Mendocino County court records in California are available through several channels. MendocinoCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, the Mendocino County Superior Court provides an online portal re:SearchCA, a court clerk's office for personal visits, and public terminals in the courthouse. Records can also be requested by mail by completing the appropriate form.
Mendocino Court System & Jurisdictions
In California, there are no county or magistrate courts in the way there are in many other states. Instead, each county has a single Superior Court, which handles all categories of first-instance cases. The California Judicial Branch includes three levels — the State Supreme Court, appellate courts, and trial courts (Superior Courts).
Mendocino County Superior Court covers:
- Criminal cases — felonies, misdemeanors, traffic infractions
- Civil cases — claims of any amount, including small claims cases up to $12,500
- Family law — divorce, child custody, alimony, domestic violence
- Probate — estate management, guardianship, conservatorship
- Juvenile cases — cases involving minors, dependency
The court operates in two locations — the main building in Ukiah and a branch in Fort Bragg. Most cases, including felonies and complex civil claims, are heard in Ukiah. Traffic violations and some misdemeanors may be heard in Fort Bragg.
Federal cases related to the county are handled by the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, located in San Francisco and Santa Rosa. This is a separate court system with its own record search through PACER.
Mendocino Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out the schedule of hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week, use the Court Case Information portal. Through the re:SearchCA system, you can view scheduled sessions for a specific case by entering the case number or party name.
Step-by-step instructions:
- Go to the court records viewing page.
- Select the link to re:SearchCA.
- Enter the case number, party name, or attorney name.
- In the search results, click on the desired case — a tab will open with information about scheduled hearings, case events, and filed documents.
The court clerk's office can also confirm the date and time of a hearing by phone. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding court holidays.
Public terminals inside the courthouse allow you to view the hearing calendar without needing to log in online.
How to Get a Copy of a Mendocino Court Document
There are three ways to obtain a copy of a court document: online, in person, or by mail. The type of copy — regular or certified — determines both the procedure and the cost.
Online via re:SearchCA
The fastest option. Through the court records request portal, you can purchase, download, and print copies of most recent documents. Case parties and their attorneys have expanded access to materials.
In Person
Visit the court clerk's office in Ukiah at the address provided above. The clerk can issue both regular and certified copies. A certified copy has the court's official seal and confirms the document's authenticity — it is needed for submission to other agencies, banks, or immigration services.
By Mail
Complete the Research Request form (MMC-900), which can be found on the local court forms page. Include a check made payable to Mendocino County Superior Court and send it to:
Some records have restricted access. Juvenile cases, sealed cases, mental health cases, and certain family records are usually closed to the general public. If you are unsure whether a specific document is available, ask the clerk.
Mendocino Court Records Fees & Payment
The fee amounts are set according to the California Government Code (section 70600 et seq.). Below are the main fees applicable to Mendocino County Superior Court:
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Document copy (first 10 pages) | $0.50 per page |
| Each additional page over 10 | $0.50 per page |
| Document certification | $40 per document |
| Record search by clerk (per name/per year) | $15 per name per year |
| Copy via re:SearchCA (electronic) | Depends on the document; usually lower than paper |
Payment is accepted by check or money order made payable to Mendocino County Superior Court. For online purchases through re:SearchCA, payment by credit or debit card is available.
A few important nuances:
- The certification fee is charged in addition to the copying cost.
- If you need a copy of a person's criminal history record (not a court document), this is a different procedure — the request is submitted through the California Department of Justice with a $25 fee and fingerprinting.
- Records of inmates in state prisons can be checked for free through the CIRIS system of the California Department of Corrections.
The current fee schedule may change. Before sending a request by mail, verify the amount with the court clerk's office or on the official website.