Find Santa Clara Family Law Cases
Santa Clara family court records are handled by Santa Clara County Superior Court in San Jose. With approximately 130,000 residents, Santa Clara is part of the larger county family law system that processes dissolution, child custody, child support, spousal support, domestic violence restraining orders, and parentage actions. All family law filings for Santa Clara residents go through the main courthouse at 201 N. First Street in San Jose. The court provides online case access through its portal where you can search for basic case information including registers of action and hearing calendars. Complete document viewing requires in-person visits due to California privacy protections for family law matters. The county offers self-help services including a Family Law Self-Help Center with staff who provide free assistance with forms, procedures, and referrals to legal aid organizations for Santa Clara residents representing themselves in family court.
Santa Clara Quick Facts
Where Santa Clara Residents File
Santa Clara residents file family law cases at Santa Clara County Superior Court in San Jose. The courthouse is at 201 N. First Street where dissolution, custody, and support cases are processed. The family law clerk's office operates on the first floor during weekday business hours.
| 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 and bus stops. Parking is available in nearby lots and garages. Security screens all visitors. Bring photo ID. Cell phones are allowed but must be silent in courtrooms.
Santa Clara County has an online portal at portal.scscourt.org. Search cases by name or number. The portal shows registers of action and hearing dates but not full documents due to California privacy rules.
Online Case Search
Use the county portal to search family law cases. Go to portal.scscourt.org and enter a name or case number. Results show filing dates, party names, and hearing schedules. Documents are not available online under California Rules of Court Rule 2.503.
The search is free. No account needed. If you cannot find a case, call the clerk at (408) 882-2926 for help with searches for Santa Clara residents.
Filing Family Law Cases
Santa Clara residents file at the San Jose courthouse. Bring forms and the $435 filing fee. You also pay for service of process. California requires one spouse to live in California for six months and in Santa Clara County for three months before filing under Family Code Section 2320.
Forms are on the California Courts website at courts.ca.gov/forms. Fill them out completely. The clerk rejects incomplete forms. After filing, the other party has 30 days to respond.
Note: Santa Clara County requires parent education classes in cases with minor children.
Self-Help Resources
The Family Law Self-Help Center at 201 N. First Street provides free assistance. Staff help with forms and explain procedures. Call (408) 882-2926 for hours. Services include form help, filing information, and legal aid referrals for Santa Clara residents.
For fee waivers, file form FW-001. The court reviews finances and decides eligibility. Waivers cover filing fees but not service or copy costs.
Free Legal Help
Bay Area Legal Aid serves Santa Clara County residents. Call (408) 850-0062 for family law help. Law Foundation of Silicon Valley also provides services. Call (408) 280-2424. Both organizations serve low-income residents with dissolution, custody, and support cases.
The State Bar of California lawyer referral service connects people with attorneys. Call (866) 442-2529. First 30 minutes cost up to $25. For domestic violence help, call Support Network at (408) 279-2962.
Privacy Rules
California law protects family court records. Under California Rules of Court Rule 2.503, most documents cannot be viewed remotely. Visit the courthouse to see files. Adoption records are sealed permanently. Financial information is confidential except to parties and attorneys.
Nearby Cities
Other cities near Santa Clara also use Santa Clara County Superior Court. San Jose and Sunnyvale file at the same courthouse. All are part of the county family law system.
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.