Victorville Probate Records

Probate court records for people in Victorville are filed at San Bernardino County Superior Court. The city does not maintain a probate division. California gives county courts exclusive authority over probate cases. When a Victorville resident dies, their estate case goes through San Bernardino County Superior Court. This includes wills, estate administration, conservatorships, and guardianships. The probate division is at 247 West Third Street in San Bernardino. From Victorville, this is about 40 miles south via Interstate 15. Call 909-521-3388 for probate information. All Victorville residents must use this downtown San Bernardino location for probate filings and hearings.

San Bernardino County Probate Court

Victorville is in San Bernardino County. All probate cases go to San Bernardino County Superior Court. The probate division is at 247 West Third Street in downtown San Bernardino. Take Interstate 15 south from Victorville for about 40 miles. Court phone is 909-521-3388 for probate questions.

San Bernardino County has an online case portal. Search probate cases at cap.sb-court.org. Type in a name or case number to find records. The system shows filed documents, hearing schedules, and case status. Most probate records are public unless sealed for privacy reasons.

The court runs a self-help center at the downtown courthouse. Staff help with basic form questions and court procedures. They do not give legal advice about specific cases. The center is open during regular court hours. Walk-ins are welcome for quick questions.

How to File Probate Cases

Starting a probate case requires going to San Bernardino. Bring form DE-111, the Petition for Probate. Attach a certified death certificate. If there is a will, bring the original document. The filing fee is $435. Pay by cash, check, or card at the clerk window.

The clerk checks your paperwork for completeness. They verify that all forms are signed and all required attachments are included. Once accepted, they assign a case number and set a hearing date. Expect the hearing to be scheduled six to eight weeks out.

Before the hearing, you must publish legal notice in a newspaper. The Victorville Daily Press or San Bernardino Sun are common choices. You also mail notice to all heirs named in the will or entitled to inherit under California law. File proof of publication and mailing before your hearing date.

At the hearing, the judge reviews your petition and supporting documents. Most hearings are quick if everything is in order. The judge may ask a few questions. If approved, you receive an Order for Probate and Letters of Administration. These letters prove your legal authority to act for the estate.

File an Inventory and Appraisal within four months of appointment. List all estate assets including real estate, bank accounts, vehicles, and personal property. A court-appointed probate referee appraises non-cash assets. When ready to close, file a final petition and accounting with another $435 fee. The judge reviews and approves final distribution to heirs.

Small Estate Affidavits

Many Victorville estates skip full probate. If the total estate value is under $208,850, you can use a small estate affidavit. This threshold went up on April 1, 2025. It changes every three years based on inflation.

For personal property, use form DE-310. This covers bank accounts, stocks, cars, and household items. Wait 40 days after death, then present the affidavit to banks or other asset holders. They must release the property without a court order. For real estate valued under the limit, use form DE-305 and record it at the county recorder office.

Assets with named beneficiaries avoid probate. Life insurance goes directly to listed people. Retirement accounts transfer to named beneficiaries. Bank accounts with payable-on-death designations transfer automatically. Real estate in a living trust or held as joint tenants skips probate court.

Note: Use the threshold amount in effect on the date of death, not the current amount.

Legal Assistance for Victorville Residents

San Bernardino County Superior Court operates a self-help center downtown. Staff help with forms and basic procedures. They cannot provide legal advice for your specific case. The center is open during regular court hours at the probate courthouse.

Inland Counties Legal Services helps low-income San Bernardino County residents. Their main office is in San Bernardino. Call 909-884-8615 for intake information. They handle some probate and estate matters if you meet income eligibility.

The San Bernardino County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at 909-885-1986. They connect you with probate attorneys for an initial consultation. Most probate lawyers charge based on a percentage of estate value set by California statute.

Victorville City Library has legal reference materials and computers with internet access. Download probate forms at courts.ca.gov/forms.htm. The California Courts Self-Help website at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/probate explains probate steps in detail.

Death Certificates

Probate cases require certified death certificates. Get them from San Bernardino County Registrar-Recorder or the California Department of Public Health. The county office is at 777 East Rialto Avenue in San Bernardino. Call 909-387-8306 for information. Certified copies cost about $28 each.

Order online through the county website. Processing takes one to two weeks for recent deaths. The state vital records office in Sacramento has all California death records. Mail requests to P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento CA 95899-7410. Call 916-445-2684 for questions. State processing takes three to four weeks.

Order multiple certified copies. Banks, insurance companies, and government agencies each need their own copy. Most estates need three to five certified copies.

Other San Bernardino County Cities

These nearby cities also use San Bernardino County probate court: San Bernardino, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, and Rialto.

Adjacent counties are Los Angeles County, Riverside County, and Kern County.

Searching for Probate Cases

Try different name variations when searching online. Search by last name only. Try with and without middle initials. People sometimes go by nicknames but legal documents use full legal names. Women may have cases under maiden or married names.

San Bernardino County case numbers follow a specific format. If you have a case number from documents, enter it exactly as shown. Include all letters, dashes, and numbers. The system requires exact matches.

Older probate cases may not appear in the online portal. The county digitized recent decades but very old cases may only exist in paper files. For estates from the 1980s or earlier, contact the clerk office directly. Archived record retrieval takes extra time.

Not every death creates a probate case. Small estates use affidavits instead of court filings. Assets with beneficiaries transfer outside probate. Living trusts avoid court. Some estates have no assets requiring probate. If you cannot find a case, call the clerk to verify.