San Bernardino eviction court cases are unlawful detainer lawsuits heard by the Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino. If you are served in a San Bernardino eviction court case, you must file a written response within 10 days.
San Bernardino Eviction Court: Location, Hours, and Case Lookup
San Bernardino County is huge. As a result, San Bernardino eviction court is not just one building. The court lists civil districts in Barstow, Fontana, Joshua Tree, Needles, Rancho Cucamonga, Victorville, and the San Bernardino Justice Center. In most cases, your summons tells you exactly where to file. Read it closely before you go anywhere.
The court’s landlord-tenant page does not give one street address or clerk phone number for every eviction case. So get your courthouse address and phone number from your summons or the court’s official directory. However, the page does list two Resource Centers with set hours. You can also track your San Bernardino eviction court case online through the court’s case portal.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Court | Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino (landlord-tenant cases) |
| Where to file your response | The courthouse named on your summons |
| Case lookup | Case Information and Document Sales Online |
| Response forms | Free smart forms to respond to an eviction lawsuit |
| Fee waiver | Application for Waiver of Court Fees and Costs |
| Barstow Resource Center | 235 E. Mountain View Street, Lower Level, Barstow, CA 92311. Mon-Thu 8:00 am to 4:00 pm; Fri 8:00 am to 2:00 pm |
| Fontana Resource Center | 17780 Arrow Boulevard, 2nd Floor, Fontana, CA 92335. Mon-Thu 8:00 am to 4:00 pm; Fri 8:00 am to 2:00 pm |
| Clerk phone | Not listed on the landlord-tenant page. Confirm it with the court’s official directory. |
Your Deadlines After You Are Served
In California, an eviction lawsuit is called an unlawful detainer. Once you are served, the clock starts. The court says you have 10 days to respond in writing and file it. After you file, the court mails you and the landlord the trial date and time.
San Bernardino eviction court charges a fee to file your response. However, if you can’t afford the fee, you can file a fee waiver application with your response. For example, many tenants use the court’s free smart forms to build their response. The court’s Steps in a Landlord Tenant Case guide walks through the process.
If you don’t respond within 10 days, the court can issue a default judgment for the landlord. Default means you lose without a trial. The landlord can then take back the property. Typically, fixing a default is much harder than filing on time. That is why the response window at San Bernardino eviction court matters so much.
What Happens on Your Court Date at San Bernardino Eviction Court
Arrive early. Bring letters, documents, inspection reports, pictures, receipts, and any other proof. Make three copies of each: one for the court, one for the landlord, and one for you. Wear neat clothes. The court asks people not to wear jeans, shorts, or tank tops. If you want witnesses, you can subpoena them. Bring proof of service.
Need a new trial date at San Bernardino eviction court? File a Motion for Continuance with a good reason. You can also file a Written Stipulation that both sides agree to. Do it as soon as you know. A filing fee may apply. The court’s page also links to information on Alternative Dispute Resolution, such as settling with the landlord. Never sign an agreement you don’t understand.
If you don’t come to trial, the court may rule for the landlord. If the landlord doesn’t come, the court may dismiss the case. If the landlord wins, you will have to move out. The judgment may also include unpaid rent, court costs, and attorney fees.
Next, the landlord can ask for a Writ of Possession. The Sheriff then posts a Notice to Vacate that gives you 5 days to move out. Filing an appeal won’t stop the judgment unless the court approves. As a result, talk to a lawyer quickly if you lose at San Bernardino eviction court.
Free Help in This Courthouse
The court offers free self-help for tenants and landlords. Staff can answer questions and give you forms. However, they cannot give legal advice or represent you. The Resource Centers in Barstow and Fontana are in high demand, so arrive early. Some San Bernardino eviction court districts also let you book an appointment for limited landlord-tenant filings.
For legal advice on a San Bernardino eviction court case, the court points tenants to Inland Counties Legal Services. Rancho Cucamonga: (909) 980-0982 or 800-977-4257. San Bernardino: (909) 884-8615 or 800-677-4257. Victorville: (760) 241-7072 or 888-805-6455. The court’s page does not mention a right-to-counsel program. Ask legal aid whether free representation is available.
San Bernardino eviction court provides interpreters for unlawful detainer cases. This covers people who don’t speak English or who need sign language help. Tell the court ahead of time. You can also read the state’s Resolving Your Unlawful Detainer (Eviction) Case guide.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find my San Bernardino eviction court case online?
Use the court’s Case Information and Document Sales portal at cap.sb-court.org. Search with the case number on your summons. If you get stuck, ask staff at a San Bernardino eviction court Resource Center.
Can the Sheriff lock me out right after trial?
Not right away. After the landlord gets a Writ of Possession, the Sheriff posts a Notice to Vacate that gives you 5 days. If you are still there after that, the Sheriff can remove you.
What if I can’t afford the filing fee?
File an Application for Waiver of Court Fees and Costs with your response. You can get the form from the San Bernardino eviction court clerk’s office or the court website. Don’t let the fee stop you from responding on time.
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Find Your State’s Exact Rules
Notice periods, deposit caps, and the eviction timeline all change from state to state. Pick your state to see the exact days, dollar limits, and steps that apply where you live.
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Sources & How to Verify
The rules on this page are drawn from official government and legal-aid sources. Tenant law changes, so always confirm the exact rule with your state’s statute or a local legal-aid office.
- HUD: hud.gov — federal renter protections and fair housing
- Legal Services Corporation: lsc.gov — find free legal aid in your state
- Cornell Legal Information Institute: law.cornell.edu/wex — plain-English legal definitions
- Your state statute & court self-help portal: search “[your state] landlord tenant act” and “[your state] court self-help eviction” for the exact law and forms
Content last reviewed September 2026. If you notice outdated information, please contact us.
California Renter Guides
- California Eviction Process
- California Tenant Rights
- California Security Deposit Law
- California Rent Increase Laws
- California Repairs and Habitability
- Breaking a Lease in California
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Informational only — not legal advice. Tenant Rights Info is an independent educational resource, not a law firm, and this page does not provide legal advice. Landlord-tenant law varies by state and city and changes over time, so always verify the exact rule with your state’s statute, your local court’s self-help portal, or a legal-aid office. For urgent situations like an active eviction, contact a local legal-aid office or a licensed tenant attorney in your state right away.