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How to Look Up Eviction Records in California 2026

Court portal, certified copy fees, and expungement laws for California

Superior Court (Unlawful Detainer) Court handling eviction cases
County-Level Only Online access level
$0.50/page (certified: $25–$40) Certified copy fee (typical)
Yes Eviction record expungement available

Where to Search California Eviction Records

Court: Superior Court (Unlawful Detainer)
Online portal: County-level (search your county court clerk's website)
Certified copy fee: $0.50/page (certified: $25–$40)

California Unlawful Detainer (UD) cases are filed in the Superior Court of the county where the property is located. There is no statewide UD case portal. Each county has its own system — search examples: LA County (lacourt.org > Online Services), San Diego (sdcourt.ca.gov), Alameda (eaccess.alameda.courts.ca.gov), Sacramento (icourt.saccourt.ca.gov). Important: California AB 2819 seals UD case records for 60 days after filing if the tenant wins or the case is dismissed. Do NOT make adverse screening decisions based on a sealed or 60-day-old UD filing. Source: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1161.2; California Courts (courts.ca.gov).

Step-by-Step: How to Search California Eviction Records

  1. Identify the county court. Find the Superior Court (Unlawful Detainer) website for the county where the property is located.
  2. Search by party name. Enter the prospective tenant's full legal name (last name, first name) as a defendant/respondent. Try name variations including maiden names.
  3. Filter by case type. Select eviction, forcible detainer, unlawful detainer, or summary possession as the case type depending on the court's terminology.
  4. Review the disposition. Identify whether the case resulted in a judgment for the landlord (eviction), dismissal (tenant won or case settled), or is still pending. A filing alone does not mean the tenant was evicted.
  5. Check the filing date. Important: California has eviction record protections — Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §§ 1161.2, 1179.04. Do not make adverse screening decisions on sealed, expunged, or protected records.
  6. Request certified copies if needed. For a certified copy of the court record, contact the Superior Court (Unlawful Detainer) clerk's office directly. Fees are typically $0.50/page (certified: $25–$40).

Eviction Record Expungement in California

Expungement Law: AB 2819 (2016) — UD records sealed 60 days post-filing if tenant prevails or case dismissed; CCP § 1161.2. COVID protection (AB 832): certain COVID-related UD filings sealed permanently.
Citation: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §§ 1161.2, 1179.04

Landlords and screening companies may not use sealed or expunged eviction records as a basis for adverse tenant-screening decisions in California. Tenants who believe their records have been improperly used may have a civil claim under the applicable statute. If a tenant discloses an expunged eviction, you may ask for context but cannot deny housing based solely on the expunged record.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I look up eviction records in California?

California Unlawful Detainer (UD) cases are filed in the Superior Court of the county where the property is located. There is no statewide UD case portal. Each county has its own system — search examples: LA County (lacourt.org > Online Services), San Diego (sdcourt.ca.gov), Alameda (eaccess.alameda.courts.ca.gov), Sacramento (icourt.saccourt.ca.gov). Important: California AB 2819 seals UD case records for 60 days after filing if the tenant wins or the case is dismissed. Do NOT make adverse screening decisions based on a sealed or 60-day-old UD filing. Source: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1161.2; California Courts (courts.ca.gov).

Are eviction court records public in California?

Yes — eviction court records in California are presumptively public under California's public records law. Eviction actions are civil court filings and are part of the court's public record, accessible by any member of the public, except for sealed or expunged records (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §§ 1161.2, 1179.04).

Can a tenant get an eviction record removed or expunged in California?

Yes. California has enacted eviction record expungement or sealing protections: AB 2819 (2016) — UD records sealed 60 days post-filing if tenant prevails or case dismissed; CCP § 1161.2. COVID protection (AB 832): certain COVID-related UD filings sealed permanently. (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §§ 1161.2, 1179.04). Tenants who qualify may petition the court to seal or vacate the eviction record.

How much does it cost to get a certified copy of an eviction court record in California?

In California, certified copy fees for court records are typically $0.50/page (certified: $25–$40). Fees are set by the Superior Court (Unlawful Detainer) and may vary by county or court location. Many courts also charge a flat certification fee on top of the per-page copy fee. Online access to basic case information (party names, filing date, disposition) is typically free through the court's public portal where available.

Related California Landlord Guides

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Court portal information sourced from the California court administrative office official website. Expungement laws from published California statutes (see citations above). Last updated April 30, 2026. For informational purposes only — not legal advice.