Court records in Placer County, California, can be found through several channels. PlacerCourt.us allows you to search for publicly available information on court cases in the county. Additionally, records are available through the official resources of the Superior Court of California — County of Placer, the Clerk's Office, and through public terminals directly at the courthouse. For specific categories of documents — including property records, vital records, and criminal reports — you should contact the respective county departments.
Placer Court System & Jurisdictions
California does not have county courts in the traditional sense of other states. Instead, each county is served by a single Superior Court — a court of general jurisdiction that handles virtually all categories of cases. In Placer County, this court operates in several locations.
Here's what the Superior Court of Placer County handles:
- Criminal cases — from misdemeanors to felonies, including DUI
- Civil lawsuits — disputes of any amount, from small claims (up to $12,500) to unlimited civil cases
- Family law — divorce, child custody, alimony, domestic violence
- Probate — inheritance, guardianship, and estate management cases
- Traffic violations — fines, appeals, traffic school programs
- Juvenile cases — offenses and child protection cases
Federal cases concerning the county are handled by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, based in Sacramento. If you are unsure which court your case belongs to, contact the Superior Court Clerk's Office.
Placer Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The schedule of hearings for the Superior Court of Placer County is published on the court's official website. To check the date and time of a specific case hearing, you need the case number or party name.
Steps to view the calendar:
- Visit the Superior Court of California — County of Placer website (www.placer.courts.ca.gov)
- Use the online case search section (Case Search / Case Index)
- Enter the case number or party's last name
- In the case card, find the section with scheduled hearings (Future Hearings)
According to California Rules of Court (rule 2.540), courts are required to provide public remote access to certain electronic case records, including calendar data. Information on public access to court records in general can be found on the Public Records Judicial Branch of California page.
If you need information about arrests or custody, the sheriff's office arrest log is updated daily and contains data for the last 10 days.
How to Get a Copy of a Placer Court Document
Copies of court documents are issued by the Superior Court Clerk's Office. There are two types of copies — and the difference between them is significant.
- Uncertified copy — a regular copy of the document, suitable for review
- Certified copy — has the official court seal and clerk's signature; required for legal procedures, submission to other authorities, or immigration cases
How to Obtain a Copy
- In person — visit the court clerk's office in Auburn. Bring the case number or sufficient identification data for the search. The clerk will find the document and make a copy on-site.
- By mail — send a written request specifying the case number, document name, type of copy (certified / uncertified), and return address. Include payment by check or money order payable to "Superior Court of Placer County."
- Online — some documents can be ordered through the court portal. Check availability on the website www.placer.courts.ca.gov.
Mailing address for the Clerk's Office:
For non-court documents — birth, death, marriage records — contact the Placer County Clerk-Recorder's office. Divorce records from 1962–1984 are maintained by the California Department of Public Health — Vital Records.
Placer Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees are set according to California Government Code §§ 70626–70634 and local court administrative orders. Below are approximate rates — always confirm the exact amount with the Clerk's Office, as fees may change.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Case registry search (by name) | Free at public terminal; a fee may be charged for written search by clerk |
| Uncertified copy (per page) | $0.50 – $1.00 |
| Certified copy (first page) | $25 – $40 |
| Certified copy (each additional page) | $0.50 – $1.00 |
| Certification of previously obtained copy | $25 – $40 |
| Search and issuance of copy by mail | Copy fee + postage |
Payment is accepted in cash, check, money order, and in some cases, credit or debit card. For mail requests, use a check or money order payable to "Superior Court of Placer County."
For other types of county public records — such as property documents or tax records — separate fees apply. Property records are maintained by the Recorder's office, and county public records requests can be submitted in person, by phone, or in writing in accordance with the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 7920 et seq.).