San Mateo County Courts

San Mateo County, located in the San Francisco Bay Area, has a population of about 750,000. This represents 2% of California's total population of 39 million. About 90,337 cases are filed in San Mateo County annually, including 8,454 civil cases, 3,350 family matters, and 76,039 criminal cases.

San Mateo County is served by the Superior Court, which has general jurisdiction over all trial-level cases within the county. These cases typically include civil, criminal, probate, family law, juvenile matters, and traffic offenses. The court is organized into several divisions, each responsible for specific case types.

• The Civil Division oversees disputes involving property damage, breach of contract, personal injury claims, and landlord-tenant matters
• The Criminal Division handles felony criminal cases and misdemeanors
• The Juvenile Division addresses cases involving minors, including child abuse and neglect
• The Family Division manages cases related to divorce, paternity, child custody, and child support
• The Probate Division is responsible for proceedings involving wills, estates, conservatorships, trusts, and guardianships

Redwood City serves as the county seat and primary location of administrative and judicial operations in San Mateo County.

How To Access San Mateo County Court Records

The California Public Records Act (CPRA) grants members of the public the right to inspect and obtain copies of public court records maintained by San Mateo County. However, not all court records are publicly accessible. Certain records are deemed confidential under state law and are therefore restricted from public disclosure. These typically include records of adoption proceedings, juvenile records, and mental health records. To search or obtain San Mateo court records, requesters must provide valid government-issued photo identification and a case number. Below are available options to access San Mateo County court records:

Online

San Mateo County court records may be accessed online through the Case Information Search portal. Interested persons may access court case details by party name or case number. This portal allows requesters to search for civil, criminal, family, small claims, and probate records. Alternatively, interested parties may access publicly available San Mateo County court records through CourtCaseFinder. This online platform facilitates case searches across various court jurisdictions nationwide. Federal court records for cases heard in San Mateo County may be accessed through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) case locator, which allows users to retrieve federal court files across the United States.

In-Person

Individuals may obtain copies of San Mateo County court records for a fee by submitting request forms to the Clerk's Office at the courthouses where cases were filed. The cost for obtaining copies of county court records is $0.50 per page for paper copies and $40 per document for certified copies. Additionally, records seekers may inspect or view county court records within the courthouses through public access terminals at no cost.

Old and Archived Court Records

Court records in San Mateo County that are over 50 years old and not accessible through the courts' online systems or courthouse databases may be archived in state-managed repositories. Record seekers searching for pre-1900 court documents, including minute books, dockets, and probate proceedings, may consult the California State Archives or contact the office directly at:

How To File a Case in San Mateo County

In Santa Mateo County, court cases may be filed electronically through the eFileCA system. Alternatively, an individual may file a case by submitting documents in person at the San Mateo County Superior Court Clerk's Office or by mail, where permitted. Before filing a case in the county, an interested party must determine the appropriate court division with jurisdiction over the case.

Individuals who want to file a case in the county need to provide necessary documents such as civil case cover sheets, summonses, petitions or complaints, and any supporting exhibits or affidavits, depending on the case type. Once filed, the Clerk's Office assigns a case number and officially enters the case into the court record. After filing, the plaintiff or petitioner is responsible for serving the other party according to California law. Service of process may be completed by personal delivery, certified mail (if allowed), or through a registered process server. Proof of service must be filed with the court to proceed.

A filing fee is required, which generally varies depending on the type of case. An individual who cannot afford this fee may apply for a waiver by submitting the Application for Waiver of Court Fees and Costs (Form FW-001). The court may grant a waiver to an individual who receives public assistance, has limited income, or demonstrates financial hardship through a sworn declaration. Additionally, guidance is available in Form FW-001-INFO on the court's website.

All filings must comply with the California Rules of Court and local rules specific to San Mateo County. Below are the steps for filing cases in San Mateo County:

• Determine the appropriate courts with jurisdiction over the case types
• Prepare the necessary documents, including cover sheets, summonses, petitions or complaints, exhibits, and supporting affidavits
• Submit the filing to the court
• Pay the applicable filing fees or apply for fee waivers (if needed)
• Serve the opposing parties and file proofs of service

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

County court systems are crucial in ensuring access to justice throughout the United States. Legal assistance and self-help resources are foundational to this access, particularly for self-represented litigants involved in civil, family, probate, or small claims matters. These resources vary by jurisdiction but commonly include self-help centers, online portals, legal aid organizations, and court-affiliated assistance programs.

In San Mateo County, individuals who cannot afford legal representation may access assistance through courthouse-based self-help centers, local legal aid providers, and pro bono programs offered by bar associations. Free or low-cost support is also available through online tools and court-sponsored resources that assist with common legal procedures. However, state agencies are not permitted to act as personal attorneys or provide legal advice to individuals. Below are various organizations that provide low-cost or free legal support and self-help services in San Mateo County:

• Free Legal Representation for Low-Income Persons
• Self-Help Center or Family Law Facilitator (SHC/FLF) - This courthouse-based self-help center offers assistance with family law matters such as divorce, custody, child support, name changes, and small claims guidance
• California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA) - This organization provides free assistance to low-income residents in rural areas
• The Landlord-Tenant Clinic - This clinic assists with eviction and housing issues through collaboration with legal aid service providers
• The Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center (PCRC) - This resource provides free or low-cost mediation and conflict resolution services for landlord/tenant disputes, neighborhood issues, and consumer-business conflicts
• Legal Aid Providers and Pro Bono Services
• Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County - This organization offers free civil legal assistance in areas including housing, family law, and eviction defense
• Bay Area Legal Aid - This platform provides a domestic violence restraining order clinic and multilingual advice
• San Mateo County Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service - This resource connects individuals to private attorneys offering reduced-fee or pro bono assistance
• Free Small Claims Court Advice
• Small Claims Advisor - This service is available for individuals representing themselves in small claims court by providing procedural guidance and tips

Types of Courts in San Mateo County, California

San Mateo County is served by the Superior Court of California and some federal courts, whose jurisdictions and contact information are listed below:

Superior Court of San Mateo County

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Criminal, civil, probate, family law, small claims, traffic, and juvenile cases.

The following Superior Court locations provide public access to various judicial services:

San Mateo County Superior Court - Central Branch

San Mateo County Superior Court - Juvenile Branch

San Mateo County Superior Court - Northern Branch

San Mateo County Superior Court - South Branch

San Mateo County Superior Court - South Branch Annexe

Federal Courts in San Mateo County, California

Residents of San Mateo County, CA, are served by the following federal courts:

United States District Court - Northern District of California

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - All federal civil and criminal cases under federal law, including federal statutes, intellectual property, constitutional rights, antitrust and security law cases, employment discrimination cases under federal law, and multi-district litigation
• Address and Contact Information

United States Bankruptcy Court - Northern District of California

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Bankruptcy filings and related proceedings under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code
• Address and Contact Information

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About San Mateo County Courts

Below are responses to frequently asked questions regarding how San Mateo County Courts operate: