Santa Clara County Family Court Records

All family law matters in Santa Clara County are processed through the Superior Court system. This includes marriage dissolution, legal separation, child custody battles, support enforcement, and restraining order requests. The court maintains an online portal where you can search for case information by name or case number. Records are public unless a judge seals them for privacy reasons. The main courthouse in San Jose handles most family law cases but other locations serve different parts of the county. Free self-help services are available to assist people who are representing themselves. These resources include form assistance and general legal information about court procedures and requirements.

Superior Court Locations

The main family law courthouse stands at 201 N. First Street in San Jose. This building serves as the hub for most family law cases in the county. The clerk's office opens at 8:30 AM and closes at 4:00 PM Monday through Friday. All visitors must pass through security screening at the entrance. Leave weapons and prohibited items at home or in your car. Long lines form during busy times so arrive early if you have a hearing or need clerk assistance.

Santa Clara County has other courthouses in Palo Alto, Morgan Hill, and Gilroy. Some family law matters get assigned to these locations based on where parties live. The main San Jose location handles the majority of cases. You can check which courthouse serves your area by visiting santaclara.courts.ca.gov or calling the court. Filing at the wrong location causes delays.

Each courthouse has multiple departments that hear family law cases. Judges specialize in family law and handle these cases exclusively. Your case gets assigned to a specific department based on filing date and case type. Department assignments appear on your court papers. Courtrooms have strict rules about phones and conduct. Turn off all devices before entering a courtroom. Dress appropriately and address the judge as "Your Honor" when speaking.

Using the Online Case Portal

Santa Clara County operates an online portal for public case access. Find it at portal.scscourt.org. The portal allows searches by party name or case number. No account or registration is required to search. Results display basic case details including filing date, case type, and parties involved. The register of actions shows a timeline of all filings and court events.

State law restricts full document access for family law cases online. You can see what documents were filed but cannot view the actual papers through the portal. This protects sensitive information in custody and support cases. To review complete documents you must go to the courthouse in person. Bring photo ID and your case number when requesting files from the clerk's office.

Portal searches work best with exact spelling. Common names may return many results. Using middle names or initials helps narrow searches. Case numbers provide the most accurate results if you have one. The system updates regularly but may not show same-day filings immediately. Allow 24 hours for new documents to appear in the portal.

Note: The portal is available 24 hours but may go down for maintenance without advance notice.

Filing Your Family Law Case

Every family law case starts with forms. California uses standard forms for all counties. You can download forms from the California Courts website or get paper copies at the self-help center. Different case types need different forms. Dissolution cases use form FL-100 as the starting petition. Child custody cases without dissolution use different forms. Staff at the self-help center can help you determine which forms apply to your situation.

Complete all forms fully before taking them to the clerk's office. Incomplete forms get rejected. The filing fee is $435 for the first paper you file. This includes petitions and responses. Additional motions filed later cost $60 each. Some documents like financial declarations have no separate filing fee. If you cannot afford the fee, request a fee waiver using form FW-001. The court reviews income information and may grant full or partial waivers.

After filing, legal service on the other party is mandatory. You cannot serve papers yourself in most family law cases. Hire a process server or use certified mail depending on the document type. The sheriff's office also handles service for a fee. Service must be completed and proof filed with the court before your case proceeds. The clerk can explain service rules when you file your papers.

Self-Help Center Services

Santa Clara County provides a Family Law Self-Help Center at the San Jose courthouse. Call (408) 882-2926 for help. The center offers free assistance with forms and procedures. Staff cannot give legal advice about what actions you should take. They can show you how to complete forms correctly and explain general court processes. Services are available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

The center has computers for public use. You can access forms online and print them at the center. Staff can answer questions while you work on documents. Walk-in help is available during business hours. Some services require appointments. Call ahead to find out current procedures and hours. Workshops on common topics like divorce and custody happen regularly. Workshop dates and registration information appear on the court website.

Bay Area Legal Aid serves low-income Santa Clara County residents. Visit baylegal.org/resources/santa-clara-county-office or call 1-800-551-5554. They provide free legal help to people who qualify based on income. Services include advice, document review, and court representation in some cases. Demand is high so wait times exist for non-emergency matters. Domestic violence cases receive priority assistance.

Obtaining Court Documents

The clerk's office provides copies of filed documents. You need the case number to request copies. Copies cost 50 cents per page. Certification adds $40 to the total cost regardless of how many pages you copy. Certified copies are necessary for official purposes like submitting to government agencies or other courts. Regular copies suffice for personal use.

Parties in a case have the right to view their own files. Non-parties may have restricted access to certain documents. Financial declarations and child custody reports often have limited public access. The clerk determines what you can access based on court rules and your relationship to the case. Bring valid photo identification when requesting any documents.

Copy requests can be made in person or by mail. In-person requests may be filled the same day for small amounts. Large files take longer to copy. Mail requests require payment by check or money order and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Include the case number and specific documents you need in your written request. Processing time for mail requests runs one to two weeks.

Major Cities in Santa Clara County

Santa Clara County contains many cities. All residents file family court cases with the Superior Court system.

Nearby Counties

Jurisdiction depends on residence. Check if you live near a county border.