San Mateo County Court Records Search
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San Mateo County sits on the San Francisco Peninsula in northern California, stretching from the Pacific coast to the San Francisco Bay. The county’s trial-level judiciary is the Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo, which operates out of four courthouse locations across Redwood City, San Mateo, and South San Francisco. As a unified superior court, it handles all case types — criminal, civil, family law, probate, small claims, traffic, and juvenile matters. The Clerk of the Superior Court serves as the official custodian of court records, while the San Mateo County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder maintains vital records such as birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, and property documents.
Individuals looking for court case information in California can draw on several resources. The clerk’s offices at each courthouse branch maintain physical files available for inspection, and public access terminals are available at the Records Management Division in Redwood City for on-site lookups. Online, the court operates both the MIDX case records index and the Odyssey Portal, which together provide searchable access to non-confidential case information across most case types. CaliforniaCourts.us may also help users locate publicly available court case information statewide.
How to Look Up a Court Case in San Mateo County?
San Mateo County offers multiple channels for searching court records, whether the searcher knows only a party’s name or already has a case number in hand.
Online Search Tools
Two free online systems are available to the public:
- MIDX (San Mateo County Superior Court Records Index) — This index covers appeals, civil, criminal, family law, probate, and small claims cases. Users can search by party name, case number, or filing date. No registration is required.
- Odyssey Public Portal — Displays a register of actions and documents for non-confidential, non-sealed cases in civil, criminal, family law, probate, small claims, and traffic categories. The portal supports wildcard searches (using an asterisk) for partial names or case numbers. Family law documents are currently not displayed on this portal, though the register of actions is available. No registration is required for public access.
Cases filed between January 1, 2000 and June 15, 2016 carry converted case numbers that begin with alpha prefixes (e.g., FAM for family law, CIV or CLJ for civil, PRO for probate, NM or NF for criminal). Cases filed after June 15, 2016 follow a native Odyssey format beginning with the two-digit filing year and a case-type prefix (e.g., 24CIV00123).
Adoption, juvenile, paternity, and mental health case information is not available through either online system. Parties to those cases must contact the Clerk’s Office directly.
In-Person Searches
The Records Management Division maintains public access computers in the lobby. An appointment is required for counter service.
Records Management Division
Address: 400 County Center, 1st Floor, Room A, Redwood City, CA 94063
Phone: (650) 261-5100
Counter and Phone Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Requesting Copies by Mail
Copies of criminal, civil, family law, probate, small claims, and eviction case files can be requested by mail. Include:
- The case number (searchable via MIDX if unknown)
- Names of the parties involved
- The approximate filing date or a description of the document
- A self-addressed, postage-paid return envelope
- A blank check payable to “Superior Court” with a “not to exceed” dollar amount written on the memo line
The court will process the request and reply within 30 days.
Copy and Service Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy of any record on file | $0.50 per page |
| Comparing copy to original | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copy of any document | $40.00 per document |
| Certified copy of dissolution record | $15.00 |
| Exemplification of a record | $50.00 |
| Record search exceeding 10 minutes | $15.00 |
| Retrieval of off-site file | $10.00 |
Are Court Records Public in San Mateo County?
Court records in San Mateo County are presumptively public. The California Public Records Act (CPRA) grants the public the right to access, inspect, and copy records maintained by government custodians. Government Code § 6250 declares that access to information concerning the conduct of the people’s business is a fundamental right. Court records in California are additionally governed by California Rules of Court, Rule 2.502, which defines what constitutes a court record.
Despite the general presumption of openness, certain categories of records are restricted or confidential under California law. The Trial Court Records Manual (TCRM), published by the Judicial Council of California, catalogs these restrictions in detail. Records that are typically exempt from public access include:
- Sealed records — Documents placed under seal by court order are not accessible without a subsequent order to unseal.
- Juvenile delinquency and dependency records — Confidential under Welfare and Institutions Code provisions.
- Adoption records — Sealed upon entry of the final adoption order.
- Mental health proceedings — Filings related to involuntary commitments and competency determinations are restricted.
- Arrest records of factually innocent persons — Sealed under Penal Code § 851.8.
- Subpoenaed records containing privileged information — May be withheld or redacted.
- Reports on a defendant’s mental competence — Restricted from public viewing.
Certain personal identifiers, including Social Security numbers and financial account numbers, must be redacted from publicly filed documents under California Rules of Court, Rule 1.201.
