Daly City Court Records
Court records for Daly City are handled by the San Mateo County Superior Court. Daly City has about 105,000 residents and sits at the northern edge of San Mateo County, just south of San Francisco. All civil, criminal, family law, and small claims cases go through the county court system. The main courthouse is in Redwood City, the county seat. San Mateo County has an online records index that lets you search for case information from home.
Daly City Court Records Quick Facts
Where Daly City Court Records Are Filed
Daly City is in San Mateo County. The San Mateo County Superior Court handles all cases for the city. The main courthouse is at 400 County Center in Redwood City. This is where the bulk of civil, criminal, and family law cases get filed. Daly City does not have its own courthouse, so residents go to the Redwood City facility for court matters.
San Mateo County also has a Hall of Justice and Courts Building at 400 County Center. The traffic division operates from the same complex. All case types from Daly City file through this court system. The drive from Daly City to Redwood City takes about 25 minutes depending on traffic. If you need to visit in person, plan your trip during business hours.
| Main Courthouse | San Mateo County Superior Court 400 County Center Redwood City, CA 94063 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
Search Daly City Court Records Online
San Mateo County has an online Records Index for searching court case information. You can look up cases by name or case number. This covers civil, criminal, family, probate, and small claims cases filed in the county, including cases from Daly City. The search is free.
The records index shows case status, filing dates, and basic case data. Full case documents may not be available through the online tool for all case types. Under California Rule 2.503, family law and criminal case documents are restricted from remote access. Civil case records have the broadest online availability. For full document access in restricted case types, you need to visit the courthouse in Redwood City.
The San Mateo County records index shown above is the primary online search tool for finding court records from Daly City.
Note: Effective January 1, 2026, California law AB 1524 lets members of the public use their own devices to photograph electronic court records at the courthouse.
Fees for Daly City Court Records
San Mateo County follows the statewide fee schedule. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $40.00. Certified divorce copies are $15.00. Clerk searches taking more than 10 minutes cost $15.00. Exemplification is $50.00.
Viewing records in person is free. Fees only come up when you want copies. Walk-in requests at the Redwood City courthouse are usually processed quickly. You can also request copies by mail, though processing takes longer. Fee waivers are available for qualifying individuals. File the form and a judge reviews your income.
Legal Help in Daly City
The San Mateo County Superior Court has a self-help center at the Redwood City courthouse. Staff can help you find records, fill out forms, and understand how the court process works. The service is free for everyone. No lawyer is needed.
Bay Area Legal Aid serves San Mateo County with free legal help for low-income residents. Call (800) 551-5554 to check eligibility. They handle housing, family law, and public benefits cases. The California Courts Self-Help Center has guides for all case types. The San Mateo County Bar Association also has a lawyer referral service for residents who need a private attorney near Daly City.
The Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County is another resource for free legal services. They focus on civil legal problems faced by low-income individuals and families in the Daly City area and across the county.
Types of Court Records in Daly City
The San Mateo County Superior Court keeps records for every case type. Civil records include lawsuits, evictions, and money disputes. Criminal records cover felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions. Family law has divorce, custody, and restraining orders. Probate covers wills, estates, and guardianships. Small claims and traffic cases have separate files.
Most records from Daly City are public. Juvenile cases are confidential by law. Mental health proceedings are private. Sealed records need a court order. The court follows state retention schedules: civil cases for 10 years, family law for 30 years, felony for 75 years. Adoption and name change records are kept permanently.
- Civil: 10-year retention
- Family law: 30 years
- Felony: 75 years
- Adoption: permanent
- Unlawful detainer (possession only): 1 year
San Mateo County Court Records
Daly City is in San Mateo County. All court filings for the city go through the San Mateo County Superior Court in Redwood City. For full details on the county court system, online search tools, fee schedules, and other resources, visit the San Mateo County court records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are in San Mateo County or nearby areas. Court records for each go through their respective county court system.