Sonoma County, CA Courts and Public Records
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The Superior Court of California, County of Sonoma is the county's single trial court. It handles criminal, traffic, civil, family, juvenile, probate, and mental health matters from courthouses in Santa Rosa.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Court Name | Superior Court of California, County of Sonoma |
| Main Address | Hall of Justice, 625 Administration Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 |
| Main Phone | (707) 521-6500 |
| Website | www.sonoma.courts.ca.gov |
| Judicial Officers | 20 authorized judges and 4 subordinate judicial officers (24 total authorized judicial positions) as of June 30, 2025 (Judicial Council, FY 2024-25) |
| Courthouse Locations | 4 (Santa Rosa) |
| Handles | Criminal and traffic cases, family law, juvenile delinquency and dependency, mental health, and probate, per the court's Cases Served list; civil matters at the Civil and Family Law Courthouse |
| Does NOT Handle | Federal cases (federal courts are separate); parking tickets (issuing agency) |
| Online Case Search | Court Case Portal (Internet Portal Gateway) |
| Criminal Records Requests | In person at the Records Department, Hall of Justice, or by mail with the Archived Records Request form; criminal history not stated on the records page |
| Pay Traffic Tickets Online | Traffic Pay by Web (phone (855) 741-7781) |
How to Search Sonoma County Court Records
Have the full name, the case number if you know it, and approximate dates ready before you search Sonoma County court records.
Online
Go to the Court Case Portal (Internet Portal Gateway) on the court website.
Search by party name or case number.
Review the case information the portal shows.
Best for: Checking case status and basic information
In Person
Go to Hall of Justice, 625 Administration Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95403.
Bring the case number and party names if you have them.
Ask the clerk for the division that holds your case type.
Best for: Records not available online
By Mail or Email
Send requests to 625 Administration Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95403.
Include the Archived Records Request form, a stamped return envelope, and a check.
Call 707-521-6670 to confirm the request steps.
Best for: Requests made without a visit
Search by Name on CaliforniaCourtAccess.org
Go to CaliforniaCourtAccess.org and enter a full name.
Search across record types without a case number.
Confirm results with the court, since they are not official court records.
Best for: Finding leads without a case number
Sonoma County Court Statistics (FY 2024-25)
Sonoma County's Superior Court received 59,491 new filings in fiscal year 2024-25 and reported 57,372 dispositions. Its filings per authorized judicial position rank 39 of 58 counties.
59,491
Total filings in FY 2024-25 (FY 2023-24: 52,415)
57,372
Total dispositions in FY 2024-25 (FY 2023-24: 51,693)
2,479
Filings per judicial position (rank 39 of 58 counties; 1 = most)
+13.5%
Change in total filings vs FY 2023-24 (52,415)
| Metric | FY 2024-25 | FY 2023-24 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Filings | 59,491 | 52,415 | +13.5% |
| Total Dispositions | 57,372 | 51,693 | +11.0% |
| Criminal Filings (includes traffic) | 46,081 | 39,880 | +15.5% |
| Civil Filings (includes small claims) | 7,576 | 6,995 | +8.3% |
| Family Law Filings | 2,906 | 2,778 | +4.6% |
| Probate Filings | 819 | 822 | -0.4% |
| Mental Health Filings | 1,242 | 1,038 | +19.7% |
| Juvenile Filings (delinquency and dependency) | 842 | 881 | -4.4% |
| Authorized Judicial Positions | 24.0 | 24.0 | No change |
The largest driver of the change was criminal (+6,201 filings), followed by civil (+581).
How Have Court Filings Changed in Sonoma County?
Total filings in Sonoma County moved up over the five fiscal years shown; dispositions are shown beside filings.
| Fiscal Year | Total Filings | Total Dispositions | YoY Filing Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2024-25 | 59,491 | 57,372 | +13.5% |
| FY 2023-24 | 52,415 | 51,693 | +2.8% |
| FY 2022-23 | 50,987 | 49,794 | +11.8% |
| FY 2021-22 | 45,596 | ~55,172 | -10.4% |
| FY 2020-21 | 50,886 | 74,550 | -5.9% |
Total filings changed +16.9% between FY 2020-21 and FY 2024-25, from 50,886 to 59,491. The largest annual change was +13.5% in FY 2024-25. The latest change, FY 2024-25, was +13.5%, led by criminal filings (+6,201).
What Types of Cases Are Filed in Sonoma County?
