San Francisco County Courts

San Francisco County is home to roughly 827,000 residents, representing about 2.2% of California's overall population of 39.1 million. The county seat is the City of San Francisco, which functions as its administrative hub.

The San Francisco Superior Court manages more than 33,000 cases annually, including approximately 4,000 family law cases, 900 probate matters, and around 3,400 criminal proceedings. It also comprises multiple divisions, each designated to handle specific categories of legal matters as outlined below:

• San Francisco County Superior Court - Criminal Division: Addresses felony charges, misdemeanor cases, extradition proceedings, and mental health-related criminal cases
• San Francisco County Superior Court - Civil Division: Has general jurisdiction over civil cases in the county. These civil cases are organized into two main categories: "Unlimited" civil matters, which involve claims exceeding $25,000 in value, and "Limited" civil matters, which involve claims valued at $25,000 or less
• San Francisco County Superior Court - Small Claims Division: Manages civil cases involving claims of less than $10,000, provided the case meets the requirements for the simplified Small Claims process
• San Francisco County Superior Court - Family Division: Processes legal issues involving families and minors, including divorce, legal separation, paternity, child custody and support, domestic violence, property division, and spousal support
• San Francisco County Superior Court - Probate Division: Oversees legal proceedings related to estate administration, guardianships, conservatorships, trust management, and matters involving wills
• San Francisco County Superior Court - Juvenile Division: Addresses issues involving juvenile delinquency, child abuse or neglect, and situations where minors require court-ordered supervision or intervention
• San Francisco County Superior Court - Traffic Law Division: Handles cases involving traffic violations, including parking offenses and other infractions that carry monetary fines, and may also hear certain juvenile traffic cases

The Criminal and Civil Divisions often share jurisdiction with other divisions of the court in certain case types, such as domestic violence cases, select mental health proceedings, juvenile matters, guardianship and conservatorship cases, and elder abuse incidents. All Superior Court facilities in San Francisco County are located within the boundaries of the county's seat.

How To Access San Francisco County Court Records

Per California's Public Records Act, most court records in San Francisco County are available for public inspection. However, records that have been sealed by a judge or classified as confidential under state law are not accessible and require formal permission from the court to be reviewed. These restricted records include certain family law files, juvenile criminal case records, and proceedings related to mental health matters.

When requesting access to public court records in San Francisco County, individuals must present valid government-issued identification and provide key case details to assist in the search. This typically includes the full names of all parties involved, as well as the case number or the approximate filing date.

San Francisco County court records may be requested through several available methods, including:

Online

The San Francisco Superior Court operates a digital case information portal that provides access to public court records. Users can search for cases using either case numbers or the names of parties to the case. Note, however, that not all records are available through this service.

In addition to the court's official system, CourtCaseFinder offers public access to San Francisco County court records. It provides case details and legal documents from various counties across the United States, including San Francisco.

Records of federal cases heard in San Francisco County, records are accessible through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system. To access PACER's services, users may be required to create an account. Also, fees may apply for viewing and downloading documents.

In-Person

Interested individuals may obtain San Francisco County court records by visiting the Superior Courthouse's Records Viewing Room or the Clerk's Office, depending on the nature of the case. The Records Viewing Room, located within each courthouse, provides public access for individuals to examine court documents and conduct record searches during regular business hours.

When requesting a person, you may be required to present valid government-issued identification and provide detailed case information to assist court staff in locating the specific records being requested. Fees apply for copying and certifying documents, although viewing the records on-site is free of charge.

Old and Archived Court Records

The San Francisco Superior Court is the primary custodian of the county's historical court records and provides public access to these archived materials. Individuals may request records by submitting their requests online through the court's case information system or by contacting the court directly at:

To assist with the search, requesters are required to provide the full names of all parties involved, the case number if known, the estimated year the case was filed, and the type of record being requested. Note that retrieving archived records stored at off-site facilities may incur additional retrieval charges.

How To File a Case in San Francisco County

In San Francisco County, anyone may file a case in person at the appropriate courthouse, electronically through the San Francisco Superior Court's e-filing system, or by mailing completed, court-approved forms to the relevant court division. The filing method typically depends on the nature of the case and the procedural rules of that division. Filing fees also vary based on the type of case and the court division handling such cases. Generally, the fee structure is as follows:

• Small Claims Court: Fees typically range from $30 to $100, depending on the complexity of the case
• Superior Court Civil Cases:Starting at $435 for most civil filings, with higher charges for cases of greater monetary value or complexity
• Family Law and Probate: Fees depend on the particular proceeding, and, in probate matters, are calculated according to the estate's value and case type

If you cannot afford these fees, you may request a waiver by submitting an "Application for Waiver of Court Fees and Costs." This form requires you to provide information about your financial situation, including your income, assets, living expenses, and any public assistance you receive. The court will review your financial details to determine whether you are eligible for a fee waiver. If approved, the waiver may cover both filing fees and specific related court costs.

Below is a breakdown of the steps involved in submitting a case in San Francisco County:

• Begin by identifying the type of legal matter you intend to file and determining which San Francisco County court has jurisdiction over your case
• Draft your complaint according to the requirements that apply to your specific type of case. Be sure to include all necessary evidence and supporting materials, such as contracts, photographs, and exhibits. For criminal matters, it's important to note that these are generally prosecuted by the San Francisco District Attorney's Office
• Complete all required documents and any supplemental forms mandated by the court division where you plan to file
• Make sure to follow any additional procedural requirements, including compliance with San Francisco Superior Court's local rules, completing any mandated court forms, and ensuring the venue is correct based on the nature of your case. Confirm that the court has jurisdiction, which generally means the defendant either lives in San Francisco or the event in question took place there
• Once all forms are properly completed, file your case through the court's e-filing system using a state-approved electronic filing service provider such as File & ServeXpress, or deliver your documents in person to the appropriate courthouse clerk's office

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

In San Francisco County, individuals seeking legal assistance have access to a range of support services, including local legal aid organizations and the attorney referral service offered by the Bar Association of San Francisco. The court also provides self-help resources through the ACCESS Center (Assisting Court Customers with Education and Self-Help Services), along with other court-supported programs. The ACCESS Center is located at:

For additional support, the state-run California Courts Self-Help Guide offers an extensive collection of resources, including downloadable court forms, comprehensive instructions, and step-by-step guides for navigating different types of legal proceedings.

Below are other legal aid and pro bono services available to residents of San Francisco County:

• Bay Area Legal Aid: A publicly funded nonprofit offering free civil legal help such as legal advice, representation, and referrals, primarily to low-income individuals. It also operates a Consumer Rights Clinic at the San Francisco Law Library to expand access to justice for underserved communities and families
• Justice & Diversity Center of the Bar Association of San Francisco (JDC): This association links qualified individuals with volunteer attorneys who provide free legal representation, guidance, and referrals through a pro bono program
• Legal Aid at Work: A nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting workers' rights by offering no-cost legal advice, resources, and referrals for employment-related concerns
• AIDS Legal Referral Panel (ALRP): This is a Bay Area-based program offering legal assistance to people living with HIV/AIDS. Its trained attorneys also provide free legal help and referrals for matters like housing, employment, family law, and healthcare discrimination
• ACCESS (Legal Self-Help) Center at the Superior Court of California: A court-operated service offering free legal information and support to help people navigate both family and non-family law matters in the court system
• San Francisco Law Library: This provides the public, legal professionals, and government officials with free access to legal research tools, reference materials, and other legal resources

Types of Courts in San Francisco County, California

San Francisco County's trial court system has a Superior Court with several divisions, each with authority over specific case types. Some federal courts also serve the county. The following provides an overview of these courts and their contact information:

San Francisco County Superior Courts

Jurisdiction/Cases Heard: These courts handle criminal cases, civil disputes over and under $25,000, small claims under $7,500, family law, probate, juvenile matters, and traffic violations. The Supreme Courts are located at the following addresses:

San Francisco County Superior Court I

San Francisco County Supreme Court II

San Francisco County Superior Court III

San Francisco County Superior Court IV

Federal Courts Serving San Francisco County

The federal courts that serve San Francisco County in California include:

United States District Court for the Northern District of California

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard: This court handles national security cases, cybercrimes, white-collar offenses like securities and health care fraud, public corruption, civil rights violations, immigration cases, and federal crimes such as drug and human trafficking, and firearms violations
• Address and Contact Information:

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard: It reviews appeals from federal district courts in both civil and criminal matters, including cases involving constitutional issues, federal laws, and diversity jurisdiction. It also hears appeals from federal administrative agencies and from the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel on Chapter 7, 11, 12, and 13 bankruptcy cases
• Address and Contact Information:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About San Francisco County Courts

Commonly asked questions about San Francisco County court operations are addressed below: