San Jose Docket Access

San Jose court docket records go through Santa Clara County Superior Court. The city does not run its own courts. All legal cases for San Jose residents get filed at county courthouses. The main courthouse sits at 191 North First Street in downtown San Jose. You can search for court dockets online at the county portal or visit the courthouse in person. Santa Clara County handles civil cases, criminal matters, family law, probate, and traffic violations. The online system lets you find case records from home or work. Courthouse staff can also help you search for dockets during business hours if you prefer to visit in person.

Santa Clara County Courts

San Jose sits in Santa Clara County. The county Superior Court system manages all court dockets. No city court exists for San Jose. When you file a lawsuit or get charged with a crime, your case goes through the county courthouse. The main courthouse location sits in downtown San Jose on First Street.

Several courthouses serve different parts of Santa Clara County. The downtown San Jose courthouse handles most case types. Palo Alto has its own courthouse for North County cases. Morgan Hill serves South County residents. But all these courthouses connect to the same court system. Staff at any location can search for cases filed anywhere in the county.

Most San Jose residents file cases at the downtown courthouse. It has the most staff and resources. The building includes clerk windows for each case type. Civil cases get filed on one floor. Family law cases go to a different floor. Criminal matters have their own section. Signs in the lobby direct you to the right office.

Search Court Dockets Online

Santa Clara County runs an online case portal. You can search for dockets at portal.scscourt.org/search. The system lets you search by name or case number. Docket entries show up for free. You can see when hearings are scheduled and what documents got filed. This helps you track a case without visiting the courthouse.

The portal covers all case types. Civil lawsuits, criminal cases, family law matters, and probate all appear in the same search system. Type a name to see if any cases match. The system searches all Santa Clara County cases, not just San Jose. If someone has a case in Palo Alto or Morgan Hill, it will show up in your search results.

A new California law took effect in 2026. It lets you use your phone or camera to photograph court records at the courthouse. This makes it easier to get copies of documents. You still need to use courthouse terminals for certain sealed or confidential records. But most public records can now be photographed instead of copied at fifty cents per page.

Document downloads from the online portal may cost extra. Many people search online first to find their case number. Then they visit the courthouse to view full files on public computers. This saves money on download fees. The clerk office has free terminals where you can read documents on screen and take notes.

Downtown San Jose Courthouse

The main courthouse sits at 191 North First Street. This building opened fairly recently. It replaced older courthouses that were too small for the growing population. The current building has modern facilities and more courtrooms than the old locations.

Security screening happens at the entrance. You pass through metal detectors like at an airport. Do not bring weapons or large bags. The security line can be long in the morning when many people arrive for court. Plan to get there early if you have a hearing scheduled.

The clerk offices open at 8:00 in the morning. They close at 4:00 in the afternoon on weekdays. Some offices close for lunch. Check the court website for exact hours before you visit. Public computers for searching dockets sit near the clerk windows. Staff can show you how to use the search system if you need help.

Parking near the courthouse costs money. Street meters have short time limits. Public garages charge by the hour. Light rail stops one block from the courthouse. Many people take the VTA to avoid parking fees and the hassle of finding a spot downtown.

Legal Resources

The Santa Clara County Bar Association offers a lawyer referral service. They can connect you with an attorney who handles your type of case. A small fee covers the first consultation. After that, you work out payment directly with the lawyer. This helps you find someone with the right experience for your legal matter.

Legal aid groups serve low income residents. The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley provides free legal help in some civil cases. They focus on housing, family law, and benefits issues. Public Counsel also offers services in the area. Call ahead to see if you qualify based on income and case type.

The courthouse has a self help center. Staff there can explain court procedures and help you find the right forms. They cannot represent you in court or give legal advice. But they can guide you through the filing process if you want to handle a case on your own. The center also has computers and printers you can use to prepare documents.

Court Filing Fees

Filing fees depend on your case type. Civil lawsuits cost several hundred dollars to file. Small claims cases have lower fees, usually under a hundred dollars. Family law petitions fall somewhere in between. The clerk can tell you the exact fee when you bring your documents to file.

Fee waivers exist for people who cannot pay. You fill out a form showing your income and expenses. A judge reviews the form and decides if you qualify. Many people get their fees waived if they receive public benefits or have very low income. Ask the clerk for the fee waiver form when you file your case.

Copy fees run fifty cents per page. Certified copies cost forty dollars plus the per page charge. These fees are set by state law. Every county in California charges the same rates for copies and certification. You pay at the clerk window when you request the copies.

Nearby Cities in Santa Clara County

These nearby cities also use Santa Clara County Superior Court for their docket records:

Court Records in Other Major California Cities

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