Santa Clara County Superior Court

Information about filing court documents in Santa Clara County, California

Services

eFiling
Maximum file size: 25 MB per document / 35 MB total

Santa Clara County is an eFileCA court. 
Learn more>>
Civil Limited (Mandatory)
 Civil Unlimited (Mandatory)
 Civil Complex (Mandatory)
 Small Claims (Voluntary)
 
Family (Mandatory)
 
Probate (Mandatory)
eService
Available (Where eFiling is mandatory, California Rules of Court require that—with the exception of documents that must be personally served—documents be eServed)
Physical Filing
Maximum file size: 25 MB per document / Unlimited total
 Available for documents that are exempt from eFiling.
Courtesy Copy Delivery
Maximum file size: 25 MB per document / Unlimited total
Available

Court locations

Court address Services
Downtown Superior Court
191 N. First Street
San Jose, CA 95113

(408) 882-2100
 eFiling
Deadline: Before 11:45 p.m. (For delivery same court day)
 Physical Filing
Deadline: Before 12:00 p.m. (For delivery same court day)
 Courtesy Copy Delivery
Deadline: Before 12:00 p.m. (For delivery same court day)
Family Justice Center Courthouse
201 N. First Street
San Jose, CA 95113

(408) 534-5600
 eFiling
Deadline: Before 11:45 p.m. (For delivery same court day)
 Physical Filing
Deadline: Before 12:00 p.m. (For delivery same court day)
 Courtesy Copy Delivery
Deadline: Before 12:00 p.m. (For delivery same court day)

Contact information

Department Phone number Email
Civil - Law & Motion (408) 882-2100 - select #6 then #5
sscivilinfo@scscourt.org
Civil - Clerk's Office (408) 882-2100 - select #6 then #6
sscivilinfo@scscourt.org
Family - Clerk's Office (San Jose) (408) 534-5600 Self-help form>>
Probate - Clerk filings 408-882-2100 - select #7 then #1
ssprobinfo@scscourt.org

View the phone directory>>

View the email directory>>

Useful resources

FAQs

Which documents are exempt from eFiling?

The following documents shall not be filed electronically:

  • Bench warrants
  • Deposits of cash or check
  • Bonds
  • Undertakings
  • Wills and codicils
  • Original orders signed by a judicial officer
  • Trial exhibits

The following documents must be presented to the Clerk of the Court in paper form for issuance: 

  • Writs
  • Abstracts
  • Ex Parte Filings (Effective 09/17/2021, Attorneys are required to E-File Probate Ex Parte Petitions. Please see Local Probate Rule 2C for full details).
  • Judgments – Family Case Types Only
  • Defaults – Family Case Types Only
  • Out of State Commissions
  • Sister State Judgments
  • Subpoenas for Out of State Actions
  • Local Form FN-022 (Order for Payment from Court Deposit)
  • Local Form FN-030 (Payee Data Record)
  • Certificate of Facts Re: Unsatisfied Judgment
  • Letters issued by the Probate Court
  • Citations issued by the Probate Court

During trial, a party may submit to the courtroom clerk and serve by hand any pleadings, as long as the pleadings are also filed electronically before the close of business no later than the following court day.

A party may be excused from filing any particular document electronically if it is not available in electronic format and it is not feasible for the party to convert the document to electronic format by scanning it to PDF or it may not be comprehensively viewed in an electronic format. Exhibits to declarations that are real objects also need not be filed electronically. Such a document or exhibit may be manually filed with the Clerk of the Court and served upon the parties by conventional non-electronic means. A party manually filing such a document or exhibit must file electronically and serve a Notice of Manual Filing specifically describing the document or exhibit, and setting forth the reason the document or exhibit cannot be filed electronically.

A party who is required, under these Rules, the California Rules of Court or otherwise, to lodge copies or to submit courtesy copies of certain documents at the request of the trial judge or other judge, must continue to deliver such documents in paper form.

In the Civil Division, such documents must be delivered to Court Services with the Department number on the front page.

As of Feb. 24, 2023. Review the General Rules>>

How can I get my Civil Lawsuit Notice returned through the eFiling system?

When the complaint or other initial pleading is filed, the filing party must submit a blank Civil Lawsuit Notice (CV-5012) to the Clerk for issuance of Judicial Assignment, Initial Court Hearing Date, Time, and Department with the filing of the new complaint. 

The Civil Lawsuit Notice will only be completed and returned by the Clerk if one is provided by the filer. 

  • The party who filed the initial pleading must serve a copy of the Civil Lawsuit Notice completed by the Clerk on all other parties named in the pleading. 
  • A party who subsequently files a pleading that adds a new party must serve a copy of the Civil Lawsuit Notice on all new parties. 
  • Service of the Civil Lawsuit Notice must be done at the same time as service of the pleading. 
  • When the Civil Lawsuit Notice is served, it must reflect the most up-to-date information available concerning the date, time and location of the next CMC. 
  • Therefore, the party serving the Notice must complete the information on the next CMC if the first CMC was continued or has passed.
As of Feb. 24, 2023. Review the General Rules>>



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