San Mateo County, California Court Records
San Mateo County court records provide details about court cases and processes, as well as information on civil and criminal matters handled by the courts operating within the county. These records are primarily generated by the Superior Court of California, which has general county-wide jurisdiction while serving as the main trial court.
However, oversight of these records typically falls under the Records Management Division, run by the court clerk. In addition to indexing and archiving files, the department helps the public access court records when needed. Court records differ from other public records because they focus on litigation and details of documents processed through the courts. They may also contain details like arrest and criminal records where criminal charges are involved.
Are San Mateo County Court Records Public?
San Mateo County court records are generally considered public records according to the California Public Records Act and Rule 2.550 of the California Rules of Court. This means almost anyone may approach the Records Management Division of the Superior Court with a records request for court records. Some publicly accessible records include the court docket, petitions, minutes, court orders, indictments, civil complaints, and final judgments. There are also restricted court records that are restricted for data privacy and protection. They are also restricted to protect individual privacy and safety. These restrictions include details like social security numbers, financial account or credit card numbers, personal psychiatric or medical records, and addresses or phone numbers of jurors.
What Information is Available in San Mateo County Court Records?
San Mateo County court records refer to details contained in case documents such as pleadings, motions, court transcripts, and court dockets. These documents also provide the following information:
- Names of the parties
- Evidence list
- Details of the attorneys representing the parties
- Sentencing details
- Hearing dates
- Filing and judgment date
- Case number
- Arrest warrants
- Proof of service
San Mateo County Court Records Search
San Mateo County court records can be searched online, in person, or via mail. Residents can approach the Records Management Division of the court to submit physical records requests, while remote requesters can send theirs via mail. These requests contain details about the case or record to be retrieved, which will be used for an archive search. The use of the public access terminals at the Records Management Division also makes accessing these records easier. These terminals can be used to view case documents, including documents restricted from online access. These records can also be accessed online through the Superior Court’s Access Your Case Online website.
Fees for Court Records in San Mateo County
San Mateo County court records can be obtained for a charge or cost according to the local fee schedule of the Superior Court. Standard copies of court records are available to the public for $0.50 per page; certified copies can be obtained for $40 per document, and exemplified copies are available for $50. The county charges for records searches at $15 for each search that requires over 10 minutes. Individuals who want to compare copies of records with the original copy on file will be charged $1. The search online is free, but downloading copies of court records will cost $0.50 per page.
San Mateo County Courthouse Locations
San Mateo County courts consist of five Superior Courts. Here are the court locations and contact information:
San Mateo County Superior Courts
800 North Humboldt Street,
San Mateo, CA 94401
Phone: 650-363-4300 (Traffic)
This branch is closed. No court services are offered in this location.
San Mateo County Superior Court - Juvenile Branch
222 Paul Scannell Drive,
San Mateo, CA 94402
Phone: 650-261-5100
San Mateo County Superior Court - Northern Branch
1050 Mission Road,
South San Francisco, CA 94080
Phone: 650-261-5080 (Family Court Services)
The Family Law Facilitator is available at this location on Wednesday morning from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., but no other legal services are offered at this branch.
San Mateo County Superior Court - Southern Branch
Hall of Justice and Records
400 County Center,
Redwood City, CA 94063
Phone: 650-261-5100 (Civil, Family Law, Probate)
Phone: 650-261-5200 (Criminal)
Phone: 650-261-5015 (Small Claims)
The Hall of Justice and Records Southern Branch hears civil, criminal, family law, small claims, and probate cases.
San Mateo County Superior Court - Southern Branch Annex
500 County Center,
Redwood City, CA 94063
Phone: 650-363-4300 (Traffic)
The Southern Branch Annex of the San Mateo County Superior Court hears traffic cases.
Criminal Records Access in San Mateo County
Criminal records refer to documentation containing details of an individual’s history of offenses and interaction with the criminal justice system. These records provide details of arrests, court trials, convictions, sentences, and incarceration records. They are publicly accessible, provided they do not contain any sensitive or restricted information.
San Mateo Criminal records are maintained primarily by the California Department of Justice. This agency provides access to complete criminal history reports on request for a processing fee of $25. Court records usually also contain criminal records through criminal case documents. These can be accessed through the relevant court clerk’s office or online using the Access Your Case Online website. The state maintains a Public Records website, which provides access to the DOJ’s criminal records archives.
San Mateo County Probate Records
San Mateo County probate records refer to official paperwork from the Superior Court’s Probate Division. They are generated from the moment a Petition for Probate is filed, which initiates a court-supervised process that includes verifying the validity of a will, identifying heirs, and settling outstanding debts. Beyond a deceased’s estate, these files also document the creation of guardianships for minors and conservatorships for adults who are no longer able to manage their own health or financial affairs. The resulting case file represents a permanent history of the court’s actions, containing inventories of assets, appraisals, and the final orders for distribution.
These cases are handled by the Probate Division of the San Mateo County Superior Court. Probate records are generally public records, meaning any member of the public can inspect them online or in person to verify inheritance or conduct historical research. However, the court maintains strict protections for sensitive information, such as details about minors, adoption records, and mental health evaluation reports.
San Mateo County Family Court Records
San Mateo County Family Court records refer to documents that provide information about cases handled within the county that relate to family law. This refers to documentation from the Superior Court, where jurisdiction to handle civil cases, such as family matters, is vested. This court can entertain cases involving adoption, child custody, legal separation, child paternity, divorces, and marriage annulments.
These records may be generally public, but there are restrictions due to the sensitive and personal nature of family law proceedings. The basic summary of the case may be accessible to the public. However, certain details such as medical or psychological evaluation reports, identity of minors, personal financial information, and identities of domestic violence victims are excluded.
Federal Court Records in San Mateo County
Federal Court records refer to details about cases involving federal laws and the US Constitution. These cases can also be between individuals who are in different states. Federal Court records have a higher jurisdiction than the state and county Superior Courts. These cases are in the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. This court’s jurisdiction covers civil rights violations, federal crimes, and intellectual property claims. San Mateo County is in the San Francisco Division of the district, which means federal court matters are handled at the Phillip Burton Federal Building.
Federal Court records are generally public records that can be obtained by anyone in person, via mail, or online. The Clerk’s office will process mailed-in and in-person requests, while remote requesters can use the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER). This platform contains a national federal court database, which costs $0.10 per page when searching.
