San Joaquin County Court Records Search: eCourt, Public Portal, Copies, Calendars & Federal Routes
Use this guide to search San Joaquin County court records through the official Superior Court eCourt/Public Portal, understand name-search limits, request copies from Records Management, and choose the right route for traffic, criminal, civil, family, probate, juvenile, appellate, federal, bankruptcy, recorder, and vital records.
Public-Court-Records.us is independent. This website is not the Superior Court of California, County of San Joaquin, the Judicial Council of California, the San Joaquin County Recorder-County Clerk, a sheriff, a government agency, a law firm, PACER, or a Consumer Reporting Agency. This page is general information only and is not legal advice.
Responsible-use warning: a name match does not prove identity. A complaint, arrest, charge, citation, petition, filing, register entry, or lawsuit does not prove guilt or liability. Do not use this page for employment, tenant, credit, insurance, licensing, or other FCRA-regulated screening decisions.
San Joaquin County court records are trial-court records, not one all-purpose public-record database
The Superior Court of California, County of San Joaquin is the official trial-court record custodian for local civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic, small claims, unlawful detainer, mental-health, conservatorship, and juvenile proceedings. The court’s Case Management Search page points users to the official eCourt/Public Portal for online case information.
Do not confuse Superior Court records with recorder documents, birth certificates, marriage certificates, jail booking records, California DOJ criminal-history records, federal PACER records, or appellate dockets. Those use different custodians and search systems.
Records Management says it is responsible for archived public records dating back to 1850, subject to retention and destruction rules.
As of August 24, 2026, public court-record access through eCourt requires account registration to log in.
The court lists noncertified copies at $0.50 per page, per side.
Certified documents other than dissolution judgments are listed at $40 plus copy fees.
San Joaquin County court record route finder
Select the record type. This helper runs only in your browser and does not ask for names, birth dates, case numbers, driver license numbers, addresses, or other sensitive information.
Criminal court records are Superior Court records. For older criminal Register of Actions information before October 19, 2015, or information not displayed online under California access rules, the court points users to onsite viewing or records requests.
Choose the correct San Joaquin court or records system
San Joaquin County uses the Superior Court for local trial-court matters. Other records—such as deeds, birth certificates, marriage certificates, jail records, state criminal histories, appeals, and federal cases—belong elsewhere.
| Need | Correct source | What to do first |
|---|---|---|
| Felony or misdemeanor court case | San Joaquin Superior Court eCourt/Public Portal and Criminal Division | Search by case number when available. For older or restricted criminal records, use Records Management or onsite viewing. |
| Traffic ticket, infraction, or minor traffic misdemeanor | San Joaquin Superior Court Traffic Division | Use the court’s traffic page and eCourt search. If no courtesy notice arrives, the court says it is still your responsibility to follow up. |
| Civil lawsuit, real-property case, or unlimited/limited civil case | San Joaquin Superior Court Civil Department | Search through eCourt, then contact Civil at the Stockton courthouse if the record or copy request requires department help. |
| Small claims | San Joaquin Superior Court Small Claims / Civil Department | The court describes small claims as cases for damages of $12,500 or less. Use eCourt for lookup and Civil/branch court routes for copies or questions. |
| Unlawful detainer / landlord-tenant | Superior Court Civil Department or relevant branch court | Use eCourt and verify later docket activity, judgment, satisfaction, dismissal, or appeal status before relying on the result. |
| Divorce, family law, custody, support, or domestic matter | Superior Court Family Law records / Records Management | Search by case number when possible. California access rules limit remote access to many family documents, so certified decrees and copies often require Records Management. |
| Probate, estate, guardianship, or conservatorship | Superior Court Probate Division | Search eCourt, check Probate Notes if you know the case number, and note that Probate hearings moved to Lodi Department L2 beginning February 3, 2025. |
| Juvenile case | Juvenile Justice Center / Juvenile Division | Treat juvenile records as restricted. Contact the court directly and do not attempt to bypass confidentiality. |
| Deed, mortgage, lien, map, marriage certificate, birth, or death record | San Joaquin County Recorder-County Clerk | Use the Recorder-County Clerk, not Superior Court case search. The Recorder handles official recorded documents and vital records. |
| State appeal | California Appellate Courts Case Information / Third District Court of Appeal | Search by appellate case number, trial-court case number, party, attorney, or caption, then compare the lower-court San Joaquin case number. |
| Federal district or bankruptcy case | PACER / Eastern District of California / U.S. Bankruptcy Court Eastern District of California | Use PACER Case Locator if the federal court is unknown. San Joaquin County belongs to the Eastern District of California. |
How to use the San Joaquin eCourt/Public Portal carefully
The official case-search page explains that party searches are limited because date of birth and driver license information may not be included in party searches under California Rule of Court 2.507. That means a name-only search is useful for locating possible cases, but it is not enough to identify a person with certainty.
Start on sjcourts.org, then follow the court’s link to the eCourt/Public Portal. Do not use a commercial look-alike site as your official source.
The court announced that public access through eCourt requires account registration beginning August 24, 2026. Follow the court’s tutorial or support instructions if access fails.
Case-number searching is usually more reliable than party-name searching because it avoids many false matches.
Party searches are limited to first, middle, and last name combinations. Do not expect date of birth or driver license filtering in the public portal.
Review the case number, filing date, case type, party role, hearing entries, orders, judgments, and disposition before relying on a result.
For copies, certified copies, older files, missing criminal ROA entries, or archived materials, use Records Management instead of assuming the portal is complete.
Why some San Joaquin court records do not appear online
California public-access rules distinguish between indexes, calendars, registers of actions, documents viewable remotely, documents viewable only at the courthouse, sealed records, confidential records, and records that require special access. A missing online document does not always mean the case does not exist.
- Party-name searches exclude date of birth and driver license information.
- Criminal case Register of Actions before October 19, 2015 may require onsite viewing or a records request.
- Some details are excluded under California Rule of Court 2.507.
- Online information can contain errors or omissions and is not the official record.
- Older records may be archived, destroyed under retention rules, or available only through Records Management.
- Family Code proceedings and domestic violence prevention matters.
- Juvenile court proceedings.
- Guardianship, conservatorship, and mental-health matters.
- Criminal case documents beyond index/register access.
- Sealed records, confidential records, and records restricted by statute or court order.
San Joaquin Records Management copy fees, mail requests, and appointments
Records Management handles archived public records, copy requests, certified-copy requests, public viewing, and mail requests. The court says no copies are available by email. Staff will notify you when an online request is ready to view, and you can then schedule an appointment or walk in.
| Request | Court-listed rule or fee | Practical next step |
|---|---|---|
| Noncertified copy | $0.50 per page, per side. | Estimate pages before ordering and confirm whether the copy can be made at the viewing appointment. |
| Certified divorce decree / dissolution judgment | $15.00 for a certified dissolution judgment. | Ask whether you need the judgment, a minute order, or another divorce-related document. |
| Certified divorce decree for a public agency | $10.00 for a certified dissolution judgment for any public agency. | Confirm agency requirements before requesting the copy. |
| Certified document other than dissolution judgment | $40.00 plus copy fees for Family Law, Family Support, Civil, Probate, Small Claims, Unlawful Detainer, Criminal, and Traffic documents. | Identify the exact document title and case number before ordering. |
| Mail copy request | Use Form CR-109, include a self-addressed stamped envelope, and pay by check, money order, or cashier’s check. | Mail to Records Management, Suite 204, 180 E. Weber Ave., Stockton, CA 95202, unless requesting Lodi or Manteca branch records by their listed mail route. |
| Mail processing time | Approximately 20 business days from receipt of request and payment; no rush processing. | Do not wait until a deadline. Add time for mail delivery both directions. |
| Clerk name search when no case number is known | $15.00 for any name search that takes longer than 10 minutes. | Narrow the filing year, case type, and party name before requesting staff research. |
| In-person research | Public kiosks are available in the second-floor view room at Stockton; appointments are in 20-minute intervals starting at 8:20 a.m., subject to availability. | Do not appear for an appointment until you receive confirmation by email. |
Copy and certification cost estimator
This browser-only estimator uses common court-listed amounts. The official court quote or receipt controls the final amount.
