This page helps with case search in Orange County, California, by pointing you to the official Orange County Superior Court tools for case access, name search, civil records, and criminal or traffic case information.

Use the Superior Court of California, County of Orange online services first when you need public case information, calendar details, document access, or an OC Pay number.

Orange County Superior Court Case Access

The Superior Court of California, County of Orange provides online case access by case category. Start with the category that matches the record you need, then follow the on-screen terms before searching.

  • Choose the case category, such as civil, criminal and traffic, family law, probate, or small claims.
  • Accept the court’s terms when prompted.
  • Search using the available case details, such as a case number, citation number, party name, or other supported search fields.
  • Use the displayed case information as a public access result, not as an official certified court record.

Tip: If you need an OC Pay number, Case Access can help when you search with your case or citation number.

The court’s Case Name Search is used when you do not have a case number and need to search by name. Users must sign in before using Name Search, and enrollment is free.

Registered users may also use the “Search Me” feature to search their registered name for free.

Civil case and document access

The Civil Case Information Website provides case summary and register of action information. It covers unlimited and complex civil actions dating back to 1996 and limited civil actions dating back to 2005.

Most civil documents filed on or after January 1, 2008, may be viewed and downloaded for a fee. Online purchases may also be electronically certified for an additional fee.

For unlawful detainer or eviction case access, be ready to provide these details:

  • The complete name of one plaintiff.
  • The complete name of one defendant.
  • The exact address of the subject premises as listed on the complaint.

Criminal and traffic case access

Use the court’s Criminal and Traffic Cases page for criminal and traffic case access, including index information and more detailed case access information such as hearing dates and dispositions.

Traffic citations may take up to 21 days from the citation date to appear online. If you do not receive a courtesy notice before the citation appearance date, contact the court because not receiving the notice is not a legal excuse for failing to handle the citation.

When mailing payments or documents, allow 10 days for delivery and processing.

Other case categories

Orange County Superior Court also provides online access pages for family law, probate, and small claims cases. Each category requires users to accept the court’s terms before continuing.

  • Family law case access is available through the court’s family law case access page.
  • Probate case access is available through the court’s probate case access page.
  • Small claims case access is available through the court’s small claims case access page.

Cases on calendar

The Cases on Calendar tool can be used to search by case category, case number, case title, court date, location, department, or hearing time when those details are known.

For civil, probate, and small claims matters, the search may also ask for the year the case was filed. Cases set more than six weeks in the future will not display.

Official records, copies, and older cases

Online case results do not constitute the official record of the Orange County Superior Court. To obtain an official certified record, request the specific documents from the court in person or in writing.

The court maintains records dating back to 1898, but retention times vary by case type. For civil cases and documents filed before the online coverage dates, contact the court where the case was filed.

Criminal record retention is governed by Government Code section 68152, with minimum retention periods of 75 years for felonies and 5 years for general misdemeanors. Court indexes are retained permanently and are public information.

Orange County Superior Court locations

Use the appropriate court location when an online result is not enough, when you need an official certified record, or when older records must be handled through the court where the case was filed.

  • Superior Court of California, County of Orange — 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana, CA 92701
  • Central Justice Center — 751 West Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana, CA 92701
  • Civil Complex Center — 909 N. Main St., Santa Ana, CA 92701
  • Community Court — 3390 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa, CA 92626-1554
  • Costa Mesa Justice Complex — 550 N Flower St, Santa Ana, CA 92703
  • Harbor Justice Center - Newport Beach — 4601 Jamboree Rd, Newport Beach, CA 92660
  • Lamoreaux Justice Center — 341 The City Dr S, Orange, CA 92868
  • North Justice Center — 1275 N Berkeley Ave, Fullerton, CA 92832
  • Stephen K. Tamura - West Justice Center — 8141 13th St, Westminster, CA 92683

Common questions

Where do I search Orange County court cases online?

Use the Orange County Superior Court case access category that matches the case type. Civil matters use the Civil Case Information Website, while criminal and traffic matters use the criminal and traffic case access page.

Can I search by name if I do not have a case number?

Yes. The court provides Case Name Search, but you must sign in first. Enrollment is free, and registered users can use “Search Me” for their own registered name.

How far back does Orange County civil case access go?

Civil case summary and register of action information is available back to 1996 for unlimited and complex civil actions and back to 2005 for limited civil actions.

Why is my traffic citation not showing online?

Traffic citations may not appear in online case access for up to 21 days from the date the citation was issued.

Are online case results official certified court records?

No. Online case information is public access information and is not the official record. For an official certified record, request the specific documents from the court in person or in writing.

For unlawful detainer or eviction case access, provide the complete name of one plaintiff, the complete name of one defendant, and the exact subject premises address from the complaint.