Probate Imaging FAQ

An imaged case is a Probate case in which all the documents in the case have been digitally imaged and can be viewed electronically on computers, kiosks, and other devices.

"[IMAGED]" will appear in the case title of the search results.

No. Pursuant to Government Code section 68150 and California Rules of Court, rule 2.504, the electronic court file is certified as the official record of the court.

Imaged Decedent's Estate and Trust cases are available to purchase and download from the Court's Register of Actions. Guardianship and Conservatorship cases can only be accessed at a public kiosk in the Probate Business Office at the Central Division and North County Civil Division.

Imaged documents can be purchased from the Court's website (Decedent's Estates and Trust cases only) via the Register of Actions.  Non-confidential documents in all Probate case types may be purchased at a public kiosk in the Probate Business Office at the Central Division and North County Civil Division.

Yes.  Users can view images, pay by Visa, Master Card or American Express, and receive the purchased copies without going to a counter station.

  • From the Register of Actions:
    • Viewing the summary of filings, participant, calendar events and court proceedings is free.  You need to purchase case documents in order to view or download them.  The cost to purchase documents is:
      • $1 per page for the first five pages, $0.40 for each additional page, with a maximum of $50.00.
    • The downloading of ROA documents online for persons with fee waivers is not available at this time.
  • From the business office kiosks:
    • Viewing the summary of filings, participant, calendar events and court proceeding is free, and viewing case documents is free.  There is a charge for printing any of these pages:
      • $0.50 – fee for each page of a document printed from the ROA kiosk in the Court's business offices.

The kiosks are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

20 minutes, if there is a line.

  • Data that includes the search results and case Register of Actions information are updated almost immediately.
  • Documents, with the exception of minute orders, will be available within 30 minutes after imaging or entry in the case management system. Minute orders will be available after midnight (12:00 AM) on the date they are finalized.