Court records in Ada County, Idaho can be searched through several channels. AdaCourt.us can help find publicly available information about court cases in the county. You can also access records through the Idaho Supreme Court's iCourt Portal, the Fourth Judicial District Court website, the Clerk of the Court's office in person, or public terminals located inside the Ada County Courthouse. The Ada County government page provides additional directory information for county offices.
Ada Court System & Jurisdictions
Ada County is part of Idaho's Fourth Judicial District. All state-level court matters in the county are handled at the Ada County Courthouse in Boise. Understanding which court division handles your case type will help you search the correct docket.
- District Court — Felony criminal cases, civil cases where the amount in dispute exceeds $10,000, appeals from Magistrate Court, and juvenile cases under the Child Protective Act.
- Magistrate Court — Misdemeanor criminal cases, civil disputes of $10,000 or less, preliminary felony hearings, protection orders, and infractions.
- Small Claims — A division of Magistrate Court for civil disputes of $5,000 or less. Attorneys are generally not required.
- Family Court — Divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, and adoptions are handled through Magistrate Court. The Idaho Court Assistance Office provides self-help forms for many family law matters, including divorce filings.
- Probate — Wills, estates, guardianships, and conservatorships fall under Magistrate Court jurisdiction.
- Traffic — Traffic infractions and misdemeanor traffic offenses (such as DUI) are processed through Magistrate Court.
All of these divisions share the same courthouse and clerk's office, but docket searches may need to specify the case type or division to return accurate results.
Ada Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find today's, tomorrow's, or this week's court calendar for Ada County, start with the Idaho Fourth Judicial District Court website. The site provides links to the Ada County Court section, where scheduled hearings and courtroom assignments are posted.
You can also look up hearing dates through the iCourt Portal hosted by the Idaho Supreme Court. The portal allows statewide case searches by party name or case number and displays upcoming hearing dates tied to each case.
Additional options for finding calendar information:
- Call the clerk's office — Staff can confirm hearing dates and courtroom assignments for a specific case number.
- Visit the courthouse — Public terminals inside the Ada County Courthouse display daily calendars and allow docket lookups.
- Check posted schedules — Daily hearing lists are typically posted near courtroom entrances each morning.
If you need to confirm whether a hearing is still on schedule, contact the clerk's office directly rather than relying solely on online calendars, which may not reflect last-minute changes.
How to Get a Copy of a Ada Court Document
The Ada County Clerk of the Court maintains all case files for District and Magistrate Court. You can request copies in several ways:
Online
Search for your case through the iCourt Portal. Some documents are viewable online. For official copies, you will typically need to contact the clerk directly.
In Person
Visit the clerk's office at the Ada County Courthouse. Bring the case number if you have it — this speeds up the process considerably. You can request either certified or uncertified copies at the counter.
By Mail
Send a written request that includes the case number, the specific documents you need, whether you need certified or uncertified copies, and a return address. Include payment by check or money order made payable to the Ada County Clerk.
Key Distinctions
- Certified copies bear the court's seal and clerk's signature. These are required for most legal proceedings, real estate transactions, and official filings.
- Uncertified copies are plain reproductions suitable for personal reference.
- Restricted records — Adoption files, sealed juvenile cases, mental health commitment proceedings, and certain family law records are not available to the general public. Ask the clerk whether the document you need has any access restrictions.
For divorce decree copies, contact the Ada County Clerk's office where the divorce was granted. Marriage and divorce certificates are maintained separately by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
Ada Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for Ada County court records are set by Idaho statute and court administrative orders. The following table lists common fees. Confirm current amounts with the clerk's office, as fees may be updated periodically.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certification of a document | $1.00 per certification |
| Certified copy of a judgment | $1.00 per page + $1.00 certification |
| Court record search (by clerk) | Varies; contact clerk for current rate |
| Duplicate certificate or seal | $1.00 |
| Court mail service fee (mailed copies) | Actual postage cost |
Fees are referenced under Idaho Code Title 31, Chapter 32 (fees of the clerk of the district court). For the most current fee schedule, contact the clerk's office directly or visit the Fourth Judicial District Court website.
Payment Methods
- In person: Cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card (a convenience fee may apply to card payments).
- By mail: Check or money order payable to Ada County Clerk.
- Online: Some payments can be processed through the iCourt Portal. The Idaho Supreme Court site provides links to online payment services by county.
If you are unsure how much to include with a mailed request, call the clerk's office at (208) 287-6900 beforehand to get an exact total. Overpayments are generally refunded; underpayments will delay processing.