenile, and sealed records.
Official-copy mistakes
- Requesting the wrong document title.
- Not knowing whether plain, certified, or exemplified copy is required.
- Sending payment before checking current fees.
- Leaving out case number, party names, or return contact details.
- Using a screenshot where certified proof is required.
- Assuming every file document is available online.
Los Angeles County Court Records: Direct Answer
To search Los Angeles County court records, use the Los Angeles Superior Court’s official Access a Case page if you already have a case number. Use Public Access Online Services for civil, small claims, family law, probate, and criminal name searches. Use Case Document Images to download supported scanned filings. Use LASC’s copy-record process for certified court documents. Use the LA County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk for marriage and real estate records. Use PACER for federal cases. Always verify fees and access limits before paying.
Official Sources for Final Verification
Use these official sources before you pay, request certified records, file anything, visit a courthouse, or rely on a court record for an important decision.
LASC Access a Case: official starting point for Los Angeles Superior Court case information. PAOS Guest Information: official explanation of name search, criminal search, and document-image access. PAOS Fee Information: official fee page for name searches and document images. LASC Copies of Court Records: official guidance for copies and certified records. California Courts Electronic Records Guide: explains who can view electronic court records and remote-access limits. LA County Real Estate Records: official route for deeds and recorded property documents.Los Angeles County Court Records FAQs
How do I search Los Angeles County court records online?
Use the official Los Angeles Superior Court Access a Case page if you have a case number. If you only have a name, use LASC Public Access Online Services for the matching case type.
Can I search LA County court records by name?
Yes. LASC PAOS allows civil, small claims, family law, probate, and criminal name searches. Name searches may have fees, so search carefully and save the case number once you find it.
Are Los Angeles County court records free?
Some case-number information may be available online, but LASC name searches and document-image downloads can have public access fees. Always review the official fee screen before submitting a search.
Where do I find criminal court records in Los Angeles County?
Use LASC criminal defendant name search if you need to find a criminal case number. If you already have the case number, use LASC Access a Case or the case information route.
How do I download LA County court documents?
Use LASC Case Document Images for supported civil, small claims, family law, probate, and limited civil documents. You usually need a valid case number first.
How long do LASC guest purchases stay available?
LASC states that name-search results remain available for 24 hours after completing the transaction and purchased documents remain available for 30 days after the receipt date.
Where do I get certified copies of LA County court records?
Use the LASC copy-record guidance or contact the courthouse where the case was filed. Prepare the case number, party names, document title, and ask whether a plain, certified, or exemplified copy is required.
Where do I find Los Angeles divorce records?
Divorce records are Superior Court records. LA County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk says it does not record or house divorce records.
Are LA County property records court records?
No. Deeds, mortgages, and recorded real estate documents are handled by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, not the Superior Court case-record system.
Why is my LA County court case not showing online?
The case may be in a different case-type portal, filed in another courthouse or county, too new, old, sealed, confidential, juvenile, federal, or unavailable through remote public access.
Can I use a court-record screenshot as official proof?
Do not rely on a screenshot if an agency asks for an official or certified court record. Request the proper copy from LASC or the courthouse that handled the case.
Where do I search federal court records in Los Angeles?
Use PACER or the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Federal records are not searched through Los Angeles Superior Court.
Best Next Step
If you have a case number, start with LASC Access a Case. If you only have a name, choose the correct PAOS name search and understand the fee before searching. If you need a PDF filing, use Case Document Images and download it before guest access expires. If you need official proof, request a certified copy through LASC. If the record is divorce, property, sheriff, or federal, use the correct separate official office instead of forcing it through the court search.
Official-source check completed July 21, 2026. Court websites, fees, document availability, access rules, contact numbers, courthouse details, and copy procedures can change. Verify directly with LASC, California Courts, LA County RR/CC, PACER, or the correct courthouse before relying on a record.