Access Sunnyvale Family Court Files
Sunnyvale family court records are maintained at Santa Clara County Superior Court in San Jose. The main courthouse is at 201 N. First Street. All family law cases for Sunnyvale and other Santa Clara County cities are filed here. This includes divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, spousal support, paternity, and domestic violence restraining orders. The court keeps case files for decades. You can search for case information using the online portal or visit the courthouse to view complete files. California privacy rules restrict remote access to most family law documents. Only certain case data and registers of actions are available online.
Sunnyvale Quick Facts
Santa Clara County Family Court
Family law cases in Sunnyvale get filed at Santa Clara County Superior Court. The courthouse is in downtown San Jose at 201 N. First Street. Sunnyvale residents travel to San Jose to file new cases, attend hearings, and obtain copies of court documents. The family law division handles thousands of cases each year from communities across the county. Judges sit in multiple departments dedicated to family law. Each case gets assigned to a department based on the filing date and case type.
The clerk's office is on the first floor. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Arrive before 3:30 PM if you need to file papers the same day. Processing can take time during busy periods. Bring valid photo ID and your case number if you have one. Security screening happens at the entrance. Leave large bags at home. Phones are allowed in the courthouse but must be silenced in courtrooms.
The self-help center provides free assistance with forms and procedures. Located in the same building, the center helps people who are representing themselves. Staff can explain court rules, help you select the right forms, and show you how to fill them out. They cannot give legal advice about what action to take in your case. Call (408) 882-2926 for more information or visit santaclara.courts.ca.gov.
How to Search for Cases
Santa Clara County offers an online case portal at portal.scscourt.org. The system lets you search by party name or case number. Search results show basic case details like filing dates, case status, and next hearing dates. You can view the register of actions, which lists all documents filed and upcoming court events. California Rules of Court limit remote access to full documents in family law cases. You must visit the courthouse to see actual filings like petitions, declarations, and court orders.
To use the portal, enter at least one party's last name and the case type. The system searches and returns matching cases. Click a case number to see more details. The register of actions shows each filed document by name and date. It does not show the content of those documents. For document copies, you must go to the clerk's office in person. Bring the case number to speed up the process.
If you cannot find your case online or have questions, call the clerk's office at (408) 882-2926. Staff can search by name or case number and provide basic information over the phone. They cannot read documents to you or give legal advice. For detailed information, plan a visit to the courthouse. The clerk's office can make copies of documents while you wait. Copy fees are 50 cents per page. Certified copies cost $40 plus the per-page fee.
Public computer terminals in the courthouse lobby provide access to the same case information available online. Use these terminals if you do not have internet access at home. Staff at the information desk can help you use the terminals if needed.
Filing a New Case
Starting a family law case in Sunnyvale requires filing papers at Santa Clara County Superior Court in San Jose. Get the correct forms before you go. For divorce, use form FL-100 (Petition for Dissolution). For custody matters, use form FL-300. For domestic violence restraining orders, use form DV-100. All forms are free and available online at the California Courts website or at the self-help center.
The filing fee is $435 for most new petitions. This includes divorce, legal separation, and custody cases. Restraining order petitions have no filing fee. If you cannot afford the fee, file form FW-001 to request a waiver. Attach proof of income like pay stubs, tax returns, or benefit statements. The court reviews waiver requests based on household income and size. Approved waivers cover filing fees but not service costs or attorney fees.
After filing, you must serve the other party with copies of all documents. You cannot do this yourself. Hire a process server or use the sheriff's office. Service fees range from $50 to $150 in Santa Clara County. The server fills out a proof of service form after delivering the papers. You file this proof with the court. Your case cannot proceed until proof of service is on file. The court checks for proof before scheduling hearings.
Residency rules apply to divorce and legal separation cases. One spouse must have lived in California for six months and in Santa Clara County for three months before filing. Custody cases have different requirements. If the child has lived in California for six months, you can file here. Restraining order cases have no residency requirement. You can file in any county where you or the other party lives or works.
Note: Santa Clara County requires financial disclosure forms in all divorce and legal separation cases.
Legal Resources for Sunnyvale Residents
Bay Area Legal Aid provides free legal help to low-income residents in Sunnyvale. They handle family law cases including divorce, custody, support, and domestic violence matters. Not all cases qualify. Income limits apply based on household size. Call 1-800-551-5554 to check if you meet the requirements. Their Santa Clara County office is in San Jose. More information is at baylegal.org/resources/santa-clara-county-office.
The Santa Clara County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at (408) 288-7150. They connect you with local family law attorneys. The first consultation is $35 for 30 minutes. After that, you and the attorney decide on fees for continued representation. This service helps if you need advice but cannot afford full legal help. All attorneys are screened for experience and good standing.
The self-help center at the courthouse offers free assistance with forms and procedures. Staff can answer questions about filing requirements and court rules. They cannot tell you what to do in your case or represent you in court. Services are available in English and Spanish. The center has computers, printers, and form packets at no charge. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours. Call (408) 882-2926 for more details.
The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley provides free legal services to vulnerable populations including families facing domestic violence. Call (408) 280-2424 or visit their office at 408 N. First Street in San Jose. They offer direct representation in qualifying cases and can help with restraining orders, custody, and support matters.
Court Costs and Fees
Filing fees in Santa Clara County follow California statewide rules. A new petition costs $435. Responses also cost $435. Motions filed after the case starts cost $60 each. Some documents have no filing fee, including income and expense declarations and certain emergency requests. Check with the clerk's office if you are unsure about fees for a specific filing.
Copy fees are 50 cents per page for regular copies. Certified copies cost $40 for the certification plus 50 cents per page. If you need multiple certified copies of the same document, each copy requires its own certification fee. The clerk's office accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards. Debit cards are accepted at some but not all windows.
Fee waivers cover only court filing fees. You must still pay for service of process unless you qualify for free service through a legal aid organization. If your income changes during your case, you may need to reapply for a waiver or begin paying fees. The court can revoke a waiver if you provided false information on your application.
Santa Clara County Family Court
Sunnyvale is in Santa Clara County. All family law filings for Sunnyvale and other county cities go to the Superior Court in San Jose. For more information on county procedures, fees, and resources, visit the Santa Clara County page.