Burbank court records are the official judicial documents generated and stored at the Burbank Courthouse, a Los Angeles County Superior Court facility located at 300 East Olive Avenue in Burbank, California. These Burbank public court documents cover civil, criminal, family, traffic, small claims, and probate cases for matters filed in Burbank and nearby communities such as the Media District, Magnolia Park, and the airport corridor. People run a Burbank court records search for many reasons: background checks, tenant screening, legal research, journalism, custody verification, or simply checking the status of their own case. Each file holds a unique identifier, party names, filing dates, hearing schedules, minute orders from the judge, and a final disposition that helps you find Burbank court case records tied to a specific party or attorney. Under California Rules of Court Rule 2.400, these judicial records carry a presumption of public access, so you have a legal right to review them without stating a reason, proving residency, or paying an upfront fee for basic docket viewing. The same rule restricts access to sealed juvenile records, mental health petitions, and confidential family matters covered by Family Code § 63.
Burbank court records access happens through three primary channels: the Los Angeles Superior Court online portal, the public access terminals inside the Burbank Courthouse, and certified copy requests through the Clerk’s Office. The fastest path for a Burbank courthouse records lookup is the online portal at lasuperiorcourt.org, where you can search by name, case number, or filing date across all case types at no cost. Knowing how to search Burbank court records online saves time: the portal walks you through name entry, case-type filtering, and docket display in a few clicks. Once you pull a case, you see a full register of actions for a Burbank court docket search, with party names, motions filed, hearing outcomes, and the assigned judicial officer. You can also run a Burbank court file lookup by entering a specific case number, the most reliable way to confirm whether a particular matter exists. Historical cases sit within the Burbank court archives and stay searchable online for decades, though older paper files may require an in-person request. For certified copies needed in immigration petitions or other legal filings, plan on $0.50 per page plus a $40 certification fee under California Government Code § 70626.
Online Search Through the MyLA Court Portal- Open the Los Angeles Superior Court public access portal at lasuperiorcourt.org.
- Select “Case Search” and choose the case type: Civil, Criminal, Family, Probate, or Traffic.
- Enter the party last name and first name, or input a complete case number.
- Refine results by filing date range to narrow the docket listing.
- Click any case number link to view the full register of actions, motions, and minute orders.
Search by Case Number
Direct case-number lookups produce the fastest results. Burbank case numbers follow the format [Case Type Code] + [2-digit year] + [5-digit sequence]. The case number 25STCV12345, for example, points to a 2025 small claims matter filed at the Burbank Courthouse.
Common Burbank Case Number Prefixes
- STCV / BC – Civil
- BA / NA – Criminal / Misdemeanor
- YA – Felony (pre-filing)
- PA / TD – Family Law / Paternity
- TR – Traffic / Infraction
- SC – Small Claims
- PR – Probate / Mental Health
In-Person Lookup at the Burbank Courthouse
Visitors use Public Access Terminals (PAT) located inside the clerk’s lobby at 300 East Olive Avenue, Burbank, CA 91502. Viewing dockets on these terminals carries no fee. Photo identification helps with inquiries involving sealed files, and complex searches typically take 15 to 30 minutes to complete.
Third-Party Court Record Aggregators
Commercial services such as TLO (TransUnion), BeenVerified, and LexisNexis CourtLink index Burbank court records for subscribers. These platforms add batch search features and nationwide coverage but are not the official custodian.
Fields Available in a Burbank Court Record
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Case Number | Unique court-assigned identifier |
| Parties | Plaintiff/Petitioner and Defendant/Respondent full legal names |
| Attorney of Record | Bar number, name, contact info |
| Filing Date | Original case-initiation date |
| Case Type / Cause of Action | Statutory basis for the lawsuit |
| Hearing Dates | Scheduled court appearances |
| Minute Orders | Judge’s rulings at each hearing |
| Judgment / Disposition | Final outcome (judgment for plaintiff, dismissal, conviction) |
| Sentence (Criminal) | Fines, probation, jail time |
Types of Burbank Court Records
Burbank Courthouse handles eight primary case categories. Each category carries unique access rules, search codes, and retention timelines set by the California Rules of Court and the Judicial Council records-retention policy.
Civil, criminal, family, traffic, small claims, and probate cases each appear under a distinct case-number prefix. This helps users narrow searches by case type when running a Burbank courthouse records lookup.
Burbank Civil Court Records
Civil matters exceed $35,000 and include personal injury, breach of contract, employment, real property, and civil rights claims. Civil dockets stay searchable online through the LA Superior Court portal. Judgments carry unlimited retention under the Judicial Council schedule.
Burbank Criminal Court Records
Misdemeanor matters filed under BA/NA codes and pre-filing felony matters under YA codes stay at Burbank. Felony cases transfer to the Metropolitan Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles after arraignment. Misdemeanor criminal records are typically retained for 10 years after disposition.
Burbank Family Court Records
Family cases include divorce (FL), legal separation, child custody and support, domestic violence restraining orders (DVRO), and paternity. Family Code § 63 keeps some family filings confidential from public view. The PA and TD prefixes identify family law and paternity matters.
Burbank Traffic and Infraction Records
Citable traffic violations fall under the Traffic Court division with the TR case-number prefix. Fine amounts, traffic school eligibility, and conviction status appear in public online searches. Traffic infraction records are typically retained for five years after final disposition.
Burbank Small Claims Records
Disputes up to $12,500 for natural persons or $6,250 for businesses qualify as small claims. Department 6 typically hears these matters at the Burbank Courthouse. Small claims dockets use the SC prefix in case numbers and stay searchable through the LA Superior Court portal.
Burbank Probate and Mental Health Records
Probate matters cover wills, conservatorships, and estates. Mental health commitments follow the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act (LPS). Most probate records stay open to the public, except sealed mental-health petitions handled through PR-prefixed case numbers.
Record Sealing and Public Viewing Rules
California courts presume records stay open to the public under California Rules of Court Rule 2.400 and the First Amendment right of access. Parties may petition to seal records under Rule 2.551 for compelling reasons. Juvenile, mental health (LPS), and certain confidential family records stay restricted by statute.
Sealing a record requires a formal court order from a Burbank judge. Statutory expungement dismisses a conviction but does not erase the arrest record. Juvenile records seal automatically at age 18.
Who Can View Burbank Court Records?
Any member of the public may review non-sealed Burbank court records. Journalists, employers, landlords, attorneys, and private citizens all hold equal viewing rights. Residency and stated reason are not requirements for accessing the public portal or the on-site Public Access Terminals.
Sealing and Expungement Options
Adult criminal records qualify for dismissal under Penal Code § 1203.4 (felony reduction or expungement) or § 1001.95 (misdemeanor diversion). Juvenile records seal automatically at age 18 under Welfare and Institutions Code § 781. Full sealing requires a separate motion under Penal Code § 851.8.
Records with Restricted Viewing
- Sealed juvenile delinquency records
- Mental health (LPS) conservatorship petitions
- Domestic violence confidential address programs (Safe at Home)
- Adoption records
- Grand jury materials
Fees and Processing Times
Standard certified copy fee: $0.50 per page plus a $40.00 certification fee, set by California Government Code § 70626. Online docket viewing remains free of charge. Transcript fees are regulated by California Government Code § 69950 and vary by page count and delivery speed.
How Different Audiences Use Burbank Court Records
Five primary user groups rely on Burbank court records: legal professionals, journalists, employers and landlords, self-represented litigants, and family members or defendants. Each group applies records toward different goals and selects a matching Burbank court docket search method.
Attorneys use Burbank records for conflict checks and case research. Journalists rely on them for investigative work. Employers and landlords screen applicants. Pro per litigants track their own cases through the public portal.
For Legal Professionals
Attorneys review Burbank records for conflict checks, prior ruling research, and client intake. Published opinions stay limited at the trial-court level. Pro hac vice attorneys should verify local rules with the Burbank clerk before appearing in any Department at the courthouse.
For Journalists and Researchers
Investigative journalists run civil and criminal background searches through the public portal. Burbank’s media-sector concentration, including Warner Bros. and Disney operations, draws frequent entertainment-industry coverage and related civil disputes that often appear in the public docket listing.
For Employers and Landlords
FCRA-compliant background screening runs through third-party aggregators. Courts cannot directly provide consumer reports under California Civil Code § 1786. Aggregators offer batch features suited for hiring or tenant evaluation across multiple jurisdictions, supplementing a basic Burbank court file lookup.
For Self-Represented Litigants (Pro Per)
The Los Angeles Superior Court Self-Help Centers and the Burbank Law Library offer free assistance with form preparation and case lookup. Pro per litigants find the public portal useful for tracking their own case status, hearing dates, and minute orders without paying attorney fees.
For Family Members and Defendants
Family members check criminal proceedings, custody hearings, and probate filings. Defendants monitor their own case status, upcoming court dates, and minute orders through the same public portal. Court staff assist visitors at the clerk’s window during business hours on weekdays.
Comparing Search Options
The official Los Angeles Superior Court portal serves as the authoritative source for Burbank court records. Third-party aggregators add convenience, nationwide coverage, and batch features, yet lag in real-time accuracy and cannot issue certified documents accepted by other courts.
Use the LA Superior Court portal for legal, official, and journalism purposes. Use third-party Location, Hours, and Departments
The Burbank Courthouse sits at 300 East Olive Avenue, Burbank, CA 91502. The building opens Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The Clerk’s Office window closes at 4:00 PM for new filings. Visitors seeking docket records can use the on-site Public Access Terminals located in the clerk’s lobby.
Plan courthouse visits during weekday business hours. Allow 15 to 30 minutes for in-person complex searches. Free public parking fills the adjacent city lot.
Address and Parking
The courthouse address is 300 East Olive Avenue, Burbank, CA 91502. Free public parking fills the adjacent city lot. Metro Bus routes 94 and 96 serve the courthouse from across the Burbank area, providing public transit options for visitors without vehicles.
Court Hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday – Friday | 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Clerk’s Window | Closes at 4:00 PM for filings |
| Saturday – Sunday | Closed |
Departments and Judicial Officers
Burbank Courthouse operates approximately six departments with rotating judges from the Los Angeles County Superior Court bench. Presiding judge assignments rotate quarterly. Each department handles a specific mix of civil, criminal, family, traffic, small claims, and probate matters.
Contact Information
For Burbank court record searches, certified copy requests, or clerk assistance, contact the Burbank Courthouse using the details below.
- Burbank Courthouse Address: 300 East Olive Avenue, Burbank, CA 91502
- General Clerk Phone: (818) 260-3600
- Traffic Phone: (818) 260-3636
- Official Website: lasuperiorcourt.org
- Court Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Frequently Asked Questions
Finding Burbank court records helps you check case status, verify legal history, or gather documents for personal matters. The Los Angeles Superior Court keeps all Burbank courthouse records, from recent filings to decades-old archives. You can search by name, case number, or filing date through the free public portal. Phone requests, in-person visits, and certified copy orders cover every other access need. This FAQ covers common questions about Burbank public court documents, search steps, fees, and file retrieval so you can get the records you need without delays.
How do I search Burbank court records online?
First, visit the Los Angeles Superior Court portal at lasuperiorcourt.org to begin your Burbank court records search. Next, enter the party name, case number, or filing date to pull matching cases. The system then covers civil, criminal, family, traffic, probate, and small claims cases filed at the Burbank Courthouse. Once results load, click any entry to see hearing dates, party details, and charge descriptions. For best results, type the full legal name with a date range of at least two years. If the name is common, add a middle initial or date of birth. Finally, print or save your results at no cost.
Where can I do a Burbank courthouse records lookup in person?
Visit the Burbank Courthouse at 300 East Olive Avenue for in-person searches. The clerk’s office holds paper files dating back several decades. Public terminals inside the lobby run name or case number searches at no cost. Bring a valid photo ID and the exact case number when possible. Staff can help you locate files. They cannot give legal advice. You can call (818) 260-9400 to ask about file availability before your visit. For older cases, request archived records through the court clerk. Plan your visit between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on weekdays to avoid delays.
How much does Burbank public court documents access cost?
Basic online Burbank court record access through the LA Superior Court portal is free. You pay nothing to view case summaries, hearing schedules, or party names. Printed copies from courthouse kiosks cost 10 cents per page. Certified copies cost $25 per document plus regular copy fees. You can pay by cash, check, money order, or card at the clerk’s window. Online certified copies through an approved vendor cost $25 plus a service fee. Older archived files often carry an extra retrieval charge. Request fee waivers if you show financial hardship through the proper court form.
Can I run a Burbank court docket search by case number?
Yes, the LA Superior Court portal accepts case-number searches for any Burbank court docket search. Enter the full number with the year prefix (for example, 22NLCV00123) to pull the exact file. You then see filing dates, motion history, party names, and judge assignments. This route works best when you already know the case number from a citation, attorney contact, or prior court visit. The system returns results within seconds. If you lack the number, switch to a name-based search. Filter the results by court location to find Burbank cases only.
What types of cases appear in Burbank judicial records?
Burbank judicial records cover all case types handled at the Burbank Courthouse. Civil lawsuits, criminal filings, family law matters, probate cases, small claims disputes, and traffic infractions are part of this system. You can find restraining orders, eviction actions, and name-change petitions. Mental health hearings and juvenile dependency matters appear with sealed access rules. Each case type lists different data fields. Review the portal help section to learn what each docket shows. Bankruptcy cases fall under federal court, not Burbank records. The system updates filings within one business day of the clerk’s office receipt.
How do I find Burbank court case records from older cases?
Start with the LA Superior Court portal for cases filed after 1998. For older files, contact the Burbank Courthouse clerk at (818) 260-9400. Archived cases often sit in off-site storage and need a retrieval request. You pay a retrieval fee plus copy costs. Plan a two-week wait for stored files to arrive at the public counter. Microfilm records from the 1970s and earlier require an in-person visit and special handling. Bring your case number or full party name with a birth year. Staff can pull the file once you complete the request form and pay the fee.