Santa Clara County Court Records

What Is Santa Clara County Court Records

Court records in Santa Clara County encompass all official documentation generated during legal proceedings within the county's court system. Pursuant to California Rules of Court, Rule 2.550(b)(1), court records include "all documents, papers, exhibits, transcripts, and other materials that are filed in a case." These records serve as the official account of court proceedings and judicial determinations.

Santa Clara County court records typically include:

• Case files containing pleadings, motions, and other filed documents
• Docket sheets chronicling case events and filing history
• Court orders and judgments
• Hearing and trial transcripts
• Evidence and exhibits admitted during proceedings
• Sentencing records in criminal matters
• Settlement agreements in civil cases
• Jury verdicts and judicial opinions

Court records are distinct from other public records maintained by county offices. While the County Recorder's Office maintains property records, vital statistics, and other official documents, the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara maintains judicial records.

The Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara serves as the primary repository for court records within the county. This unified court system handles all case types including civil, criminal, family, probate, juvenile, and traffic matters. Prior to court unification in 1998, municipal and justice courts maintained separate record systems, but these have since been consolidated under the Superior Court structure.

Under California Government Code § 68150, court records may be maintained in paper, microfilm, or electronic format, with increasing digitization efforts underway to improve public accessibility while maintaining record integrity.

Are Court Records Public In Santa Clara County

Court records in Santa Clara County are presumptively open to public inspection pursuant to both constitutional principles and statutory mandates. The California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6250) establishes the fundamental right of access to government records, while specific provisions regarding court records are governed by California Rules of Court, Rules 2.550-2.551.

Members of the public may access the following types of court records:

• Civil case files (with certain exceptions for sealed records)
• Criminal case files (post-arraignment)
• Probate and family law cases (with privacy protections for certain sensitive information)
• Judgments, orders, and official rulings
• Court calendars and hearing schedules
• Register of actions (docket sheets)

However, certain records are restricted from public access under California law. These include:

• Juvenile court records (per Welfare and Institutions Code § 827)
• Records sealed by court order
• Confidential settlement conferences
• Juror identifying information
• Records containing statutorily protected information (e.g., medical records, financial account numbers)
• Certain family law documents containing private information

The California Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access court records, most notably in NBC Subsidiary (KNBC-TV), Inc. v. Superior Court (1999) 20 Cal.4th 1178, which established that court proceedings and records are presumptively open unless specific findings justify closure.

Federal court records for cases heard in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California (which includes Santa Clara County) are governed by separate federal rules and are accessible through the federal PACER system.

How To Find Court Records in Santa Clara County in 2026

Members of the public seeking court records in Santa Clara County may utilize several methods to locate and review these documents. The Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara maintains comprehensive record systems accessible through multiple channels.

For in-person requests, individuals may visit the appropriate courthouse location based on case type:

Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara - Downtown Superior Courthouse
191 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95113
408-882-2100
Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara

Public counter hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM (excluding court holidays)

To obtain court records in person:

1. Determine the appropriate courthouse location for the case type
2. Complete a records request form available at the clerk's office
3. Provide case number or party names for record identification
4. Pay applicable search and copy fees
5. Wait for staff to retrieve records (same-day service for most requests)

For remote access, the court provides several electronic options:

1. Visit the Case Information Online portal to search case information
2. Register for a Public Portal account to access additional case details
3. Submit a records request form via mail with appropriate fees
4. For certified copies, submit a written request with required information and payment

Pursuant to California Government Code § 68150(h), reasonable fees may be charged for search and reproduction of court records. Currently, the fee schedule includes:

• Case search fee: $15 per name/case number
• Document copies: $0.50 per page
• Certified copies: $40 for first page, $0.50 each additional page
• Complex document retrieval: Additional fees may apply

Requests for older records may require additional processing time as some historical documents may be stored in off-site facilities or archived formats.

How To Look Up Court Records in Santa Clara County Online?

Santa Clara County offers comprehensive online access to court records through several digital platforms. The court's electronic systems provide convenient methods for locating case information without visiting the courthouse.

The primary online resource is the Case Information Online system, which allows searches for:

• Civil, small claims, and probate cases
• Traffic and local ordinance violations
• Criminal proceedings
• Some family law matters (limited information)

To conduct an online search:

1. Navigate to the Case Information Online portal
2. Select the appropriate case type category
3. Enter search criteria (case number, party name, or filing date)
4. Review search results showing basic case information
5. Note that complete case documents may require in-person requests

For criminal case records, the Criminal Case Records portal provides specialized search functionality. Users may search using:

• Defendant name and date of birth
• Defendant name plus month/year of case filing
• Case number (if known)

Additional online resources include:

• Court Calendar Information: View upcoming hearing schedules
• Traffic Case Information: Access traffic citation details and payment options
• Tentative Rulings: View preliminary judicial decisions before hearings

For more comprehensive document access, the court offers a subscription-based Document Access Portal for attorneys and frequent users, providing direct access to filed documents in non-confidential cases.

When using online systems, users should note that:

• Some sensitive case types have limited online information
• Document images may not be available for all cases
• Older cases may have minimal electronic information
• System maintenance occasionally affects availability

The court continues to expand electronic access pursuant to California Rules of Court, Rule 2.503, which governs remote electronic access to court records.

How To Search Santa Clara County Court Records for Free?

Santa Clara County provides several options for members of the public to access court records without charge, in accordance with California's commitment to open government. Under California Government Code § 68150(l), the public has the right to inspect judicial records during normal business hours at no cost.

Free in-person inspection options include:

• Viewing non-confidential case files at courthouse public terminals
• Examining publicly posted court calendars and hearing schedules
• Reviewing the register of actions (docket) for case status information
• Accessing self-service kiosks available in courthouse lobbies

Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara - Family Justice Center
201 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95113
408-882-2100
Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara

Public terminal hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Free online resources include:

• Basic case information through the Case Information Online system
• Daily court calendars viewable through the Court Calendar portal
• Tentative rulings posted on the court's website
• General case status information (without document images)

While basic searches are free, certain services do incur fees:

• Document copies ($0.50 per page)
• Certified copies ($40 first page, $0.50 each additional page)
• Complex searches requiring staff assistance ($15 per name/case)
• Document retrieval from archives (variable fees)

The Santa Clara County Law Library also provides free public access to court records research tools and legal resources:

Santa Clara County Law Library
360 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95113
408-299-3568
Santa Clara County Law Library

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

For individuals with financial hardship, fee waivers may be available under California Government Code § 68631 by filing the appropriate application with the court.

What's Included in a Santa Clara County Court Record?

Santa Clara County court records contain comprehensive documentation of legal proceedings, with contents varying by case type. Pursuant to California Rules of Court, Rule 2.550(b), these records include all materials filed, lodged, or maintained by the court in connection with a case.

Civil case records typically contain:

• Complaint or petition initiating the action
• Summons and proof of service documents
• Responsive pleadings (answers, demurrers)
• Motions and supporting documentation
• Discovery-related filings (when filed with the court)
• Court orders and minute entries
• Judgment documents
• Post-judgment filings
• Appeal notices and related documents

Criminal case records generally include:

• Charging documents (complaint, information, or indictment)
• Arraignment and plea information
• Bail and custody status records
• Motions and responses
• Evidence logs and exhibit lists
• Court minutes and hearing transcripts
• Sentencing documents
• Probation reports (access may be restricted)
• Post-conviction filings

Family law case files contain:

• Petitions for dissolution, legal separation, or nullity
• Financial disclosures (with certain privacy protections)
• Child custody and support orders
• Domestic violence restraining orders
• Judgments and marital settlement agreements
• Parentage determinations
• Court orders and findings

Probate records include:

• Wills and codicils
• Petitions for probate or conservatorship
• Inventories and appraisals
• Accountings and reports
• Court investigator reports
• Orders and decrees
• Distribution documentation

Each case file also contains a register of actions (docket sheet) that chronologically lists all case events, filings, and court actions. This serves as the official index to the case file.

Certain sensitive information is redacted or maintained in confidential portions of the file, including:

• Social Security numbers
• Financial account numbers
• Minor children's names (in certain contexts)
• Medical and mental health information
• Confidential settlement discussions
• Information sealed by court order

The completeness of older case files may vary, as retention policies and storage formats have evolved over time.

How Long Does Santa Clara County Keep Court Records?

Santa Clara County maintains court records according to retention schedules established by the Judicial Council of California under Government Code § 68152. These schedules specify minimum retention periods based on case type and document category.

For civil cases, retention periods include:

• Unlimited civil cases (over $25,000): 10 years after final disposition
• Limited civil cases ($25,000 or less): 5 years after final disposition
• Small claims cases: 10 years after judgment
• Unlawful detainer actions: 1 year if judgment for plaintiff; 3 years if judgment for defendant
• Civil harassment restraining orders: 5 years after expiration

Criminal case retention requirements:

• Capital felony cases (death penalty): Permanent retention
• Felony cases with life sentences: 50 years after judgment
• Other felony cases: 75 years after final disposition
• Misdemeanor cases: 5 years after final disposition
• Infractions: 3 years after final disposition

Family law record retention:

• Dissolution, legal separation, nullity: 30 years after filing
• Child custody, support, visitation: 30 years after youngest child turns 18
• Domestic violence restraining orders: 5 years after expiration
• Paternity actions: 30 years after judgment

Probate record retention:

• Decedent estates: 10 years after final disposition
• Conservatorships and guardianships: 10 years after termination
• Trust proceedings: 10 years after final disposition

The court maintains certain records permanently, including:

• Indexes to all cases (register of actions)
• Judgment books and judgment dockets
• Orders affecting real property
• Naturalization records
• Cases of significant historical value

After the required retention period, records may be destroyed or transferred to archival storage. However, the court increasingly maintains electronic versions of records beyond minimum retention periods when feasible.

Researchers seeking historical court records should note that older records may be:

• Stored in off-site facilities requiring advance retrieval requests
• Maintained only on microfilm or in paper format
• Subject to special handling procedures due to fragility
• Accessible only through specialized archival services

The California State Archives may maintain some historical court records of significant value after local retention periods expire.

Types of Courts In Santa Clara County

Santa Clara County's judicial system operates within California's unified court structure, with various divisions handling specific case types. All courts in the county function as branches of the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara.

Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara - Downtown Superior Courthouse
191 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95113
408-882-2100
Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

This location handles criminal, civil, small claims, traffic, and probate matters.

Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara - Family Justice Center Courthouse
201 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95113
408-882-2100
Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

This facility specializes in family law cases, domestic violence matters, and related proceedings.

Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara - Old Courthouse
161 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95113
408-882-2100
Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

This historic building houses certain civil departments and administrative offices.

Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara - Juvenile Justice Courthouse
840 Guadalupe Parkway
San Jose, CA 95110
408-882-2100
Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

This location handles juvenile dependency and delinquency proceedings.

Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara - Palo Alto Courthouse
270 Grant Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94306
408-882-2100
Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

This facility handles traffic matters and small claims cases for the northern portion of the county.

Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara - Morgan Hill Courthouse
301 Diana Avenue
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
408-882-2100
Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

This location serves the southern portion of the county with traffic, small claims, and limited civil matters.

Appeals from Santa Clara County Superior Court decisions are heard by:

California Court of Appeal, Sixth Appellate District
333 West Santa Clara Street, Suite 1060
San Jose, CA 95113
408-277-1004
California Courts of Appeal, Sixth District

The California Supreme Court serves as the highest state court, with discretionary review of appellate decisions.

Federal cases arising in Santa Clara County are heard at:

United States District Court, Northern District of California - San Jose Division
280 South 1st Street
San Jose, CA 95113
408-535-5363
United States District Court, Northern District of California

What Types of Cases Do Santa Clara County Courts Hear?

The Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara exercises jurisdiction over a comprehensive range of legal matters arising within county boundaries. As a court of general jurisdiction, it adjudicates cases across numerous legal domains.

Civil matters handled by the court include:

• Unlimited civil cases (claims exceeding $25,000)
• Limited civil cases (claims of $25,000 or less)
• Small claims actions (disputes up to $10,000)
• Unlawful detainer (eviction) proceedings
• Civil harassment restraining orders
• Name change petitions
• Elder abuse prevention
• Workplace violence prevention
• Complex litigation (class actions, mass torts)
• Civil appeals from small claims judgments

Criminal proceedings encompass:

• Felony cases (preliminary hearings and trials)
• Misdemeanor prosecutions
• Infractions (including traffic violations)
• Criminal protective orders
• Probation violations
• Mental health competency proceedings
• Collaborative courts (drug court, veterans court, mental health court)
• Post-conviction relief petitions

Family law matters include:

• Dissolution of marriage (divorce)
• Legal separation and nullity proceedings
• Child custody and visitation determinations
• Child and spousal support establishment and modification
• Domestic violence restraining orders
• Parentage (paternity) actions
• Property division disputes
• Premarital and post-marital agreements
• Adoptions

Probate jurisdiction covers:

• Decedent estate administration
• Will contests and trust litigation
• Conservatorships for adults
• Guardianships for minors
• Trust administration supervision
• Elder care and capacity proceedings
• Powers of attorney disputes

Juvenile court proceedings include:

• Dependency cases (child abuse and neglect)
• Delinquency matters (juvenile offenses)
• Status offenses (truancy, curfew violations)
• Emancipation petitions
• Adoption finalizations

Specialized calendars address:

• Mental health commitments
• Drug treatment court
• Veterans treatment court
• Homeless court
• Juvenile justice collaborative court
• Elder protection court

The court also handles administrative matters including:

• Jury services administration
• Court interpreter coordination
• Self-help services for self-represented litigants
• Alternative dispute resolution programs
• Court reporter services

Each case type follows specific procedural rules established by the California Rules of Court and local court rules.

How To Find a Court Docket In Santa Clara County

Court dockets, also known as registers of actions, provide chronological summaries of all proceedings and filings in a case. Santa Clara County offers multiple methods to access these important case records.

The most efficient method for locating current docket information is through the court's Case Information Online system. This portal allows users to search for cases by:

1. Case number (most precise search method)
2. Party name (for individual or business litigants)
3. Filing date range (when other identifiers are unknown)
4. Attorney name (for legal professionals tracking multiple cases)

To access docket information online:

1. Navigate to the Case Information Online portal
2. Select the appropriate case type category
3. Enter search criteria in the required fields
4. Review search results showing basic case information
5. Select a specific case to view the register of actions

For in-person docket searches, visitors may:

1. Visit the clerk's office at the appropriate courthouse location
2. Request docket information at the public counter
3. Use public access terminals available in the courthouse
4. Request printed docket reports (fees apply for printed copies)

Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara - Records Division
191 North First Street, 2nd Floor
San Jose, CA 95113
408-882-2100
Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

For criminal case dockets, the Criminal Case Records search provides specialized access. Users may search using:

• Defendant name and date of birth
• Defendant name plus month/year of case filing
• Case number (if known)

Attorneys and frequent users may access enhanced docket information through the court's subscription-based Document Access Portal, which provides:

• Real-time docket updates
• Document images for many filings
• Notification services for case activity
• Batch search capabilities

When searching for older cases, users should note:

• Cases prior to 1990 may have limited electronic information
• Historical dockets may require staff assistance to locate
• Archived cases may require retrieval from off-site storage
• Research fees may apply for extensive historical searches

Pursuant to California Rules of Court, Rule 2.503(b), electronic access to court records must balance public access rights with privacy considerations, particularly in sensitive case types.

Which Courts in Santa Clara County Are Not Courts of Record?

In Santa Clara County, all judicial proceedings currently take place within the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, which is a court of record as defined by California Constitution, Article VI, Section 1. Courts of record maintain official transcripts and documentation of all proceedings, which serve as the definitive account of court actions.

Prior to California's court unification in 1998, the county maintained a two-tiered system that included courts not of record:

• Justice Courts (rural areas)
• Municipal Courts (urban areas)

These lower courts handled minor civil matters, misdemeanors, and infractions without maintaining complete verbatim records of proceedings. Following the implementation of Proposition 220 (1998), these courts were consolidated into the unified Superior Court system.

Currently, certain proceedings within the Superior Court system may have modified recording requirements, though they remain courts of record:

• Small claims hearings (recorded but not transcribed verbatim)
• Traffic infraction proceedings (summary records maintained)
• Certain informal juvenile proceedings

Administrative hearings conducted by county agencies are not courts of record, including:

• Administrative citation hearings
• Parking citation contests
• Certain licensing disputes
• Code enforcement proceedings

These administrative proceedings typically maintain summary records rather than verbatim transcripts and lack the formal judicial authority of courts of record.

The distinction between courts of record and those not of record affects:

• Appeal procedures (appeals from courts not of record typically involve trials de novo)
• Evidentiary value of court documentation
• Precedential effect of decisions
• Record-keeping requirements

Under California Government Code § 68152, records from courts not of record that existed prior to unification have specific retention schedules, with many historical records now archived or destroyed pursuant to statutory authority.

Researchers seeking records from pre-unification courts not of record should contact:

Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara - Archives
191 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95113
408-882-2100
Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara

Lookup Court Records in Santa Clara County

Case Information Online - Santa Clara County Superior Court

Superior Court of California | County of Santa Clara

Criminal Case Records - Santa Clara County Superior Court