Admission to the Old Courthouse Museum is free. Metered parking is available in the lot on the north side of the Old Courthouse.
Government Services
For information about passports, wedding ceremonies and other records, please contact the Orange County Clerk-Recorder's office, or call it at (714) 834-2500.
OC Parks provides tours of the Old Orange County Courthouse by appointment Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To schedule a tour, please call (714) 973-6607. Self-guided tours are also available. Tours are free of charge.
History
The landmark Old Orange County Courthouse is Southern California's oldest court building and has been witness to many of the events which shaped present-day Orange County. From its dedication in 1901, this granite and sandstone building has been the traditional home of County government. Today the 30,000-square foot building has been restored to look much as it had at the turn of the last century. The building contains the Orange County History Center (which includes the Old Courthouse Museum and the Orange County Archives) as well as government offices. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a State of California Historic Landmark.
Activities
The Old Orange County Courthouse exhibition gallery displays both temporary and permanent exhibits relating to local and regional history. Please call for up-to-date information about exhibits and interpretive programs.
Beginning July 1, 2026, through August 30, 2026, the Old Orange County Courthouse will feature the Moments That Made US exhibition in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. This temporary exhibit includes a series of printable panels developed through a multi-state collaboration and will be on display at multiple venues across the country.
The exhibition is free and open to the public Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Metered parking is available at the on-site lot and surrounding street parking. Additional parking is available at P8 (301 W. 5th Street). Parking fees apply.
Learn more about Moments That Made US.
Links in this section relate to Body