Court records in Imperial County, California can be searched through several channels. ImperialCourt.us can help you find publicly available information about court cases in the county. You can also access records through the Superior Court of California, County of Imperial website, which offers online lookup tools, downloadable filed documents, and case calendars. For records not available online, the court clerk's offices in El Centro and Brawley accept in-person and mail requests. Public access terminals are available at courthouse locations during business hours.
Imperial Court System & Jurisdictions
Imperial County's trial-level court is the Superior Court of California, County of Imperial. Like all California counties, Imperial operates a unified superior court that handles virtually every type of state case. There is no separate district, magistrate, or municipal court at the county level.
Case types handled by the Superior Court
- Criminal: Felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions. The Criminal Division is housed at the El Centro Criminal Courthouse, 650 Wake Ave, El Centro.
- Civil: Unlimited and limited civil cases (including personal injury, contract disputes, and unlawful detainer/eviction).
- Small Claims: Disputes up to $10,000 for individuals ($5,000 for businesses), filed within the civil division.
- Family Law: Divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence restraining orders, and paternity.
- Probate: Wills, estates, conservatorships, and guardianships.
- Traffic: Moving violations and other traffic infractions. Tickets can be paid through the court's online services portal.
- Juvenile: Delinquency and dependency matters (records are confidential by law).
Federal courts
Federal criminal and civil cases filed in Imperial County fall under the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, based in San Diego. Bankruptcy matters are handled by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of California, which serves both San Diego and Imperial Counties.
Imperial Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The Superior Court of California, County of Imperial publishes court calendars through its online services page. From there, you can access daily hearing schedules organized by department and division.
How to check the calendar
- Visit the court's online services page and select Court Calendars.
- Choose the division (criminal, civil, family, etc.) and the date you need.
- The calendar displays case numbers, party names, hearing types, and assigned departments.
If you already have a case number, you can also track upcoming hearing dates through the ROA/Case Lookup tool, which shows the Register of Actions — a chronological log of every filing and scheduled event in a case. The court also offers a Case Update Alert feature that can notify you of new activity on a case.
For same-day or next-day hearing information, calling the clerk's office directly is often the fastest option, especially if the online calendar has not yet been updated.
How to Get a Copy of a Imperial Court Document
Online
The court allows the public to download filed documents on public cases directly from its website. Parties to a case and attorneys of record can gain expanded access through the Online Case Access portal, which requires account registration and verification.
For name-based searches, the court's Named Record Searches tool returns a list of matching case numbers and filing dates. An online account is required, and fees apply per search.
In person
Visit the clerk's office at the appropriate courthouse. Bring the case number if you have it — this speeds up retrieval considerably. You can view the file at no charge on a public terminal, then request copies of specific documents.
Imperial County Superior Court — Main Courthouse (Civil/Family/Probate)
El Centro Criminal Courthouse
By mail
Send a written request to the clerk's office at the address above. Include:
- Case number (if known)
- Full names of the parties
- Type of document requested
- Whether you need a certified or uncertified copy
- A check or money order for the applicable fees (payable to "Imperial County Superior Court")
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
Certified vs. uncertified copies
- Certified copies bear the court's seal and clerk's signature. They are typically required for legal proceedings, government filings, and real estate transactions.
- Uncertified copies are plain reproductions suitable for personal reference or background research.
Restricted records
Juvenile records, sealed records, confidential family law filings, and certain mental health proceedings are not available to the general public. Under California Rules of Court and Government Code § 68150 et seq., courts must balance public access with privacy protections. If you're unsure whether a record is accessible, ask the clerk before submitting payment.
For criminal history records beyond what appears in court dockets, you can request your own criminal record from the California Department of Justice through a Live Scan fingerprint submission.
Imperial Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court record services in Imperial County are set by California Government Code §§ 70600–70677 and the court's local fee schedule. The table below lists common fees. Confirm current amounts with the clerk, as fees may be adjusted by statute.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.50 |
| Certification of a document (per document) | $40.00 |
| Search fee — by name (per name, per 10-year period) | $15.00 |
| Search fee — online named record search | Fees paid online at time of search |
| Retrieval of archived/stored file | Varies — ask the clerk |
| Exemplified copy (includes certification) | $50.00 |
| Copy of ROA/case summary printout | No charge for brief lookups; fees may apply for extensive printouts |
Payment methods
- In person: Cash, check, money order, and credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard) are generally accepted.
- By mail: Check or money order payable to "Imperial County Superior Court."
- Online: Credit or debit card through the court's online services portal. Convenience fees may apply.
Fee waivers are available for individuals who meet income eligibility requirements. You can request a fee waiver by filing Judicial Council Form FW-001 with the court.