San Jose Civil Court Records

Civil court records for San Jose residents and businesses are handled by the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara. The court processes all civil litigation filed in San Jose, including contract disputes, personal injury lawsuits, real estate cases, and business matters. Online case access is available through the court's public portal. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney name. The system includes civil, small claims, probate, and some family cases. Traffic and local ordinance cases are also searchable. Criminal case information is available as well. Copy fees are $0.50 per page. Certification costs an additional $40 for most documents or $15 for dissolution judgments.

Court Jurisdiction

Civil cases for San Jose are filed in Santa Clara County Superior Court. The main courthouse for San Jose is the Downtown Superior Court at 191 North 1st Street. This facility handles most civil filings for the city. You can reach the courthouse by phone at (408) 882-2100.

Santa Clara County Superior Court also operates the Family Justice Center at 201 North 1st Street. This location focuses on family law matters but shares the same case management system. Phone number is (408) 792-4200.

The court uses the Tyler Technologies Odyssey platform for case management and e-filing. This system allows online access to case information and electronic submission of documents. Santa Clara County is one of the largest court systems in Northern California.

Online Case Search

The Santa Clara Superior Court provides online case search at portal.scscourt.org. The Case Information Portal is free to use. You can search civil, small claims, probate, traffic, and criminal cases. Some family cases are included but access is limited due to privacy rules.

The portal shows case numbers, party names, filing dates, case status, and hearing information. You can view the register of actions which lists all documents filed in the case. The register includes filing dates, document types, and filer names.

Some documents can be viewed or downloaded from the portal. The court charges a fee for downloading documents. Check the portal for current document access fees and policies. Not all documents are available online. Older cases or certain document types may only be accessible at the courthouse.

California law now permits members of the public to use cameras or cell phones to photograph court records when viewing them at the courthouse. This went into effect on January 1, 2026 under AB 1524. You can take pictures of documents instead of paying for copies, as long as you are entitled to view the record.

Filing Civil Cases

Santa Clara County requires electronic filing for most civil cases. The e-filing system is part of the Odyssey platform. You must register for an account to file documents. The portal is open 24 hours a day for submissions. Documents filed before midnight on a court day are considered filed that day.

Filing fees follow the California statewide schedule. A complaint in an unlimited civil case costs $435. The answer also costs $435. Limited civil fees depend on the claim amount. Small claims fees are based on how much money is being claimed.

Fee waivers are available for people who cannot afford court costs. You file a fee waiver application with financial information. The court reviews it and decides if you qualify. If approved, you do not pay filing fees.

Getting Copies of Records

You can get copies several ways. Online downloads are available for some documents through the portal. In-person requests are accepted at the courthouse. You can view files for free and request copies at $0.50 per page. Bring photo ID when visiting the courthouse.

Certified copies cost $40 for most documents. The certification fee for a dissolution judgment is only $15. Certification verifies that the copy is a true and correct copy of the court record. Certified copies are often required for legal transactions.

If you need a copy of a specific document and do not have the case number, the court charges a research fee of $15. This applies when clerks must search for records without complete information. Provide as much detail as possible to help locate the case.

Mail requests are accepted. Send a written request to the courthouse with the case number, the documents you need, and your contact information. Include payment for copies and any applicable fees. Processing times vary depending on court workload.

San Jose City Records

The City of San Jose maintains separate administrative records from the court system. City Clerk records are available through the GILES Records System at sanjoseca.gov. The City Clerk office is located at 200 E. Santa Clara Street. Phone is 408-535-1260.

City records include city contracts, ordinances, resolutions, and city business documents. These are not civil court cases. If you need to file a lawsuit or search for civil litigation, you must use Santa Clara County Superior Court. The city does not maintain court case files.

Court Help and Resources

The Santa Clara Superior Court website at santaclara.courts.ca.gov provides information about procedures, forms, and court services. The site includes self-help topics for civil cases and other case types.

Self-help centers at the courthouse can answer questions about procedures. Staff cannot give legal advice but can explain court processes. If you need a lawyer, the Santa Clara County Bar Association offers lawyer referral services.

Legal aid organizations in San Jose serve low-income residents with civil legal problems. These groups focus on housing, family law, consumer issues, and public benefits cases. Contact information is available on the court website.

Nearby Cities

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