Ventura County, California court records are available through several channels. VenturaCourt.us allows you to search for publicly available information about court cases in the county. Additionally, the Superior Court of California — County of Ventura provides an online case search tool where you can find data on criminal, civil, family, and traffic cases. Records can also be obtained in person at the court clerk's office, through public terminals in the courthouse, or by mail.
Ventura Court System & Jurisdictions
Ventura County has a single court of general jurisdiction — the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura. Unlike some states, California does not have separate district or magistrate courts at the county level. The Superior Court handles all categories of cases.
Here is what falls under this court:
- Criminal Cases — felonies and misdemeanors, from theft to serious crimes
- Traffic Violations — speeding tickets, DUI, traffic rule violations
- Civil Claims — contract disputes, damage compensation, claims over $12,500
- Small Claims — disputes up to $12,500 for individuals
- Family Law — divorce, child custody, alimony, legal separation
- Probate — estate management process, guardianship, conservatorship
- Juvenile Cases — juvenile offenses and dependency cases
The Records Department at the Hall of Justice in Ventura maintains civil, family, traffic, and criminal cases. Juvenile records are kept separately — at the Juvenile Courthouse in Oxnard. Juvenile cases are generally closed to public access.
Federal cases (federal law violations, bankruptcy, immigration issues) are handled by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, not the county Superior Court.
Ventura Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out the schedule of hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week, use the Superior Court's case search system. After entering the case number or party name, the system will display the scheduled hearing dates.
Some practical tips:
- Go to the Case Inquiry page on the court's website.
- Select the case type — Criminal/Traffic, Civil, Family Law, etc.
- Enter the case number or participant's last name.
- In the search results, review the section with scheduled hearings.
Note: The information on the website is not an official court record. The court provides it as a free public service. If you need exact confirmation of a hearing date, call the court clerk's office directly.
How to Get a Copy of a Ventura Court Document
Copies of court documents come in two types: certified and uncertified. A certified copy has the court's seal and confirms the authenticity of the document — it is required for most official purposes. An uncertified copy is suitable for review.
Online: Through the Case Inquiry portal, you can view basic case information, but downloading full documents or obtaining certified copies online is usually not possible.
In Person: Visit the Records Department at the Hall of Justice. You will need the case number or sufficient identifying information for the search. The clerk will prepare a copy on-site.
By Mail: Send a written request specifying the case number, document type, and contact information to:
Include payment with your request — a check or money order payable to Ventura Superior Court. The search fee by name is $15 per request (up to 15 names). An additional certification fee applies for a certified copy.
Some records have restricted access. Family cases, juvenile proceedings, and sealed criminal cases are available only to authorized individuals. Ask the clerk if there are restrictions for a specific document.
Ventura Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees are set according to the California Government Code and the local court fee schedule. Below are the main fees current at the time of publication:
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Name search (written request, up to 15 names) | $15.00 |
| Document copy (per page) | $0.50 – $1.00 |
| Certification fee | $25.00 per document |
| Birth certificate (through Clerk-Recorder) | $29.00 |
| Death certificate | $24.00 |
| Marriage certificate | $17.00 |
Note: Fees for birth, death, and marriage certificates are charged by the Ventura County Clerk-Recorder, not the Superior Court. Divorce decrees are issued by the court itself — to obtain one, contact the Records Department.
Payment Methods:
- In person — cash, check, money order
- By mail — check or money order payable to Ventura Superior Court
The current fee schedule is available on the forms and fees page of the Clerk-Recorder's office. The court may change fees — confirm the amount by phone before sending a request by mail.