OPEN PUBLIC RECORDS

Because You Need to Know

Santa Cruz County, California — Public Records

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

⚡ At a Glance

  • Superior Court: 701 Ocean St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 — (831) 420-2200
  • Sheriff: Santa Cruz, CA — (831) 454-7600
  • Online search: santacruz.courts.ca.gov
  • County seat: Santa Cruz, California
How to use this page: Pick a section below — court records, arrest records, or other records.

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 jail inmate locator
🏛️ Watsonville courthouse 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 Cruz operates from two courthouse locations. The Santa Cruz Courthouse at 701 Ocean Street in Santa Cruz serves as the main courthouse handling civil, criminal, family, and probate cases. The Watsonville Courthouse at 1 Second Street in Watsonville serves South County. Clerk's offices are open 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

OfficeDetails
Santa Cruz Courthouse (Main)701 Ocean St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Main Phone(831) 420-2200
Watsonville Courthouse1 Second St, Watsonville, CA 95076
Clerk HoursMon–Fri 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
⚖️ Santa Cruz County Superior Court — Official Website🏛️ Court Locations & Contact Information

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

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Santa Cruz County come from the arresting agency. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement services for unincorporated areas and operates the Santa Cruz Main Jail at 259 Water Street in Santa Cruz and the Rountree Facility. City police departments in Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Scotts Valley, and Capitola handle arrests within their jurisdictions.

The Sheriff provides an online Jail Inmate Locator. For jail inquiries, call (831) 454-7800.

AgencyContactOnline
Sheriff's OfficeSanta Cruz, CAshf.santacruzcountyca.gov
Main Phone / Records(831) 454-7600Jail Inmate Locator
Non-Emergency(831) 471-1121
Main Jail259 Water St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 — (831) 454-7800
🔍 Santa Cruz Sheriff — Jail Inmate Locator🏛️ Sheriff Phone Directory

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

Other Public Records

Santa Cruz County maintains property and vital records through the County Clerk's Office at 701 Ocean Street, Room 310, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. The county operates under the California Public Records Act.

How to Request Records

In person: Visit the Santa Cruz Courthouse at 701 Ocean St or the Watsonville Courthouse at 1 Second St. Clerk hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Online: Visit the court's official website.

By mail: Submit a written request under the California Public Records Act.

Cities in Santa Cruz County

Santa Cruz County includes the city of Santa Cruz (county seat) and other municipalities including Watsonville, Scotts Valley, and Capitola. City-level record pages will be added as they become available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Santa Cruz County courthouse?
The main courthouse is at 701 Ocean Street in Santa Cruz. The Watsonville Courthouse is at 1 Second Street in Watsonville. Call (831) 420-2200 for general information.
Can I look up someone's arrest in Santa Cruz County online?
Yes. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff provides a Jail Inmate Locator on their website. You can also call the Main Jail at (831) 454-7800 or non-emergency at (831) 471-1121.
How do I get a copy of a court record in Santa Cruz County?
Visit the court's official website, call (831) 420-2200, or visit the courthouse at 701 Ocean St in Santa Cruz.
What courts does Santa Cruz County have?
Santa Cruz County has one Superior Court with two courthouses: the Santa Cruz Courthouse at 701 Ocean St (main, all case types) and the Watsonville Courthouse at 1 Second St (South County).
Is there a fee to search Santa Cruz County court records?
Certified copies require a fee. Contact the Clerk's Office at (831) 420-2200 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.

This page is a guide to help you find official records — it is not the official database. All information comes from government sources.

Last updated: April 15, 2026