Common Questions About Fresno County Court Records
How do I search Fresno County court records online?
Start at the Superior Court Case Information page at fresno.courts.ca.gov/online-services/case-information. It links to the public portal at publicportal.fresno.courts.ca.gov. Search by case number or party name. If you copied a civil case number from a court notice, drop the trailing three judge initials. The court's own example says 03CECG00001 SJK should be entered as 03CECG00001. For step-by-step help, see our court records page.
Are online Fresno court records official certified records?
No. Fresno Superior Court states that online case information is not the official record of the court. It is given as a public service and may change. If you need a certified copy for a job, lender, or out-of-state filing, ask the court for the specific documents in person or in writing. Our Clerk of Court page lists the right address for written requests.
Why can't I find an eviction case online?
Fresno Superior Court does not show unlawful detainer cases on the public portal for 60 days after the complaint is filed. State law shields the case from public view during that window. If the case is newer, the portal will look empty even when a file exists. After 60 days, the case may appear if a judgment for the plaintiff has been entered. See our court records page for more.
Where do I go for civil, family, probate, or small claims matters?
Use the B. F. Sisk Courthouse at 1130 O Street, Fresno. Sisk handles civil, family law, probate, guardianship, conservatorship, restraining orders, small claims, self-help, and unlawful detainer. Probate sits on the third floor and family law on the second floor. Criminal cases go to the Downtown Courthouse at 1100 Van Ness. Our court dockets page maps each calendar to its courthouse.
Where do I go for traffic tickets?
Traffic infractions are handled at the M Street Courthouse, 2317 Tuolumne Street, Fresno, CA 93721. The phone is (559) 457-1700. Online traffic search runs through the same case portal as the rest of the court. For pay options, hearing requests, and traffic school rules, see our traffic court records page.
Where do I find someone in Fresno County Jail?
Use the Sheriff's Inmate Information Center, linked from the search page at fresnosheriff.org. You can also call jail information at (559) 475-9491 or (559) 600-8600. The roster shows booking date, charges, court date, bail, and housing. The West Annex opened in December 2024 and replaced the older South Annex, so older housing labels may not match. Our inmate records page walks through the look-up.
How do I leave a message for someone in jail?
Fresno County Jail does not let incarcerated people receive incoming calls. To leave a voicemail, call (559) 400-7521, press 0, and enter the seven-digit JID number. The posted fee is $1.00 for a 30-second message. Have the JID and a credit or debit card ready before you call. Our inmate records page lists vendors, phone fees, and mail rules.
How much can an inmate spend on commissary?
The Sheriff caps commissary spending at $175 per week per incarcerated person. The cap covers snacks, hygiene items, paper, and some clothing. Funds can be added through the jail's approved kiosk and online vendor. The Sheriff does not accept cash deposits at the lobby. For deposit links, vendor names, and current fees, see our jail population page.
Who is the Fresno County Sheriff?
John Zanoni is the Sheriff-Coroner. He was elected in June 2022 and sworn in as the 26th Sheriff on January 2, 2023. The Sheriff's Office runs the jail, civil process, court security, coroner duties, and patrol for the unincorporated county. For arrest data and booking flow, see our arrest records page.
Who is the Fresno County District Attorney?
Lisa A. Smittcamp is the District Attorney. She was elected in 2014, sworn in on January 5, 2015, and is serving a third term that ends in 2028 under AB 759. The DA's Office files state criminal charges, runs Victim Services, and posts press releases. The DA does not run the jail or set bail. For how charging fits the public record, see our criminal records page.
Who is the Fresno County Clerk?
James A. Kus is the Fresno County Clerk and Registrar of Voters. The County Clerk handles marriage licenses, fictitious business names, notary oaths, voter records, and some passport services. The Clerk is not the same office as the Clerk of the Superior Court. Court files live with the court, not the County Clerk. See our Clerk of Court page for what each office holds.
Where do I get a marriage license?
Marriage licenses are issued by the Fresno County Clerk by appointment only. Walk-ins are not accepted. Appointments are booked online through the Clerk's site, and the online application link is emailed in the appointment confirmation. Bring valid photo ID for both parties. Most licenses can be used the same day. For records access after the wedding, see our marriage and divorce records page.
What are Fresno marriage license fees?
The Clerk lists $58 for a public marriage license, $69 for a confidential marriage license, and $21 for a civil ceremony. Payment is cash or credit/debit card only. Checks are not accepted, and $100 bills are refused. Confidential licenses keep the record off the public marriage index. For ceremony rules, see our marriage and divorce records page.
Where do I get a public marriage certificate copy?
The County Clerk does not sell public marriage certificate copies. Contact the Fresno County Recorder at (559) 600-3471 or use the Recorder's website. The Recorder charges $17 for a certified copy. You must show ID and sign a sworn statement for an authorized certified copy. Confidential copies go through the Clerk instead. Our marriage and divorce records page sorts out which office holds which file.
Where are divorce records?
Divorce records are Superior Court family law files at the B. F. Sisk Courthouse, 1130 O Street, second floor. They are not County Clerk records. The Clerk issues marriage licenses, but a divorce is a court case. Search the case portal at publicportal.fresno.courts.ca.gov, or contact Family Law for sealed filings. Our marriage and divorce records page has filing fees and self-help links.
Are juvenile records public?
Almost never. Welfare and Institutions Code section 827 makes juvenile case files confidential. Only listed people, like the minor, parents, counsel, the probation officer, and certain agencies, can see the file without a court order. Others must petition the juvenile court and show a need. Sealed juvenile records are even more restricted. See our public records page for adult record access.
Can I seal an arrest that did not lead to conviction?
Often, yes. Penal Code section 851.91 lets many people petition to seal an arrest with no conviction. Section 851.93 gives automatic relief for some arrests, with no petition needed. Section 851.8 covers factual innocence, which is a stronger but harder finding. Section 1203.4 is post-conviction dismissal, which is different from sealing. Our criminal records page summarizes each remedy.
Where are probate cases filed?
Probate petitions are filed with the Probate Clerk at the B. F. Sisk Courthouse, 1130 O Street, third floor. Filing a petition starts the case, and the clerk assigns a hearing date. The court posts Probate Examiner Notes that flag issues for the petitioner to fix. These notes are not part of the official court file. For filing fees and will lodging, see our probate records page.
Does Fresno County have a district court?
Not for state cases. California has one Superior Court in each county, so the state trial court here is the Superior Court of California, County of Fresno. It is not called a district court. Federal cases are heard by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, which has a courthouse in downtown Fresno. Our superior court page covers both layers.
Which appellate court covers Fresno County?
The California Court of Appeal, Fifth Appellate District, covers Fresno County and eight other central California counties. The Fifth District sits in Fresno. Appeals from the Superior Court go there first. A case may then go to the California Supreme Court by petition. Federal appeals from the Eastern District go to the Ninth Circuit instead. For docket basics, see our court dockets page.
How do I request county public records?
The county and Sheriff both use NextRequest portals. County records: FresnoCountyCA.NextRequest.com. Sheriff records: FresnoSheriff.NextRequest.com. Under the California Public Records Act, the agency does not have to create a new record or compile data that does not already exist. Some records are exempt, like investigative files. Fees can apply for copies. For tips on framing a request, see our public records page.
How do I order a bulk case index?
The Superior Court Accounting Department fills bulk case index orders through the court's Case Index Order Form. Each report covers one month of data and costs $70, delivered as a PDF or text file by email. Personal identifiers like Social Security and date of birth are excluded. The court also provides interpreters in criminal, traffic, juvenile delinquency, and specified protective-order matters; ask the clerk or use form PNT-01(S). For ADA accommodation, call (559) 600-8455. See our court records page.
Note on the 2026 case-management upgrade. Fresno Superior Court moved to a new case-management system in March 2026, with service interruptions starting March 26, 2026. Old Court Connect links and older screenshots may not match the current portal. Always start from fresno.courts.ca.gov/online-services/case-information rather than a saved legacy URL. See our court records page for the current search path.
Still Have Questions?
For the right office, see Clerk of Court. For broader access rules, see public records. For records-by-topic, browse court records, criminal records, inmate records, warrant records, marriage and divorce, or probate.