Records Management

Records Management is responsible for all of the court’s archived public records dating back to 1850. Most of the records maintained by records management are adjudicated. Records Management does have a destruction program and not all records may be available. The Records Management clerk can provide additional information regarding destroyed records.

The court follows the guidance of the Judicial Council in providing consistent information to the public. Here are the Judicial Council policies.

Copies
Records Management offers copies in person – by appointment, walk in, or by mail. You may order the file by using the online request card. Save time and order your file on-line.  Records staff will notify you by email when your file is ready to view. You can then schedule an appointment or walk-in.
NO COPIES ARE AVAILABLE VIA EMAIL

Copy Fees
Effective January 1, 2020 the following fees apply to copies of court public records:

Divorce Decrees (Dissolution of Judgment) certified $15.00
Divorce Decrees (Dissolution of Judgment) for any Public Agency $10.00
Any document CERTIFIED (other than Dissolution of Judgment) in Family Law, Family Support, Civil, Probate, Small Claims, Unlawful Detainer, Criminal and Traffic $ 40.00 plus copies
Copies of any document (NOT certified) $.50 per page per side

If submitting payment by MAIL please send check, money order or cashier check (NO CASH)
If personally picking up copies you can pay with cash, credit, debit, cashier check or money order (NO PERSONAL CHECKS)

Request On-Line

Follow the instructions below on how to complete a case name search and complete the On-Line request card. Due to the fluctuating volume of requests, Records Management staff will reach out to you in 24-48 hours after receiving your request. On-Line Request Card: You must know your case number to use this feature and you must provide a valid e-mail address so confirmation can be sent to you. In-person appointments will be scheduled after the On-Line request is received.

If you do not know your case number you can complete a case number search by using the public Case Management Search portal. For information on how to search for case information visit our Video Tutorials. If you are ready to begin your case search, go to Case Management Search.

Click on here to fill out the online request card. If the information you submit is incorrect, this will delay your request and you may be required to submit a new request. Please make every effort to enter accurate information, including your contact information, so Records Management staff can contact you if there is a question. Records Management staff will send a confirmation message in a return email.

All requests for copies whether submitted by email or mail are processed within 20 business days from the date the request and payment is received.  The processing time can be adjusted based on the volume of requests received.

Research

Beginning June 15, 2020, the court will allow researchers to make an appointment to visit the second floor-view room in the Stockton Courthouse and conduct research using one of the public kiosks.
Researchers; to schedule an appointment time you must agree to the following conditions:

  1. Follow any social distance protocols in place.
  2. Arrive promptly at the time of your appointment time and leave promptly at the end of your appointment. We will consider you late and reschedule you if you arrive more than 15 minutes late.
  3. Do not come in if you are not feeling well.
  4. To allow researchers the maximum amount of access to the court, researchers may not schedule consecutive appointment times.

If you agree to the terms above follow the instructions below to submit your appointment request.

  1. Go to www.sjcourts.org
  2. Click on the Support icon midway down the page.
  3. Select Records Support from the drop-down arrow
  4. Enter your name
  5. Enter date of birth as 01011001
  6. In the inquiry box enter the following information:
    – Researcher
    – Your mobile number or email (for appointment confirmation)
    – The date of the appointment and the preferred appointment time (8-10:00, 10:00-12:30, 12:30-3:00, 3-5:00).
  7. Click the Submit button.

Records Management staff will send a confirmation text/email when your appointment time has been reserved. Do not appear at an appointment time until you have received a text/email confirmation.

Researcher Reservation Policy

Researchers may submit a request to reserve one time slot for no more than two consecutive work weeks.  The researcher’s absence will be monitored, if the researcher is absent  25% or more of the reserved appointments, the researcher will not be able to reserve a two week period for at least 90 days.

A cancelled appointment may not be passed on to another individual. The appointment will be available to first person submitting an appointment support request.

Appointments

Records Management is open for walk-ins or appointments. The public can request an appointment Monday through Friday (except holidays) in 20 minute intervals starting at 8:20 am.

