This page helps users with a case search in Contra Costa County, California, including where to search court cases, traffic cases, hearings, and records requests.
The Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa provides the Court Public Portal for court records and hearings, plus a separate Traffic Case Management Portal for traffic matters.
Court Public Portal case search
Use the Court Public Portal when you need to search Contra Costa County court records or hearings. The portal states that no registration is required for public use.
- Case number, if you already have it
- Case name or party name
- Hearing date range, when searching hearings
For the main court records search, use the portal tools labeled Smart Search and Search Hearings.
- Open the search court records and hearings portal.
- Choose Smart Search to look for court records.
- Choose Search Hearings to look for hearings within a specified date range.
- Turn off your pop-up blocker if the case information window does not display.
Browser note: the portal requires JavaScript and cookies to work.
Traffic Case Management Portal
Traffic cases use a separate Superior Court portal for traffic case searches and traffic hearing searches.
Use the search traffic cases and traffic hearings portal for traffic matters. The portal includes Smart Search for traffic cases, Search Hearings for traffic hearings, and a Traffic Defendant area for scheduling hearings and filing petitions, which requires registration.
Online case information limits
Online access depends on the case type and the record being requested. Civil, small claims, and probate case information can be searched through the Court Public Portal, but some records require help from Court Records or the assigned filing location.
- Unlimited and limited civil case documents and minutes are available on the Court Public Portal and can be downloaded for no fee.
- Small claims case documents and minutes are available on the Court Public Portal.
- Probate registers of actions are available on the Court Public Portal, but probate case documents must be requested through Court Records.
- Limited unlawful detainer cases are not available online; call the Clerk’s office for case information.
- Confidential case information is not available online.
- Criminal minutes, case documents, and orders are not available online.
Court records and certified copies
If online case information is not enough, Court Records handles many record and copy requests. Requests may be made by mail, in person, or by using the court’s records request forms when applicable.
For mail requests, include enough information to identify the case and documents needed, along with a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment or a “Not to Exceed” check made payable to Contra Costa County Clerk of the Court.
- Case number
- Case name
- Case type, such as civil, family, probate, or criminal
- Requester name and phone number
- Document names or descriptions
Fees for copies and searches
These court record fees are listed for records searches, copies, certifications, and related document services.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| File or name search per case | $15.00 |
| Estate search per case | $15.00 |
| Copies | $0.50 per page |
| Certification | $40.00 plus $0.50 per page |
| Certified final judgment for dissolution | $15.00, including copies |
| Exemplification or authentication | $50.00 plus $0.50 per page |
Older and physical civil files
For civil cases and documents filed after November 13, 2007, public documents may be viewed through the Court Public Portal. For cases and documents filed before November 13, 2007, the physical case file must be viewed.
Physical civil files are stored at an off-site retention facility and take approximately 10 business days to be delivered to the main courthouse. To view a physical civil file, order it through the Civil Records Unit or by calling the Civil Records Unit.
Identification required: valid picture identification is required to view a court file.
Criminal case records
Criminal case records may be searched through the Court Public Portal, but minutes, case documents, and orders are not available online. For documents or orders, contact court records or use the criminal records request process.
The Criminal clerk’s office is unable to process most in-person file copy requests until further notice. Use the court’s request forms and follow the instructions carefully when requesting criminal records or copies.
Court calendars and hearing search
The Court Public Portal includes Search Hearings for hearings within a specified date range. The court also provides calendar and remote appearance information for users who need department, Zoom, or hearing access details.
Zoom is the court’s sole remote appearance platform. The court warns users not to provide bank, credit card, Social Security, or payment app information to anyone claiming to demand payment for Zoom appearances.
Case search contacts
Use these court contacts when you cannot find the case information or records you need online.
- Court Records, 725 Court Street, Wakefield Taylor Courthouse, Room 103, Martinez, CA 94553; phone: (925) 608-1000; business hours: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding court holidays; court phones answered 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Martinez Court Records, 725 Court Street, Room 103, Martinez, CA 94553; phone: (925) 608-1000
- Pittsburg Criminal Clerk's Office, 1000 Center Drive, Pittsburg, CA 94565; phone: (925) 608-1000; open Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, except court holidays
- Richmond Criminal Clerk's Office, 100 - 37th Street, Richmond, CA 94805; phone: (925) 608-1000; open Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, except court holidays
- Mail requests for Court Records, Contra Costa County Superior Court, P.O. Box 911, Martinez, CA 94553, Attn: Court Records
Common questions
Where can I search Contra Costa County court cases online?
Use the Court Public Portal for court records and hearing searches. Use Smart Search for court records and Search Hearings for hearings by date range.
Where do I search traffic cases?
Use the Traffic Case Management Portal for traffic cases and traffic hearings. The Traffic Defendant area requires registration for tasks such as scheduling hearings or filing a petition.
Are all case documents available online?
No. Civil and small claims documents and minutes have online access as described by the court, but probate documents, criminal minutes, criminal case documents, and criminal orders must be requested through Court Records or the proper criminal clerk’s office.
What should I do if a limited unlawful detainer case is not online?
Limited unlawful detainer cases are not available online. Call the Clerk’s office at (925) 608-1000 for case information, and go to the assigned filing location for copies.
Do I need identification to view a court file?
Yes. Valid picture identification is required to view any file, such as a current driver’s license.
How long does it take to retrieve older civil files?
Physical civil files kept off site take approximately 10 business days to be delivered to the main courthouse after they are ordered.