Superior Court

The Los Angeles County CA Superior Court handles a wide range of legal matters, including civil lawsuits, criminal cases, family law disputes, probate proceedings, juvenile matters, small claims, traffic citations, mental health cases, and appeals. This guide explains how to find the correct courthouse, search for case information, obtain court records, file documents, schedule appointments, prepare for hearings, request assistance, and use official court services without wasting time on the wrong department or filing process.

Start With the Official Los Angeles County Superior Court Website

The official Superior Court of Los Angeles County website is the main starting point for court users. It provides access to case searches, court documents, courthouse locations, forms, filing instructions, remote hearing services, interpreter requests, jury duty information, traffic citation services, self-help programs, and court announcements.

Before visiting a courthouse, use the court website to confirm the location, department, hearing date, filing method, and applicable case type. Los Angeles County has many courthouses, and different locations handle different legal matters. A courthouse near your home may not be the courthouse assigned to your case.

Useful information to have before beginning an online search includes:

Your court case number, when available
The full legal names of the parties
The type of case, such as civil, criminal, family law, probate, or small claims
The courthouse or judicial district connected to the case
The scheduled hearing date or filing date
The citation number for a traffic matter

Identify the Court Division That Handles Your Legal Matter

The Superior Court is divided into case types because each legal matter follows its own procedures, forms, deadlines, and courthouse assignments. Selecting the correct division helps you find the right forms and prevents documents from being submitted to an office that cannot process them.

Civil Cases

Civil cases generally involve disputes between private parties, businesses, landlords, tenants, creditors, consumers, or government entities. Examples include contract disputes, personal injury claims, property disputes, evictions, debt collection actions, and other lawsuits seeking money or court orders.

Civil matters may be classified as limited, unlimited, or complex. The classification can affect filing fees, procedures, document requirements, and the court department assigned to the matter. Small claims cases are also civil disputes, but they use simplified procedures and have separate monetary limits.

Criminal Cases

Criminal cases involve alleged violations of criminal law. The court identifies criminal offenses as infractions, misdemeanors, or felonies. The courthouse assignment may depend on where the alleged offense occurred, whether the defendant is in custody, and the stage of the case.

Criminal case information may include scheduled hearings, courtroom assignments, case status, charges, and dispositions. Some records or documents may be restricted because of confidentiality laws, sealing orders, or other legal limitations.

Family Law Matters

Family law cases include divorce, legal separation, annulment, child custody, visitation, child support, spousal support, parentage, domestic violence restraining orders, and related requests for court orders. Family law cases are assigned to specific courthouses and departments based on court rules and geographic filing requirements.

A family law case may involve several different filings over time. For example, a divorce case can include an initial petition, proof of service, financial disclosures, custody requests, support requests, settlement documents, and judgment forms. Court users should verify that every form is current and appropriate for the type of request being made.

Juvenile Proceedings

Juvenile matters generally involve people under 18 years old. Juvenile dependency cases concern the safety and care of children, while juvenile justice cases involve allegations that a minor violated the law. These cases may be confidential, and access to records or hearings can be limited.

Juvenile matters are handled at designated courthouses, including the Edmund D. Edelman Children’s Courthouse, the Alfred J. McCourtney Juvenile Justice Center, the Inglewood Juvenile Courthouse, and the Sylmar Juvenile Courthouse.

Probate Cases

Probate matters include decedents’ estates, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, and minor’s compromises. Probate cases can involve document review, notice requirements, accountings, petitions, objections, and scheduled hearings. Probate notes and tentative rulings may be available through court services when applicable.

Mental Health Cases

Mental health proceedings involve legal issues related to mental health disorders, treatment, hospitalization, and other matters governed by applicable law. These cases may have special confidentiality requirements and may be assigned to designated court locations or departments.

Small Claims Disputes

Small claims court handles qualifying civil disputes involving claims of $12,500 or less. Small claims procedures are designed to be more accessible than traditional civil litigation, but parties must still follow rules concerning service, evidence, hearing preparation, and deadlines.

Traffic Citations

Traffic cases involve citations issued by law enforcement officers for traffic and certain non-traffic offenses. Available options may depend on the violation and can include paying the citation, requesting traffic school, appearing in court, asking for a payment arrangement, or contesting the citation.

Appellate Matters

Appellate proceedings involve requests for a higher court or appellate division to review a decision. Appeals have strict filing deadlines and procedural requirements. Filing an appeal does not automatically create a new trial, and the reviewing court generally considers whether legal or procedural errors affected the result.

Find the Correct Courthouse Before Filing or Appearing

Los Angeles County Superior Court operates courthouses throughout the county. Court users may need to travel to a location in downtown Los Angeles, Long Beach, Lancaster, Pasadena, Pomona, Torrance, Van Nuys, Santa Monica, Compton, Whittier, or another judicial district.

The proper location may be determined by:

Where the incident or dispute occurred
Where the defendant or another party lives
Where a contract was made or performed
Where property involved in the case is located
The type of case being filed
The courthouse currently assigned to the case
A court order transferring or reassigning the matter

Do not rely only on a courthouse name shown on an older document. Courtrooms and departments can be renumbered, relocated, or reassigned. Review the most recent hearing notice, minute order, or official case information before traveling.

Confirm the Courtroom and Department

A courthouse can contain many departments, and each department may handle a different calendar. Your case documents may identify a courtroom by a department number, letter, or judicial officer. Confirming the department is especially important at larger locations such as the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center, Metropolitan Courthouse, and Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse.

Arriving at the right building but going to the wrong department can cause delays. Bring the case number and hearing notice so courthouse staff can more easily direct you.

Search for Case Information and Court Dates

The court provides online case access tools for several case categories. The exact information available depends on the case type, confidentiality rules, document availability, and whether the user is authorized to view restricted information.

A case search may provide:

Case title and case number
Filing date
Courthouse and department assignment
Scheduled hearings
Register of actions or docket entries
Party and attorney information
Case status
Selected filed documents
Probate notes or tentative rulings when available

Search results should be reviewed carefully. People can have similar names, and a name search may produce multiple cases. Compare the case number, filing location, party names, and case type before assuming that a result is connected to the person or matter you are researching.

Use the Case Number Whenever Possible

A case number is usually the most reliable way to locate a specific court matter. It may appear on a summons, complaint, citation, hearing notice, minute order, judgment, attorney communication, or other filed document.

Name searches may require a fee for certain case categories. They can also be less precise when a party uses a common name, a business has changed its name, or the court record uses a different spelling.

Check Hearing Information More Than Once

Court dates can change because of continuances, reassignment, settlement, dismissal, calendar adjustments, or court orders. Review official case information shortly before the scheduled appearance and read any recent notices sent by the court or another party.

The Los Angeles County Hearing Reminder Service allows court users, attorneys, law enforcement personnel, and members of the public to schedule email or text reminders for public hearings. A case number is required. Available reminders may be sent two weeks before the hearing, two days before the hearing, or at both intervals. The reminder service does not replace the obligation to monitor the case and comply with court orders.

Access Court Documents, Transcripts, and Other Records

Case information and court records are related, but they are not the same. A case search may show docket information without displaying every filed document. Court users may need to purchase document access, visit a courthouse, submit a records request, or contact the appropriate office.

Common court record requests include:

Copies of complaints, petitions, answers, and motions
Judgments and court orders
Minute orders
Probate filings
Family law documents
Criminal records available for public access
Transcripts and official recordings
Archived case files
Certified copies

Some records are confidential, sealed, partially redacted, or available only to parties and authorized individuals. Juvenile records, adoption files, certain family law records, medical information, financial documents, and protected personal identifiers may be subject to special access rules.

Know When You Need a Certified Copy

A regular copy reproduces a document from the court file. A certified copy includes a certification from the court confirming that the copy is a true copy of the record. Government agencies, financial institutions, employers, and other organizations may require certified copies for certain legal or administrative purposes.

Before ordering, ask the receiving organization whether it requires a regular copy, a certified copy, or another form of authentication. Ordering the wrong version may result in additional fees and delays.

Request Transcripts and Recordings Carefully

A transcript is a written record of spoken court proceedings. A recording is an audio record when official recording was used and is available. Not every hearing is recorded in the same way, and not every proceeding will have an available transcript or recording.

Requests may require the case number, hearing date, department, judicial officer, and the portion of the proceeding requested. Fees and preparation times can vary depending on the length and type of record.

Choose the Right Court Form and Filing Method

Forms are not interchangeable. A document designed for a civil case may not be accepted in a family law, probate, criminal, or small claims proceeding. Court users should identify the case type and requested action before selecting a form.

Review each form for:

The official form number
The revision date
Required signatures
Supporting declarations or attachments
Service requirements
Filing fees or fee waiver eligibility
Local court forms required in addition to statewide forms

Filing a document does not necessarily mean the court has granted the request. Many filings must be reviewed, served on other parties, scheduled for hearing, or supported with additional documents.

File Documents Electronically When the Case Allows It

The court’s electronic filing information explains which case types accept electronic documents and what rules apply. Electronic filing is available for various matters, including civil, appellate, family law, probate, adoption, CARE Court, juvenile dependency, mental health, complex civil, and small claims proceedings.

Electronic filing allows attorneys and self-represented litigants to transmit documents without visiting the clerk’s office. However, each case type can have different requirements, accepted document formats, filing deadlines, and service rules.

Remove Protected Identifiers Before Filing

Many filed documents may become available to the public. Filers are responsible for removing or properly redacting confidential identifiers before transmission. Public filings generally should not display complete Social Security numbers or complete financial account numbers. When those numbers are legally required, only the permitted final digits should be included unless a law or court order provides otherwise.

Review every page, exhibit, attachment, and supporting declaration before submitting it. Redacting information from the main form while leaving the same information visible in an attachment does not protect it.

Understand Filing Fees and Fee Waivers

Many court filings require a fee. The amount depends on the case type and the action requested. Additional fees may apply for motions, copies, certifications, searches, court reporting services, or other court functions.

A person who cannot afford required court fees may be eligible to request a fee waiver. A fee waiver request generally requires financial information and must be approved by the court. Approval of one fee waiver does not necessarily cover every later cost in the case.

Schedule a Clerk’s Office Appointment When In-Person Service Is Needed

Some court services can be completed online, while others require an appointment or courthouse visit. The Clerk’s Office appointment system allows users to select a courthouse and view available appointment types.

Appointment options depend on the courthouse. Services may cover civil, criminal, family law, juvenile, probate, small claims, traffic, or records matters. A courthouse that handles one type of case may not offer appointments for another.

Prepare for the appointment by bringing:

The court case number
A government-issued identification document when required
Completed forms and copies
Supporting documents
Applicable payment method
The appointment confirmation
Any court notice explaining the requested action

Clerk’s office staff can provide procedural information, but they cannot represent a party, recommend a legal strategy, predict how a judge will rule, or provide legal advice.

Use Self-Help Services When You Do Not Have an Attorney

The Los Angeles Superior Court Self-Help Center assists people who are representing themselves. Services may be available online, remotely, through appointments, at community workshops, or at designated courthouse locations.

Self-help services cover many common legal issues, including:

Divorce and legal separation
Child custody and visitation
Child and spousal support
Parentage
Domestic violence and other restraining orders
Evictions and unlawful detainers
Small claims
Guardianships and conservatorships
Adoptions
Name or gender changes
Wills, estates, and trusts
Consumer debt
Traffic matters
CARE Court
Expungement-related assistance

Self-help staff may explain procedures, identify forms, review documents for completeness, and provide educational information. They do not become your attorney, create an attorney-client relationship, or provide confidential representation for one side.

Prepare Before Contacting Self-Help Staff

Gather all court documents and write down the specific action you are trying to complete. Instead of asking a broad question about your entire case, identify the immediate task, such as responding to a petition, requesting custody orders, completing service, preparing a judgment, or asking to reschedule a hearing.

Have the following information ready:

Case number
Courthouse and department
Upcoming hearing date
Documents already filed
Documents received from another party
Deadlines shown on court notices

Prepare for Remote and In-Person Court Hearings

Many hearings may allow remote participation by computer or telephone. Availability depends on the case type, department, judicial officer, and hearing. A remote appearance should never be assumed merely because another hearing in the same case was remote.

