San Francisco Court Records

San Francisco court docket records are maintained by the San Francisco Superior Court, which serves the consolidated city and county. Unlike most California cities, San Francisco operates as both a city and a county. This means all court dockets for the area get filed with one court system. You can search for case records online through the court website or visit the courthouse at 400 McAllister Street. The court handles all civil, criminal, family law, probate, and traffic cases for San Francisco residents. Millions of case records exist dating back more than a century. Online access lets you search recent dockets from any location with an internet connection.

Court Jurisdiction

San Francisco is unique. It functions as both a city and a county. San Francisco County and the city share the same boundaries. This makes court access simple for residents. You do not need to figure out which county you live in. All cases get filed at the same Superior Court location.

The main courthouse sits in the Civic Center area at 400 McAllister Street. This building handles most case types. Civil cases, family law matters, probate filings, and some criminal proceedings all take place here. You can walk to the courthouse from several BART stations and Muni bus lines.

The Hall of Justice at 850 Bryant Street handles certain criminal matters and traffic cases. Police bring arrestees here for booking and arraignment. The building also houses courtrooms for criminal trials. If you need to search for a criminal docket, staff at either location can help you find the right case information.

No other courthouse serves San Francisco. The court system is smaller than counties like Los Angeles or San Diego. But it still processes thousands of cases each month. Court staff can search dockets at the clerk windows during business hours.

Online Docket Search

San Francisco Superior Court runs two online portals. Civil cases get searched at one website. Criminal cases use a different portal. Both systems let you search by case number or party name. The portals do not charge fees for basic searches. You can view docket entries and see hearing dates at no cost.

The civil portal at webapps.sftc.org/ci/CaseInfo.dll covers lawsuits, family law, probate, and civil matters. Type in a name or case number to pull up records. The criminal portal at webapps.sftc.org/crimportal/crimportal.dll shows criminal dockets. Both portals update daily with new filings and court orders.

Document downloads may cost extra. Many users search online to find case numbers. Then they visit the courthouse to view full documents for free at public terminals. This saves money if you need to review many pages. The clerk office has computers set up for public use with no fees for viewing case files on screen.

Visiting the Courthouse

The Civic Center courthouse opens for business at 8:30 in the morning. It closes at 4:00 in the afternoon on weekdays. The clerk office closes from noon to one for lunch. Plan your visit around these hours. Security screening happens at the entrance. Leave extra time for the line if you arrive during busy morning hours.

Public terminals sit near the clerk windows. You can use these computers to search for dockets at no charge. Staff can show you how to use the system if you have not searched before. They cannot give legal advice. But they can explain what information appears on a docket sheet and help you locate the right case.

Parking near the courthouse can be hard to find. Street parking has meters with short time limits. Public garages charge by the hour. Most people take public transit. The Civic Center BART station sits one block away. Several Muni lines stop nearby. This makes the courthouse easy to reach without a car.

Legal Help and Services

San Francisco has many legal aid groups. The Bar Association of San Francisco runs a lawyer referral service. Call them to find an attorney who handles your type of case. They charge a small fee for the initial consultation. Legal Aid Society of San Francisco provides free help to low income residents in civil matters.

The self help center at the courthouse offers assistance with forms and procedures. Staff can explain how to file a case or respond to a lawsuit. They show you where to find the forms you need. They cannot represent you in court. But they can guide you through the process if you want to handle a case yourself.

Public defenders work out of offices in the Hall of Justice. They represent people who cannot afford a lawyer in criminal cases. You do not hire them directly. The court appoints them if you qualify based on income. They handle most felony and many misdemeanor cases for indigent defendants.

Law libraries exist at both courthouse locations. The main law library sits on the third floor of the Civic Center building. You can use the books and computers to research your case. Librarians can show you how to find statutes and case law. They do not give legal advice but can point you to useful resources.

Court Fees

Filing fees vary by case type. A new civil lawsuit costs several hundred dollars to file. Family law cases have different fee schedules. Small claims filings cost less than other civil cases. Fee waivers exist for people who cannot afford to pay. Ask the clerk for a fee waiver form if you need one.

Copy fees run fifty cents per page for most documents. Certified copies cost forty dollars plus the per page fee. These are standard rates set by state law. Most counties charge the same amounts. The court collects payment at the clerk windows. They take cash, checks, and credit cards.

Other Bay Area Cities

These nearby cities use different county courts for their docket records:

Court Records in Other Major California Cities

Looking for court dockets in other large California cities? Try these: