This page helps users handle a case search in Kern County, California, and explains how to use official court tools, records requests, and courthouse contacts for next steps.
The Superior Court of California, County of Kern provides online case access through its Kern County Superior Court Portal and related case information services.
Kern County Superior Court Portal case search
Use the search the Kern County Superior Court Portal option to look for case data from the court’s case management system. The portal provides register and login options, and the court also provides a registered-user path for case information access.
For the registered-user search route, review the court privacy policy and continue through the court’s case information page. You can also use the enter the registered case search portal link when you are ready to proceed.
- Open the Kern County Superior Court Portal or the registered case search portal.
- Register or log in if the search path requires an account.
- Search for the case information available through the court system.
- Use a courthouse or records request option if the online information is not enough for your need.
Scam warning: the court reports scam texts claiming to be from the Court and says it does not send texts requesting payment.
When online case information is limited
Not all case information is available online. Court calendars may also change as schedules are modified by court personnel, so users are responsible for appearing at the correct date, time, and court location.
Confidential matters such as adoption, paternity, and juvenile matters are not shown on the public website. If you need a case number or want to confirm whether a case has been filed, the court directs users to visit the courthouse and search for the case, request a clerk lookup for a fee, or request information by postal mail.
Requests to look up a case number are not taken by telephone, and specific case information is not given by telephone.
Request case documents and copies
For documents in an existing case, use the court’s document request process or request photocopies by mail. The court identifies document request options for Small Claims, Limited and Unlimited Civil, and Unlawful Detainer/Eviction cases.
Mailed copy requests should include the names of the Plaintiff/Petitioner and Defendant/Respondent, a stamped self-addressed envelope, and a check payable to Kern County Superior Court for applicable photocopy costs. Mailed requests may take at least 10 working days to process depending on workload.
The court lists these copy-related fees:
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies | 50 cents per page |
| Certified copies of Judgment of Dissolution | $15.00 |
| Certified copies of Orders | $40.00 plus 50 cents per page |
| Generic search | Initial $15.00 fee |
Transcript and judicial records requests
A transcript is a printed, verbatim record of a court hearing as recorded by a court reporter or by electronic recording. If you request a transcript and do not hear from the court reporter or transcriber within ten working days, the court directs users to contact the Kern County Superior Court Receptionist at (661) 610-6000.
Electronic recording is not authorized for producing the official record in Family Law, Unlimited Civil, Criminal-Felony, and Probate cases when a court reporter was not used. With limited exceptions, electronic recording is not authorized for the production of the official record.
Requests for judicial administrative records maintained by Kern Superior Court must be made in writing to the Superior Court of California, County of Kern at 1415 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield CA 93301. Court Administration office hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday, and courts are closed on court holidays.
Civil, criminal, and traffic case routing
Civil case information and calendars are handled through the Superior Court website. Civil matters can include divorces, wills, guardianship, and evictions. Criminal case information and calendars are also handled through the Superior Court website.
Traffic matters may be routed through the Metropolitan Traffic Division or the branch listed on a Courtesy Notice. DUI violations are handled by the Criminal Department, and parking tickets are handled by the law enforcement agency listed on the ticket.
For traffic night court, users must sign up with the Traffic Division no later than 4:00pm on the day of the night court session. Proceedings begin at exactly 5:00 P.M. at 3131 Arrow St, Bakersfield, CA 93308.
Kern County Superior Court contacts
Use the court location that matches the case type, citation, notice, or courthouse instruction you have.
- Metropolitan Division, 1415 Truxtun Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93301. Phone: (661) 610-6000. Hours: Monday - Thursday: 8:00 am-4:00 pm; Friday: 8:00 am-12:00 pm.
- Metropolitan Division Justice Building, 1215 Truxtun Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93301. Phone: (661) 610-6000. Hours: Monday - Thursday: 8:00 am-4:00 pm; Friday: 8:00 am-12:00 pm.
- Metropolitan Traffic Division, 3131 Arrow St, Bakersfield, CA 93308. Phone: (661) 610-7000. Lobby hours: Monday - Thursday: 7:30 am-4:00 pm; Friday: 7:30 am-12:00 pm.
- Delano, 1122 Jefferson St, Delano, CA 93215. Phone: (661) 610-7300. Hours: Monday - Thursday: 8:00 am-4:00 pm; Friday: 8:00 am-12:00 pm.
- Lamont, 12022 Main St, Lamont, CA 93241. Phone: (661) 610-7100. Hours: Monday - Thursday: 8:00 am-4:00 pm; Friday: 8:00 am-12:00 pm.
- Mojave, 1773 State Highway 58 Business, Mojave, CA 93501. Phone: (661) 610-7400. Hours: Monday - Thursday: 8:00 am-4:00 pm; Friday: 8:00 am-12:00 pm.
- Ridgecrest, 132 E Coso Ave, Ridgecrest, CA 93555. Phone: (661) 610-7450. Hours: Monday - Thursday: 8:00 am-4:00 pm; Friday: 8:00 am-12:00 pm.
- Shafter, 325 Central Valley Hwy, Shafter, CA 93263. Phone: (661) 610-7200. Hours: Monday - Thursday: 8:00 am-4:00 pm; Friday: 8:00 am-12:00 pm.
- Juvenile Justice Center, 2100 College Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93305. Phone: (661) 610-6900. Hours: Monday - Thursday: 8:00 am-4:00 pm; Friday: 8:00 am-12:00 pm.
Common questions
Where can I search Kern County case information online?
Use the Kern County Superior Court Portal for case data from the court’s case management system. Registered users may also use the court’s registered case search access path.
Can I get a case number by phone?
No. The court states that requests to look up a case number are not taken over the telephone, and information about a specific case is not given by telephone.
What should I do if I do not know the case number?
You may visit the courthouse and search for the case yourself at no charge, request a clerk lookup for a fee, or request the information by postal mail.
Are all Kern County cases available online?
No. Not all case information is available online, and confidential matters such as adoption, paternity, and juvenile matters do not appear on the public website.
How much do copies cost?
The court lists copy fees of 50 cents per page. Certified copies of Judgment of Dissolution are listed at $15.00, and certified copies of Orders are listed at $40.00 plus 50 cents per page.
How long can mailed copy requests take?
Mailed requests may take at least 10 working days to process, depending on court workload.
Who do I call if I requested a transcript and have not heard back?
If you have not heard from the court reporter or transcriber within ten working days, contact the Kern County Superior Court Receptionist at (661) 610-6000.