Criminal cases make up the largest share of Sonoma County filings at 77.5% of the 59,491 filed in FY 2024-25.
| Case Type | Filings FY 2024-25 | Share of Total | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | 46,081 | 77.5% | +15.5% |
| Traffic infractions | 34,522 | 58.0% | +17.4% |
| Traffic misdemeanors | 2,955 | 5.0% | +8.0% |
| Felonies | 2,253 | 3.8% | +7.1% |
| Nontraffic misdemeanors and infractions | 6,351 | 10.7% | +12.6% |
| Civil | 7,576 | 12.7% | +8.3% |
| Unlimited civil | 2,862 | 4.8% | +11.6% |
| Limited civil (includes unlawful detainer) | 4,186 | 7.0% | +11.7% |
| Small claims | 528 | 0.9% | -22.6% |
| Family law | 2,906 | 4.9% | +4.6% |
| Mental health | 1,242 | 2.1% | +19.7% |
| Probate | 819 | 1.4% | -0.4% |
| Juvenile delinquency | 635 | 1.1% | -8.8% |
| Juvenile dependency | 207 | 0.3% | +11.9% |
| Appeals and habeas corpus | 25 | 0.0% | +19.0% |
Mental health cases were the fastest-growing category at +19.7%, while small claims cases fell fastest at -22.6%.
How Does Sonoma County Compare With California Overall?
Sonoma County accounted for 1.12% of the 5,306,078 cases filed statewide in California superior courts in FY 2024-25, and its filings grew 13.5% while statewide filings grew 8.5%.
| Metric | Sonoma County | California | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total filings | 59,491 | 5,306,078 | 1.12% of statewide filings |
| YoY change in filings | +13.5% | +8.5% | +5.0 points vs state |
| Filings per judicial position | 2,479 | 2,636 | -6.0% vs state |
| Dispositions per judicial position equivalent | 2,292 | 1,741 | +31.6% vs state |
| Criminal share of filings (includes traffic) | 77.5% | 70.1% | +7.3 points vs state |
| Civil share of filings (includes small claims) | 12.7% | 19.5% | -6.8 points vs state |
| Family law share of filings | 4.9% | 5.9% | -1.0 points vs state |
Sonoma County's criminal share is higher than the statewide share and its civil share is lower. Its filings per judicial position are below the statewide figure.
Sonoma County Crime Statistics (2024)
These figures cover offenses reported by all reporting law enforcement agencies in Sonoma County, 16 agencies in total, as published by the California Department of Justice. Total reported violent and property crimes went from 7,194 in 2023 to 6,620 in 2024 (-8.0%).
1,350
Violent crimes in 2024 (2023: 1,400)
5,270
Property crimes in 2024 (2023: 5,794)
~278.1
Violent crime rate per 100K residents
-8.0%
Change in total reported crimes vs 2023 (7,194)
| Offense | 2024 | Rate per 100K | 2023 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 6 | ~1.2 | 15 | -60.0% |
| Rape | 285 | ~58.7 | 266 | +7.1% |
| Robbery | 218 | ~44.9 | 229 | -4.8% |
| Aggravated assault | 841 | ~173.3 | 890 | -5.5% |
| Violent crimes total | 1,350 | ~278.1 | 1,400 | -3.6% |
| Burglary | 894 | ~184.2 | 962 | -7.1% |
| Larceny-theft | 3,774 | ~777.5 | 4,122 | -8.4% |
| Motor vehicle theft | 602 | ~124.0 | 710 | -15.2% |
| Property crimes total | 5,270 | ~1085.8 | 5,794 | -9.0% |
Sonoma County's violent crime rate of ~278.1 per 100K is below the statewide rate of ~477.1, and its property crime rate of ~1085.8 is below the statewide rate of ~2069.1.
Sonoma County Courthouse Locations
Sonoma County's Superior Court has 4 official locations in Santa Rosa. Check your notice or ticket for the assigned courthouse before you go, because not every location handles every case type.
| Courthouse | Address | Phone | Verified Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil and Family Law Courthouse (Santa Rosa) | 3055 Cleveland Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 | (707) 521-6500 | See location page: court locations |
| Empire College Annex (Santa Rosa) | 3035 Cleveland Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 | (707) 521-6500 | See location page: court locations |
| Hall of Justice (Santa Rosa) | 625 Administration Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 | (707) 521-6500 | See location page: court locations |
| Juvenile Justice Center (Santa Rosa) | 7425 Rancho Los Guilicos Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95409 | (707) 521-6700 | See location page: court locations |
Which Court Handles Your Case in Sonoma County?
Superior Court matters in Sonoma County are heard at the courthouses listed on the court's locations page. Parking tickets and federal cases are handled outside this court.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic ticket | Superior Court, traffic cases | Pay online through Traffic Pay by Web or by phone at (855) 741-7781. |
| Parking ticket | The agency that issued the ticket | Parking tickets are not handled by the Superior Court. |
| Misdemeanor | Superior Court, criminal cases | Criminal cases are listed under the Criminal case type on the court's locations page. |
| Felony | Superior Court, criminal cases | Felony cases are filed under the Criminal case type on the court's locations page. |
| DUI | Superior Court, criminal cases | Charges are heard under the criminal case type; check the charge on your paperwork. |
| Domestic violence | Superior Court, family law cases | Family law cases are listed under the Family Law case type on the court's locations page. |
| Civil lawsuit | Civil and Family Law Courthouse, 3055 Cleveland Avenue, Santa Rosa | The court's locations page names this courthouse for civil and family matters. |
| Divorce | Civil and Family Law Courthouse, 3055 Cleveland Avenue, Santa Rosa | Family law cases are listed under the Family Law case type. |
| Child custody or support | Superior Court, family law cases | Family law cases are listed under the Family Law case type on the court's locations page. |
| Probate or estate | Superior Court, probate cases | Probate cases are listed under the Probate case type on the court's locations page. |
| Juvenile case | Juvenile Justice Center, 7425 Rancho Los Guilicos Road, Santa Rosa | Juvenile delinquency and dependency are listed as case types on the court's locations page. |
Are Sonoma County Court Records Public?
Yes, most Sonoma County Superior Court records are public, with exceptions, under the California Rules of Court, rules 2.500 to 2.507, on public access to electronic trial court records.
Public records
Most case files, dockets, and orders in criminal, traffic, civil, and family cases are open to the public, subject to the state's rules on electronic access to trial court records.
Restricted or confidential records
Juvenile, sealed, and confidential records are restricted, and many family and probate matters are not open to the public. Restricted records are not released without a court order.
Online access
The Court Case Portal provides case information. Not every document is available online, and restricted cases may not appear. Traffic citations and criminal fines can be paid through Traffic Pay by Web.
In-person access
Visit the Records Department at the Hall of Justice, 625 Administration Drive, Santa Rosa, Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, to view or request records. Call 707-521-6670 for records questions.
Fees
The court's records page lists $0.50 per page for copies, $40.00 for a certified copy of a filed document, $15.00 for a certified dissolution judgment, $15.00 for each search longer than 10 minutes, and $5.00 per file retrieved from storage.
How to Search Sonoma County Court Records Online
Use the Sonoma County Superior Court's own portal to find case information by case type, and ask the clerk for documents that are not online.
- Identify the case type, such as criminal, traffic, civil, small claims, family law, probate, or juvenile.
- Open the court's Court Case Portal (Internet Portal Gateway) on the court website.
- Search by party name or case number and note the case number from the results.
- Review the case information for status, parties, and scheduled dates.
- Contact the clerk for documents that are not available online, using the phone number on the court's locations page.
| Case Type | Where to Search | What You'll Find | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | Court Case Portal (Internet Portal Gateway) | Case information for criminal cases the portal covers | Coverage by case type not stated on the portal page; documents may require the clerk |
| Traffic | Court Case Portal (Internet Portal Gateway); Traffic Pay by Web | Case information and citation status | Payment is separate from record search |
| Civil | Court Case Portal (Internet Portal Gateway) | Case information for civil cases the portal covers | Documents may require the clerk |
| Small claims | Court Case Portal (Internet Portal Gateway) | Case information for small claims cases the portal covers | Documents may require the clerk |
| Family law | Court Case Portal (Internet Portal Gateway) | Limited case information | Family law records are restricted in many cases |
| Probate | Court Case Portal (Internet Portal Gateway) | Limited case information | Some probate filings are confidential |
| Juvenile | Not in the general portal | Confidential by law | Juvenile case records are confidential |
How to Pay Fines & Citations in Sonoma County
Sonoma County traffic citations and criminal fines can be paid through the Superior Court in the ways listed below.
- Online: Pay a traffic citation or criminal fine at Traffic Pay by Web. The page does not state payment limits.
- Phone: Call (855) 741-7781, listed on the traffic payment page for Monday to Friday 7am to 9pm and Saturday and Sunday 9am to 6pm EST.
Parking tickets are handled by the agency that issued them, not through the court's traffic payment options.
Sonoma County Court Records FAQ
How do I search Sonoma County court records?
Use the court's Court Case Portal (Internet Portal Gateway) to search by name or case number, or visit the clerk in person.
Are Sonoma County court records public?
Most are, under the California Rules of Court on public access, but juvenile, sealed, and confidential records are restricted.
How do I find a criminal case?
Search the court's online portal by name or case number, or contact the criminal clerk's office listed on the court's locations page.
How do I find a court date?
Check your notice or ticket first, then look up the case in the court's online portal or call the clerk for the case type.
How do I pay a traffic ticket?
Pay online through Traffic Pay by Web, or by phone at (855) 741-7781, as listed on the court's traffic payment page.
How many cases are filed in Sonoma County each year?
Sonoma County's Superior Court recorded 52,415 filings in FY 2023-24, +2.8% from 50,987 in FY 2022-23.
What is the most common type of case?
Criminal cases, including traffic, made up 76.1% of the 52,415 FY 2023-24 filings, with 29,403 traffic infractions alone.
Is crime in Sonoma County rising or falling?
Total reported violent and property crimes went from 7,194 in 2023 to 6,620 in 2024 (-8.0%), according to the California Department of Justice.
Courts in the County
Sonoma County Superior CourtMore Info
| Address: | 600 Administration Drive, Santa Rosa, CA, 95403 |
| Phone Number: | 707-521-6500 |
| Website: | sonoma.courts.ca.gov/ |
Useful Links
- Sonoma Superior Court Home Page - This is the official website of the Sonoma Superior Court, providing access to court services and information.
- Sonoma Court Online Services - Offers online access to case information, court calendars, and electronic filing services specifically for Sonoma County.
- Justice Services in Sonoma County - Provides comprehensive resources on justice services offered by Sonoma County including public safety and legal assistance programs.
- County Press Releases - News updates from Sonoma County government officials including law enforcement and court-related announcements and information.
- California Courts Self-Help Center - Statewide resource offering legal information and assistance to self-represented litigants across all counties including Sonoma.
- Find My Court - Helps users locate court websites and services by county, including Sonoma, for state-specific legal information and services.
- Judicial Council of California Forms - Access standardized court forms used within California courts for a variety of legal matters including family and civil law.
- LawHelpCA.org - Comprehensive legal assistance resource connecting Californians, including Sonoma residents, to legal help and pro bono services.
- Sonoma County Bar Association - Provides information on legal resources, attorney referrals, and educational programs for residents and legal professionals in Sonoma.
- Court's Directory of Services - A directory of services and contact information for various court departments, including those servicing Sonoma County.
- Sonoma County Public Defender - Information on the Public Defender's Office providing legal representation for individuals unable to afford private counsel.
- Probation Department - Sonoma County - Offers information on probation services in Sonoma County, including adult and juvenile supervision and rehabilitation programs.
- District Attorney of Sonoma County - The official site for the Sonoma County District Attorney's Office detailing prosecution services and victim resources.
- California Public Law - Offers access to California state laws and legal codes, relevant for understanding court proceedings in Sonoma County.
- CSCCE Higher Education Directory - While primarily focusing on education, includes insight into legal aspects of education policies impacting courts and schools.
- Small Claims Court - Nolo - Provides resources and guidance for navigating small claims court in California, applicable to individuals in Sonoma County.
- Find Legal Help | USAGov - Offers information on finding and affording legal assistance nationally and locally, including resources available in Sonoma County.
- California Rules of Court - Outlines the procedural and administrative rules across California courts including those followed in Sonoma County courts.
- Researching Court Records - National Archives - Tips and guidance about researching historical court records across the United States including federal and regional courts.
- Center for Families, Children & the Courts (CFCC) - Provides information and resources for family law including court processes affecting children, applicable to Sonoma County residents.
Table of Contents
- Sonoma County, Courts and Public Records
- How to Search Sonoma County Court Records
- Sonoma County Court Statistics (FY 2024-25)
- How Have Court Filings Changed in Sonoma County?
- What Types of Cases Are Filed in Sonoma County?
- How Does Sonoma County Compare With California Overall?
- Sonoma County Crime Statistics (2024)
- Sonoma County Courthouse Locations
- Which Court Handles Your Case in Sonoma County?
- Are Sonoma County Court Records Public?
- How to Search Sonoma County Court Records Online
- How to Pay Fines & Citations in Sonoma County
- Sonoma County Court Records FAQ
- Courts in the County
- Useful Links