San Benito County Court Records

San Benito County court records are held by the Superior Court of California, County of San Benito, based in the city of Hollister. This smaller county has a population of around 66,000 and runs one courthouse. The court handles civil, criminal, family law, probate, small claims, and traffic cases for all of San Benito County. An online public portal gives you a way to search case information remotely. This page covers the search tools, fees, courthouse details, and legal resources for finding court records in San Benito County.

San Benito Court Records Online Search

The San Benito County Superior Court runs a public portal for online case searches. The San Benito Portal lets you look up cases by name or case number. You can check the register of actions, view hearing dates, and see basic case details for civil, criminal, family, probate, and small claims matters.

Here is the San Benito County public portal used for searching court records online.

The portal provides case index data and register of actions information for San Benito County court records.

As with other California courts, remote access to full documents is limited for certain case types. California Rules of Court Rule 2.503 restricts online viewing of family law, criminal, juvenile, and some other case categories. You can see case summaries and hearing schedules for these types, but full document viewing may need an in-person visit. Civil case records have the broadest online access.

The portal is free to search. You do not need to create an account for basic case lookups. If you want copies of documents, standard per-page fees apply whether you request them online or in person at the courthouse.

Visiting the San Benito Courthouse

The San Benito County courthouse is in Hollister. It is the only court location in the county. Visit during business hours to view records in person. Bring a photo ID. The clerk can pull case files for you to review at no charge. Copies cost extra based on the statewide fee schedule.

Having just one courthouse makes it straightforward. You do not have to figure out which branch has your file. Everything is in one place. For people coming from outside the area, Hollister is about 45 minutes south of San Jose. The clerk's office can handle your request the same day in most cases, though very old or archived files might take longer to locate.

Note: San Benito County has a small court staff, so complex record requests may take slightly longer than at larger courts.

San Benito County Court Record Fees

San Benito County uses the statewide fee schedule. Plain copies are $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $40.00 per document plus the per-page fee. The search fee is $15.00 when the clerk's search takes more than 10 minutes. Comparing a copy against the original is $1.00 per page. Exemplification runs $50.00.

Certified dissolution judgment copies cost $15.00 per copy. This rate is lower than the standard certification charge and is set by state law. For mail requests, include a check or money order payable to the San Benito County Superior Court along with a detailed description of the records you need and a self-addressed stamped envelope for the response.

Fee waivers are an option for those who qualify. The court reviews your income and decides whether to waive fees for copies and filings. Staff at the courthouse can give you the form to apply.

Types of Court Records in San Benito County

The San Benito County Superior Court keeps records for all standard case types. Civil records include lawsuits, contract disputes, property cases, and personal injury matters. Criminal records cover felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions. Family law files hold divorce, custody, support, and domestic violence cases. Probate cases involve estates, wills, and guardianships. Small claims and traffic matters also generate court records.

State retention rules govern how long records stay on file. Civil unlimited cases last 10 years. Criminal felony records stay 75 years. Family law records are kept for 30 years. Some records like adoptions and name changes are permanent. After the retention period ends, the court may destroy older files. If you are looking for a very old case in San Benito County, check with the clerk to see if the file still exists.

Legal Help in San Benito County

Central California Legal Services provides free legal assistance to low-income residents in San Benito County. Call (800) 675-8001 for information. They help with civil matters, family law, housing, and other issues. The San Benito courthouse also has self-help resources and forms available for people handling their own cases.

The California Courts Self-Help Center offers statewide information that applies to all counties. LawHelpCA can help you find legal aid in your area based on your specific legal needs. You do not need a lawyer to search for or request court records in San Benito County, but legal guidance can be helpful for understanding how records affect your situation.

Note: Some legal aid services in rural areas like San Benito County may offer phone or video consultations rather than in-person meetings.

Cities in San Benito County

San Benito County has no cities that meet the 100,000 population threshold. Hollister is the county seat and the main city, with a population of about 43,000. San Juan Bautista is the other incorporated city. All court cases from San Benito County are handled at the single courthouse in Hollister.

Nearby Counties

These counties border San Benito County. Each has its own Superior Court with separate records.