Civil court records contain information about cases that do not involve criminal activity. They can be obtained from the clerk’s office, but a fee may be charged. Civil court cases include divorce, child support and custody, property damage, and personal injury. Records are usually sealed for minors. The retention period varies by country. Contact the clerk of the court for copies, and a court order may be necessary for sealed documents.
Civil court records generally consist of information relating to cases adjudicated before a civil court. Civil court proceedings are used to resolve cases that do not involve criminal activity or intent. During these cases, the court keeps a transcript of the proceedings, which can usually be obtained through the clerk’s office. In most cases, those involved in the case will be provided with copies of the transcript free of charge, although occasionally a nominal fee may be charged. Anyone outside the court proceedings who wishes to obtain these documents will typically have to pay a fee.
Many of the types of cases tried in civil court are related to divorce or separation. These cases usually have both a plaintiff and a defendant. The plaintiff is the person who is initiating divorce proceedings, while the defendant is typically the person against whom the lawsuit is being filed. Divorces tried in civil court could be based on mental cruelty, adultery, or irreconcilable differences. Some divorces are considered “no-fault,” meaning both people are in agreement about the divorce and don’t apportion blame.
In most cases, child support and custody are handled in the civil courtrooms. In most cases, these cases involve minor children. Civil judicial documents relating to minors are often inaccessible to subjects other than the parents, without the written consent of both parents.
Crimes committed by minors are usually held in a special court called a juvenile court, which is different from a civil court and a criminal court. These acts are not the same as civil court acts. Since these are minors, these documents are usually sealed away from public viewing.
Other types of acts that are considered civil court acts can include damage to property that does not have a criminal intent. Sometimes cases like this are brought by homeowners against contractors whose shoddy work may have caused damage to the home or property. Civil court records relating to cases involving personal injury arising from accident rather than willful misconduct or negligence are also retained.
The retention period for civil court records may vary between countries and may depend on the type of records involved. For those wishing to obtain copies of civil court records, the best place to start is usually the clerk of the court of the jurisdiction in which the case was originally adjudicated. If the documents in question are sealed, you may need to obtain a court order to view or receive a copy of these documents.
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