Santa Clara County Courts

Santa Clara County has about 1.9 million people, accounting for 4.9% of California's total population of 39 million. San Jose is the county's largest city and also its administrative center. About 141,000 cases are filed in Santa Clara County each year, including 21,175 civil cases, 8,832 family matters, 104,217 criminal cases, and 2,356 probate matters.

Santa Clara County is served by the Superior Court, which handles all state-level trial cases. The court has jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases, including probate, family law, juvenile matters, and traffic offenses. This court has several divisions, which include:

• The Civil Division deals with civil matters such as property damages, contract disputes, personal injury claims, and landlord-tenant cases.
• The Criminal Division handles felony offenses and misdemeanors.
• The Juvenile Division addresses cases involving minors, including child abuse and neglect.
• The Probate Division covers matters such as wills, estates, conservatorships, trusts, and guardianships.
• The Family Division handles cases involving divorce, paternity, child custody, and child support.

Santa Clara County court locations are spread across the county, each assigned to different types of matters.

How To Access Santa Clara County Court Records

The California Public Records Act (CPRA) allows members of the public to inspect and obtain copies of Santa Clara County public court records. However, certain court records are classified as confidential records. Such records include adoption proceedings, juvenile records, sealed court records, and mental health records. To search or obtain Santa Clara court records, requesters must provide valid government-issued photo identification and the case number. Below are available options to access Santa Clara County court records:

Online

Santa Clara County court records may be accessed online through the Case Information Search portal by entering either a case number or a party's name as the search criteria. This portal allows requesters to search for civil, criminal, family, small claims, and probate records. Also, CourtCaseFinder provides online access to publicly available Santa Clara County court records. It offers an easy way to search for case details across various courts nationwide. Federal court records for cases heard in Santa Clara County may be accessed through the PACER Case Locator system, which allows users to retrieve federal court files across the United States.

In-Person

Individuals may obtain copies of Santa Clara County court records for a fee by submitting completed request forms or written requests to the Clerk's Office at the courthouses where cases were filed. The costs for obtaining copies of county court records are $0.05 per page for standard paper copies and $40 per document for certified copies. Additionally, records seekers may inspect or view Santa Clara County court records within the courthouses through public access terminals at no cost.

Old and Archived Court Records

Court records in Santa Clara County that are over 50 years old and not accessible through online systems or courthouse indexes may be stored in state archival facilities. Record seekers searching for pre-1900 court documents, including minute books, dockets, and probate proceedings, may contact the California State Archives at:

How To File a Case in Santa Clara County

Filing a case in Santa Clara County begins with selecting an appropriate filing method. An individual may file a document electronically through the eFileCA system, submit a filing in person at the Santa Clara County Superior Court Clerk's Office, or use mail where permitted. Before proceeding, a filer must determine the appropriate court division with jurisdiction over the matter. Jurisdiction is generally based on the type of case, each with its specific procedure and form requirements.

Preparation of documents is key to a successful case filing. Depending on the case type, required documents may include a complaint or petition, a summons, a civil case cover sheet, and any supporting evidence such as a contract, affidavit, or exhibit. 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 applies and varies based on the type of case. For instance, a civil and probate matter often incurs a higher cost than a small claims case. An individual who cannot afford this fee may apply for a waiver. To do so, the individual must submit a completedApplication for Waiver of Court Fees and Coststo the Clerk's Office at the courthouse where the case is being filed. This waiver may cover the filing fee, the cost of service, and other court-related expenses. The court may grant a waiver to an individual who receives public assistance, falls below the income threshold, or demonstrates financial hardship through a sworn declaration.

All filings must comply with the California Rules of Court and local rules specific to Santa Clara County. The steps required in filing a case in Santa Clara County are summarized below:

• Choose a filing method.
• Confirm applicable jurisdictions.
• Prepare the necessary documents.
• Submit the filing to the court.
• Serve the other parties.
• Pay filing fees.
• Apply for waivers (if needed).
• Follow court rules.

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 Santa Clara County, individuals who cannot afford legal representation may access assistance through courthouse 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 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 key organizations that provide low-cost or free legal support and self-help services in Santa Clara County:

• Free Legal Representation for Low-income Persons
• Santa Clara Valley Legal Aid - Offers free civil legal services to low-income residents on family matters, divorces, child custody, and visitations.
• California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA) - Provides free assistance to low-income residents in rural areas.
• Santa Clara School of Law - Delivers consumer protections, collection defenses, and identity-theft assistance.
• Central California Legal Services (CCLS) - Addresses various civil law issues.
• Law Foundation of Silicon Valley - Provides free housing legal advice and representation on evictions, discrimination, and local tenant protections.
• Private Lawyer Referral Services
• Santa Clara County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Services
• Free Small Claims Court Advice
• Santa Clara Superior Court Small Claims Advisor

Types of Courts in Santa Clara County, California

Santa Clara County is served by the Superior Court of California and federal courts, whose jurisdiction and contact information are listed below:

Superior Court of Santa Clara County

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Handles all state-level matters, including criminal, civil, probate, family law, small claims, traffic, and juvenile cases.

The following Superior Court locations throughout Santa Clara County provide public access to a variety of judicial services:

Downtown Superior Court (DTS) - Civil, Small Claims, and Probate Divisions

Family Justice Center Courthouse (FJCC) - Family, Juvenile, Drug Court, and Traffic Divisions

Hall of Justice (HOJ) - Criminal

Juvenile Justice Courthouse - Criminal Division

Old Courthouse - Civil Division

Palo Alto Courthouse - Criminal Division

South County Morgan Hill Courthouse - Criminal and Traffic Divisions

Federal Courts in Santa Clara County, California

Residents of Santa Clara County, CA, are served by the following federal courts:

United States District Court - Northern District of California

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - A federal trial handles all federal civil and criminal case types, such as those involving federal statutes, intellectual property, constitutional matters, antitrust, securities, employment discrimination, and multi-district litigation.
• Address and Contact Information

United States Bankruptcy Court - Northern District of California

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - This federal court handles all bankruptcy case filings for residents and businesses located in Santa Clara County.
• Address and Contact Information

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Santa Clara County Courts

Below are responses to frequently asked questions that may help residents better understand and navigate the court systems in Santa Clara County, California: