Contra Costa County Court Records Search: Public Portal, Traffic Portal, Copies, Appeals & PACER
Use this guide to find the correct official route for Contra Costa County court records, including civil, limited civil, small claims, probate, family law, criminal, traffic, unlawful detainer, juvenile, appellate, federal, bankruptcy and certified-copy records.
Public-Court-Records.us is independent. This website is not the Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa, the California Judicial Branch, a courthouse, a clerk’s office, a law firm, PACER, a federal court, or a Consumer Reporting Agency. This guide is general information only and is not legal advice.
Responsible-use warning: a name match does not prove identity. A complaint, petition, arrest, charge, citation, lawsuit, docket entry, warrant or hearing date does not prove guilt or liability. Do not use this article for employment, tenant, credit, insurance, licensing or other FCRA-regulated screening decisions.
Contra Costa court records require the right portal, office or courthouse
The Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa provides online services for court records and hearings, plus a separate Traffic Portal for traffic cases and traffic hearings. Court Records in Martinez handles many non-criminal record and certified-copy requests, while criminal records use the court’s criminal record request process and the appropriate criminal clerk location.
Do not use one search route for everything. Civil, small claims, probate, criminal, traffic, family, juvenile, unlawful detainer, appellate, federal and bankruptcy records can each require a different official pathway.
The court says unlimited and limited civil documents and minutes can be downloaded for no fee through the Public Portal.
The Court Records Unit lists copies at 50 cents per page for in-person or mail requests.
Certifications are listed at $40 plus 50 cents per page, except divorce judgment certification is listed separately.
Court Records is listed at Wakefield Taylor Courthouse, 725 Court Street, Room 103, Martinez.
Contra Costa County court record route finder
Select the record type. This privacy-safe helper runs in your browser and does not ask for names, case numbers, birth dates, driver license numbers, addresses, citation numbers or Social Security numbers.
Unlimited and limited civil documents and minutes are available through the Public Portal, and the court says they can be downloaded for no fee. For certified copies or older physical files, use Court Records.
Choose the correct Contra Costa court-record system
Use this table before searching or requesting copies so you do not confuse case information, traffic citations, criminal records, probate documents, appeals and federal records.
| Need | Correct official route | What to do first |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited or limited civil case | Court Public Portal and Court Records | Search online by case number or party name. For documents filed after November 13, 2007, public civil documents may be viewed through the portal; older files may need physical-file retrieval. |
| Small claims case | Court Public Portal | Use the portal for small claims documents and minutes. For certified copies, contact Court Records or the assigned filing location. |
| Limited unlawful detainer case | Clerk’s office and assigned filing location | The court says limited unlawful detainer cases are not available online. Call 925-608-1000 for case information and go to Martinez, Pittsburg or Richmond as assigned for copies. |
| Probate case | Court Public Portal for register of actions; Court Records for documents | Use the portal to review the probate register of actions. Request probate documents through Court Records. |
| Family law, divorce or adoption record | Court Records by mail or appropriate courthouse route | For name searches and copy requests, use Court Records instructions. Remember family and adoption records can involve privacy limits or sealed content. |
| Criminal case record | Criminal Court Records page and criminal clerk offices | Use the criminal records forms for name searches or copies. Criminal minutes, case documents and orders are not available online. |
| Traffic citation or traffic hearing | Contra Costa Traffic Portal | Search by case number, citation number or party name. Traffic Defendant functions such as scheduling hearings or petitions can require registration. |
| Juvenile record | Juvenile court route, not ordinary public search | Treat juvenile records as restricted. Contact the court if you are a party, guardian, attorney or otherwise authorized person. |
| State appeal | Contra Costa Appeals page and California appellate case search | Identify whether the appeal goes to the First District Court of Appeal, Contra Costa Superior Court Appellate Division, California Supreme Court or small-claims appellate route. |
| Federal civil, criminal or bankruptcy case | PACER, Northern District of California or Northern District Bankruptcy Court | Use PACER Case Locator if the exact federal court is unknown. Contra Costa Superior Court portals do not contain federal dockets. |
How to use Contra Costa court portals without choosing the wrong system
The court separates general case and hearing searches from traffic-specific searches. Use the Court Public Portal for civil, small claims, probate register of actions and general hearing searches. Use the Traffic Portal for traffic cases and traffic hearing searches.
- Civil case lookup.
- Small claims case lookup.
- Probate register of actions.
- Daily court calendars and hearings.
- Unlimited and limited civil documents and minutes when available.
- Small claims documents and minutes when available.
- Traffic case Smart Search.
- Traffic hearing searches by date range.
- Traffic Defendant Portal functions.
- Scheduling arraignment hearings when eligible.
- Filing traffic petitions when supported.
- Viewing citation copies through the traffic route.
Open contracosta.courts.ca.gov, the official Online Case Information page or the official Traffic Portal. Avoid commercial look-alike sites.
Use the Court Public Portal for non-traffic case and hearing searches. Use the Traffic Portal for traffic citations and traffic hearings.
Case number searches reduce false matches. If using a name, compare multiple details before relying on the result.
Civil and small claims documents may be downloadable through the Public Portal, while probate documents and criminal documents require Court Records or criminal clerk processes.
The court’s Online Case Information page specifically warns that pop-up blockers can prevent the case information window from displaying.
A portal printout is not always a certified record. Use Court Records or the criminal clerk route when certification is required.
Contra Costa record copies, certifications and older-file notes
Copy fees depend on the document, case type and request method. The amounts below are court-listed references reviewed for this guide. Always confirm the current fee, acceptable payment method and mailing instruction before ordering.
| Record needed | Official route | Fee or practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Non-criminal court record copy | Court Records, Wakefield Taylor Courthouse, Room 103 | Copies from the Court Records Unit are listed at 50 cents per page for in-person or mail requests. |
| Certified non-criminal record | Court Records | Certifications are listed at $40.00 plus 50 cents per page. |
| Certified divorce judgment | Court Records / family law record route | Certifications for divorce judgments are listed at $15.00, including copies. |
| Civil case documents after November 13, 2007 | Court Public Portal | The civil records page says public documents filed after this date may be viewed through the Court Public Portal. |
| Civil case documents before November 13, 2007 | Civil Records Unit / physical file retrieval | Older physical civil files are kept off-site and can take approximately 10 business days to be delivered to the main courthouse after ordering. |
| Criminal record name search or copies | Criminal Records Search Request CR-147 or Criminal Records Copies Request CR-114 | Use the court’s criminal records forms and follow the instructions carefully. Same-day in-person copy processing may not be available. |
| Federal court or bankruptcy document | PACER or federal court clerk | PACER pricing can change. Verify current federal fees before opening reports or documents. |
Copy cost planning estimator
This optional estimator is only a planning aid for common court-listed Contra Costa copy and certification amounts. The official court quote or receipt controls.
This estimator uses 50 cents per copy page and $15.00 per name/file search as planning assumptions from court-record request references. Confirm exact fees before ordering.
Why a Contra Costa case or document may not appear online
California court rules require reasonable access to public electronic records, but they also limit remote public access for several sensitive case categories. Some records may be available at the courthouse, by mail request, through party access, or only by court order.
- Confidential case information does not appear online.
- Probate registers may appear online, but probate documents must be requested through Court Records.
- Criminal minutes, case documents and orders are not available online.
- Limited unlawful detainer cases are not available online.
- Older civil files may be stored off-site and require retrieval.
- Traffic matters use a separate Traffic Portal.
- Family Code proceedings, including divorce, custody, support and domestic violence prevention matters.
- Juvenile court proceedings.
- Guardianship and conservatorship proceedings.
- Mental health proceedings.
- Criminal proceedings.
