How to Access Juvenile Court Records

Juvenile Court limits access to juvenile court records in accordance with Welfare & Institution Code(WIC) Section 827. Juvenile records are restricted to the minor, parents or guardians, attorneys involved in the case and court personnel. Additionally, Assembly bill 2711 authorizes personnel of the State Department of Social Services, Sacramento to access an adoption case file, including a juvenile case file, to carry out their duties in the matter of setting aside adoptions under provisions of Family Code Section 9100 and WIC Section 366.26. Photo identification is required to inspect, obtain, or copy juvenile court records.  You may send in a written request with your signature notarized, a copy of your driver license, payment (see bottom of the page for details), and a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Authorization is needed for any other person or entity not outlined in Welfare & Institution Code Section 827 or California Rule of Court 5.552, to inspect, obtain, or copy juvenile court records. Only a judicial officer of the juvenile court may order authorization.

Juvenile case files or court records may not be obtained or inspected by civil or criminal subpoena.

Petition for Access to Juvenile Case File

Every person or agency seeking to inspect or obtain juvenile court records must petition the Juvenile court for authorization using Petition for Access to Juvenile Case File (JV-570).

You must specify the records sought based on knowledge, and the belief that such records exist and are relevant to the purpose for which they are being sought.

You must describe in detail the reasons the records are being sought and their relevancy to the proceeding or purpose for which you wish to inspect or obtain the records.

Additional judicial council forms you will need to fill-out and present to the court, along with the Petition for Access to Juvenile Case File (JV-570), are as follows:

• Notice of Petition for Access to Juvenile Case File (JV-571)
• Proof of Service - Petition for Access to Juvenile Case File (JV-569)
• Order on Petition for Access to Juvenile Case File (JV-573)
• Order After Judicial Review on Petition for Access to Juvenile Case File (JV-574)

Service

At least 10 days before the Petition for Access to Juvenile Case File (form JV-570) is submitted to the court, you must personally, or by first-class mail, serve the following documents:

• Petition for Access to Juvenile Case File (JV-570)
• Notice of Petition for Access to Juvenile Case File (JV-571),
• and a blank copy of Objection to Release of Juvenile Case File (JV-572)

on the following applicable individuals:

300 Dependency Cases

• The Office of County Counsel, Attn: Custodian of Records;
• The Department of Public Social Services, Attn: Custodian of Records;
• The child;
• The attorney of record for the child who remains a dependent of the court;
• The parents or guardians of the child;
• The Indian child's tribe; and
• The child's CASA volunteer

600 Juvenile Justice Cases

• The Office of the District Attorney, Attn: Custodian of Records;
• The Probation Department, Attn: Custodian of Records;
• The Office of the County Counsel;
• The child;
• The attorney of record for the child who remains a ward of the court;
• The parents or guardians of the child if the child is under 18 years of age;
• The Indian child's tribe; and
• The child's CASA volunteer

If you are unsure of the identity or address of any of the people that need to be served, see the court clerk for assistance.

Filing with the Court

Once you have served the Petition for Access to Juvenile Case File (JV-570), the Notice of Petition for Access to Juvenile Case File (JV-571) and a blank copy of Objection to Release of Juvenile Case File (JV-572), you must complete the ‘Proof of Service - Petition for Access to Juvenile Case File (JV-569).

You will then submit the following completed documents to the juvenile court for the judicial officer’s review:

1. 1. Petition for Access to Juvenile Case File (JV-570)
   2. Notice of Petition for Access to Juvenile Case File (JV-571)
   3. Proof of Service - Petition for Access to Juvenile Case File (JV-569)
   4. Order on Petition for Access to Juvenile Case File (JV-573)
   5. Order After Judicial Review on Petition for Access to Juvenile Case File (JV-574)

There is no filing fee for these documents.

After careful review and consideration, the judicial officer will either grant, deny or set the matter for a hearing. If the matter is scheduled for a hearing, the clerk will notify you.

Click here for Information on Requesting Access to Records for Persons with a Limited Right to Appeal

Fees & Payment

This link to the Fees provides the current cost of certifying and copying services available. 

You may pay for copies, certification, and postage services by check, credit card, or money order. When writing a check, if you aren’t sure of the total number of pages to be copied, you can enclose a check stating, “ not to exceed $_________” and the Clerk of the Court will fill in the correct amount and send you a receipt with your copies.