Santa Cruz County Court Records Search
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Santa Cruz County is served by the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Cruz, which operates two courthouses — one in the city of Santa Cruz and another in Watsonville. As a unified trial court, the Superior Court exercises jurisdiction over all criminal matters (felonies, misdemeanors, infractions, and traffic offenses), civil litigation, small claims, family law, juvenile cases, and probate proceedings. The court’s various divisions — Civil, Criminal, Family Law, Juvenile, Probate, Small Claims, Traffic, and Records & Information — each handle filings, hearings, and document management for their respective case types. The clerk’s office within each division serves as custodian of the records generated during those proceedings, while the Santa Cruz County Recorder’s Office separately maintains vital records (birth, death, and marriage certificates) and recorded land documents.
Individuals researching court cases in California can draw on several resources. Clerk’s offices at each courthouse accept in-person record inquiries, and public-access computer kiosks inside both Santa Cruz County courthouses allow visitors to look up case data electronically. The Superior Court also operates an Online Case Information Portal for remote searches. For statewide orientation to California’s trial and appellate courts, CaliforniaCourts.us may assist users in identifying the appropriate court and locating publicly available case information.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Santa Cruz County?
Case records in Santa Cruz County can be located through online searches, email requests, in-person visits, or by mailing a written request form to the court.
Online Case Lookup — Step by Step
- Navigate to the Superior Court’s Case Lookup page.
- Enter the party’s name in Last, First format (e.g., SMITH, JOHN) or enter a case number directly.
- To broaden results, enter a partial name or just the first few letters; the search is not case-sensitive.
- Review the results for case numbers, party names, case types, filing dates, and hearing schedules.
- In civil and small claims cases, electronically filed or scanned documents within a case may be viewable through the portal. Family law, probate, restraining order, and juvenile case documents are not available for public viewing online — they must be accessed at the courthouse kiosks or through a copy request.
Cases opened before June 1985 will not appear in the online portal. For those older records, contact the Records Department or visit the courthouse to search via microfiche.
Courthouse Locations
| Courthouse | Address | Phone | Clerk Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz Courthouse | 701 Ocean Street, Room 110, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 | (831) 420-2200 | 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Mon–Fri |
| Watsonville Courthouse | 1 Second Street, Room 300, Watsonville, CA 95076 | (831) 786-7200 | 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Mon–Fri |
Phone lines at both locations are answered from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
Email Contacts by Division
| Division | |
|---|---|
| Civil | civilinfo@santacruzcourt.org |
| Criminal | criminalinfo@santacruzcourt.org |
| Family Law / Juvenile Dependency | familylawinfo@santacruzcourt.org |
| Probate | probate@santacruzcourt.org |
| Records | CourtRecords@santacruzcourt.org |
| Small Claims | smallclaimsinfo@santacruzcourt.org |
Written Copy Requests
Complete the Research and Copy Request Form (SUPAD 981) and submit it by mail or in person to the appropriate courthouse, or email it to CourtRecords@santacruzcourt.org. The three-page form collects the requester’s contact information, case details (name, date of birth, case number), the type of copies needed (certified or non-certified), and payment information. A one-time credit card authorization form is included on page 3. A processing fee of approximately 1.99% applies to credit card payments.
Copy and Research Fee Schedule
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Photocopy or emailed copy | $0.50 per page |
| Certification | $40.00 per document + copy fees |
| Comparison certification | $1.00 per page + certification fee |
| Research exceeding 10 minutes | $15.00 per search |
| Exemplified copy | $50.00 + copy fees |
| Certified copy of dissolution judgment | $15.00 + copy fees |
| Criminal standard packet (certification, copies, mailing) | $47.00 |
| Maximum fee per single request | $75.00 |
Payment is accepted by cash, check (payable to “Clerk of Court” or “Santa Cruz Superior Court”), or credit card. If the total cost is uncertain, the requester may write “not to exceed $75.00” in the memo line of the check. Certified copies cannot be delivered by email — they must be picked up or mailed.
Document pickup locations:
- Civil, Probate, and Family records: Santa Cruz Courthouse, Room 110
- Criminal records: Santa Cruz Courthouse, Room 120
- Small Claims records: Watsonville Courthouse, Room 300
Are Court Records Public in Santa Cruz County?
Court records in Santa Cruz County are presumed open to the public under the California Rules of Court. Rule 2.502 defines court records broadly to include all documents, papers, exhibits, orders, decisions, and judgments filed in an action or proceeding. The public has the right to view and copy these records without providing a reason or means of identification — unless the record is classified as confidential.
Records that are publicly accessible include:
- Civil complaints, answers, motions, and judgments
- Criminal charging documents, pleas, dispositions, and sentencing orders
- Probate petitions, inventories, and orders
- Small claims filings and judgments
- Case calendars and minute orders
Records that are confidential or restricted include:
- Juvenile delinquency and dependency case files (access governed by California Rules of Court, Rule 5.552©)
- Adoption records
- Records sealed by court order
- Mental health proceedings
- Certain family law filings involving domestic violence, paternity disputes under the Uniform Parentage Act, and custody evaluations
- Arrest or court records that did not lead to conviction or were dismissed
- Personal identifying information of witnesses and victims
Access to confidential case records is limited to the named parties, their attorneys, and government agencies as authorized by law. Anyone requesting confidential records must present government-issued photo identification at the courthouse.
Pursuant to Government Code Section 68152, the court routinely destroys records that have exceeded their statutory retention period. Researchers looking for older case files should contact the Records Department to confirm availability before submitting a request.
Santa Cruz County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Santa Cruz County — felonies, misdemeanors, DUI offenses, and infractions — are prosecuted in the Superior Court and maintained by the Criminal Division clerk’s office at the Santa Cruz Courthouse, Room 120.
How to search criminal case records. The Online Case Information Portal allows searches by defendant name or case number. However, viewable documents online are currently limited to civil and small claims cases; criminal case documents must be accessed in person at the courthouse public kiosks or through a copy request.
Requesting criminal records by form. Complete the Research and Copy Request Form, check the Criminal section, and provide the defendant’s name, date of birth, driver’s license number if available, aliases, and the years or violations to search. The criminal standard packet — which includes the complaint, plea, and disposition along with certification and mailing — costs $47.00. Mail the completed form with payment to:
Superior Court of California, County of Santa Cruz
Criminal Division
701 Ocean Street, Room 120
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Email: criminalinfo@santacruzcourt.org
Arrest records and law enforcement reports. Arrest records are maintained by the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, not the court. The Sheriff publishes arrest logs on its website. Under Government Code Section 7923.610, the public may access limited booking information including the arrestee’s name, charges, and physical description. Incident and crime reports can be requested through the Sheriff’s NextRequest public records portal.
Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 5200 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Phone: (831) 454-7600
Statewide criminal history. Individuals may request their own California criminal record (RAP sheet) from the California Department of Justice by submitting fingerprint images through a Live Scan vendor and paying a $25.00 processing fee. Under Cal. Penal Code §§ 13300–13326, only the subject of a record or their authorized representative may request a summary of local criminal history.
Sealed records. Sealed criminal records are not accessible to the general public. The subject of the record may request copies by presenting photo identification along with a completed Research and Copy Request Form and applicable fees at the Santa Cruz Courthouse, Room 120.
Santa Cruz County Civil Court Records
The Civil Division of the Superior Court handles lawsuits involving monetary damages, contract enforcement, property disputes, evictions, name changes, civil harassment restraining orders, and guardianship petitions. Civil filings and records are managed at the Santa Cruz Courthouse, Room 110.
Searching civil records online. The Case Information Portal provides the broadest online access for civil cases. Electronically filed and scanned civil case documents are viewable through this portal — a feature not currently available for family law, probate, or criminal cases. Search by party name or case number. For cases opened before June 1985, a microfiche search must be conducted at the courthouse.
Requesting copies. Non-certified copies may be retrieved online, emailed, or picked up at Room 110. Certified copies must be requested in person or by mail. Use the Research and Copy Request Form and check the Civil section. Provide the case name, case number, and specify the documents needed. If the case number is unknown, a case number search can be performed at $5.00 per case.
Civil copy fees:
- Regular copies: $0.50 per page
- Certified copies: $40.00 per document + $0.50 per page
- Research over 10 minutes: $15.00 per search
- Maximum per request: $75.00
Small claims. Small claims actions are filed and heard at the Watsonville Courthouse. Requests for small claims records should be directed to:
Watsonville Courthouse — Small Claims
Address: 1 Second Street, Room 300, Watsonville, CA 95076
Phone: (831) 786-7370
Email: smallclaimsinfo@santacruzcourt.org
Enclose a check payable to “Santa Cruz Superior Court” (not to exceed $75.00 if the total is uncertain) or pay by cash or credit card in person. Court forms for civil actions, including restraining orders, evictions, and name changes, are available on the California Courts website, at the Self-Help Center in Watsonville, or at the Santa Cruz County Law Library (701 Ocean Street, Basement).
