Tuolumne County, California court records are available through several channels. TuolumneCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information about court cases in the county. Additionally, the official website of the Superior Court of California, County of Tuolumne provides online tools, calendars, and forms. Records can also be requested directly from the court clerk's office — in person, by mail, or through public terminals in the courthouse.
Tuolumne Court System & Jurisdictions
California operates a unified Superior Court system at the county level. There are no separate District Courts or Magistrate Courts at the state level — all first-instance cases are heard by the Superior Court of Tuolumne County. Appeals go to the Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, and then to the Supreme Court of California.
The Superior Court of Tuolumne County handles a wide range of cases:
- Criminal Cases — from misdemeanors to felonies. The Criminal Division also processes requests for copies of criminal records.
- Civil Cases — contract disputes, claims for damages, restraining orders.
- Small Claims Cases — disputes up to $12,500 for individuals (limit set by Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 116.221).
- Family Law — divorce, child custody, alimony, adoption.
- Probate — estate management, guardianship, conservatorship. The court publishes probate notes on its website.
- Traffic Violations — fines, traffic school enrollment, ticket disputes.
Federal cases — bankruptcy, violations of federal law — are handled by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, not the local Superior Court.
Tuolumne Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out which hearings are scheduled for today, tomorrow, or this week, use the Online Services page on the court's official website. Available there are:
- Court Calendars — schedule of hearings by department and date
- Tentative Rulings and Case Notes — preliminary rulings by judges, usually published the day before the hearing
- Probate Notes — notes on probate cases
The calendar is updated on business days. The courthouse is open to visitors Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Clerks are available to assist during these hours.
If you are a party in a criminal case, please note: court clerks cannot set a new hearing date — this is decided by a judge. Check the calendar online or call the clerk's office.
How to Get a Copy of a Tuolumne Court Document
Court document copies come in two types: regular (uncertified) and certified. A certified copy has the court's seal and the clerk's signature — it is required for official purposes (filing in another court, immigration procedures, etc.). A regular copy is suitable for personal review.
How to Obtain a Copy
- In Person. Visit the court clerk's office at the address above. You will need the case number or the party's last name for the search. The clerk will make a copy on the spot.
- By Mail. Send a written request specifying the case number, document type, number of copies, and indicate if a certified copy is needed. Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
- Online. Some documents, including court reporter transcripts, can be ordered through the court's website. Full online access to all case documents is currently limited.
Criminal records are maintained by the court's Criminal Division. To obtain your own state-level criminal history, you must submit fingerprints and pay $25 to the California Department of Justice. Aggregated criminal justice data is available on the OpenJustice portal.
Information about individuals in state correctional facilities can be found through the California Incarcerated Records & Information Search (CIRIS).
Some records have restricted access — juvenile cases, sealed cases, adoption cases, and certain family cases. If you are unsure whether a document is public, ask the clerk.
Tuolumne Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for copying and searching court documents in California are set by Government Code § 70626–70634 and may be adjusted by local court rules. Below are the basic rates:
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Document copy (first page) | $0.50 |
| Document copy (each additional page) | $0.50 |
| Document certification | $40 per document |
| Record search by clerk (per name/case search) | Varies by request type; check with the clerk's office |
| Criminal history copy (via CA DOJ) | $25 |
Payment is accepted at the court clerk's office in cash, check, or money order. For mail requests — only check or money order payable to "Clerk of the Superior Court." Some online services, such as traffic fine payments, accept credit and debit cards through the court portal.
Please note: the certification fee ($40) is charged per individual document, not per page. If you need multiple certified copies of one document, each requires separate payment. We recommend verifying exact amounts directly with the clerk's office, as rates are periodically reviewed.