Access Sunnyvale Court Records
Court records for Sunnyvale are handled by the Santa Clara County Superior Court. Sunnyvale has about 156,000 residents and sits in the heart of Silicon Valley between San Jose and Mountain View. The city does not operate its own court. All case filings go to the county level. You can search records online through the court's free portal or visit the San Jose courthouse to view files in person. This page covers how to find, search, and obtain court records for Sunnyvale cases.
Sunnyvale Court Records Quick Facts
Where Sunnyvale Cases Are Filed
Cases from Sunnyvale go to the Santa Clara County Superior Court in San Jose. The Downtown Superior Court at 191 North First Street handles civil, family law, and probate matters. The Hall of Justice at 200 West Hedding Street covers criminal cases. Both are in San Jose, a short drive from Sunnyvale.
There is no courthouse in Sunnyvale itself. You need to travel to San Jose for in-person visits. The records division can be reached at (408) 882-2100. They can confirm which building holds the file you need. Walk-in searches at the courthouse are free of charge.
Traffic cases from Sunnyvale typically go to the downtown courthouse. Small claims and limited civil matters file there too. If you have a case number, the clerk can pull the file quickly. Name searches work as well but may take a bit longer.
| Civil Court | 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 Sunnyvale Records Online
The Santa Clara County case portal is free to use. You can search by name or case number. It covers civil, small claims, probate, some family cases, traffic, and criminal records. The portal shows basic case data like parties, hearing dates, and the register of actions. Documents are not available for download.
The portal is a good starting point if you know the name of a party or the case number. Results come up fast. Just keep in mind that new filings may take a short time to appear in the system.
Use the California court finder to confirm which courthouse handles your area if you are on the border between Santa Clara County and a neighboring county.
Under California Rules of Court, Rule 2.503, remote access is limited for certain case types. Family law, criminal, and juvenile documents can only be viewed at courthouse terminals. Civil records have broader online access. Starting in January 2026, AB 1524 lets you photograph electronic records at the courthouse with your own device.
Fees for Sunnyvale Court Records
The Santa Clara County Superior Court follows the statewide fee schedule. Copies are $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $40.00. A clerk search over 10 minutes is $15.00. Divorce certificates are $15.00 each. Comparing a copy to the original costs $1.00 per page.
Online searches through the portal are free. You only pay when you request physical copies or certified documents. Low-income individuals can apply for a fee waiver through the clerk's office.
Legal Help for Sunnyvale
The Santa Clara County court self-help center at the Downtown courthouse in San Jose is free for all. Staff assist with forms, record lookups, and case guidance. No appointment needed.
Bay Area Legal Aid at (800) 551-5554 serves Sunnyvale residents. They handle housing, benefits, and family law for low-income people. The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley at (408) 280-2424 covers consumer and immigration matters.
The California Courts Self-Help website has guides for all case types. The Santa Clara County Bar Association offers a lawyer referral service for people who need private counsel.
Types of Records Available
The Santa Clara County court keeps records for all case types. Civil records cover lawsuits, property disputes, and debt collection. Criminal records include felonies and misdemeanors filed in Sunnyvale. Family law covers divorce, custody, and domestic violence restraining orders. Probate deals with estates and guardianships. Small claims handle low-dollar disputes.
Access rules vary. Civil records have the most open access. Criminal case info appears online in limited form. Family law documents require a courthouse terminal visit. Juvenile records are confidential by state law.
- Civil unlimited cases: 10 years
- Civil judgments: permanent
- Felony records: 75 years
- Family law: 30 years
Sealed records need a court order. The clerk at the San Jose courthouse can tell you whether a particular case is sealed or open for public access.
Santa Clara County Court Records
Sunnyvale is part of Santa Clara County. All court filings go through the Santa Clara County Superior Court in San Jose. For full county information, see the county page.
Nearby Cities
Cities near Sunnyvale served by the same or adjacent county courts.