Before a remote hearing:

Confirm that remote participation is allowed
Verify the hearing date, time, and department
Use the court’s official check-in instructions
Test the microphone, speakers, camera, and internet connection
Join from a quiet location
Keep exhibits and filed documents organized
Use your full legal name when checking in
Follow all courtroom rules and judicial instructions

Photography, recording, or broadcasting a court hearing is generally prohibited unless specifically authorized under applicable rules and court orders.

For an in-person hearing, plan for security screening, parking, transportation, and time needed to locate the courtroom. Bring copies of important documents and arrive early enough to check the posted calendar or ask for directions.

Request Language Access and Disability Accommodations Early

The court offers language access services and procedures for requesting interpreters. Interpreter availability and eligibility can depend on the case type and circumstances. Submit requests as early as possible rather than waiting until the hearing date.

Users who view translated court web pages should remember that computerized translations are approximate. The English version remains the official version of the court’s website, and translated text may not accurately reproduce legal terminology, forms, graphics, or portable document files.

The court also maintains procedures under the Americans with Disabilities Act. A person who needs an accommodation should review the court’s instructions and make the request in advance. Possible accommodations depend on the individual’s needs, the proceeding, and available court arrangements.

Explore Settlement Options Before Going to Trial

The court’s Alternative Dispute Resolution programs may help parties resolve civil, family law, or probate disputes without completing a full trial. Settlement processes can reduce time, expenses, stress, and uncertainty.

Negotiation

Parties may discuss settlement directly or through their attorneys. Negotiation can occur before a lawsuit is filed, while motions are pending, or shortly before trial.

Mediation

A neutral mediator helps the parties communicate, identify disputed issues, and explore acceptable solutions. The mediator does not act as a judge and generally does not impose a decision.

Settlement Conferences

A judge or qualified settlement officer may help the parties evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of their positions and negotiate a resolution. Availability and procedures vary by case type.

Arbitration

In arbitration, the parties present evidence and arguments to an arbitrator. Binding arbitration generally produces a final decision without a right to a court trial, while nonbinding arbitration may allow a party to request a trial after the decision.

Parties should understand whether a process is voluntary, mandatory, binding, or nonbinding before agreeing to participate.

Organize and Submit Small Claims Evidence Properly

The court’s Digital Evidence System for small claims allows litigants to upload, view, share, and present evidence for scheduled hearings. Use of the system is encouraged but is not mandatory.

To create an account and locate a hearing, users generally need:

The small claims case number
The name of a party
A current or future hearing date
An email address or mobile phone number

Each photograph or document should be uploaded as an individual exhibit with a brief description. After evidence is successfully submitted, the system assigns an exhibit number that can be used when presenting the item during the hearing.

Share Evidence by the Required Deadline

Small claims evidence intended for consideration generally must be provided to the opposing party and the court at least 10 days before the hearing. When the opposing party’s email address is available, evidence may be shared through the Digital Evidence System. When an email address is unavailable, evidence may still be uploaded for court use, but the filer must follow the required method for delivering copies to the opposing party.

Failure to exchange evidence on time may result in the evidence being excluded or the hearing being continued. Uploading a document does not excuse a party from complying with service, exchange, and filing requirements.

Review Every Exhibit Before Final Submission

Evidence can be edited or removed during the upload process, but successfully submitted exhibits may not be removable until the case is completed. Avoid uploading unrelated personal records, confidential account information, or documents that are not needed to support the claim or defense.

After a completed case is marked for removal from the system, uploaded evidence may remain available for download for a limited period. An appeal is a separate hearing, so evidence intended for an appeal may need to be uploaded and exchanged again.

Use Attorney Services for Professional Case Management

Attorneys can use the Los Angeles Superior Court Attorney Portal as a centralized access point for court services. Validated attorneys may be able to view cases, access electronic documents, purchase available records, follow cases, review transaction history, delegate access, and manage upcoming hearings.

Attorneys should verify filing courthouse assignments, local rules, filing fees, courtroom information, remote appearance procedures, and court notices before submitting documents or appearing. Department assignments and courtroom numbering may change, particularly at large courthouses.

Handle Jury Duty and Traffic Court Tasks Through the Proper Service

Jury duty and traffic citations are among the most frequently used court services, but they operate through different systems and procedures.

Jury Duty

A jury summons includes reporting instructions, a group or badge number, and directions for responding. Jurors should use the court’s official jury portal and follow the instructions printed on the summons. Reporting requirements can change, so check the required status at the time stated on the notice.

Requests to postpone service, seek an excuse, update information, or respond to a summons must follow the jury service procedures. Ignoring a summons may lead to additional court action.

Traffic Court

A traffic citation should identify the court location, citation number, and response deadline. Court users may have options involving payment, traffic school, arraignment, trial, installment arrangements, or another authorized process.

Do not assume that paying a citation is the only option or that traffic school is automatically available. Eligibility can depend on the offense, driving history, citation status, and applicable court rules.

Protect Yourself From Court-Related Scams

Scammers may falsely claim that a person has missed jury duty, owes immediate court fees, has an outstanding warrant, or must provide payment to avoid arrest. Be cautious when someone demands urgent payment through gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, payment applications, or other unusual methods.

Verify suspicious claims through the official court website or the courthouse connected to the case. Do not provide Social Security numbers, bank information, passwords, or verification codes to an unsolicited caller or message sender.

Superior Court Departments and Offices

Family Law Department 215
Stanley Mosk Courthouse
111 North Hill Street, Room 215
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 633-0252

Family Law Department 65
Metropolitan Courthouse
1945 South Hill Street, Room 610
Los Angeles, CA 90007
(213) 745-1865

Family Law Department B
Pomona Courthouse South
400 Civic Center Plaza, Room 205
Pomona, CA 91766
(909) 802-1112

Family Law Department A10
Michael D. Antonovich Antelope Valley Courthouse
42011 4th Street West, Room 3010
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 483-5510

Family Law Department F40
Chatsworth Courthouse
9425 Penfield Avenue, Room L600
Chatsworth, CA 91311
(818) 407-2240

Family Law Department K
Pasadena Courthouse
300 East Walnut Street
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 396-3355

Family Law Department D
Van Nuys Courthouse East
6230 Sylmar Avenue, Room 720
Van Nuys, CA 91401
(818) 901-4602

Family Law Department 1
Compton Courthouse
200 West Compton Boulevard, Room 407
Compton, CA 90220
(310) 761-7982

Family Law Department S10
Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse
275 Magnolia Avenue, Room 3800
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 256-2252

Family Law Department 102
Whittier Courthouse
7339 South Painter Avenue, Room 102
Whittier, CA 90602
(562) 968-2701

Family Law Department 11
Torrance Courthouse
825 Maple Avenue, Room 460
Torrance, CA 90503
(310) 787-3711

Family Law Department 6
Inglewood Courthouse
One Regent Street, Room 203
Inglewood, CA 90301
(310) 419-1306

Family Law Department D
Santa Monica Courthouse
1725 Main Street, Room 110
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 255-2483

Los Angeles County Superior Court FAQs

Can I reserve a family law hearing by choosing a date from the posted RFO schedule?

No. The court’s family law Request for Order schedule shows the approximate week in which each courtroom is currently setting hearings. It is not a reservation system, and the displayed dates are not guaranteed. Availability may change as filings are processed and courtroom calendars are updated. Review the official family law RFO hearing dates by location and courtroom, but rely on the date assigned by the court after your request is filed.

How can I tell whether a courthouse offers appointments for my type of case?

Select the courthouse in the official Clerk’s Office appointment scheduler. The system then displays the appointment categories available at that location. Services vary considerably. For example, one courthouse may offer civil, family law, probate, or small claims appointments, while another may handle only criminal or traffic matters. The absence of a category usually means that appointment type is not offered at the selected courthouse.

Does the Hearing Reminder Service charge a registration fee?

There is no court fee to register through the Hearing Reminder Service. Users may request email reminders, text reminders, or both. Standard wireless carrier charges may apply to text messages. A valid case number is required, and reminders may be scheduled for two weeks before the hearing, two days before the hearing, or both intervals.

Can small claims evidence be uploaded over several sessions?

Yes. Small claims litigants do not have to upload every exhibit in one session. Additional documents or images may be added later, provided all evidence is uploaded and shared by the required deadline. Each photograph or document should be submitted as a separate exhibit with a brief English description. The Digital Evidence System is used to submit hearing evidence; it cannot be used to electronically file pleadings, claims, motions, or other court documents.