- Civil harassment, elder abuse, workplace violence and gun violence prevention proceedings.
Official Contra Costa court-record links and what to do after opening each one
Use these official sources instead of commercial background-check or people-search sites. Each link includes a practical next-step guide.
Use this as the main official starting point for court records, hearings, traffic, e-filing, tentative rulings, calendars and courthouse locations.
- Confirm the address is contracosta.courts.ca.gov.
- Choose “Search Court Records & Hearings” or “Online Services.”
- Pick Court Public Portal or Traffic Portal based on case type.
- Use courthouse location pages before visiting.
Use this to reach the Court Public Portal for civil, small claims, probate register and hearing searches.
- Read which case types are covered.
- Use the Court Public Portal link.
- Turn off pop-up blocker if the case window will not display.
- Check whether your case type requires Court Records instead of online documents.
Use this for Contra Costa traffic case searches, hearing searches and Defendant Portal functions.
- Use Smart Search for traffic cases.
- Use Search Hearings for traffic hearing date ranges.
- Register only if using Defendant Portal functions.
- For technical issues, use the court’s traffic portal contact instructions.
Use this for traffic case lookup by case number, citation number or party name.
- Use citation or case number if available.
- Do not enter sensitive identifiers on non-court websites.
- Check case status and hearing information carefully.
- Call 925-608-1000 if an inactive case over three years old does not display.
Use this for civil, family law, limited civil, probate, adoption and non-criminal records request procedures.
- Read current scanning and delay notices.
- Use the Court Public Portal when online access is available.
- Use mail request instructions when documents must be requested.
- Bring valid identification if you are allowed to view a file in person.
Use this for the current Court Records address, hours and access notes.
- Confirm Court Records is at 725 Court Street, Room 103, Martinez.
- Check business hours before visiting.
- Call before visiting if you need a file from storage.
- Bring valid picture identification for file viewing.
Use this for civil-status questions, file viewing, copy and certification guidance.
- Read whether your case is online or requires a physical file.
- Use the Civil Records Unit for older physical civil files.
- Plan for off-site retrieval time when applicable.
- Confirm copy, certification and mailing requirements before ordering.
Use this for criminal record search forms, criminal copy forms and criminal clerk locations.
- Do not expect criminal minutes, documents or orders online.
- Use CR-147 for criminal record name searches when appropriate.
- Use CR-114 for criminal record copies and credit card payment requests.
- Mail or submit requests to the correct Martinez, Pittsburg or Richmond criminal record location.
Use this to identify whether an appeal goes to the First District Court of Appeal, the Superior Court Appellate Division, the California Supreme Court or another appeal route.
- Identify the underlying case type.
- Read which appellate court handles that case type.
- Use the correct notice of appeal deadline and form instructions.
- Remember an appeal is not a retrial and new evidence is generally not introduced.
Use this to understand remote public access limits for electronic court records in California.
- Read subdivision (b) for electronic-access requirements.
- Read subdivision (c) for courthouse-only categories.
- Check whether family, juvenile, guardianship, criminal or protective-order limits apply.
- Contact the court if you are a party or authorized user seeking broader access.
Use this for California Court of Appeal and Supreme Court case information.
- Select Supreme Court or the proper Appellate District.
- Search by case number, party, attorney or caption.
- Compare the lower-court Contra Costa case number.
- Use appellate docket information separately from trial-court docket information.
Use this for federal court location and clerk information when a Contra Costa federal case belongs in the Northern District.
- Confirm the case is federal, not Contra Costa Superior Court.
- Use PACER for the docket and documents.
- Check Oakland clerk location and hours if visiting.
- Use the federal clerk for federal-copy questions.
Use this for federal district, bankruptcy and federal appellate records.
- Create or sign in to a PACER account.
- Use Case Locator if the exact federal court is unknown.
- Use the specific federal court for the most current docket and documents.
- Review current PACER fees before opening reports or documents.
Contra Costa court locations and records contacts
Call or check the official page before visiting. Building hours, clerk windows, case assignment, valid ID requirements, storage retrieval and payment methods can differ by division and record type.
Wakefield Taylor Courthouse
725 Court Street, Room 103
Martinez, CA 94553
Phone: 925-608-1000
Business hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Court phones answered: 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Use for civil, family law, limited civil, probate, adoption and other non-criminal court-record requests.
1020 Ward Street
Martinez, CA 94553
Phone: 925-608-1000
Used by the court for criminal and jury-related operations. Confirm the department or clerk location before visiting.
1000 Center Drive
Pittsburg, CA 94565
Phone: 925-608-1000
Criminal Clerk’s Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., except court holidays.
Use when the criminal or assigned filing location points to Pittsburg.
100 37th Street
Richmond, CA 94805
Phone: 925-608-1000
Criminal Clerk’s Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., except court holidays.
Use when the criminal or assigned filing location points to Richmond.
751 Pine Street
Martinez, CA 94553
Phone: 925-608-1000
Use official family law and records instructions for family case details and copies. Some family documents can have remote-access limits.
640 Ygnacio Valley Road
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Phone: 925-608-1000
Use official juvenile and traffic instructions. Juvenile records are not ordinary public online records.
Court records vs jail, police, recorder, vital and federal records
Many users searching “Contra Costa County court records” actually need a different custodian. Use this distinction before searching or paying for records.
| Need | Correct custodian | Do not confuse it with |
|---|---|---|
| Civil, small claims, probate register, criminal or traffic case information | Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa | Recorder, Sheriff, police or private background-check websites. |
| Current custody or booking | Sheriff or jail system | Court disposition or final judgment. |
| Police report or arrest report | Law-enforcement agency that created the report | Criminal court case file. |
| Deed, recorded lien or property instrument | Contra Costa Clerk-Recorder or Recorder route | Civil lawsuit docket. |
| Birth, death or marriage certificate | Vital records or Clerk-Recorder route | Family law court case. |
| Federal case or bankruptcy | Federal court / PACER | Contra Costa Superior Court portals. |
Where Contra Costa appeals, federal cases and bankruptcy records go
Some cases connected to Contra Costa County are not searched through the trial-court public portal. Appeals, federal district cases and bankruptcy matters use separate official systems.
Contra Costa’s appeals page explains that felony criminal, unlimited civil, probate, mental health, juvenile delinquency, juvenile dependency and family law appeals are handled by the First District Court of Appeal. Traffic, misdemeanor, infraction and limited civil appeals are handled by the Superior Court Appellate Division.
Contra Costa federal district matters are in the Northern District of California. Northern District civil rules assign Contra Costa civil actions to the San Francisco or Oakland divisions, and criminal local rules assign Contra Costa criminal matters to Oakland unless otherwise ordered.
Bankruptcy is federal. U.S. Bankruptcy Court Northern District of California Local Rule 1001-3 places Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the Oakland Division.
What to do if a Contra Costa court-record search returns no result
- Wrong portal: Court Public Portal vs Traffic Portal.
- Wrong case type or filing location.
- Name spelling, business suffix, former name, DBA or punctuation mismatch.
- Searching by name when the case number is needed.
- Pop-up blocker preventing the case window from opening.
- Searching a federal, appellate or recorder record in the local court system.
- Confidential case information is not available online.
- Limited unlawful detainer cases are not available online.
- Probate documents require Court Records.
- Criminal minutes, documents and orders are not online.
- Older civil files may be stored off-site.
- Juvenile, family, criminal or protective-order documents can have remote-access restrictions.
How to read Contra Costa court-record fields carefully
A docket or register of actions is a list of case activity. It does not always explain the legal meaning of every event, and a single line should not be treated as a final outcome.
Plaintiff, defendant, petitioner, respondent, appellant, appellee, creditor, debtor, decedent, personal representative, guardian and conservatee are roles. A party role does not automatically mean wrongdoing.
Complaint, petition, summons, motion, minute order, hearing, continuance, judgment, dismissal, plea, sentence, warrant and appeal should be read with surrounding entries.
Open, active, dismissed, disposed, continued, stayed, convicted, acquitted, satisfied or appealed can mean different things by case type. Contact the court or an attorney if the legal effect matters.
Use Contra Costa court records responsibly
- Do not identify a person from a common name alone.
- Compare case number, filing location, filing date, case type, party role and docket activity.
- Do not assume a civil judgment shows current payment status.
- Do not assume an arrest, charge, citation or filing is a conviction.
- Do not harass, threaten, shame or retaliate against anyone.
- Do not republish children’s names, protected addresses, medical details or unnecessary sensitive information.
- Respect sealed, confidential, juvenile, family, criminal and remote-access restrictions.
- Contact the official court for corrections, certified copies, sealing, expungement or access questions.
Frequently asked questions about Contra Costa County court records
What is the official way to search Contra Costa County court records?
Use the Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa Online Case Information page and the Court Public Portal for civil, small claims, probate register of actions and hearing information. Use the separate Traffic Portal for traffic cases and traffic hearings.
Are Contra Costa civil and small claims documents available online?
The court states that unlimited and limited civil case documents and minutes are available through the Court Public Portal and can be downloaded for no fee. Small claims case documents and minutes are also available through the Court Public Portal.
Are Contra Costa probate documents available online?
Probate registers of actions are available through the Court Public Portal, but probate case documents must be requested through Court Records.
Are limited unlawful detainer cases available online in Contra Costa County?
Limited unlawful detainer cases are not available online according to the court’s Online Case Information page. Call the Clerk’s office at 925-608-1000 for case information, and go to the assigned filing location for copies.
Where do I request Contra Costa criminal court records?
Use the court’s Criminal Court Records page and request forms. Criminal minutes, case documents and orders are not available online. Requests may be handled through Court Records in Martinez, the Pittsburg Criminal Clerk’s Office or the Richmond Criminal Clerk’s Office depending on the case.
How much do Contra Costa court record copies and certifications cost?
The court lists copies from the Court Records Unit at 50 cents per page. Certifications are listed at $40.00 plus 50 cents per page. Certifications for divorce judgments are listed at $15.00, including copies. Always verify the current amount before ordering.
Where is Contra Costa Court Records located?
Court Records for non-criminal cases is listed at Wakefield Taylor Courthouse, 725 Court Street, Room 103, Martinez, CA 94553. Business hours are listed as 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday except court holidays, and court phones are answered from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Do I need identification to view Contra Costa court files?
Yes. The court’s Court Records page states that valid identification is required to view any file.
Where do I search Contra Costa appeals?
Appeals from felony criminal, unlimited civil, probate, mental health, juvenile delinquency, juvenile dependency and family law cases are handled by the First District Court of Appeal. Appeals from infractions, traffic, misdemeanor criminal and limited civil cases are handled by the Contra Costa Superior Court Appellate Division.
Where do I search Contra Costa federal or bankruptcy records?
Use PACER for federal court records. Contra Costa civil federal cases generally route to the Northern District of California, and Northern District civil local rules assign Contra Costa matters to the San Francisco or Oakland divisions. Bankruptcy cases for Contra Costa are in the Oakland Division of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California.
Official-source review checklist
This guide was reviewed against official Contra Costa Superior Court pages, Online Services, Online Case Information, Traffic Portal, Court Records for non-criminal cases, Court Records location, Obtaining Court Records and Certified Copies, Criminal Court Records, Criminal Division information, Appeals information, California Rule of Court 2.503, California appellate case search, Northern District of California rules and Oakland location, Northern District Bankruptcy Court local rules and PACER pricing. Review date: September 20, 2026.