Court records of Merced County, California, are available through several channels. MercedCourt.us allows searching for public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, the Merced County Superior Court provides online access to records for certain categories of cases, and the court clerk's office accepts requests in person and by mail. Public terminals in the courthouse also allow viewing of case materials.
Merced Court System & Jurisdictions
California operates a unified system of superior courts — one for each county. The Merced County Superior Court handles all categories of cases at the state level: criminal, civil, family, probate, small claims, and traffic violations.
- Criminal cases. From misdemeanors to felonies. The court has a separate criminal division with a public computer for case searches.
- Civil cases. Limited civil cases (up to $25,000) and unlimited civil cases (over $25,000).
- Small Claims. Disputes up to $12,500 for individuals.
- Family law. Divorce, custody, child support. The court offers self-help resources for those filing without an attorney.
- Probate cases. Estate management of deceased persons, guardianship, conservatorship.
- Traffic violations. Fines for speeding, running a red light, and other traffic offenses.
The county does not handle federal cases — they fall under the jurisdiction of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California.
Information about inmates in the local jail is available through the sheriff's office inmate inquiry system. For inquiries about court hearings, call (209) 725-4100.
Merced Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The schedule of hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week can be found in several ways.
- Online court portal. Go to the online records page and use the Tyler Technologies system to search by case number. The hearing calendar is displayed on the card of each case for available categories (limited and unlimited civil, small claims).
- Public computer in the court. A computer is available for free access in the criminal division — anyone can use it.
- Phone inquiry. Call the court clerk's office at (209) 725-4100 and provide the case number or party's last name.
Note: Criminal, family, probate, and adoption cases are not displayed in the online system. For these categories, you need to inquire in person or by phone.
How to Get a Copy of a Merced Court Document
Copies of court documents come in two types: certified and uncertified. A certified copy bears the clerk's seal and confirms the document's authenticity — it is usually required by other courts, government agencies, or employers. An uncertified copy is suitable for personal review.
Methods of obtaining
- Online. Documents in civil cases filed under California Rule of Court 2.503(b) are available for public viewing through the Forms & Filing portal. You can download an uncertified copy directly from the online system.
- In person. Visit the court clerk's office. Bring the case number or sufficient identifying information (party names, approximate filing date). The clerk will search the computer, files, microfiche, or microfilm.
- By mail. Send a written request specifying the case number, document type, number of copies, and a check or money order to the clerk's office address.
If the record search takes more than ten minutes, the court may charge an additional fee for research time. Confidential cases — adoptions, some family cases — are not accessible without a proper court order or party status in the case.
For clearing a criminal record (expungement), use the California court system guide.
Merced Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees are set according to the California Government Code and the court's internal fee schedule. Below are the main rates current at the time of publication — check with the clerk's office for current amounts.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Record search (first 10 minutes) | Free |
| Record search (over 10 minutes) | Hourly research fee charged |
| Uncertified copy (per page) | $0.50 |
| Document certification | $40 for the first document, $25 for each additional |
| Case viewing via public computer | Free |
Payment is accepted in cash, check, or money order payable to Merced County Superior Court. Check directly with the clerk's office for credit card payment availability.
Access to public records of the California judicial branch is governed by the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 7920.000 et seq.), which guarantees citizens the right to obtain non-confidential documents. If a record is confidential by law, the clerk will deny issuance and explain the reasons.