Santa Cruz County Family Court Records
The Family Law Division is headquartered at the Watsonville Courthouse and handles dissolution of marriage (divorce), legal separation, child custody and visitation, child and spousal support, paternity, adoption, minor emancipation, domestic violence restraining orders, and domestic partnership matters. All restraining orders are filed at the Watsonville location.
Family Law Division
Address: 1 Second Street, Room 300, Watsonville, CA 95076
Phone: (831) 786-7200
Email: familylawinfo@santacruzcourt.org
Filing Hours: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Mon–Fri (drop box available after 3:00 PM; items must be received by 5:00 PM)
Accessing family court records. Family law case documents are not available for public viewing through the online portal. To obtain family court records, complete the Research and Copy Request Form, check the Family section, and specify the years to search, case names, and what documents are needed (e.g., judgment/dissolution, most recent custody or support order, decree, entire file). Submit the form by mail or in person at either the Watsonville Courthouse (Room 300) or the Santa Cruz Courthouse (Room 110).
Fees follow the standard schedule: $0.50 per page for copies, $40.00 certification fee per document, and $15.00 for a certified dissolution judgment plus copy fees. Payment options include check, cash, or credit card using the authorization form on page 3.
Confidential family records. Paternity proceedings are confidential under California’s Uniform Parentage Act. Adoption records, domestic violence filings, and certain juvenile dependency records are restricted to named parties and their attorneys. Access requires government-issued photo ID at the courthouse.
Marriage licenses and records. Marriage records are maintained by the County Recorder’s Office, not the court. Copies of marriage certificates can be requested in person, by mail, or through the Recorder’s online vital records portal. The fee is $19.00 per marriage record when ordered in person or by mail. Online orders carry additional fees ($4.00 portal fee, $5.00 ID verification fee, and 3.5% credit card service fee). Confidential marriage licenses require both parties to schedule an appointment at the County Clerk’s office; the fee is $90.00.
Santa Cruz County Recorder’s Office
Address: 701 Ocean Street, Room 230, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Phone: (831) 454-2800
Birth and death certificates. The Recorder’s Office issues certified copies of birth and death records for events recorded in Santa Cruz County. Under California Health and Safety Code Section 103526, authorized copies (valid for establishing identity) are available only to the registrant, parents, legal guardians, spouses, domestic partners, children, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, attorneys of record, or law enforcement officials. All others receive an informational copy. Authorized copies require notarized sworn statements for mail requests and presentation of government-issued photo ID for in-person requests.
| Record | Fee (in person/mail) |
|---|---|
| Birth certificate | $34.00 |
| Death certificate | $26.00 |
| Fetal death record | $23.00 |
Mail requests should include a check or money order payable to “Santa Cruz County Recorder” (no cash) and be sent to 701 Ocean Street, Room 230, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.
Santa Cruz County Probate Court Records
The Probate Division of the Superior Court handles estates, wills, trusts, transfers of property, powers of attorney, conservatorships, guardianships, and petitions to establish the fact of a birth, death, or marriage. The division operates out of the Santa Cruz Courthouse.
Searching probate records. Probate case information can be located through the Online Case Information Portal by party name or case number, though viewable documents online are limited. For full file access, visit the public kiosks at either courthouse or submit a copy request.
Requesting probate records. Complete the Research and Copy Request Form, check the Civil section (probate cases fall under the civil category on the form), and provide the decedent’s or ward’s name, case number, and the specific documents needed. Submit the form by mail or in person to:
Superior Court of California, County of Santa Cruz
Probate Division
701 Ocean Street, Room 110
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Email: probate@santacruzcourt.org
Copy fees follow the standard schedule ($0.50 per page, $40.00 certification per document). The maximum single-request fee is $75.00. Include a check payable to “Clerk of Court” or use the credit card authorization form.
What probate records contain. A typical estate file includes the petition for probate, the will (if applicable), letters testamentary or letters of administration, notice to creditors, inventory and appraisal of assets, accountings, and the final order closing the estate. Conservatorship files include the petition, court investigator’s report, order of appointment, and periodic accountings. Guardianship files follow a similar structure.
Conservatorship resources. The court provides a Conservatorship Handbook and Video, a Community Resources Directory, and information about the types of conservatorships on the California Courts self-help website.
Restricted probate records. Most probate records are public. However, records sealed by court order are not accessible without obtaining a new court order granting access. Certain filings in guardianship and conservatorship cases may contain confidential medical or financial evaluations. Pre-approval lists for upcoming probate hearings are posted on the court’s website approximately one court day before the hearing.