Santa Clara Civil Records

Civil court records for Santa Clara are maintained by Santa Clara County Superior Court. The city has roughly 133,100 people. Santa Clara is located in the heart of Silicon Valley. All civil litigation involving Santa Clara parties goes through the county court system. You can search for case information online through the court's Case Information Portal. The courthouse in downtown San Jose handles most civil matters for Santa Clara residents. Online records include civil, small claims, probate, and some family cases. The court provides free access to case information through its portal without charging search fees.

Santa Clara County Court Jurisdiction

Santa Clara is part of Santa Clara County Superior Court. The city does not operate its own independent court system. All civil cases go through the county court. Santa Clara County Superior Court is one of the largest trial courts in California, serving a population of nearly 2 million people across Silicon Valley and the South Bay region.

The main courthouse for civil cases is the Downtown Superior Court at 191 North 1st Street, San Jose, CA 95113. This building handles unlimited civil cases, which are disputes over $35,000. The phone number for civil matters is (408) 882-2100. The courthouse is in downtown San Jose, about four miles from Santa Clara. Drive time is typically 10 to 15 minutes depending on traffic.

Limited civil cases between $10,000 and $35,000 may be filed at different courthouses in the county depending on where the parties live or where the dispute arose. Small claims cases up to $10,000 are also handled at various locations. The clerk's office can tell you which courthouse to use for your specific case.

Parking near the downtown courthouse is available in public garages and metered street parking. Bring cash or credit card for parking fees. Security screening is required for everyone entering the courthouse. Bring a valid photo ID. Allow extra time for parking and security when you have a court appearance or need to visit the clerk's office.

Searching Civil Cases Online

Santa Clara County provides free online access to civil records through its Case Information Portal at portal.scscourt.org. The system lets you search by party name, case number, or attorney name. You do not need to create an account or pay fees to search. The portal is available 24 hours a day.

When you search, enter the name of a party in the case. The system searches through all public records. Results show case numbers, filing dates, parties, case types, and case status. Click on a case to view the register of actions. The register lists every document filed, every hearing held, and every court order issued. This gives you a complete timeline of case activity.

The portal includes civil, small claims, probate, and some family cases. It does not include criminal, juvenile, or traffic cases. Those case types are in separate systems. The searchable records go back many years depending on when the case was filed and which courthouse handled it.

Case information is free to view. You can see the register of actions without paying. If you need copies of actual documents, those may be available for purchase through the portal. Not every document is digitized, but many recent filings are available as PDFs. The court charges fees for document downloads based on the number of pages.

California law changed in 2026 with the passage of AB 1524. This law allows members of the public to use their own cameras or cell phone cameras to photograph court records when viewing them at the courthouse. This provides another method of copying records beyond paying for printed or digital copies from the clerk's office.

Filing Civil Lawsuits

To file a civil case in Santa Clara, prepare your complaint. Fill out all required forms. Make copies for each defendant plus one for your records. Take your documents to the appropriate courthouse. Unlimited civil cases over $35,000 get filed at the downtown courthouse in San Jose. Limited civil cases may be filed at other locations.

The clerk reviews your paperwork. If forms are incomplete or incorrect, the clerk will tell you what needs to be fixed. Once everything is in order, you pay the filing fee. Unlimited civil complaints cost $435. Limited civil complaints between $10,000 and $35,000 cost $370. Small claims cases have lower fees ranging from $30 to $75 depending on the amount claimed.

Payment methods include cash, check, money order, and credit cards. Make checks payable to Santa Clara County Superior Court. Write the case number on your check if you already have one assigned. This helps the clerk apply your payment to the correct case.

If you cannot afford the filing fee, apply for a fee waiver. Request form FW-001 from the clerk. Fill it out with details about your income, expenses, household size, and financial situation. Submit the form to the clerk. The court will review your application. Most decisions come within a few days. If approved, you can file your case without paying the fee.

After filing, you receive a case number and a summons. You must serve the defendant with copies of the summons and complaint. Service must be done by someone over 18 who is not a party to the case. Professional process servers charge fees for this service. The Santa Clara County Sheriff also provides civil process service. Their phone number is (408) 808-4400.

Electronic filing is available for most civil cases. Attorneys are required to e-file in many situations. Self-represented parties may choose to e-file or file on paper. To e-file, you need an account with an approved e-filing service provider. The court's website lists approved providers. E-filing is available 24 hours a day except during scheduled maintenance.

Types of Civil Cases

Santa Clara residents file many types of civil lawsuits. Business litigation is common in Silicon Valley. Companies sue each other over contracts, intellectual property, trade secrets, and unfair competition. These cases can be complex with millions of dollars at stake. Discovery is often extensive with depositions, document production, and expert witnesses. Trials can last weeks or months.

Employment disputes happen frequently. Employees sue employers over wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage violations, and unpaid overtime. Many employment cases settle before trial. Those that go to trial involve testimony from witnesses and experts about workplace practices and damages.

Personal injury cases include car accidents, slip and fall incidents, dog bites, and defective products. Most personal injury cases settle with insurance companies. When cases go to trial, juries decide fault and award damages. Trials can last several days depending on the severity of injuries and the complexity of liability issues.

Landlord-tenant disputes are frequent in Santa Clara due to the high cost of housing. Eviction cases move quickly through the court system. Tenants have only five days to respond after being served with an unlawful detainer complaint. Trials focus on whether rent is owed or whether the tenant violated the lease. Many eviction cases result in default judgments.

Small claims court handles everyday disputes up to $10,000 for individuals or $5,000 for businesses. Common cases include security deposit disagreements, unpaid personal loans, minor property damage, and consumer complaints about defective merchandise. You represent yourself in small claims. Lawyers are not allowed. The judge hears both sides and makes a decision on the same day in most cases.

Construction defect litigation involves homeowners suing builders, contractors, and developers over problems with homes or buildings. Common defects include water intrusion, foundation issues, electrical problems, and plumbing failures. These cases require expert testimony from engineers, contractors, and inspectors. Many construction defect cases have multiple defendants and can take years to resolve.

Available Services

The civil clerk's office handles filings, payments, and procedural questions. Staff can tell you what forms to use and how to file them. They cannot give legal advice or tell you what to say in your documents. Legal advice must come from a lawyer.

Copy services are available at the courthouse. Standard copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies require an additional certification fee. For divorce judgment certifications, the fee is $15.00. For all other documents, certification costs $40.00. Certified copies have the official court seal and are required by some agencies and institutions.

Research fee applies when you ask the court to search for records without providing a case number. The search fee is $15.00 if the search takes more than 10 minutes. Providing a case number helps avoid this fee and speeds up the process of locating records.

The court has self-help resources for people without lawyers. Self-help staff explain court procedures and help you fill out forms. They provide information on common civil matters. The Self-Help Center website has guides and forms at santaclara.courts.ca.gov. Services are free, but staff cannot represent you or give legal advice.

Finding Legal Assistance

Many civil cases benefit from having a lawyer. The Santa Clara County Bar Association operates a Lawyer Referral Service. Call (408) 971-6822 to get matched with an attorney who handles your type of case. The initial consultation costs a modest fee. After that, you negotiate fees with the lawyer if you decide to hire them.

If you have low income, you may qualify for free legal aid. Law Foundation of Silicon Valley provides free civil legal services to eligible residents. They handle housing, family law, consumer, and immigration cases. Call (408) 280-2424 for intake. Legal Aid Society of Santa Clara County is another option. Their phone number is (408) 998-5298. Both organizations have income requirements.

The State Bar of California website at calbar.ca.gov has a directory of all licensed attorneys in California. You can search by location and practice area. The directory shows whether a lawyer is in good standing or has disciplinary issues. Check credentials before hiring anyone.

For simpler cases, you might represent yourself. The California Courts Self-Help website at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov has guides and forms for many civil matters. The site explains each step of the legal process in plain language. You can print forms directly from the website.

Nearby California Cities

Other cities in Santa Clara County with civil court records: