Contra Costa County, California Probate Court Records

Probate court records are the documents generated by probate cases, and maintained by the Contra Costa County Superior Court, through its Probate Division. The Probate Division for Contra Costa County, California, is responsible for the probate and management of wills, estates, and trusts within the county. It handles protective proceedings, including the personal and property rights of minors and any adults unable to care for themselves through the use of conservatorships and guardianships.

Probate cases in Contra Costa County generate a lot of documentation that becomes part of the court records. These documents include wills, estate or asset inventory, appraisals, conservator or guardianship forms, petitions, court orders, judgments, financial documents, medical evaluations, creditor claims, and final accountancy.

Public Access to Probate Court Records in Contra Costa County

Court records, including probate court records, are typically considered public records open to the public in Contra Costa County. Unless access to the record is restricted by statute, court rules, or a specific court order, probate records are generally open records.

Some probate court records that may be exempted from public disclosure include the following.

• Records containing sealed information, such as sensitive proprietary information, confidential settlement details, or personal information.
• Confidential information concerning guardianship or conservatorship cases involving vulnerable parties, such as incapacitated adults or minors.
• Medical records and psychological evaluations
• Details from adoption cases
• Documents concerning elder abuse, financial exploitation, or protective orders may be restricted or sealed to safeguard involved individuals.
• Private financial information, including bank account and routing numbers, tax identification numbers, and social security details.

To view any sealed or confidential information, records seekers will be required to obtain a court order. The court clerk may still issue probate court records, but with confidential parts removed or redacted from the record.

Methods for Searching Contra Costa County Probate Court Records

The Contra Costa Superior Court offers the public several options for searching probate court records for the county. While the general methods may be similar across the state, the specific access methods, tools, formats, and general availability may vary by county and jurisdiction. The general record search methods include in-person requests, mail orders, and online searches using the county search portal.

For searches to be quick and accurate, record seekers are required to provide valid information or search criteria to aid the search. These typically include names of the parties involved, case numbers, case types, case status, and filing dates.

How to Find Contra Costa County Probate Cases Online for Free

Record seekers may find Contra Costa Probate case records online using the Contra Costa Superior Court Records Portal. This portal provides access to court records and online court hearing information. Searches can be made using simple criteria, such as the case/record number, or the full name of a party involved in the case, in the last, first, and middle name format. The search tool also offers advanced search and filtering options, including location, search type, case types, case status, and filing dates.

Creating a profile or registering an account is not required to search for court records on the portal. The record seeker needs to be able to provide valid search criteria when using the request portal.

Accessing Contra Costa County Probate Court Records in Person

Contra Costa County probate court records can be requested in person by visiting the court records unit at:

Requests can be made in person during business hours from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. from Monday through Friday, excluding any court holidays. Details required to search for records include names of parties involved, case numbers, and filing dates. Plain paper copies and certified copies are available from the records unit.

Record seekers may call the Records Unit at (925) 608-1000 before their visit to inquire about record availability and request procedures. The records unit allows visitors to view records in person and pay for copies of any records. Valid identification is required during any record viewing or copy requests at the records unit.

Requesting Contra Costa County Probate Court Records by Mail

Probate court records can be requested by downloading and mailing the Court Record-Mail Request form. The completed form should be mailed to the court at:

Completed forms can also be dropped off in the red dropbox in the lobby at:

The form requires the requester to provide search criteria, such as case numbers, party/case names, and case type, in the sections provided on it. The completed form should be mailed with any copy fees plus a self-addressed and stamped envelope to return any copies requested. If the case is confidential, a copy of the requester’s valid identification must be included in the mail.

Fees for mail requests consist of a search fee per file, name, or estate search, a per-page copy fee, and additional fees for certification and exemplification.

Contra Costa County Probate Court Record Access Methods

Applicable Fees for Contra Costa County Probate Court Record Requests

Fees for Contra Costa County probate record requests include the following.

• A $15 file or name search fee for each case searched
• A $15 estate search fee for each case searched
• $0.50 per page for any copies
• $40 per document for certification
• $50 for Exemplification or Authentication of documents (plus the per-page copy fees)

Fees are accepted in a check or money order made payable to Contra Costa Clerk of the Courts. The check or money order can also be marked as “not to exceed” with a set specific amount to cover the copy fees, certification, and other applicable costs.