Access San Mateo County Court Records

San Mateo County court records are held by the Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo, which serves about 770,000 people on the peninsula between San Francisco and San Jose. The court operates a main courthouse in Redwood City and handles civil, criminal, family law, probate, small claims, and traffic cases. An online records index lets you search case information from your computer. This page covers how to find court records in San Mateo County, the fees involved, and where to get help with your search.

San Mateo Court Records Online Search

The San Mateo County Superior Court provides an online records index for public searches. The San Mateo Records Index lets you look up cases by name or case number. It covers multiple case types and shows the register of actions, hearing dates, and case status. The system runs through the court's own web platform.

Below is the San Mateo County records index used for court records searches.

This is the main online tool for looking up case information in San Mateo County.

Remote access limits still apply under California Rules of Court Rule 2.503. Criminal, family law, and other restricted case types have limited online document access. You can see the case index and register of actions for most types, but full document viewing for restricted categories needs a courthouse visit. Civil records offer the broadest online access in San Mateo County.

The online system is free for basic searches. No account is required to look up case information. If you need document copies, standard fees apply through the clerk's office. The records index is a good starting point for checking if a case exists and getting the case number before visiting the courthouse for full documents.

Visiting the San Mateo Courthouse

The main courthouse is in Redwood City. This is where most court records are kept for San Mateo County. Visit the clerk's office to view files in person. Bring a photo ID. On-site viewing is free. You only pay when you need copies. The clerk can look up cases by name or number and pull the physical file for your review.

San Mateo County is on the peninsula, so the courthouse is fairly central to most communities in the county. It sits south of San Francisco and north of San Jose, easily reached by Highway 101 or Caltrain. The court handles a heavy caseload given the county's population, so busy times at the clerk's window may mean a short wait. Coming early in the day can help avoid lines.

Note: Some older San Mateo County court records may be archived offsite and could take extra time for the clerk to retrieve.

San Mateo County Court Record Fees

San Mateo County uses the statewide fee schedule for court records. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $40.00 per document plus the per-page fee. The search fee is $15.00 when the clerk needs more than 10 minutes. Comparing a copy with the original costs $1.00 per page. Exemplification is $50.00.

Certified dissolution judgment copies run $15.00 each. For mail-in requests, include a check or money order payable to the San Mateo County Superior Court. Provide specific information about the case you need, including party names and approximate filing dates. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return.

Fee waivers are available for low-income individuals. Ask the clerk or the self-help center about the process. If a judge approves your application, some or all fees for copies and filings may be waived in San Mateo County.

Types of Court Records in San Mateo

San Mateo County Superior Court keeps records for all trial-level cases. Civil records include lawsuits, contract disputes, personal injury, and property matters. Criminal records cover felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions. Family law files hold divorce, custody, support, and domestic violence cases. Probate records deal with estates, wills, conservatorships, and guardianships. Small claims and traffic violations also generate court records.

Retention rules follow state law. Civil unlimited records stay 10 years. Felony records last 75 years. Family law files are kept 30 years. Some records like adoptions and name changes are permanent. The court destroys records once the retention period is up, so older files may no longer exist. If you are searching for a case that might be near the end of its retention period in San Mateo County, act quickly.

Legal Resources in San Mateo County

Bay Area Legal Aid provides free legal services in San Mateo County. Call (800) 551-5554 for help with civil legal matters including housing, family law, and public benefits. The San Mateo County Superior Court also operates a self-help center at the courthouse where staff assist with forms, procedures, and record searches.

The California Courts Self-Help Center has statewide guides and forms. LawHelpCA connects you with legal aid providers in your area based on your legal needs. The San Mateo County Bar Association offers a lawyer referral program if you want to hire a private attorney. For straightforward court records questions, the clerk's office at the Redwood City courthouse is the best starting point.

Cities in San Mateo County

San Mateo County has over 20 cities. All cases go through the San Mateo Superior Court. These cities have their own court records pages:

Other cities in the county include Redwood City, South San Francisco, San Bruno, Foster City, Pacifica, and Burlingame. All file court cases at the San Mateo County Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

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