Official San Joaquin court-record links and what to do after opening each one
Use the instructions below so you land on the correct official system, choose the right case type, and avoid paying for the wrong request.
Use this as the court’s official starting page for public case search information.
- Confirm you are on sjcourts.org.
- Read the name-search limitation notice.
- Follow the court’s eCourt/Public Portal link.
- Search by case number when possible.
Use this for online court records and calendar access.
- Create or use your registered login if required.
- Accept the portal terms only if you understand them.
- Use case number first if known.
- Remember online data is not the official record.
Use this for copies, certified copies, archived files, public viewing, mail requests, and older records.
- Review current copy and certification fees.
- Decide whether you need online, in-person, appointment, or mail service.
- Gather case number, case name, filing year, and exact document title.
- Use CR-109 for mail copy requests.
Use this to submit a court record request online.
- Select the correct request type.
- Enter accurate file number and file name.
- Provide valid contact details for confirmation.
- Read the custody-removal warning before submitting.
Use this for traffic citations, infractions, minor traffic misdemeanors, courtesy notice details, and traffic office contacts.
- Review whether your matter is an infraction or misdemeanor.
- Check the citation number and appearance information.
- Use the eCourt search if no courtesy notice arrives.
- Contact the correct Stockton, Lodi, or Manteca traffic office if needed.
Use this for criminal case search guidance, copy routing, and criminal court department information.
- Use case search first.
- If the case is not updated, contact the Clerk’s Office by phone or in person.
- Use Records Management for older cases or larger document requests.
- Do not treat a charge or filing as a conviction.
Use this for civil case services, counter filing guidelines, eCourt case viewing, and Civil Department contact details.
- Confirm whether the case is civil, small claims, or unlawful detainer.
- Search or view the case through eCourt.
- Call Civil at 209-992-5693 for department-specific questions.
- Use Records Management for certified copies.
Use this for probate, estates, guardianships, conservatorships, probate hearing location notes, and probate resources.
- Check whether the case is estate, guardianship, or conservatorship.
- Note the Lodi Department L2 hearing location for probate matters.
- Use eCourt for case lookup.
- Use Probate Notes if you know the full case number.
Use this for probate notes when you have the complete probate case number.
- Enter the full case number, such as PR-2026-0000123 format shown by the court.
- Review notes about missing or defective filings.
- File corrections at least one week before hearing when required.
- Verify the current process with the Probate Division.
Use this to understand why the portal excludes certain identifiers from public electronic indexes and registers.
- Read the minimum contents for calendars, indexes, and registers.
- Review the excluded information list.
- Notice that date of birth and driver license number are excluded.
- Use lawful identifiers and official clerk verification instead.
Use this for California Supreme Court and Court of Appeal case lookup.
- Select the Supreme Court or the relevant Court of Appeal district.
- Search by appellate number, trial-court number, party, attorney, or caption.
- Compare the San Joaquin trial-court number.
- Use the appellate court for appellate copies and docket questions.
Use this for federal district, bankruptcy, and federal appellate records.
- Use PACER Case Locator if you do not know the federal court.
- Use the specific court PACER system for the most current docket.
- Review PACER pricing before opening reports or documents.
- Remember San Joaquin Superior Court does not hold federal case records.
San Joaquin Superior Court locations for record questions
San Joaquin court proceedings are conducted at the Stockton Courthouse, Juvenile Justice Center in French Camp, and branch courts in Manteca and Lodi. Because temporary hours and department assignments can change, check the official court website before visiting.
180 E. Weber Avenue
Stockton, CA 95202
Records Management: Suite 204
Civil Department: Suite 200
Traffic Department: Suite 203
Use Stockton for Records Management, civil records, many traffic services, in-person research kiosks, and main courthouse services. Parking around the courthouse may include metered spaces and public garages.
315 W. Elm Street
Lodi, CA 95240
Department L-1: 217 W. Elm Street, 2nd Floor
Department L-2: 315 W. Elm Street
Traffic: 209-992-5520 · Criminal: 209-992-5521 · Civil Limited / Small Claims / Civil Harassment: 209-992-5522 · Probate: 209-992-5696.
315 E. Center Street
Manteca, CA 95336
Criminal / Traffic: 209-239-1316
Civil Harassment / Unlawful Detainer: 209-239-9188
The court lists free parking around the courthouse and in a lot north of the building.
535 W. Mathews Road
French Camp, CA 95231
Mailing address:
San Joaquin Superior Court – Juvenile Division
535 W. Mathews Road
French Camp, CA 95231
Juvenile matters are sensitive and often confidential. Contact the court directly instead of trying to obtain juvenile information through ordinary public search methods.
Court docket, register of actions, documents, and transcripts are different records
San Joaquin’s court-reporter information explains an important distinction: a register of actions reflects parties, attorneys, filed documents, hearing dates, and actions taken by the court. A transcript is a verbatim record of what was said during a hearing or trial.
Use this to review a case timeline, filings, hearings, docket entries, and court actions. Copies of the register may be requested from Records Management.
Documents include complaints, petitions, motions, orders, judgments, decrees, and other filed papers. Some documents are restricted from remote public access.
Transcripts are prepared by court reporters. If you do not know the reporter’s name or contact information, the court provides a reporter email route for help.
Do not search the Superior Court for deeds, birth certificates, or ordinary marriage certificates
The San Joaquin County Recorder-County Clerk is a separate county office. It handles recorded documents, maps, marriage licenses, marriage certificates, birth certificates, death certificates, fictitious business names, notary filings, and other county-clerk services. The Superior Court handles court cases.
- Civil lawsuits and small claims.
- Unlawful detainer and real-property court cases.
- Criminal and traffic court cases.
- Divorce and family law case files.
- Probate, guardianship, and conservatorship cases.
- Juvenile matters through the restricted court process.
- Deeds, deeds of trust, court decrees affecting title, and recorded documents.
- Subdivision maps, survey maps, and parcel maps.
- Marriage licenses and marriage certificates.
- Birth and death certificates.
- Fictitious business names and notary public filings.
- Official-record grantor/grantee index research.
Where San Joaquin appeals, federal cases, and bankruptcy records go
Appeals and federal matters do not become ordinary San Joaquin Superior Court records simply because the dispute began in San Joaquin County. Use the correct higher-court or federal system.
San Joaquin County is served by the Third District Court of Appeal for many state appellate matters. Use California Appellate Courts Case Information and compare the lower-court case number.
San Joaquin County is in the Eastern District of California. The Eastern District’s venue rule places civil and criminal matters arising in San Joaquin County in Sacramento and other designated places within the Sacramento-side counties.
Bankruptcy is federal. Use the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of California and PACER, not San Joaquin Superior Court case search.
| Record type | Official route | Important caution |
|---|---|---|
| Appeal from a San Joaquin trial case | California Appellate Courts Case Information / Third District Court of Appeal | Trial-court and appellate dockets are separate. Compare the lower-tribunal case number. |
| California Supreme Court matter | California Supreme Court docket search | Search by case number, case name, or party names if the matter reached the Supreme Court. |
| Federal civil or criminal case | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California / PACER | State eCourt will not show federal district court filings. |
| Bankruptcy case | U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of California / PACER | Do not search small claims or civil court for federal bankruptcy dockets. |
| Unknown federal court | PACER Case Locator | PACER pricing verified September 19, 2026: review the current PACER fee page before opening billable reports or documents. |
What to do if a San Joaquin County court-record search returns no result
- Wrong system: court record vs recorder record vs vital record vs jail record.
- Wrong case type, branch court, department, or filing year.
- Party-name spelling, middle name, suffix, business name, or abbreviation mismatch.
- Searching by name when the exact case number is available.
- Searching a federal, bankruptcy, or appellate case in the Superior Court portal.
- Record is sealed, confidential, juvenile, or restricted.
- Criminal Register of Actions predates October 19, 2015.
- Record is archived or affected by retention/destruction rules.
- Document is available at courthouse terminals but not remotely.
- Records request or staff research is required.
How to read San Joaquin docket fields without over-interpreting them
A docket or register of actions summarizes activity in a case. It can help you understand what happened procedurally, but it may not show every document remotely, and one entry can be misunderstood if read without the surrounding case history.
Plaintiff, defendant, petitioner, respondent, appellant, appellee, decedent, personal representative, guardian, conservator, ward, creditor, and debtor are roles. A role does not always mean wrongdoing.
Complaint, petition, summons, proof of service, motion, order, minute order, hearing, judgment, dismissal, plea, sentence, warrant, continuance, and notice can appear on a register of actions.
Filed, pending, active, disposed, dismissed, stayed, reopened, satisfied, vacated, or appealed can mean different things depending on case type. Verify final status with the court.
Use San Joaquin County court records carefully
- Do not identify a person from a common name alone.
- Compare court, case number, filing date, case type, party role, and docket entries.
- Do not assume an arrest, charge, or complaint is a conviction.
- Do not assume a civil judgment shows current payment status.
- Do not harass, threaten, shame, or retaliate against anyone.
- Do not republish children’s names, addresses, protected health details, or unnecessary sensitive information.
- Do not bypass sealed, expunged, juvenile, or confidential restrictions.
- Contact the official custodian for corrections, sealing, expungement, and certified-copy needs.
Frequently asked questions about San Joaquin County court records
What is the official way to search San Joaquin County court records?
Start with the Superior Court of California, County of San Joaquin Case Management Search page and use the court-linked eCourt/Public Portal. The portal provides online access to court records and court calendars, but the court warns that online information is not the official record of the court.
Can I search San Joaquin County court records by name?
Yes, but the party-search feature is limited. The court states that, under California Rule of Court 2.507, party searches may not include date of birth or driver license information and are limited to combinations of first, middle, and last names. Public searches are also available by case number.
Why is the San Joaquin court portal asking for account registration?
The court announced that beginning August 24, 2026, anyone wishing to access public court records through the eCourt system must create a user account and register to log in. If you have access problems, use the court’s official help or trouble-ticket route.
Are San Joaquin criminal court records fully available online?
No. The portal notice explains that Criminal Register of Actions information before October 19, 2015, and information not displayed under California Rule of Court 2.507 may require onsite viewing at court locations or copies through a records request.
How do I get copies or certified copies of San Joaquin court records?
Use San Joaquin Superior Court Records Management. Copies may be requested online, in person by walk-in or appointment, or by mail using Form CR-109. Records Management does not provide copies by email.
What are San Joaquin Superior Court copy and certification fees?
Records Management lists noncertified copies at $0.50 per page, per side; certified divorce decrees at $15.00; certified divorce decrees for a public agency at $10.00; and certified documents other than dissolution judgments at $40.00 plus copy fees. Verify current fees before ordering.
How long do San Joaquin mail copy requests take?
The court states that mail requests for copies are processed in the order received and that turnaround time varies, approximately 20 business days from the date the request and payment are received. Rush processing is not offered.
Where do I search San Joaquin County traffic tickets?
Use the San Joaquin Superior Court Traffic page and the court’s eCourt case search route. The Traffic Division handles Vehicle Code violations, local municipal code ordinances, some minor misdemeanors, infractions, Fish and Game, and animal code matters.
Where do I search appeals from San Joaquin County cases?
Use California Appellate Courts Case Information. San Joaquin County is served by the Third District Court of Appeal for many state appellate matters, and the California Supreme Court has its own docket search for Supreme Court matters.
Where do I search federal or bankruptcy cases from San Joaquin County?
Use PACER and the relevant federal court. San Joaquin County is in the Eastern District of California for federal district court, with civil and criminal matters arising in San Joaquin County generally commenced in Sacramento under the Eastern District’s venue rule. Bankruptcy cases use the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of California.
Official-source review checklist
This guide was reviewed against official San Joaquin Superior Court case search, eCourt/Public Portal, Records Management, records request, Civil, Criminal, Traffic, Probate, court-location, temporary-hours, court-reporter, and Judicial Administrative Records pages; California electronic court-record access rules; California Courts copy-record guidance; California Appellate Courts Case Information; Third District Court of Appeal information; Eastern District of California federal venue information; U.S. Bankruptcy Court Eastern District of California resources; PACER; and San Joaquin County Recorder-County Clerk official-record and vital-record pages. Review date: September 19, 2026.