Sunnyvale Court Docket Access

Sunnyvale court docket records go through Santa Clara County Superior Court. The city does not run its own court system. All legal cases for Sunnyvale residents get filed at county courthouses. The nearest courthouse sits in San Jose at 191 North First Street. You can search court dockets online through the county portal or visit a courthouse in person. Santa Clara County operates a modern case management system that covers all case types. Civil lawsuits, criminal cases, family law matters, probate, and traffic violations all appear in the same online database. You search by name or case number to find docket entries. Court staff at any county courthouse can also help you search for records during business hours.

Court System

Sunnyvale sits in Santa Clara County. The county Superior Court handles all court dockets for the city. No municipal court exists for Sunnyvale. When you file a lawsuit or get charged with a crime, your case goes through the county courthouse. The main courthouse for this area sits in San Jose.

The San Jose courthouse at 191 North First Street serves Sunnyvale residents. This modern building has many courtrooms and clerk offices. It handles most case types including civil, criminal, family law, and probate. The facility opened to replace older courthouses that were too small for the growing Silicon Valley population.

Other courthouses exist in Santa Clara County. Palo Alto has a courthouse for north county cases. Morgan Hill serves the southern part of the county. But most Sunnyvale residents use the San Jose location because it sits closest. You can file cases at any county courthouse. Staff will direct you to the right location for your case type if you go to the wrong place.

Online Docket Search

Santa Clara County runs an online case portal at portal.scscourt.org/search. This system lets you search for dockets by name or case number. Basic docket information shows up for free. You can see hearing dates, filed documents, and case status without paying fees. The portal updates daily with new filings and court orders.

All case types appear in one search system. Type a name to find civil, criminal, family law, and probate cases. The search covers the whole county. If someone has a case filed in San Jose, Palo Alto, or Morgan Hill, it will appear in your search results. This makes tracking cases easy no matter where they got filed.

A new California law went into effect in 2026. It allows people to photograph court records at courthouses using their phones or cameras. This helps you get copies without paying per page fees. You view records on a public terminal and take photos instead of requesting printed copies. Some sealed or confidential records still require official copies from the clerk. But most public case files can now be photographed.

The online portal may charge for document downloads. Viewing docket entries costs nothing. But pulling up filed documents can add per page fees. Many users search online to find case numbers. Then they visit the courthouse to view full files on public computers for free. This saves money when you need to review many documents.

Visiting the Courthouse

The San Jose courthouse opens at 8:00 in the morning on weekdays. Clerk offices close at 4:00 in the afternoon. Some offices close for lunch around noon. Check the court website before you visit to confirm hours. This helps you avoid arriving when the office you need is closed.

Security screening happens at the entrance. You walk through metal detectors. Security staff check bags for prohibited items. Do not bring weapons, large bags, or recording devices. The security line can be long during busy morning hours. Arrive early if you have a hearing or need to file time sensitive documents.

Public computers sit near the clerk windows. These terminals let you search for dockets at no charge. You can view case files on screen for free. Staff can show you how to use the search system if you need help. They cannot give legal advice. But they can explain what appears on a docket and help you locate the right case.

Light rail stops one block from the courthouse. VTA bus lines also serve the area. Many people take public transit to avoid parking fees and the hassle of finding a spot downtown. If you drive, public garages and street parking exist nearby. Meters have time limits. Garages charge by the hour.

Legal Resources

The Santa Clara County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. They connect you with attorneys who handle your type of case. A small fee covers the initial consultation. After that meeting, you work out payment directly with the lawyer. This service helps you find experienced counsel for your legal matter.

Legal aid groups serve low income residents in the county. The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley provides free help in some civil cases. They focus on housing, family law, and benefits issues. Call ahead to see if you qualify based on income. Most programs have waiting lists due to high demand for services.

Self help centers exist at the courthouses. Staff can guide you through court procedures and show you where to find forms. They cannot represent you in court or give legal advice. But they can help you understand the filing process if you want to handle a case yourself. The centers have computers and printers you can use to prepare documents.

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: