Access San Francisco Civil Court Records

Civil court records for San Francisco are maintained by the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco. San Francisco operates as both a city and a county, so there is only one court system. All civil cases filed in San Francisco go through this court. The court handles unlimited civil cases over $35,000, limited civil cases between $10,000 and $35,000, and small claims matters under $10,000. Online case information is available through the court website. The Civil Records Division is located at 400 McAllister Street, Room 103. You can visit in person to view files Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a closure from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Copy fees are $0.50 per page.

Court Jurisdiction

Civil cases for San Francisco are filed in San Francisco County Superior Court. The court is located at 400 McAllister Street. San Francisco is unique because it is both a city and a county. There is no separate county government or county court system.

The Civil Records Division is in Room 103 of the courthouse. You can email the division at CCCRecordsDepartment@sftc.org or call 415-551-3802. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The office closes for lunch from noon to 1 p.m.

San Francisco Superior Court uses a custom case management system. The court also uses Journal Technologies for its e-filing portal. The court serves approximately 800,000 residents who live in San Francisco.

Online Case Information

The San Francisco Superior Court provides online case information at webapps.sftc.org. You can search by case number or party name. The system shows basic case information including filing date, case status, and party names.

The online system provides limited information. For detailed case information or document access, you typically need to visit the courthouse in person. The court has not made most case documents available for download through the internet.

Unlawful detainer eviction cases have restricted access at ud.sftc.org. These cases are subject to special privacy rules under California law. Access is limited for the first 60 days after filing.

Viewing Files at the Courthouse

You can view case files in person at the Civil Records Division. You must deposit a valid government-issued photo ID with the clerk to view files. This is a security requirement. You get your ID back when you return the file.

If your copy request is less than five pages and the file is on-site, your request will be processed while you wait. If you need more than six pages, it may take 12 to 15 court days to process your request. Large copy jobs require more time.

Files stored off-site require a $6 retrieval fee. Off-site retrieval takes a minimum of 15 business days. Not all files are stored at the courthouse. Older files or inactive cases are often moved to off-site storage to save space.

Note: It is a felony to remove files and documents from the Clerk's Office. Do not take original documents. Only take copies that you have properly requested and paid for.

Copy Fees and Certification

Copies of Judicial Council forms cost $0.50 per page. This is the standard copy fee for most documents. A Small Claims packet costs $11.00. This packet includes all the forms you need to file a small claims case.

Certified copies cost more. The certification fee is added to the per-page cost. Certification verifies that the copy is a true and correct copy of the court record. You need certified copies for many legal purposes like appeals or recording judgments.

Payment is required when you request copies. The court accepts cash, checks, and credit cards. Make checks payable to the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco.

Filing Civil Cases

San Francisco County uses electronic filing for civil cases. The e-filing portal is powered by Journal Technologies. You must create an account to file documents electronically. The portal is available 24 hours a day.

Filing fees in San Francisco County follow the statewide schedule. A complaint in an unlimited civil case costs $435. The answer also costs $435. Limited civil fees depend on the amount in dispute. Small claims fees are based on the claim amount.

Note: San Francisco has additional local surcharges on some fees. Check the current fee schedule on the court website before filing.

San Francisco City Records

The City and County of San Francisco maintains administrative records through the County Clerk at 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 190. Phone is 415-554-4950. The city uses the NextRequest portal for public records requests at sanfrancisco.nextrequest.com.

City administrative records are different from court case files. If you need city contracts, permits, or city business documents, use the County Clerk or NextRequest portal. For civil court cases, use the Superior Court at 400 McAllister Street.

Court Help and Resources

The San Francisco Superior Court website at sf.courts.ca.gov provides information about court procedures, forms, and services. The site includes guides for different case types and answers to common questions.

Self-help services are available for people who do not have lawyers. Staff can answer procedural questions but cannot give legal advice. The court also provides access to self-help resources and forms on its website.

Legal aid organizations in San Francisco provide free legal help to qualifying low-income residents. These groups handle housing, family law, consumer, and public benefits cases. Contact information is on the court website.

Nearby Cities

Other major cities in the Bay Area with populations over 100,000: