Navigating family court matters can be stressful, and accessing your case information should be straightforward. The Sacramento Superior Court provides an online Public Case Access System to help parties and attorneys easily view important documents related to their family law cases. This system grants access to key documents like Mediation Reports from Family Court Services, Findings and Orders After Hearing, and Minute Orders, all from the convenience of your computer.
Who Can Access Family Court Case Documents Online?
The Public Case Access system is designed for two main groups involved in Sacramento family court cases:
- Parties: Individuals directly involved in a family law case.
- Attorneys: Legal representatives of parties in a family law case.
To gain access, both parties and attorneys must create a Public Case Access account and subscribe to each specific case they need to access.
Getting Access as a Party in a Sacramento Family Court Case
If you are a party in a family law case in Sacramento and wish to access your case documents online, follow these steps:
- Complete the Enrollment Form: Download and fill out the Family Law Case Participant Enrollment Form – Family Law.
- Provide Identification: Make a copy of your government-issued photo identification.
- Submit Your Documents: You can submit your completed form and ID copy in one of three ways:
- By Mail: Send to the Family Court.
- Court Drop-Box: Place in the drop-box located at the Family Court.
- File with Clerk: Obtain a service ticket and file it directly with the court clerk.
It’s crucial to submit a separate enrollment form for each case you need access to, and also when you update your email address to ensure you receive notifications about your cases from Sacramento Family Court.
After submitting your form, please allow approximately three working days for court processing. Once processed, you will receive an email confirming your access. This email will also enable notifications for when new documents are added to your case, allowing you to view and download them without additional charges.
Getting Access as an Attorney in Sacramento Family Court Cases
Attorneys also utilize the Public Case Access system to manage their Sacramento family court cases efficiently. Here’s how attorneys can gain access:
- Create an Account: If you don’t already have one, sign up for an account on the Public Case Access site, accessible through the Sacramento Superior Court’s website under “Online Services.”
- Automatic Linking for New Cases: For cases filed after January 1, 2015, the court typically automatically links attorneys to their cases.
- Enrollment Form for Older Cases or Unsubscribing: For cases filed before January 1, 2015, or to unsubscribe from a case, attorneys need to fill out and submit the Family Law Case Participant Enrollment Form – Attorney.
Similar to parties, attorneys can submit this form by mail, court drop-box, or by filing with the clerk. Processing time is also around three working days, after which an email confirmation will be sent to grant access.
Viewing Documents: Mediation Reports, Orders, and More
Once you have your Public Case Access account and a participant subscription to your Sacramento family court case, viewing documents is straightforward. You can access:
- Mediation Reports: Prepared by Family Court Services.
- Findings and Orders After Hearing: Court orders issued after hearings.
- Minute Orders: Brief records of court proceedings and decisions.
Step-by-Step Guide to View Your Sacramento Family Court Documents Online
Follow these steps to view your case documents:
- Log On: Click “Log On” at the top of the Public Case Access screen.
- Enter Credentials: Use your registered email address and password to log in.
- Access Your Account: Select “Your Account.”
- Go to Case Subscriptions: Choose “Your Case Subscriptions.”
- View Case: Click the “View” button next to the specific case you wish to access.
- View Document: Select the “View” button for the document you want to see.
If your case is not listed under “Your Case Subscriptions,” ensure you have completed the enrollment process and allowed sufficient processing time. If issues persist, your form might have been incomplete and returned.
Important Information and Timelines for Sacramento Family Court Records
- Mediation Report Availability: Typically available five days before your scheduled hearing. Remember to bring a copy of your Mediation Report to your hearing.
- Findings and Orders & Minute Orders: Usually posted within two hours after your hearing concludes.
- Document Format: All case documents are in PDF format. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader® to view, save, and print these documents. If you don’t have it, you can download it for free from the Adobe website.
The Sacramento Superior Court implements these fees to maintain and improve the technology required to provide electronic public access to court information, as permitted by California Rule of Court 2.506 and Government Code Section 68150(l).
By utilizing the Sacramento Public Case Access System, parties and attorneys can efficiently manage and stay informed about their family court cases, enhancing transparency and access to justice within Sacramento County.
