San Jose Family Law Case Search
San Jose family court records are processed through the Santa Clara County Superior Court system. As California's third-largest city with over one million residents, San Jose handles a significant volume of family law filings each year. These records include dissolution of marriage, legal separation, child custody arrangements, child and spousal support orders, domestic violence restraining orders, and parentage determinations. The main courthouse is located at 201 N. First Street in downtown San Jose where most family law cases are filed and heard. Santa Clara County provides an online case portal that allows public access to limited case information including registers of action and hearing calendars. Full document viewing requires an in-person visit to the courthouse due to California's privacy protections for family law matters. The court's Family Law Self-Help Center offers free assistance with forms and procedures for San Jose residents handling their own cases.
San Jose Quick Facts
Santa Clara County Superior Court
San Jose residents file family law cases at Santa Clara County Superior Court. The main courthouse is downtown at 201 N. First Street. This is where most dissolution, custody, and support cases are filed for San Jose. The family law clerk's office is on the first floor. Hours are weekdays from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
| Court | Santa Clara County Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 201 N. First Street San Jose, CA 95113 |
| Phone | (408) 882-2926 |
| Self-Help | (408) 882-2926 |
| Website | santaclara.courts.ca.gov |
The courthouse is near VTA light rail stations and bus stops. Street parking has meters. Public garages are within walking distance. Security screens all visitors at the entrance. Bring photo ID. Cell phones are allowed but must be on silent. No weapons or large bags permitted inside the courthouse in San Jose.
Santa Clara County operates an online case portal at portal.scscourt.org. The portal lets you search for cases by name or case number. You can see registers of action and hearing schedules. Full documents are not available online due to California privacy rules for family law cases.
Searching Cases Online
The Santa Clara County case portal provides limited online access to family law case information. Go to portal.scscourt.org and click on the case search option. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney name. Results show basic case details.
What you can find online:
- Case numbers and filing dates
- Party names and attorney information
- Hearing dates and locations
- Register of actions showing filings
- Case status and disposition
The online system does not show actual filed documents. California Rules of Court Rule 2.503 restricts remote access to family law documents. You must visit the courthouse to view papers filed in dissolution, custody, or domestic violence cases in San Jose.
The portal is free. No account required. Search results appear quickly. If you cannot find a case online, it may be very old or filed under a different name. Call the clerk at (408) 882-2926 for help finding older records in San Jose.
Getting Records at the Courthouse
To view case files, visit the clerk's office at 201 N. First Street. Bring the case number or names of both parties. Staff will look up the case and let you review it at a public terminal. Some courthouses have designated viewing areas where you can read documents in San Jose.
Copies cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies are $40 per document plus page fees. Order at the clerk's counter. Payment is due when you order. The clerk accepts cash, checks, and credit cards. Large orders may take a day or more to prepare in San Jose.
Not all records are public. Sealed documents require court orders to access. Adoption files are sealed permanently. Child custody reports and mediator recommendations have restricted access. Financial declarations are confidential except to parties and their attorneys in San Jose.
Filing New Family Law Cases
To file a family law case in San Jose, go to the clerk's office at 201 N. First Street. Bring completed forms and the filing fee. The first petition costs $435. This is the standard California fee. You also pay to serve papers on the other party. Service costs vary by method.
California requires residency before you file for dissolution. One spouse must live in California for six months and in Santa Clara County for three months. This comes from Family Code Section 2320. If you moved to San Jose recently, wait until you meet the time requirement.
Get forms from the California Courts website at courts.ca.gov/forms. Santa Clara County also has local forms on their website. Use current versions. Fill them out completely. The clerk rejects incomplete forms in San Jose.
After filing, the other party gets 30 days to respond. No response means you can request a default. If they respond, the case continues with hearings or settlement. Many cases settle before trial. Santa Clara County encourages mediation for custody issues in San Jose.
Note: Santa Clara County requires all family law cases involving children to complete parent education classes before final orders.
Self-Help Resources
The Family Law Self-Help Center at 201 N. First Street helps people without lawyers. Staff provide information about procedures, help with forms, and referrals to other services. The center is free. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours. Call (408) 882-2926 for hours and more information in San Jose.
Center services include:
- Assistance completing court forms
- Information about filing and serving papers
- Explanation of court procedures
- Referrals to legal aid organizations
- Access to computers and printers
Santa Clara County also has a law library at the courthouse. The library has books, forms, and computers for public use. Staff can help you find legal information but cannot give advice. The library is a good resource if you are representing yourself in San Jose.
If you have low income, file form FW-001 to request a fee waiver. The court reviews your finances and decides if you qualify. A waiver covers filing fees but not all costs. You still pay for service and copies in San Jose.
Free Legal Services
Bay Area Legal Aid serves low-income San Jose residents with family law cases. They handle dissolution, custody, domestic violence, and support matters. Call (408) 850-0062 or visit baylegal.org to check eligibility. Their San Jose office is near the courthouse.
Law Foundation of Silicon Valley provides free legal services to Santa Clara County residents. They focus on family law, housing, and benefits. Call (408) 280-2424 for intake. Services are available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese for San Jose residents.
The State Bar of California lawyer referral service connects people with attorneys in San Jose. Call (866) 442-2529. The first 30 minutes cost up to $25. After that, negotiate fees with the attorney. This helps if you need a lawyer but do not qualify for free aid.
For domestic violence, call the Support Network 24-hour hotline at (408) 279-2962. They provide crisis counseling, restraining order help, and safety planning. Services are free for Santa Clara County residents in San Jose.
Record Privacy Protections
California protects privacy in family law cases. Under California Rules of Court Rule 2.503, most family law documents cannot be viewed remotely. You must go to the courthouse. This rule covers dissolution, custody, support, and domestic violence cases in San Jose.
Extra protections apply to some records. Adoption files are sealed under California law. Parentage cases are confidential per Family Code Section 7643. Child custody evaluations are not public. Financial information like tax returns and bank statements is confidential in San Jose.
If you are in a case, you can view your file. Third parties have limited access. The court protects addresses for domestic violence victims. Tell the clerk if you need your address kept confidential when you file in San Jose.
Nearby Cities
Other Santa Clara County cities use the same court system. Sunnyvale and Santa Clara are near San Jose. All file family law cases with Santa Clara County Superior Court. Some cities have local courthouses for hearings, but filing happens at the main San Jose location.
Santa Clara County Family Court
For more information about family court in Santa Clara County, including courthouse locations, local rules, forms, and self-help services, visit the county page. The county page covers all family law resources available throughout the region.