Records Department
Records
The Records Department serves as the central point of access for the public’s court record requests. It provides copies of non-confidential case files, facilitates the retrieval of exhibits after a case has concluded, and processes requests for transcripts of electronically recorded hearings. Active and disposed records for all non-confidential case types—including criminal, civil, and family law—may be requested as described below.
Requesting Documents by Mail
Copies of documents may be obtained by submitting a Record Request Form: Archived Records Request
Send your request to:
Superior Court of California
County of Sonoma
600 Administration Drive
Room 110-J
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Phone: 707-521-6670
You will also need to include a self-addressed stamped envelope along with a check made payable to Superior Court of California, County of Sonoma. Since each case is different and it is not known in advance how many pages are involved with each document, you will need to submit a blank check and note above the signature line or in the memo portion of check “Not to exceed $____", and list an amount taking into account the fees you will incur. We will send a receipt back with the documents advising the total charge accrued.
Requesting Documents in Person
You may also visit the Records Department during the office hours listed above and submit a request in person. Payment for copies in person can be made by cash, check (payable to Superior Court of California, County of Sonoma), money order, cashier’s check or credit card (Visa or Mastercard only.)
Requesting Documents Online
You may also submit requests online by selecting the applicable case type below:
Archived Records
The Archived Records Division handles a wide range of archived documents that pertain to Civil, Family Law, and Probate filings dating back to the mid 1800s. In most instances, records filed within the past twenty years are easily accessible. If the case originated prior to 1984, the records may be archived, and it may take longer to obtain the documents requested.
When requesting records that have been archived, it is important to supply as much information as possible such as: the parties first and last name(s), the year the case was finalized, what documents you are trying to obtain, and if the documents requested need to be certified. Additional charges may apply for searching archived records if the case number is not supplied.
Fees for Document Copies and Research
- Copies of documents are $0.50 per page
- Certification of a filed document is $40.00
- Certification of a dissolution judgment is $15.00
- Research charge is $15.00 for each search longer than 10 minutes
- Files ordered from storage incur a retrieval fee of $5.00 per file
Requests to transcribe electronically recorded proceedings
The Court is now electronically recording certain court proceedings. The Court does not provide any audio recordings of court proceedings. If your hearing was electronically recorded you may request the audio be transcribed. For electronically recorded proceedings, you will see a + sign where you would normally see the initials of a court reporter on the court minutes. Requests to transcribe electronically recorded proceedings must be submitted in accordance with instructions below.
For felony cases heard prior to 9/23/25 please complete the request form here and submit to the Records Department.
For felony cases heard on or after 9/23/25 please click HERE and follow the instructions from For The Record ("FTR"), our third party vendor.
For all other case types using electronic recording heard before 12/1/2025 please complete the request form here and submit to the Records Department.
For all other case types using electronic recording heard on or after 12/1/2025 please click HERE and follow the instructions from For The Record ("FTR"), our third party vendor.
Requests for Court Reporter Transcripts
CLICK HERE for information on how to order court reporter transcripts. Please note this is only for hearings where a court reporter was present. If your hearing was electronically recorded please see information in section above.