Access Court Files & Records

PLEASE NOTE: The information set forth below only relates to inspection and copying of documents filed with the court or court records in a particular case, such as pleadings, orders and judgments. If you are seeking access to information related to court administration, refer to the section below, "Access to Judicial Administrative Records."

Case Types Available

The public may view and obtain copies of the following case types:

• Criminal
• Civil
• Domestic / Family Law
• Divorce, Child Custody, Legal Separation, and Domestic Violence
• Mental Health (Civil and Criminal)
• Minor Offenses ( Traffic and Infractions )
• Paternity - Judgment only for non-parties
• The parties and attorneys of record may obtain copies of court minutes and selected court documents by appearing at the appropriate counter with photo identification. The records will not be mailed. 
• Probate
• Small Claims

Fees for Accessing Court Files & Records

Table is displayed with columns:

Records-Related Fees	Code Section	Total fee
Certifying a copy of paper, record, or proceeding on file (copy fees not included)	GC 70626(a)(4)	$40
Certificate for which fee is not otherwise fixed; includes lis pendens (copy fees not included)	GC 70626(a)(8)	$40
Preparing a copy of any record, proceeding or paper onfile (per side)	GC 70627(a)	$0.50
Comparison of a copy with an original on file (per page)	GC 70627(b)	$1
Searching records or files, for each search longer than 10 minutes.	GC 70627(c)	$15
Exemplification of record or other paper on file	GC 70628	$50
Document authenticated pursuant to court order (per signature)	GC 70629	$15
Certified copy of marriage or domestic partnership dissoulution record (requested by public agency) (copy fees not included)	GC 70674	$10
Certified copy of marriage or domestic partnership dissoulution record (requested by other applicant) (copy fees not included)	GC 70674	$15
Audio Recordings (tapes or CDs)	GC 70631	$25

Before You Search

Before starting your file search, please be aware of the following:

Juvenile Court Files

• All Juvenile Court records are confidential. The minor, his or her parents or legal guardian(s), and attorneys of record may obtain copies of court minutes and selected court documents by appearing at the appropriate counter with photo identification. The records will not be mailed.
• Aside from parties or agencies granted access as provided by law other individuals must file a Petition For Disclosure of Juvenile Court Records. (JC Form # JV-570 ). The completed form may be presented in person or by mail but must contain an original signature. If the petition is granted, viewing and/or obtaining copies may be done only by appearing in person with proper photo identification. Copies of records will not be mailed.

Sealed Records

Court proceedings are a matter of public record. However, the court has the power to seal court records. When a judge seals a record, the public is prevented from viewing specified files or documents without first obtaining a court order.

Destroyed Files/File Purging

We routinely purge court records pursuant to Government Code section 68152. Review this document for the length of time a record is kept (which varies) and for policies governing file destruction.

View the List of case types and length of time record is kept.

Off-site Storage/Retrieval Fee

Because of limited space, many case files are stored at an off-site location after a certain amount of time. If you are requesting such a case, there is a retrieval charge which could take up to one week to process.

How to View a Court File

The public may request and view a file by filling out the Records Search Request form and showing a valid driver's license or other valid photo I.D.

All files must be viewed within the clerk’s office during office hours. Files cannot be removed from the court.

Any person who willfully removes, destroys or alters any court record is subject to the penalties imposed by Government Code sections 6200 or 6201.

How to Obtain a Copy of a Court Document or a Court File

The Amador Superior Court does not send out court files electronically or by fax. In addition, persons are not allowed to use cameras (including phones with cameras) to take pictures of the contents of a file.

Records may be requested by either of two methods:

In Person:

• You may appear in person at:
  Amador Superior Court, 500 Argonaut Lane, Jackson, CA. 95642 during office hours.
• Request may also be placed in the lobby drop-box when the Clerk's Office is closed.

By Mail:

Click to open the weblink to the Records Search Request form to:
Amador Superior Court, 500 Argonaut Lane, Jackson, CA 95642 with the following information:

• The case number.
• The names of the parties involved.
• The names of the documents that you want to have copied from the court file.
• You must include a self-addressed stamped envelope to have your copies sent to you by mail. Be aware there is a research fee if the search takes more than 10 minutes (Government Code Section 70627(c)).

Payments Made by Mail

Checks are payable to the Amador Superior Court.

If the amount owed is known, a check can be submitted with the dollar amount. If the amount is unknown, the check should indicate the amount the check cannot exceed. All checks must be preprinted with the marker’s name and address. If copy fees do not exhaust the amount of the check submitted, the extra funds will not be returned if the excess amount is less than $10.00. Written requests for records searches will not be completed and returned unless accompanied by a check or money order and a self addressed stamped envelope.

A receipt indicating the fee charged will be mailed back to you with your copies.

Methods of Payment

The Court accepts:

• Cash
• Checks
• Money Orders

Access to Judicial Administrative Records

Click to open the weblink California Rules of Court, Rule 10.500, sets forth comprehensive public access provisions applicable to judicial administrative records maintained by state trial and appellate courts, the Judicial Council, and the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC).

Please direct your Judicial Administrative Record requests to:

Amador Superior Court
Attn: Public Information Request
500 Argonaut Lane, Jackson, CA. 95642

Requests may be submitted on the link to the Public Information Request Form. Please provide as much detail as possible regarding the nature of the records requested.

Requests may be submitted by mail or by hand-delivery to the Court during office hours.

Requests may also be placed in the lobby drop-box between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday.

The Court will make identifiable judicial administrative records available upon request, unless the records are exempt from disclosure under rule 10.500. Records may be subject to payment of a fee (see Fee Guidelines (PDF) and subdivision (e)(4) of rule 10.500).