OPEN PUBLIC RECORDS

Because You Need to Know

Santa Clara County, California — Public Records

Use this page to find court records, arrest records, and other public records in Santa Clara County. Each section links to the office, online tool, or agency that holds the records.

⚡ At a Glance

  • Superior Court: 191 N First St, San Jose, CA 95113 — (408) 882-2100
  • Sheriff / Jail: 55 W Younger Ave, San Jose, CA 95110 — (408) 808-4400
  • Online search: portal.scscourt.org — Case Portal
  • County seat: San Jose, California
How to use this page: Pick a section below — court records, arrest records, or other records. Each one tells you where to go, who to contact, and what tools are available online.

Start here: Choose the type of record you need below, then follow the link to the official source.

⚖️ Court Records 🔍 Arrest Records 📋 Other Records ❓ FAQ

What You Can Find Here

⚖️ Superior Court case records (civil, criminal, family)
🔍 Sheriff custody search and jail information
🏛️ Traffic and small claims court records
📋 Property records and vital records contacts
What you will need:
  • Full name of the person or business
  • Case number, if you have one
  • Approximate date or location of the record

Court Records

The Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara operates multiple courthouse locations across the county. The Downtown Superior Court at 191 N First Street handles civil, probate, and small claims cases. The Hall of Justice at 190 W Hedding Street handles criminal cases. You can search case information online through the court's Public Portal.

OfficeDetails
Downtown Superior Court191 N First St, San Jose, CA 95113
Clerk's Office(408) 882-2100
Hall of Justice (Criminal)190 W Hedding St, San Jose, CA 95110
Family Justice Center201 N First St, San Jose, CA 95113
Online Case Searchportal.scscourt.org

Santa Clara County Superior Court also has courthouses in Palo Alto (270 Grant Ave) and Morgan Hill (301 Diana Ave). The Clerk's Office is open Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Santa Clara County come from whichever agency made the arrest. The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office operates the county jail system including the Main Jail in San Jose. The San Jose Police Department handles arrests within city limits.

The Sheriff's Office provides a "Who's in Jail" lookup on their website. For arrest reports, contact the arresting agency directly.

AgencyContactOnline
Sheriff's Office55 W Younger Ave, San Jose, CA 95110sheriff.santaclaracounty.gov
Main Office(408) 808-4400Custody Bureau
Main Jail(408) 808-2800Main Jail Info
🔍 Santa Clara County Sheriff — Custody Bureau & Jail Information 🏛️ Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office Website

Use the official link above to access records or contact the office directly.

Other Public Records

Santa Clara County maintains other public records through the County Clerk-Recorder's Office (property records, vital records, marriage licenses) and other county departments. The county operates under the California Public Records Act.

How to Request Records

Most records are handled by different offices — always contact the office listed in the section above.

In person: Visit the Downtown Superior Court at 191 N First St in San Jose. Bring a valid ID. The Clerk's Office is open Monday–Thursday 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Online: Use the court's Case Portal to search case information online.

By mail or email: Submit a written request under the California Public Records Act to the office that holds the records. The court's mailing address is 191 N First Street, San Jose, CA 95113.

Cities in Santa Clara County

Santa Clara County includes the city of San Jose (county seat, largest city in the Bay Area) and several other municipalities including Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Milpitas, Cupertino, and Campbell. City-level record pages will be added as they become available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Santa Clara County courthouse?
The Downtown Superior Court is at 191 N First Street in San Jose. The Hall of Justice (criminal cases) is at 190 W Hedding Street in San Jose. There are also courthouses in Palo Alto and Morgan Hill. Call (408) 882-2100 for general information.
Can I look up someone's arrest in Santa Clara County online?
Yes. The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office provides a "Who's in Jail" lookup through their Custody Bureau page. You can also call the Main Jail at (408) 808-2800.
How do I get a copy of a court record in Santa Clara County?
Search online at portal.scscourt.org, call the Clerk's Office at (408) 882-2100, or visit the Downtown Superior Court at 191 N First St in San Jose.
What courts does Santa Clara County have?
Santa Clara County has one Superior Court with multiple locations — the Downtown Superior Court (civil/probate/small claims), the Hall of Justice (criminal), the Family Justice Center (family/juvenile/traffic), courthouses in Palo Alto and Morgan Hill, and the Juvenile Justice Courthouse. California has a unified trial court system with one Superior Court per county.
Is there a fee to search Santa Clara County court records online?
Basic case information search is free through the court's Case Portal. Certified copies and some document downloads may require a fee. Contact the Clerk's Office at (408) 882-2100 for current fees.
What this page does not show: Not all records are available online. Some require a written request, an in-person visit, or a fee. Court records and arrest data may be incomplete, delayed, or not yet entered into online systems.

This page is a guide to help you find official records — it is not the official database. All information comes from government sources. Verify details directly with the agency that holds the records.

Last updated: April 15, 2026