General Information

Family Law records are public records subject to public view and copying, unless they are confidential by operation of law or sealed by the court. Parentage cases under the Uniform Parentage Act filed before January 1, 2023, and petitions involving assisted reproduction are confidential by operation of law and are only accessible to the parties named in the cases or their attorneys of record. However, if a party to a parentage case provides written consent and a copy of their valid state or federally issued photo identification to a person not named in their case, the file may be viewed and copied.

Documents within a court record may also be confidential, i.e. mediation reports, drug test results, psychological evaluations, etc. These documents may only be viewed and copied by the parties or their attorneys of record.

Valid state or federally issued photo identification

Acceptable forms of valid state or federally issued photo identification that are unexpired:

• Driver license
• Passport
• U.S. Resident's Card (green card)
• State issued I.D.
• Military I.D.
• Voter's I.D.

If You Do Not Have a Case Number

If you do not know the case number, you may look it up using the court's public case access system, or you may go to the courthouse in person to use the public kiosk located in room 102. There is no need for a service ticket to use the kiosk.

Viewing or Requesting Copies of Court Records

Records are stored at the William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse or at our offsite facility. The guidelines for viewing and requesting copies of records vary depending on where they are stored, whether you are a party, and whether you are representing a public agency. The various processes are as follows:

In Person Viewing or Copying

To view or copy records in person, go to the William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse, and:

1. Obtain a service ticket at Reception;
2. Complete a public file request form received at the courthouse;
3. Provide the court with your valid state or federally issued photo identification; and
4. Ask the court to make your copies. In the alternative, you may make your own copies using the public copy machines in Room 102.

You may also send a family member, friend, hire a private agency to obtain your records or request copies of records by mail or using the drop box.

If you live out of state, you may request copies of records by mail.

By Mail Viewing or Copying

To obtain a copy of records by mail or by using the drop box, you must complete a Request for Copies of Family Law Records and mail or drop it in the drop box at William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse, 3341 Power Inn Road, Sacramento, CA 95826. The request must be accompanied with the fees or copy of the fee waiver, if applicable, and addressed to the Family Law Records Clerk. Fees can be paid by check, money order or Credit Card Authorization. Do not mail or drop cash.

The drop box is located at the entrance of the William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse and the building hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding court holidays).

Once the request is received, it may take 7 to 10 days to process and mail to the requestor.

Public Entities

Public entities inside the state of California may request a copy of records by email at FLCopyRequest@saccourt.ca.gov. Please provide the case name, case number and the records that are needed.

Public entities outside the state of California may request a copy of records in person or by mail; the copy and certification fees pursuant to the court's fee schedule are required.

Fees

Pursuant to Government Code Sections 70626 through 70628 - external link, copy and record search fees are as follows: