Court records of Santa Clara County, California, are available through several channels. SantaClaraCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about court cases in this county. Additionally, the Santa Clara County Superior Court provides online search tools, court clerks' offices accept requests in person and by mail, and public terminals in court buildings allow you to view registers directly on-site.
Santa Clara Court System & Jurisdictions
Santa Clara County has a single Superior Court of California, which handles all categories of cases at the county level. Federal cases fall under the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, located in San Jose, but this is a separate system with its own registers.
The Superior Court is divided into several divisions:
- Criminal Division — felonies, misdemeanors, probation violations. Search for criminal cases by defendant's last name and date of birth or month and year of case filing.
- Civil Division — claims over $12,500, contract disputes, tort cases.
- Small Claims Court — disputes up to $12,500 for individuals.
- Family Division — divorces, paternity establishment, custody, child support, protective orders.
- Probate Division — wills, guardianship, conservatorship.
- Traffic Division — traffic violations, local ordinances, warrants for unpaid fines.
Each division maintains its own register. Before searching for a specific case, determine its category — this will save time.
Santa Clara Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out about scheduled hearings for today, tomorrow, or this week, use the court's online system. The official website of the Superior Court of the county allows you to register for a hearing five calendar days before the session date.
Step-by-step instructions for checking the calendar:
- Go to the Case Information Online page.
- Enter the case number or party's last name.
- In the search results, find the section with scheduled hearing dates.
The system covers civil, criminal cases, small claims, probate, and some family cases, as well as traffic violations. If you do not know the criminal case number, it can be found by the defendant's last name along with the date of birth or month of case filing.
Public terminals in the lobbies of court buildings in San Jose display the same information. The court clerk can also confirm the hearing date by phone if you have the case number.
How to Get a Copy of a Santa Clara Court Document
There is a difference between a certified and an uncertified copy. A certified copy has the court clerk's seal and confirms the authenticity of the document — it is required for official purposes (e.g., confirming a divorce for another state). An uncertified copy is suitable for review.
Online
Through Case Information Online, you can view case data — parties, dates, status. Copies of the documents themselves (complaints, motions, etc.) need to be obtained at the courthouse where the case is being heard.
In Person
Contact the court clerk's office in the appropriate building. The cost of copying is $0.50 per page. Bring the case number or enough identifying information for the search.
By Mail
Send a written request to the clerk's office with a description of the required document. For criminal cases, you can send a letter requesting a search.
Main address for mail requests:
Divorce Records
The court retains the documents of the case itself. Certified copies of divorce certificates as vital records are issued by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).
Criminal History
Local criminal history can be obtained from the county sheriff's office. For state-level record checks, contact the California Attorney General's Office. Information about individuals incarcerated in state prisons is provided by CIRIS — California Incarcerated Records & Information Search.
Santa Clara Court Records Fees & Payment
The court charges fees for copying, certifying, and searching documents. Below are the main rates according to the Santa Clara County Superior Court's pricing and the California Government Code (§ 70600 et seq.).
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Document copy (per page) | $0.50 |
| Certification of copy | $25 for the first document + $25 for each additional |
| Case search by request (by name) | Depends on the type of search; check with the clerk |
| CD with civil or criminal case data | By request through the clerk's office |
Payment is usually accepted in cash, money order, or check payable to "Clerk of the Superior Court." Some services are available with credit or debit card payment — check directly with the appropriate office.
Certification fees are set by state law and may change. The current list of rates is available on the official court website or directly from the clerk. For large requests — such as mass copying of case data — the court may offer to obtain information on a CD through the Case Information Online portal.