Appointments are scheduled on a first come first serve basis. Appointments are not always available the same day requested. Appointments are not scheduled between 12-1:00 pm. To request an appointment to view files and/or obtain copies click here to complete a General Records request. When filling out the General Records request, enter the word “Appointment” next to the case number. Example: SF12345-Appointment 10:00 am, FL123456-Appointment 10:20 am, CR-2020-1234-Appointment 2:40 pm. Do not appear for an appointment until you receive a confirmation email

An appointment can be re-scheduled by calling the clerk at 209-992-5697. Arriving more than 10 minutes late to an appointment will cancel the appointment, and a new appointment request will need to be submitted. A missed appointment cannot be re-scheduled; a new request for an appointment will need to be submitted.

Copies by Mail

To request copies by mail fill out this form and submit it to the following address:

Superior Court of California, County of San Joaquin
Records Management Suite 204
180 E Weber Ave
Stockton CA 95202

In the envelope include the records request form; a self-addressed stamped envelope, and your check or money order for the copy fees.  For your convenience, a personal check can be made out to “Superior Court of CA, SJC” and written out as “Not to Exceed $$$.00” for a dollar amount of your choice.    Choose how much to allow to be charged to the check, the staff will make copies until the fees are used, or the copy is completed, whichever occurs first.  All mail is processed in date order received.  See the fee schedule above for current copy fees.  Records Management does not have “Rush” processing. If you want copies returned in a different method other than United State Postal Service, provide the pre-paid postage envelopes or fee voucher with the written request.

If you have any questions about how to submit a mail request please call the office M-F from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at 209-992-5697.

Manteca Branch Court Records

Request by Mail

Form CR 109 Requests by mail should be sent to:

Superior Court of California – San Joaquin
Manteca Branch
315 E Center St
Manteca, CA 95336

The turn-around time for mail varies and is 20 workdays from the date the request and payment are received. Please note you must submit a self-addressed stamped envelope with your request for copies.

If I do not know my case number

If you do not know your case number, you will need to appear at any of the locations noted below during regular business hours to conduct your own research or you may pay the clerk to research for you. The rate is $15.00 for any search that takes longer than 10 minutes per name. Please note this court does not complete Criminal background checks. The name search function is to identify an existing case, not whether or not you were charged with a crime. If you need a criminal history showing all cases you have ever been convicted of please contact the Department of Justice at:

State of California Department of Justice
Request a copy of Criminal History Record Telephone: (916) 227-3849

Computer terminals are available for case number search; they are located at the following locations:

Manteca Branch Court – 315 E Center St., Manteca, CA 95336 – currently unavailable.
Lodi Branch Court – 315 W Elm Street, Lodi, CA 95240 – Lodi Branch Court- Closed Effective 03/01/2023 – Until further notice
Stockton Main Courthouse – 180 E Weber Ave., Stockton, CA 95202 – 2nd floor by appointment or walk-in.

Lodi Branch Court Records

If I do not know my case number

If you do not know your case number, you will need to appear at any of the locations noted below during regular business hours to conduct your own research or you may pay the clerk to research for you. The rate is $15.00 for any search that takes longer than 10 minutes per name. Please note this court does not complete Criminal background checks. The name search function is to identify an existing case, not whether or not you were charged with a crime. If you need a criminal history showing all cases you have ever been convicted of please contact the Department of Justice at:

State of California Department of Justice
Request a copy of Criminal History Record Telephone: (916) 227-3849

Computer terminals are available for case number search; they are located at the following locations:

Manteca Branch Court – 315 E Center St., Manteca, CA 95336 – currently unavailable.
Lodi Branch Court – 315 W Elm Street, Lodi, CA 95240 – Lodi Branch Court- Closed Effective 03/01/2023 – Until further notice
Stockton Main Courthouse – 180 E Weber Ave., Stockton, CA 95202 – 2nd floor by appointment or walk-in.

Request by Mail

Form CR 109 Requests by mail should be sent to:
Superior Court of California – San Joaquin
Lodi Branch
315 W Elm St
Lodi, CA 95240

The turn-around time for mail varies and is 20 work days from the date the request and payment is received. Please note you must submit a self-addressed stamped envelope with your request for copies.