Los Angeles County Court Case Search: Case Information, Hearings and Records
The Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles provides online services for finding available case information, checking hearing calendars, accessing certain documents, and requesting records. This guide explains how to choose the correct search, confirm a case, and contact the appropriate court service.
Independent information guide: This website is not affiliated with the court. Official case information, filings, hearing arrangements, record requests, and access decisions are handled by the responsible court or service provider.
Start with the official search: Use Find Case Information when you have a case number. If you do not know the number, use the appropriate name-search service linked from Access a Case and review its fees and coverage before searching.
This guide focuses on Los Angeles Superior Court. Federal courts, other counties' courts, the California Courts of Appeal, and the California Supreme Court maintain separate case systems.
Choose Your Next Step
A case lookup, hearing calendar, document purchase, and certified-copy request serve different purposes. Select the service that matches the information or record you need.
| Your task | Where to start | What to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Find a case using a known number | Find Case Information. | The complete court case number and the likely case category. |
| Find a case number using a name | The applicable name-search service linked from Access a Case. | Party or defendant name, likely case type, approximate filing date, and payment information if required. |
| Check an upcoming hearing | Search Court Calendars through Access a Case. | Case number, hearing date when known, and assigned courthouse or department. |
| Set up hearing reminders | Hearing Reminder Service. | Case number and an email address or telephone number for supported reminders. |
| View or purchase an available document image | Access Court Documents through Access a Case. | Case number, document title or filing date, and payment if required. |
| Request a certified copy or an older record | The responsible clerk's office or Archives and Records Center. | Case details, document requested, copy type, delivery preference, and any required authorization. |
| Request a transcript or electronic recording | Transcripts and Recordings through Access a Case. | Case number, hearing date, courthouse, department, and reporter information when available. |
| Read a tentative ruling or probate notes | The relevant service linked from Access a Case. | Case number, hearing date, and the responsible department's instructions. |
| Get help with court forms or procedures | Los Angeles Superior Court Self-Help Center. | Case type, relevant notices or documents, and the procedural question. |
Choosing the Correct Court and Case Type
First identify the court named on the notice or filed document. A case filed in federal court, another county, or a different appellate court will not necessarily appear in a Los Angeles Superior Court search.
Next, choose the category under which the case was actually filed. Do not rely solely on the amount of money involved, the subject of a dispute, or the courthouse nearest to you.
| Case category | Typical matters | Search consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Civil | Lawsuits, collections, and other civil disputes. | Use the filed case category. Residential eviction and small claims matters have designated access options. |
| Criminal | Criminal proceedings involving alleged offenses. | Use a court case number or the applicable defendant-name search, rather than a jail booking number. |
| Residential eviction | Residential unlawful detainer proceedings. | Public access is subject to specific restrictions. A missing name-search result does not establish that no case exists. |
| Family law | Divorce, parentage, custody, support, and related family matters. | Basic case information and remote access to particular documents may be treated differently. |
| Probate | Estates, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, and related proceedings. | Probate notes are a separate hearing-related service and are not the complete case file. |
| Small claims | Cases filed in the small claims division. | Select small claims when that is the registered category. Claim limits vary by plaintiff type and applicable rules. |
| Superior Court Appellate Division | Appeals within that division's jurisdiction. | Distinguish the appellate number from the underlying trial case number and use the supported appellate lookup. |
| Traffic | Traffic and other citation-related matters handled through the court's traffic services. | Use the Traffic Citations entry on the court website and follow its identifier instructions. |
| Juvenile or mental health | Proceedings subject to applicable confidentiality and access rules. | Do not assume that ordinary public name searches cover these matters. Contact the responsible court service about authorized access. |
Appeals in Different Courts
The Los Angeles Superior Court Appellate Division is different from the California Court of Appeal and California Supreme Court. Confirm which court is handling the appeal before choosing a search system.
For California Court of Appeal or Supreme Court cases, use the separate California appellate court case information system.
A trial case and a related appeal may have different numbers and separate records. Keep both identifiers when available.
Small Claims Amounts
California's general small claims limits are $12,500 for natural persons and $6,250 for corporations and other business entities, subject to applicable exceptions. Review the California Courts guidance if you are deciding where to file.
For an existing case search, use the category in the filed court record rather than deciding the category from the amount alone.
Searching by Case Number
A complete case number is generally the most direct way to identify a specific proceeding. Copy it from a court notice, filed document, or other official court communication.
- Confirm the court named on the document.
- Open the appropriate official case-access service.
- Select the relevant case category.
- Enter the number in the format requested.
- Compare the result with the parties, case title, and filing information you already have.
- Note the courthouse, department, and current information needed for your next task.
A booking number, police report number, citation number, or payment reference is not automatically a court case number. Some specialized services accept other identifiers, so follow the instructions for the selected system.
Keep the complete case number once confirmed. It may be needed for calendar searches, document requests, hearing reminders, probate notes, and clerk's office inquiries.
Searching by Name and Reviewing Fees
If the case number is unknown, use the appropriate name-search service linked from Access a Case.
The court provides different services for criminal defendant names and noncriminal party names. The noncriminal service includes civil, small claims, family law, and probate searches within its stated coverage.
Review the Service Before Paying
- Check which case categories and record periods are covered.
- Review search fees and any account requirements.
- Read the search instructions and name-format rules.
- Check any payment or refund terms shown by the service.
- Confirm that you are using the official court service.
Name searches may incur public-access fees. A search fee is separate from charges for document images, certified copies, transcripts, or other services.
Confirm Possible Matches
Search using the person's or entity's name as it may appear in the filed record. Former names, initials, suffixes, spelling variations, and legal business names can affect results.
Compare the case title, party role, filing date, case type, and other available details. A matching name alone does not establish that a record concerns the person you are seeking.
If No Match Appears
A missing result does not prove that no case exists. Check the court, identifier, search category, and system coverage before drawing a conclusion.
Wrong Court or Search Category
The case may belong to another county, a federal court, or a different appellate court. Within Los Angeles Superior Court, it may be registered under another category.
Incorrect Number or Name
Verify the complete case number and the requested format. For name searches, review spelling, former names, initials, and legal entity names.
Record Coverage or Processing
An older record may require an archives inquiry. A newly filed case or recent filing may not yet appear in the online service. Ask the responsible clerk's office when the information remains uncertain.
Restricted Public Access
Confidential, sealed, and otherwise restricted records may not be available through an ordinary public search. Residential eviction records also have specific access rules.
A case can appear in an index while certain documents remain unavailable remotely. Contact the responsible court service about the access process applicable to your request.
Retention or Destruction Status
The public index may include information about retention or destruction of the court file. This concerns record preservation and availability; it does not by itself explain the outcome or legal effect of the case.
If a file is no longer retained, ask which records or index information remain available. Do not assume that every document can be retrieved from an online listing.
Hearing Calendars and Reminders
Use Search Court Calendars through Access a Case to review supported upcoming hearings. Search options may include a case number or date range.
Match the hearing to the correct case number. Review the date, time, courthouse, department, and any appearance instructions shown or supplied by the court.
Confirm important arrangements through the responsible courtroom or clerk's office if information is unclear or inconsistent. A case search does not reserve a remote appearance or submit a filing.
Hearing Reminder Service
The Hearing Reminder Service offers supported email or text reminders two weeks before a hearing, two days before a hearing, or both. A case number is required.
The court does not charge a sign-up fee for reminders, although carrier text-message charges may apply.
Reminders are a convenience service. Keep your own calendar and follow official notices and orders. Failure to receive a reminder does not mean that a hearing was canceled or that an appearance requirement has changed.
Documents and Certified Copies
Viewing basic case information is different from obtaining the documents filed in the case. Available online images, certified copies, and archived records may require different services.
Start with Access Court Documents or Obtain Copies of Other Court Records through the official case-access portal.
Information for a Records Request
- The complete case number and case type.
- The case title or parties' names.
- The document title and filing date, when known.
- The requested documents, pages, or date range.
- Whether you need an ordinary copy or a certified copy.
- The preferred delivery or collection method.
- Any required identification or authorization.
Confirm availability, charges, payment methods, and processing arrangements before submitting a request. A downloaded document image is not automatically a certified copy.
If another agency requires the record, ask that agency which copy type it accepts.
Older or Archived Records
The Archives and Records Center provides services for records within its custody. Confirm whether your file is held there or at another court location before visiting or mailing a request.
Use the center's mail-request instructions for the appropriate form and submission requirements.
Transcripts and Electronic Recordings
A transcript is a written record of proceedings. An electronic recording is a recording made through an authorized court recording process. These differ from pleadings, judgments, and other documents filed in the case.
Use Transcripts and Recordings through Access a Case to identify the correct request route.
Details to Prepare
- Case number and case title.
- Date of the proceeding.
- Courthouse and department.
- Judicial officer's name, when known.
- Court reporter's name or contact information, when available.
- The portion of the proceeding needed.
- Any delivery deadline relevant to your request.
Availability depends on how the proceeding was recorded and the applicable access rules. Do not assume that every hearing has an audio recording or a transcript available for immediate download.
Reporter transcripts and authorized electronic recordings may have different ordering, payment, and processing arrangements. A request for a judge's filed order should ordinarily be directed to the document-records service.
