Ontario Docket Search

Ontario court docket records are kept by San Bernardino County Superior Court. The city does not run its own court system. All cases filed in Ontario go through the county courts. You can search for docket information online through the county portal or visit the courthouse in Rancho Cucamonga that serves this area. Civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases all get filed with the same county system. Online access lets you check docket status and view filed documents from home. Fees apply for some searches and all document downloads. Free access exists at courthouse public terminals where you can search and view records without paying online fees.

Court System for Ontario

Ontario sits in San Bernardino County. All court dockets for Ontario residents get filed with the county Superior Court. No city court handles these cases. Everything flows through the county system.

The nearest courthouse sits in Rancho Cucamonga at 8303 Haven Avenue. This location handles cases for Ontario and surrounding cities. Staff can search for any case filed anywhere in San Bernardino County. You do not need to drive to downtown San Bernardino to access court records. The Rancho Cucamonga courthouse has full access to county databases and can help with most court business.

Online search options exist at cap.sb-court.org/search. This portal lets you search cases by name or number. Viewing basic docket information may be free. Downloading documents costs fifty cents per page. The county caps document fees at fifty dollars per file no matter how long the document runs. Check the fee schedule before you download many files or you might face unexpected charges when your credit card gets billed.

Visiting the Courthouse

The Rancho Cucamonga courthouse operates during regular business hours on weekdays. Arrive early if you need help from a clerk. Lines form during busy times. Security screening happens at the entrance. Leave prohibited items in your car. No weapons, no recording devices in courtrooms.

Parking exists near the building. Bring coins or a payment card for meters or parking lot fees. Public transit options may be limited in this area. Most people drive to the courthouse. Plan for extra time if you visit during morning hours when traffic can be heavy on local roads.

Public computer terminals sit in the clerk office. Ask staff for access. You can search dockets for free on these machines. View documents on screen at no charge. Print copies for fifty cents per page if you need paper records. This approach saves money compared to paying online download fees for each document you want to review.

Search Dockets Online

San Bernardino County offers online docket access through its Court Access Portal. Go to the court website and click the search link. You can search by party name or case number. Name searches may be free or charge a small fee depending on how the county sets its pricing. Case number searches typically cost less if you already know the number from a court notice or prior search.

Search results show a list of cases. Click on a case to view the docket. The docket lists all filed documents and hearing dates. Some entries have links to view the actual documents. Others may show as filed but not available for online viewing. You might need to visit the courthouse to get those records in person from the clerk office.

Document downloads cost per page. The first five pages run one dollar each. Additional pages cost fifty cents each. The county caps total fees at fifty dollars per document. Large files hit the cap quickly. Small files cost just a few dollars. Calculate your costs before downloading if you need many documents or you might spend more than expected.

Types of Docket Information

A court docket shows the history of a case. It lists when the case started. It shows each document filed by the parties. It records hearing dates and outcomes. You can see if a case is still active or already closed. You can check when the next court date is scheduled. All this information appears on the docket register.

Different case types have different docket formats. Civil cases show complaints, answers, motions, and orders. Criminal cases list charges, arraignments, plea agreements, and sentences. Family law cases track petitions, responses, and custody orders. Each type uses similar formats but the specific entries vary based on what happens in that kind of case.

Dockets update when new filings occur. Check back often if you follow an active case. New entries appear within a day or two of filing depending on how fast the clerk office processes paperwork. Older cases do not change unless someone files a new motion or the court issues a new order.

Court Record Fees

California sets standard fees for court records. Copies cost fifty cents per page. Certified copies add a forty dollar certification fee. You only need certified copies for official purposes like submitting records to another court or government office. Regular copies work fine for personal use or review.

Online fees follow different rules. The county charges per page for downloads. Rates and caps vary by county. San Bernardino caps document fees at fifty dollars per file. This means a ten page document costs less than a hundred page document even though both get capped at the maximum. Read the fee schedule to understand what you will pay before you start downloading files.

Free access exists at courthouse terminals. You can view records on screen without paying. Print only what you need. Many people search online first to find case numbers and then visit the courthouse to view full files for free on a public computer. This strategy saves money on download fees while still giving you convenient access to basic docket information from home.

Legal Assistance Options

Inland Counties Legal Services helps low income residents in San Bernardino County. They handle civil cases involving housing, family law, and consumer problems. Call to see if you qualify based on income. They do not take criminal cases. If you face criminal charges, contact the public defender office or look for a private attorney who offers payment plans.

The San Bernardino County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. They connect you with attorneys who practice in your area of need. The first consultation costs a modest fee. After that, you work out fees with the lawyer directly. Many attorneys charge hourly. Some offer flat fees for routine matters. Ask about payment options during your initial meeting if you cannot afford to pay a large sum up front.

Self help centers operate at major courthouses. Staff show you how to fill out forms and search for dockets. They explain court procedures. They cannot give legal advice about your specific case. For that, you need a licensed attorney who can review your situation and tell you what steps to take next in your case.

Nearby San Bernardino County Cities

These cities also use San Bernardino County Superior Court:

Other Major California Cities

Search court records in these cities: