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Kern County Court Records

Kern County court records are official documents or materials detailing proceedings, filings, actions, and judgments about lawsuits or cases filed or heard in the county. The Kern County Superior Court creates, maintains, and preserves these records as custodian for all case types in the county, including criminal, civil, family, and probate matters, in accordance with California Government Code § 68150, the California Public Records Act (CPRA), and California Trial Court Rules.

Kern County Court records generally ensure due process in the judicial system, help maintain accountability, provide transparency, and allow for appellate review, public reference, and research.

These records, along with other records, such as arrest information, federal case files, and vital records, are considered public records in Kern County. Note that even though arrest information originates from law enforcement agencies, it may be part of criminal court records. Similarly, vital records like death and birth records may also be part of certain court records (e.g., estate records).

Are Kern County Court Records Public?

Yes. Pursuant to the California Public Records Act (CPRA), Kern County court records are public. The CPRA guarantees the public’s right to access government records, stating that every person has a right to inspect or copy state or local agency records at all times during office hours, unless there’s a law or court order that restricts disclosure of such records/information. Also, under California Rules of Court, rule 2.550(c), court records, including paper and electronic records, are presumed open and reasonably available, unless sealed or made confidential by law.

The types of cases whose records are generally public include criminal, civil, probate, and most family law matters. However, restricted case types include juvenile cases, adoption proceedings, mental health cases, search warrants, paternity, and any case whose record is sealed by court order.

What Information is Available in Kern County Court Records?

The types of information typically available in Kern County court records include, but are not limited to:

  • Case information (names of parties, case numbers, dates, attorneys)
  • Register of actions/court docket
  • Transcripts
  • Filings (complaints, motions, briefs, evidence/exhibits)
  • Court actions (orders, rulings, judgments, verdicts, decrees)
  • Sentences
  • Subpoenas
  • Warrants
  • Proofs of service

Kern County Court Records Search

A Kern County court records search is available via:

  • Online Access - Available via the Kern County Superior Court Portal, which allows public searches and inspection of case information by party name or case number. Also, online access to view a summary list of filed documents and actions taken on cases is available through the "Register of Actions/Court Docket" portal. Furthermore, a "Transcript Request" may be completed online to receive a transcript of criminal, civil, probate, and family law matters handled in the county. Note that the availability of case records/information online is subject to Govt. Code 69957, under which electronic recording may not be available for family law, unlimited civil, criminal felony, and probate cases.
  • In-Person Access - Visit a Kern County Superior Court location and use the public terminal to search case records, or request that the clerk look up a case or provide copies of a court record. Visiting hours are 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, Monday through Thursday, and 8:00 am - 12:00 pm on Fridays. The courthouse locations and address of the Kern County Superior Court are listed on its official website.
  • Mail and Phone Requests - Request searches and/or copies of court records via postal mail to the appropriate court where a case was filed or heard. A mail request must include a research fee to look up the case number, any applicable copy fee, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Fees should be made payable by check or money order to the Kern County Superior Court. Research and copy fees are listed on the fee schedule. Alternatively, the "Judicial Records Request" form may be completed to receive court documents by mail or e-mail.

Note that the Kern County Superior Court does not handle search and/or copy requests for court records by telephone.

Fees for Court Records in Kern County

Per the Kern County Superior Court fee schedule for court records, the cost of searching and/or obtaining case information/documents is as follows:

  • Copy fees-$0.50 per page (Govt. Code § 70627(a))
  • Certification fees-$40.00 per document (Govt. Code § 70626(a)(4))
  • Search fees-$15.00 per file for a search that requires more than 10 minutes (Govt. Code § 70627(c))
  • Off-site retrieval fees-$20.00 per file (Govt Code § 70631, CRC, Rule 10.815).

Fees for Kern County vital records handled by the Kern County Clerk-Recorder’s Office are $31/copy for birth certificates, $19/copy for marriage certificates, $26/copy for standard death certificates, and $23/copy for fetal death certificates.

Kern County Courthouse Locations

The Kern County Superior Court is the only court in Kern County. This court, operating multiple locations and divisions, presides over cases in Kern County, including civil, family, criminal, probate, traffic, small claims, and juvenile matters. The following are the addresses and phone numbers of Kern County Superior Court locations.

Kern County Superior Court - Delano

1122 Jefferson Street

Delano, CA 93215

Phone: (661) 610-7300

Case types: Civil, small claims, criminal, family law, and traffic

Kern County Superior Court - Metropolitan Division

1415 Truxtun Avenue

Bakersfield, CA 93301

Phone: (661) 610-6000

Case types: Criminal

Kern County Superior Court - Metropolitan Division Justice Building

1215 Truxtun Avenue

Bakersfield, CA 93301

Phone: (661) 610-6000

Case types: Civil, small claims, and family law

Kern County Superior Court - Metropolitan Traffic Division

3131 Arrow Street

Bakersfield, CA 93308

Phone: (661) 610-7000

Case types: Traffic

Kern County Superior Court - Mojave

1773 State Highway 58 Business

Mojave, CA 93501

Phone: (661) 610-7400

Case types: Civil, small claims, criminal, family law, and traffic

Kern County Superior Court - Ridgecrest

132 E Coso Avenue

Ridgecrest, CA 93555

Phone: (661) 610-7450

Case types: Civil, small claims, criminal, family law, and traffic

Kern County Superior Court - Shafter

325 Central Valley Hwy

Shafter, CA 93263

Phone: (661) 610-7200

Case types: Civil, small claims, criminal, family law, and traffic

Kern County Superior Court - Lamont

12022 Main Street

Lamont, CA 93241

Phone: (661) 610-7100

Case types: Civil, small claims, criminal, family law, and traffic

Kern County Superior Court - Juvenile Justice Center

2100 College Avenue

Bakersfield, CA 93305

Phone: (661) 610-6900

Case type: Juvenile and probate cases

Criminal Records Access in Kern County

The California Department of Justice (DOJ) is responsible for collecting, maintaining, and distributing state criminal history information (pursuant to California Penal Code §11105). Consequently, official state-level criminal history checks are handled by the California DOJ, rather than the Kern County Superior Court. Nonetheless, the Kern County Superior Court handles search and/or copy requests for local criminal felony and misdemeanor case records in person, via mail, or online through its court portal or the "judicial records request" form.

Kern County Probate Records

Kern County probate records include files of will, trust, guardianship, estate administration, and conservatorship cases. The probate court maintains original jurisdiction over actions related to the estate of a deceased person, the will of an individual, the estate of a minor or incapacitated person, trusts, and involuntary commitments.

In Kern County, interested persons may search and/or obtain probate records by using the online Case Information Search or by visiting the probate office at 2100 College Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93305. Additionally, they may obtain probate case documents online through the "Request Probate Documents" form or by mail request to:

Superior Court of California, County of Kern

Probate Court

2100 College Avenue

Bakersfield, CA 93305.

Note that while more recent estate records, wills, and probate filings may be available on the case information search portal, older and more detailed case documents or files may require an in-person visit, mail request, or the online document request form. Also, note that certain probate case documents are confidential by law. Examples include capacity declarations and mandatory settlement conference statements (Evidence Code § 152).

Kern County Family Court Records

The Family Law Division of Kern County Superior Court handles family law legal matters in the county. These include divorce/legal separation/nullity, child custody and visitation, elder abuse, domestic violence restraining orders, and child support. Interested persons may request Kern County family law case documents via the "Documents Request" form. Alternatively, requests may be made in person or via mail to a family law location (e.g., Delano, Lamont, and Ridgecrest).

If visiting the courthouse to search for a case record using a public terminal, it costs nothing. However, if the clerk conducts the lookup or it’s a mail request, search and/or copy fees apply. Alternatively, interested persons may search family court records via the Case Information Search. Note that not all family court records are public. Examples of restricted family law records include adoptions, paternity, and mediation proceedings (Family Code § 9200, § 7643, § 3177).

Federal Court Records in Kern County

Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 84(b), federal cases in Kern County, such as bankruptcy filings and immigration cases, fall under the jurisdiction of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, Fresno Division. While most major cases are handled at the Robert E. Coyle U.S. Courthouse in Fresno, the court maintains a location in Bakersfield (Kern County) for certain matters.

Interested persons may search and/or obtain federal court records in Kern County through the Clerk’s Office of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, Fresno Division, located at Room 1501 on the 1st Floor of the Robert E. Coyle United States Courthouse, 2500 Tulare Street, Fresno, 93721. They may also contact the Bakersfield federal courthouse. Alternatively, they can use PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) to search for and view federal court records in Kern County. Fees apply to use PACER (i.e., $0.10 per page).

Kern County Court