Family Law Imaging FAQ

An imaged case is a Family case in which all the documents in the case have been digitally imaged and can only be viewed electronically on kiosks located in the Family Law Business Offices.

All newly initiated Family Law cases filed from August 24, 2015, and thereafter are imaged. 

Cases that were filed prior to August 24, 2015, are partially imaged. Documents filed prior to June 1, 2022, remain in paper format. Documents filed after June 1, 2022, are imaged. These cases are designated as “Partial-Imaged Cases.” Electronic filing (e-Filing) is allowed in partial-imaged cases, subject to the court’s Electronic Filing Requirements (Family) (SDSC Form #D-305).

"[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 in Imaged Program cases is certified as the official record of the court.

However, 'Legacy cases' (any case initiated prior to 8/24/15) will still have the physical case file available for viewing.

Imaged files can be accessed at a public kiosk in the business offices at the following locations:

Central Division: 1100 Union Street, San Diego, CA 92101, 4th Floor

East County Division: 250 East Main Street, El Cajon, CA 92020, 1st Floor

South County Division: 500 Third Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91910, 3rd Floor

North County Family/Civil Viewing Room: 325 South Melrose Dr., Vista, CA 92081, 1st Floor

No. Confidential cases and confidential documents can only be viewed by a party to the case or their attorney of record after presenting a valid driver's license to the clerk at the business office counter.

Imaged documents can be printed from a public kiosk in the Family Business Offices listed in #5 above. Copies may also be obtained by mailing a request to the address listed in #5.

A request by mail must include case number, what documents are needed, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and payment for the fees either by check, money order, or credit card. For credit card payments, use SDSC Form ADM-253. If you are unsure of the fee, you may call the division the case is in to make payment over the phone. A $2.00 processing fee is charged for all mail requests.

In some instances, some documents from your case file may be ordered online and then mailed to you by visiting the Family Register of Actions.

Documents are charged at $0.50/page.

From the public kiosks at the courthouses, viewing the summary of filings, participant, calendar events and court proceeding is free, and viewing case documents is free.  There is a $0.50 fee for each page of a document printed from the kiosk in the Family Business Offices. The printed documents will print at the Family Front Counter desk. The customer will proceed to the Family Front Counter desk where they can pay and retrieve their printed documents.

No. Customers can view documents without going to a counter station, and have the ability to print documents from the kiosks. Documents will print at the business office counter. To obtain the copies, the customer must pay and obtain the printed copies from the clerk. Clerks can accept can cash, checks or credit cards (Visa, Master Card or American Express).

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 (ROA) information are updated almost immediately.

No, it is prohibited per the General Order.

No, documents cannot be viewed online, however, non-confidential case data for imaged cases filed on or after August 24, 2015, may be available by visiting the Family Register of Actions, where select documents can be ordered online and then mailed to you. Otherwise, documents are accessible from public kiosks in the business offices at the courthouses.