Marin County court records in California are available through several channels. MarinCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, the Marin County Superior Court provides its own online tools for case and calendar searches, and the court clerk's office accepts requests in person, by mail, and by email. Public terminals in the courthouse are also open to visitors during business hours.
Marin Court System & Jurisdictions
California operates a unified trial court system — the Superior Court. Marin County is served by one court: Marin County Superior Court, located at the Civic Center in San Rafael. This court handles all categories of cases at the county level.
Criminal Division handles cases ranging from misdemeanors to felonies. More details about the procedure and forms can be found on the Criminal Division page.
Other categories of cases handled by the court include:
- Civil Cases — claims over $12,500 (unlimited civil) and up to $12,500 (limited civil).
- Small Claims — disputes up to $10,000 for individuals; up to $5,000 for entities.
- Family Law — divorce, custody, alimony, domestic violence protection orders.
- Probate — estate management, guardianship, conservatorship.
- Traffic — fines, traffic violations, appeals.
Federal cases — bankruptcy, federal criminal charges, lawsuits against the federal government — are handled by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, not the local Superior Court.
Marin Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out which cases are scheduled for today, tomorrow, or the week, use the court's ePortal. The Calendar Search function allows filtering the schedule by:
- Specific date or date range.
- Type of case (criminal, civil, family, etc.).
- Courtroom number.
The results show the hearing time, judge's name, case number, and parties. Some documents are also available directly from the search results.
There is also a separate Public Portal where you can view cases and proceedings. This portal is convenient for quickly checking the status of a specific case by number or party name. Note: some categories of cases — particularly juvenile cases and sealed records — are not displayed for public access.
How to Get a Copy of a Marin Court Document
Marin County Superior Court issues both certified and uncertified copies of court documents. A certified copy bears the clerk's seal and confirms authenticity — it is required for official legal procedures. An uncertified copy is suitable for review.
Ways to Obtain Copies
Online: through the ePortal, you can view and print some documents for free, but certified copies are not issued online.
In Person: visit the Court Records & Exhibits office at the Civic Center, Room 113.
By Mail: download and complete the records request form. Send it along with a check payable to Marin County Superior Court and a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
What to Include in the Request
- Case number (if known).
- Full name of the party (parties).
- Type of document (e.g., court decision, transcript, order).
- Preferred format — certified or uncertified copy.
Divorce records in the form of certificates are also maintained by the California Department of Public Health — Vital Records division.
If you need a copy of your own criminal history at the state level, the California Department of Justice requires fingerprint submission and a $25 fee — details on the Criminal Records Review page.
Marin Court Records Fees & Payment
Copying and certification fees are set according to California Government Code § 70626 and the local court fee schedule. Below are the main rates typically applied in the Marin County Superior Court.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Uncertified copy (per page) | $0.50 |
| Document certification (first certified copy) | $40 |
| Each additional certified copy of the same document (ordered at the same time) | $25 |
| Record search by clerk (by name or case number) | Depends on complexity; inquire at the office |
| Case viewing in court / at public terminal | Free |
Payment is accepted by check payable to Marin County Superior Court. Cash is usually accepted for in-person requests. Check with the office for the possibility of card payments, as conditions may change.
General rules regarding public access to court records in California are described on the Public Records page of the state's judicial branch. Records sealed by court order or restricted by law (juvenile cases, certain family cases, psychiatric proceedings) are not provided even for a fee.