Tentative Rulings and Probate Notes
Tentative Rulings
The court provides tentative-ruling services for supported appellate, civil, and family law hearings. A tentative ruling is preliminary and should not be treated as a final filed order.
Read the responsible department's instructions about appearances, contesting a tentative ruling, and any required notice. A posted tentative ruling does not by itself mean that you may skip the hearing.
Probate Notes
Probate notes are available before supported probate hearings and can be located using the case number. They may identify matters requiring attention before the hearing.
Probate notes are not the complete case file or a substitute for the court's orders. Review the notes together with the department's instructions and relevant filings.
Access both services through Access a Case.
Courthouses and Clerk's Office Appointments
Use the case information, court notices, and courthouse directory on the official court website to identify the responsible location.
The nearest courthouse may not handle your case. Confirm the assigned courthouse, case category, department, and service before traveling.
Scheduling an Appointment
The clerk's office appointment system asks you to select a courthouse and then displays available appointment types.
- Confirm which office handles the request.
- Select that location in the appointment system.
- Choose the appointment type matching your task.
- Read the document and arrival requirements.
- Keep the confirmation and bring the relevant case information.
An appointment does not replace a filing, hearing request, or other required submission. Continue to follow applicable court deadlines while arranging assistance.
Before an appearance, recheck the courthouse and department shown in the latest instructions. Department numbers and courtroom assignments may change.
Self-Help and Professional Portals
Self-Help Center
The Los Angeles Superior Court Self-Help Center provides information and services for people handling matters without an attorney.
Its service catalog includes supported family law, eviction, restraining order, small claims, probate-related, consumer debt, and other matters. Services and appointment arrangements depend on the topic.
Call 213-830-0845 for information about available assistance. Self-help services are separate from case-record searches and document-copy requests.
Attorney and Other Professional Portals
The Attorney Portal provides services for registered attorneys, including supported case access, document functions, and account-related tools.
Justice Partner and Media Access portals have separate eligibility and access arrangements. Members of the public should begin with the public case-access services.
Portal technical support handles the relevant system or account. It is not a substitute for the clerk's office, courtroom staff, or legal advice.
Contacts and Official Services
Use the service responsible for your task. Prepare the case number, case category, relevant date, and specific question before contacting the court.
| Service | Contact or official entry point | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Public case information | Find Case Information | Supported case-number searches and available public case details. |
| Name searches, calendars, and documents | Access a Case | Choose the appropriate search or records service and review its coverage and fees. |
| Assigned courtroom or clerk's office | Contacts and courtroom directory on the court website. | Case-specific procedures, hearing arrangements, and records questions within that office's responsibilities. |
| Archives and Records Center | 222 North Hill Street, Room 212 Los Angeles, CA 90012 Archives and Records services |
Records held by the center and applicable copy or case-number requests. Confirm custody of the file before visiting. |
| Clerk's office appointments | Appointment system | Available appointment types by courthouse or office. |
| Self-Help Center | 213-830-0845 Self-Help services |
Supported forms and procedural assistance for people without an attorney. |
| Hearing Reminder Service assistance | 213-830-0400 Hearing Reminder Service |
Assistance with the reminder service. Published support hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., excluding holidays. |
| Attorney Portal technical support | 213-830-0400 Attorney Portal |
Attorney Portal questions. Published support hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., excluding holidays. |
| California appellate court case information | California appellate case system | California Court of Appeal and Supreme Court cases, separate from Superior Court Appellate Division access. |
Published support hours are local Pacific Time. Confirm current office hours, appointment requirements, and service instructions before traveling or submitting a request.
Automated website translations may contain errors. For important instructions, ask the court about available language assistance or interpreter-request procedures.
Court Search and Records Checklist
- Confirm the court: Superior Court, federal court, and appellate courts use different systems.
- Choose the filed case category: Do not determine the search category from the dispute amount alone.
- Use the correct identifier: A booking number or payment reference is not automatically a court case number.
- Review name-search terms: Check fees, record coverage, and search instructions before paying.
- Confirm the match: Compare parties, case title, filing information, and other available details.
- Allow for access limits: Some records are confidential, restricted, archived, or unavailable remotely.
- Keep hearing details independently: Reminder messages do not replace court notices or orders.
- Check appearance instructions: A tentative ruling does not automatically excuse attendance.
- Choose the right record: Document images, certified copies, transcripts, and recordings serve different purposes.
- Confirm the responsible office: Verify the courthouse, department, and file location before visiting.
- Preserve deadlines: Searching or booking an appointment does not extend a filing or response deadline.
- Keep request records: Retain confirmations, receipts, and copies of correspondence.
If you find an outdated detail or broken link in this guide, please contact our website editor. Case questions, filings, hearing arrangements, records requests, and official authorizations should go to the responsible court or provider.