Any person may submit a formal request for records under the CPRA. For non-court government records, the county accepts requests through its Public Records Act Request Form.
San Mateo County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in San Mateo County are adjudicated by the Superior Court’s Criminal Division, which operates out of two locations:
Southern Branch (Hall of Justice)
Address: 400 County Center, 4th Floor, Redwood City, CA 94063
Northern Branch
Address: 1050 Mission Road, South San Francisco, CA 94080
Both locations: Phone: (650) 261-5100 | Fax: (650) 261-5050
Office and Phone Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Searching Criminal Case Records
Criminal case data can be searched online through MIDX by party name, case number, or filing date. The Odyssey Public Portal also provides a register of actions for non-sealed criminal cases. For physical copies or records not available online, contact the Criminal Division directly or submit a mail request to the Records Management Division.
Arrest and Incident Records
Arrest records and police reports are maintained by the law enforcement agency that handled the incident, not by the court. Depending on the agency involved, requests may be directed to:
- San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Records Bureau — Email sheriffs_recordsrequest@smcgov.org, call (650) 363-4525, or submit a request through the Sheriff’s public records request page. In-person service is available at the Hall of Justice, 400 County Center, Redwood City, CA 94063.
- City of San Mateo Police Department — Requests can be filed through the department’s online public records request system, by fax to (650) 522-7711, or by mail to 200 Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, CA 94403. Requesters must provide a government-issued photo ID. A $25 processing fee may apply for certain requests.
Under California Government Code § 7923.610, law enforcement agencies must release certain arrest-related information to the public, including the arrestee’s name, charges, and booking details. However, some records may require the subject’s written consent or may be exempt from disclosure if linked to an ongoing investigation.
The court maintains an extensive set of local criminal forms, including plea advisement forms, expungement petitions (Proposition 47 and Proposition 64 forms), and financial declarations for court-appointed counsel.
San Mateo County Civil Court Records
The Civil Division of the San Mateo County Superior Court handles contract disputes, personal injury claims, property matters, unlawful detainer (eviction) actions, and other civil litigation. The division is located on the 1st Floor at 400 County Center, Redwood City, CA 94063.
Phone: (650) 261-5100
Counter and Phone Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Filing Fees
Civil filing fees in San Mateo County follow the statewide Civil Fee Schedule set by the Judicial Council. Key initial filing fees as of January 1, 2026 include:
- Unlimited civil case (over $35,000): $435
- Limited civil case ($12,500.01–$35,000): $370
- Limited civil case ($10,000 or less): $205
Parties who cannot afford filing fees may request a fee waiver using Judicial Council forms.
Small Claims
Small claims cases in San Mateo County are limited to $12,500 for individual plaintiffs (or $6,250 for businesses and government entities). The Small Claims Division can be reached at (650) 261-5100, option 6, during phone hours of 8:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Filing fees range from $30 to $100 depending on the claim amount.
Searching Civil Records
Civil case information is searchable through MIDX and the Odyssey Public Portal. Both allow lookups by party name, case number, and filing date. The Odyssey Public Portal also displays documents for non-confidential civil cases. For copies of records not available online, submit a request to the Records Management Division by mail or in person.
Court Forms
The court publishes local civil forms on its website, including the Memorandum that a Civil Case is at Issue (FL-5), Amendment to Complaint (CV-1), and Uncontested Calendar and Prove Up Hearing Request (CV-P1). Statewide Judicial Council forms are available through the California Courts website.
The court also operates a Multi-Option ADR Project for alternative dispute resolution, reachable at (650) 261-5075 or (650) 261-5076.
San Mateo County Family Court Records
Family law matters — including divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, paternity, domestic violence restraining orders, and adoption — are handled by the Family Law Division of the San Mateo County Superior Court.
Family Law Clerk’s Office
Address: 400 County Center, 1st Floor, Redwood City, CA 94063
Phone: (650) 261-5100
Counter and Phone Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Family Court Services
Address: 400 County Center, 6th Floor, Redwood City, CA 94063
Phone: (650) 261-5080 (phone only; no walk-in counter)
Phone Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (closed 12:00–1:00 p.m.)
For child support enforcement questions, contact the San Mateo County Department of Child Support Services at (866) 901-3212.
Searching Family Law Records
Family law cases appear in MIDX and are searchable by party name or case number. On the Odyssey Public Portal, the register of actions for family law cases is visible, but family law documents are currently not displayed. To view filed documents, visit the Clerk’s Office in person (appointment required) or request copies by mail through Records Management.
Restricted Family Records
Adoption records, juvenile dependency files, and paternity cases are confidential and excluded from the court’s online portals. Parties to these cases, or individuals with a legal right of access, must contact the Clerk’s Office at (650) 261-5100 or visit the Juvenile Branch at 222 Paul Scannell Drive, San Mateo, CA 94402.
Divorce and Dissolution Records
The Family Law Division page and the court’s divorce and legal separation self-help guide provide procedural information, including required forms and filing steps. Certified copies of a dissolution judgment cost $15.00 and can be requested by mail or in person from the Records Management Division. Local family law forms, including stipulations, status conference statements, and ex parte declarations, are available on the court’s local forms page.
Marriage Licenses and Certificates
Marriage licenses are issued by the San Mateo County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder. Both parties must appear in person with valid government-issued photo ID.
County Clerk-Recorder (Marriage Licenses)
Address: 555 County Center, 1st Floor, Redwood City, CA 94063
Phone: (650) 363-4500
Appointments: (650) 599-1713 or book online
Hours for Marriage Licenses: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Public marriage license | $79.00 |
| Confidential marriage license | $80.00 |
| Civil ceremony | $65.00 |
| Certified copy of marriage certificate | $17.00 (public) / $12.00 (government agency) |
To apply before the office visit, couples may fill out the online marriage license application. The license is valid for 90 days and may be used anywhere in California. After the ceremony, the completed license must be returned to the Clerk-Recorder within 10 days for recording. Certified copies of marriage records can be requested using the Application for Certified Copy of Marriage Record.
Birth and Death Certificates
The County Clerk-Recorder issues certified copies of birth and death records. Only authorized persons — including the registrant, parents, legal guardians, immediate family, or individuals with a court order — may obtain copies.
| Record | Fee |
|---|---|
| Birth certificate (general public) | $32.00 |
| Birth certificate (private adoption / government agency) | $22.00 |
| Death certificate | $24.00 |
Applications can be submitted in person (by appointment) or by mail using the birth record application or death record application. Mail requests should include payment by money order, cashier’s check, or personal check, sent to:
San Mateo County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder
Attn: Vital Records
555 County Center, 1st Floor
Redwood City, CA 94063
San Mateo County Probate Court Records
The Probate Division of the San Mateo County Superior Court has jurisdiction over decedents’ estates, conservatorships, guardianships, trusts, and elder abuse proceedings. Cases are heard at the Southern Branch in Redwood City.
Probate Clerk’s Office
Address: 400 County Center, 1st Floor, Redwood City, CA 94063
Phone: (650) 261-5100
Counter and Phone Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Probate Court Investigators
Address: 400 County Center, 8th Floor, Redwood City, CA 94063
Phone: (650) 261-5068
Phone Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Email: PCI@sanmateocourt.org
For ex parte probate matters, email probate@sanmateocourt.org.
Searching Probate Records
Probate cases are indexed in MIDX (use the PRO prefix for converted case numbers) and in the Odyssey Public Portal, which displays both the register of actions and filed documents for non-confidential probate matters. For older files or records not available online, submit a copy request to the Records Management Division.
Conservatorship and Guardianship Procedures
Effective December 12, 2022, the Probate Court tightened its practices around temporary conservatorships and guardianships. Requests for temporary orders should now be filed, served on all relevant parties at least five days before the hearing, and set for a noticed hearing rather than presented ex parte. The court strictly interprets ex parte criteria consistent with Probate Code §§ 2250–2258.
The court offers mandatory conservator education classes via Zoom for both Conservator of Person and Conservator of Estate. Registration is through the Probate Division page. Local probate forms — including the Conservatee’s Information and List of Relatives (PR-1), Caregiver Authorization Affidavit (PR-4), and Declaration in Support of Waiver of Accountings (PR-24) — are posted on the court’s local forms page.
Property Records
Though not part of the probate court, real property records relevant to estate matters are maintained by the County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder. The office’s Grantee-Grantor Database allows free online searches of recorded deeds, liens, and other property instruments. Copies of recorded documents can be obtained in person or by mail; applicable fees are listed on the fees for recorded documents page.