Find Santa Clara Court Records
Court records for the city of Santa Clara go through the Santa Clara County Superior Court. The city has about 128,000 residents and sits in the heart of Silicon Valley. Despite sharing its name with the county, the city of Santa Clara is just one of many cities in the county. All case filings happen at the county level. You can search records online through the court's portal or visit the courthouse in nearby San Jose. This page explains how to find, view, and copy court records for Santa Clara cases.
Santa Clara Court Records Quick Facts
Where Santa Clara Cases Are Handled
Cases from the city of Santa Clara file at the Santa Clara County Superior Court. The main courthouse is in San Jose, not in the city of Santa Clara itself. The Downtown Superior Court at 191 North First Street in San Jose handles civil, family law, and probate cases. Criminal cases go to the Hall of Justice at 200 West Hedding Street, also in San Jose.
Even though you have to travel to San Jose for most courthouse visits, the drive is short. Santa Clara borders San Jose. The records division phone number is (408) 882-2100. Call ahead to confirm a file is at the location you plan to visit. In-person record searches at the courthouse are free of charge.
| Main Courthouse | Downtown Superior Court 191 N. First Street San Jose, CA 95113 |
|---|---|
| Criminal Court | Hall of Justice 200 W. Hedding Street San Jose, CA 95110 |
| Records Phone | (408) 882-2100 |
Search Santa Clara Records Online
The Santa Clara County case information portal lets you search court records for free. It covers civil, small claims, probate, some family cases, traffic, and criminal cases. Enter a name or case number to find basic information like parties, hearing dates, and the register of actions.
Case documents are not available for download through the online portal. You need to visit the courthouse to view full documents on a public terminal or request copies from the clerk. Under AB 1524, effective January 2026, you can now photograph electronic records at the courthouse using your own phone or camera.
The California Courts self-help website also has tools to help you understand what records you can access and how to request them.
Remote access is limited for some case types. Family law, criminal, and juvenile records can only be viewed on courthouse terminals under California Rules of Court, Rule 2.503. Civil records have broader access online. The portal updates regularly, though new filings may take a short time to appear.
Court Record Fees for Santa Clara
Fees at the Santa Clara County Superior Court match the statewide schedule. Here is what you can expect to pay for court records.
Plain copies are $0.50 per page. Certified copies run $40.00 per document. If the clerk does a search that takes more than 10 minutes, the fee is $15.00. Comparing a copy to the original costs $1.00 per page. Divorce certificates are $15.00 each. Exemplification costs $50.00.
You can request a fee waiver if you have low income. Fill out the form at the clerk's office and submit it. A judge will review your finances and decide. If approved, your fees get reduced or waived entirely for court records access.
Legal Resources in Santa Clara
The Santa Clara County Superior Court runs a self-help center where staff assist people who do not have a lawyer. They help with forms, record searches, and general case questions. This service is free for anyone.
Bay Area Legal Aid provides free legal help in Santa Clara County. Call (800) 551-5554 for intake. The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley at (408) 280-2424 handles consumer, housing, and immigration matters. Both serve city of Santa Clara residents.
The California Courts Self-Help site has statewide resources. For a private attorney, the Santa Clara County Bar Association runs a referral service to match you with a lawyer in the right practice area.
Types of Records Available
The county court handles all case types for the city of Santa Clara. Civil records include personal injury, breach of contract, and real estate disputes. Criminal records cover arrests, charges, and sentencing. Family law records include divorce filings, custody orders, and domestic violence restraining orders. Probate records track estates and guardianships. Small claims resolve disputes under the statutory dollar limit.
Access rules vary. Civil records are the most open for public viewing, both online and in person. Criminal records show limited data online. Family law documents only appear on courthouse terminals. Juvenile records are confidential by state law.
Record retention follows Government Code 68152. Civil unlimited cases stay for 10 years, while judgments are kept permanently. Felony records last 75 years. Family law records are retained for 30 years. Adoption and name change records are permanent.
Santa Clara County Court Records
The city of Santa Clara is in Santa Clara County. For complete county court information, including all courthouse locations, search tools, and additional resources, check the county page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are nearby and served by the same county court or adjacent courts.