Santa Clara County Court Records

Santa Clara County court records are maintained by the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, serving nearly 2 million people in the heart of Silicon Valley. The court is one of the busiest in the state and operates multiple locations in San Jose, Palo Alto, and other parts of the county. A searchable online Case Information Portal covers civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic, and small claims cases. This page goes over how to use the portal, what fees to expect, and where to go for in-person access to court records in Santa Clara County.

Santa Clara Court Records Online Search

The Santa Clara County Superior Court runs a Case Information Portal at portal.scscourt.org. This portal covers civil, small claims, probate, some family cases, traffic and local ordinance cases, and criminal cases. You can search by name, case number, or other criteria to pull up case details, the register of actions, and hearing schedules.

Below is the Santa Clara County Case Information Portal used for searching court records.

This portal is the primary online tool for finding court records in Santa Clara County.

One important detail: case documents, meaning the actual filed papers, are not available online. The portal shows case index information only. If you need to see the documents themselves, you must visit the courthouse. Starting January 1, 2026, California law AB 1524 permits members of the public who are viewing electronic court records at the courthouse to use their own devices to photograph the records. This is a newer change that makes in-person viewing more practical since you can capture what you need with your phone.

The portal does not need an account for searching. You can start looking up cases immediately. Criminal and family law case information shows limited data through the online system because of Rule 2.503 restrictions on remote access to those case types.

Visiting Santa Clara County Courts

The Downtown Superior Court at 191 North First Street in San Jose is a major location for court records in Santa Clara County. The Hall of Justice at 200 West Hedding Street handles criminal matters. Both locations have clerk's offices where you can view records in person. Bring a photo ID. Viewing is free. You only pay for copies.

Santa Clara County has additional court locations including the Palo Alto courthouse and the Morgan Hill courthouse. Cases are assigned to locations based on where the events occurred or the type of case. If you need to view the actual filed documents rather than just the case index, this is where you come. The new AB 1524 law means you can now photograph documents on the screen using your own camera or phone, which can save money on copy fees.

Santa Clara Court Record Fees

Santa Clara County follows the statewide fee schedule. Plain copies are $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $40.00 per document. The search fee is $15.00 when the clerk's search goes over 10 minutes. Comparing a copy with the original is $1.00 per page. Exemplification runs $50.00 per document.

Divorce certificates cost $15.00 per copy. This is the certified copy rate for dissolution judgments under Government Code section 70674. Online case index searches through the portal are free. No fees are charged for basic lookups. Fees only come into play when you request copies of actual documents from the clerk's office.

Fee waivers are available for qualifying low-income individuals. The court's self-help center can assist with the application process. If approved, the court may waive some or all fees for copies, filings, and related court costs in Santa Clara County.

Note: With AB 1524 now in effect, you can photograph court records on screen at the courthouse for free, which provides an alternative to paying copy fees.

Types of Santa Clara Court Records

The Santa Clara County Superior Court handles all trial-level cases. Civil records include lawsuits, contract disputes, personal injury claims, and property matters. Criminal records cover felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions. Family law files hold divorce, custody, child support, and domestic violence cases. Probate records involve estates, wills, conservatorships, and guardianships. Small claims and traffic cases also create records.

Each category has different rules for access. Civil records are the most open. Criminal and family law records have restricted remote access under Rule 2.503. Juvenile records are confidential. The online portal shows case index data for most types, but actual documents need an in-person viewing for restricted categories. Understanding these rules helps you plan your approach to searching court records in Santa Clara County.

Retention rules match state law. Civil unlimited records last 10 years. Felony records stay 75 years. Family law records are kept 30 years. Permanent records include adoptions and name changes.

Legal Help in Santa Clara County

Bay Area Legal Aid serves Santa Clara County residents with free legal assistance. Call (800) 551-5554. The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley at (408) 280-2424 also provides free legal services in the area. They help with housing, family law, consumer issues, and other civil legal problems. The court's self-help center at the downtown courthouse assists with forms and procedures.

The California Courts Self-Help Center has statewide guides and forms. LawHelpCA connects you with legal aid in your area. The Santa Clara County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at (408) 971-6822 for those who need a private attorney. You do not need a lawyer to search for or request court records, but having legal guidance helps when dealing with complex case filings in Santa Clara County.

Cities in Santa Clara County

Santa Clara County has 15 cities. All cases go through the Santa Clara Superior Court. These major cities have their own court records pages:

Other cities in the county include Mountain View, Milpitas, Palo Alto, Cupertino, Campbell, and Los Gatos. All file court cases through the Santa Clara County Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Santa Clara County. Each has its own court system and keeps separate records.