Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the Register of Actions (ROA)
Additional Help
• Below is a listing of frequently asked questions.
• Simply click on the question to bring up the answer.
• If you have additional questions or comments, please e-mail the
webmaster.
What is a Register of Actions (ROA)?
• The Register of Actions is composed of filing and scheduling information for a specific case.
• An example of a filing would be the filing of a complaint, petition or motion.
• An example of scheduling information would be a hearing date, time and department.
How can I find ROA information on a specific case?
• You can use the Case Search by providing a valid case number.
• You can perform a Participant Name Search to look for a party in the case.
• You can perform a Date Search to look for a case filed on a specific day.
• You can use the Unlawful Detainer Search by providing confidential information on a restricted unlawful detainer (eviction) case.
• If the search results display multiple cases, click on a specific case number to view the ROA.
How do I access my eviction case within the first 60 days?
• Go to the Unlawful Detainer Search tab and input at least one plaintiff name, one defendant name, and the address of the premises.
What information is available on the ROA?
• Summaries of the filings, participants, calendar events and court proceedings for most Civil, Small Claims and Probate cases filed since January 1, 2007; some documents generated by the Court since January 1, 2007; and documents filed by parties in imaged Civil cases (beginning August 1, 2011) and imaged Probate cases (beginning April 28, 1997).
• See more questions and answers on imaged cases below.
Is the ‘Entry Date’ on the ROA the filed date for documents filed with the Court?
• In most but not all instances, the entry dated is the filed date. The written text entry often shows the date the document was filed with the Court. If not, the document itself (on the ROA, if available, or in the case file) may have to be reviewed to verify the filing date.
What is not available on the ROA?
• Per California Rules of Court, certain case documents are not available on the ROA: Guardianships, Conservatorships, Civil Harassment, Workplace Violence Prevention, and Elder Abuse proceedings.
Are Tentative Rulings and Probate Notes available on the ROA?
• Tentative Rulings and Probate Notes documents are not available on the ROA but will continue to be available without charge using the Court’s Tentative Ruling and Probate Notes online applications.
When are new data and documents available on the ROA?
• Data which includes search results and case Register of Actions information are updated almost immediately upon entry into the case management system and and are available on the ROA.
• Documents, with the exception of minute orders, will be available within 30 minutes after imaging into the case management system. Minute orders will be available after midnight (12:00 AM) on the date they are finalized.
How do I select a document for purchase?
• Use the Case Number Search, Participant Name Search, or Unlawful Detainer Search to find the case you want.
• In the Register of Actions, if a document is available for purchase, you will see an 'Add to Cart' button in the 'Cart' column.
• Simply click on the 'Add to Cart' button to place your document request in the Shopping Cart.
Is there a fee for viewing information and documents on the ROA?
• Viewing or printing the summary of filings, participant, calendar events and court proceeding is free.
• Viewing, downloading or printing the documents available on the ROA is not free.
• For each document, the cost is calculated as follows: $1.00 per page for the first 5 pages, $0.40 for each additional page, with a maximum of $50.00.
• The downloading of ROA documents online for Government agencies and persons with fee waivers is not available at this time.
What types of payment does the Court accept?
• Visa or MasterCard for online purchases.
Can I view the documents I purchase at a later date?
• Documents are available online for 14 days from the date of purchase at no additional charge.
• Click on the "Request Previously Purchased Documents" tab on any Search page to submit your request.
• You will need to provide the valid purchase email address and purchase confirmation number (from your purchase Receipt) to access your documents.
What software do I need to view ROA information?
• A common web browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, etc.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view, save and print case documents.
How can I save a purchased document using the Chrome browser?
• The Chrome browser has the ability to display PDF documents without using Adobe Reader. However, you do not have use of the Adobe menu bar to save or print the document. To save a purchased document or the ROA “Printer Friendly” image that you are viewing in Chrome: right-click the page or use the wrench tool dropdown to select “Save As”; change the file name to something meaningful and be sure to change the file extension from “XHTML” to “PDF” so you can view it later without Chrome.
What if I get an information box asking ‘Stop running this script?’
• When displaying ROA information on very large cases, this box may appear one or more times.
• Simply click ‘No’ to continue to display your case.
What is an imaged case?
• An imaged case is a Civil or Probate case in which all the documents in the case have been digitally imaged and can be viewed electronically on ROA Kiosks, computers, and other devices.
How will I know if a Civil or Probate case is imaged?
• The word ‘Imaged’ will appear in brackets [IMAGED] in the case title of the case.
Does the Court maintain a physical case file on imaged cases that can be checked out and viewed by the public?
• No.
What is the difference between the ROA and the Court Index online applications?
• The ROA application contains the summary of the filings, participants, calendar events and court proceeding for most Civil, Small Claims and Probate cases filed since January 1, 2007.
• The Court Index application provides basic case index information such as case number, case title, filing date not just for Civil, Small Claims and Probate cases but also for Criminal, Family and Mental Health cases filed since January 1, 1974.
What is the difference between the ROA and the ROA Kiosk?
• Both applications display the Register of Actions without charge.
• The ROA online allows the viewing, printing, and downloading of documents for a fee.
• The ROA Kiosks, available only at the Court, display documents for free, but do charge for document copies.