Monterey County Court Records
The term "court record" refers to any paper, document, exhibit, or recording filed, lodged, or maintained in connection with a court case (California Rules of Court, rule 2.502). Court records (or court case records) in Monterey County include orders and findings of the court, complaints, summons, pleadings and other motions, affidavits, written pleas, opinions, briefs, and transcripts. These records are maintained by the Monterey County Superior Court Clerk's Office in line with Cal. Gov. Code 69840 - 69848 and the rules of court.
Monterey County court records provide an official account of the activities of a court case. As such, individuals (attorneys, case parties, legal researchers, journalists) may request or retrieve the records for different reasons, including following a case's progress, reviewing a court's judgment, and finding legal precedents.
Are Court Records Public in Monterey County?
Yes, court records are publicly accessible in Monterey County. However, the California Public Records Law (CPRA)—the law that grants access to most public agency records in California—does not apply to agencies listed in Article VI of the California Constitution, i.e., the courts. Instead, case law governs access to these records.
Although the public can generally inspect or copy court records in Monterey County, certain record groups are restricted from public disclosure. In such scenarios, the entire court file may be sealed from public access per a law or court order, or specific portions may be redacted to hide confidential information.
Some confidential court records include juvenile records, fee waiver applications, family conciliation court records, records in unlawful detainer actions, and sex offense victim address information. A comprehensive list is available in Appendix 1 of the Trial Court Records Manual (TCRM).
Where to Conduct a Monterey County Case Lookup
Members of the public have the following options to conduct a Monterey County case lookup:
- Go to the courthouse.
- Write to the Monterey County Superior Court Clerk's Office.
- Use the Monterey County Superior Court's self-service records portal.
How to Conduct a Monterey County Case Records Search
Generally, an individual can conduct a Monterey County case records search in person, online, or by mail, regardless of the record they seek.
In-Person Case Records Search
One can visit the courthouse where a case was filed or heard to look up case records at public terminals or at the Clerk's Office. Generally, visitors must have information that can be used to identify a case, such as a case number, party name (defendant or plaintiff), filing date, driver's license number, or date of violation, depending on the case type.
Research at the courthouse computers for indexes, court case record information, and court calendar information is free of charge. However, at the Clerk's Office, a $15 record search fee applies for searches with a case number or searches exceeding more than 10 minutes (with or without a case number). Other applicable fees are contained in the court's Local Fee Schedule.
Note that the Clerk only conducts up to three records searches in person. An individual searching above this number may be subject to a 72-hour processing time. The Clerk's Office accepts cash, checks, money orders, or credit/debit cards (for a nominal fee).
Case Records Search by Mail
A person can also complete a case records search by writing to the Clerk's Office. Requesters must submit the following:
- A completed Request for a Criminal or Traffic Record Search and Copies or Request for a Civil/Family.Probate Record Search and Copies form, which will carry pertinent data that the Clerk needs to locate the desired case record.
- The applicable fee payable by money order or check to "Superior Court". The record search fee is $15 for each name search, the copy fee (fee charged to reproduce any case record) is 50 cents, and the certification fee is $40 per document. Inquirers can refer to the Local Fee Schedule on the court's website for current fees.
- A self-addressed, stamped envelope sufficient to accommodate the request.
Below are the applicable mailing addresses:
For Civil/Family/Probate Case Records Searches:
Superior Court of California, County of Monterey
Attention: Records
1200 Aguajito Road
Monterey, CA 93940
For Criminal Case Records Searches:
Superior Court of California, County of Monterey
Attention: Records
240 Church Street
Salinas, CA 93901
For Traffic Case Records Searches:
Superior Court of California, County of Monterey
Attention: Records - Traffic
3180 Del Monte Boulevard
Marina, CA 93901
Mail requesters should note the following:
- The Clerk recommends submitting a check stating "Not to Exceed "X" Dollars" if unsure of the order amount. According to the Clerk's Office, $75 is the estimated sum for requesting civil/probate/family records, covering research and related costs. The estimated sum for a criminal or traffic case records search is $200.
- All checks must have the account holder's name and address in print.
- Cash or credit/debit card payments are not accepted by mail.
- Postage will be added to a requester's check if postage is insufficient.
Remote/Online Case Records Search
Another way to search case records in Monterey County is to access the Superior Court's self-service records portal. The system can be searched with a case number, name, or filing date to view case information and scheduled hearings, except for confidential, sealed, or otherwise restricted records. The portal contains records dating back to 2008.
Monterey County Civil Court Case Records
Monterey County civil court case records include documents/information maintained by the Superior Court in relation to a civil court proceeding (dissolution of marriage, personal injury, family law, probate, etc.).
The Superior Court Clerk's Office maintains civil court case records for Monterey County. Persons can review record-retrieval techniques outlined above, or they may review the Superior Court's Civil/Family/Probate Records page for additional details on how to find court records in person, by mail, or online in Monterey County, California.
Monterey County Criminal Court Case Records
Monterey County court case records refer to the official records of criminal offenses (felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions) prosecuted within the county's legal system. The Superior Court Clerk's Office preserves these records.
To obtain a criminal court case record, a person may visit the courthouse where the case was filed (which may be the Marina, King City, or Salinas Courthouse). Individuals can also review the relevant section on the Superior Court's Records page or contact the Superior Court's main phone line at (831) 775-5400 to learn how to find court records in person or using other accepted methods.
How to Get Court Records Online for Free
Interested individuals can obtain free Monterey County court records online through the Superior Court's Case Search portal. Certain electronic court records may be restricted to courthouse viewing under California Rules of Court, rule 2.503(c).
Additionally, some private aggregator sites offer free court records to members of the public. Individuals can often access these platforms with a party's first and last name. However, it is usually advisable to verify information obtained from non-government case search websites for correctness and completeness.
Courts in Monterey County, California
Below are the addresses and contact information of the Superior Court in Monterey County, California.
Salinas Courthouse
Courtroom 1-11
240 Church Street
Salinas, CA 93901
Phone: (831) 775-5400
Monterey Courthouse
Courtroom 13 - 17
1200 Aguajito Road
Monterey, CA 93940
Phone: (831) 647-5800
Marina Courthouse
Courtroom 20 - 21
3180 Del Monte Boulevard
Marina, CA 93933
Phone: (831) 883-5300
King City Courthouse
Courtroom 18
250 Franciscan Way
King City, CA 93930
Phone: (831) 883-5300
Juvenile Justice Court
Courtroom 12
1422 Natividad Road
Salinas, CA 93906
Phone: (831) 775-5400
