This page helps with a case search in San Mateo County, California by outlining the main online case search options, access limits, and next steps for copies or in-person review.
The Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo provides MIDX for case index searches and the Odyssey Public Portal for non-confidential case information and available documents.
San Mateo Superior Court Records Index
Use the search the San Mateo Superior Court Records Index option to look up non-confidential and non-sealed case index information. MIDX covers appeals, civil, criminal, family law, probate, and small claims cases.
Have one or more search details ready before using the index:
- Case number, with at least 5 alpha-numeric characters
- First and last name, with at least 2 characters in each field
- Business name, with at least 3 characters
- Filing date range, limited to a maximum of 5 calendar days
Wildcard searches are supported for names and business names by placing an asterisk after the search text.
- Open the MIDX search page.
- Choose case number, person, business, or filing date search.
- Enter the required search information.
- Review matching index results for the case number, party type, case name, filing date, and index source.
MIDX provides index information only. It does not display the full Odyssey case record or all available documents.
Odyssey Public Portal case records
The open the Odyssey Public Portal option allows public access without registration. It displays registers of actions for non-confidential and non-sealed civil, criminal, family law, probate, small claims, and traffic cases.
Use Smart Search in the portal to search for court records. The court recommends a wildcard search when the exact party name or case number is unclear. Advanced Filtering Options can help narrow results after the initial search.
Non-confidential and non-sealed documents are available online only for civil, family law, probate, small claims, and traffic case types. Family law documents are currently precluded from display on the public portal.
Online access limits
Some case information is not available online. Adoption, juvenile, and mental health case information is excluded from Internet access. If the information is not confidential by law, or if you are a party to the case, you may obtain information through the Clerk's Office.
Criminal cases filed before 1993 require contact with the Criminal Court Clerk's Office at 650-261-5100 option #1.
The court website and online content do not constitute the official court record. Public case files may be available for viewing through the Records Management Division at the Hall of Justice in Redwood City.
Case number formats in Odyssey
Converted case numbers in the Odyssey portal always include letters before the numbers for cases filed from January 1, 2000 through June 15, 2016. Cases filed after June 15, 2016 generally begin with the two-digit filing year, followed by a three-character case type prefix and a number.
| Case type | Converted case number examples |
|---|---|
| Family law | FAM0123456 |
| Civil | CLJ123456 or CIV123456 |
| Probate | PRO123456 |
| Small claims | SCS123456, SCC123456, or SCN123456 |
| Criminal | NM123456, NF123456, SC123456, SF123456, or SM123456 |
Viewing public case files
Public case files for criminal, civil, small claims, family law, probate, and unlawful detainer matters may be viewed at the Records Management Division on the 1st Floor, Room A of the Hall of Justice, 400 County Center, Redwood City, CA 94063.
Files may be viewed Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. You may view up to 5 files at a time. After returning those files, you may ask for 5 more.
Some files are stored off-site. Off-site file requests must be made in person at the Records Department in the Hall of Justice, and a $10 fee per file must be prepaid. Off-site files are available within 72 hours and are held for 5 working days after they are received.
Requesting court record copies by mail
The Records Management Division provides copies for criminal, civil, family law, probate, small claims, and unlawful detainer case files. Juvenile and traffic case file copy requests are handled by those departments directly.
Mail copy requests to San Mateo Superior Court Records Management, 400 County Center, 1st Floor Room A, Redwood City, CA 94063. Include the case number, parties involved, approximate filing date or document description, a self-addressed postage-paid envelope, and a blank check payable to "Superior Court" with a "Not to exceed" amount on the memo line.
The Records Management Division replies within 30 days after receiving the request. It does not research files, so use MIDX or the court website first if you need to identify a case number or filing date.
Record copy fees
The following court record fees apply to copy and records services:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Making a copy of any record, proceeding, or paper on file | $0.50 per side |
| Certified copy of marriage or domestic partnership dissolution record | $15.00 |
| Certifying a copy of any paper, record, or proceeding on file | $40.00 |
| Exemplification of record or other paper on file | $50.00 |
| Comparing a copy with an original on file | $1.00 per side |
| Searching records or files, for each search longer than 10 minutes | $15.00 |
| Getting any file stored off-site | $10.00 |
Self-represented electronic case access
Parties representing themselves in Family Law or Civil cases may request online access to their electronic records through the court's portal. Registration is required, but the court instructs users not to attempt to register for a portal account directly because it may delay or prevent access.
To request access, complete the User Agreement for Access to Court Electronic Records, list each Family Law or Civil case number on page 3, schedule an appointment with the Records Division, and bring the completed agreement with a valid government-issued ID.
Family Law access began on August 12, 2024. Civil access began on March 3, 2025.
Case search contacts
Use these court contacts for case records, older criminal case questions, traffic records, and restricted juvenile record issues.
- Records Management Division, 400 County Center, 1st Floor, Redwood City, CA 94063. Phone hours: Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Phone: (650) 261-5100
- Criminal Division, 400 County Center, 4th Floor, Redwood City, CA 94063. Phone hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Phone: 650-261-5100 option 1
- Traffic Division, 1050 Mission Road, South San Francisco, CA 94080. Phone hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Phone: (650) 363-4300 or 650-261-5100 option 5
- Juvenile Division, 222 Paul Scannell Drive, San Mateo, CA 94402. Phone hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Phone: 650-261-5100 option 8
Common questions
Where can I search San Mateo County court cases online?
Start with MIDX for index information, then use the Odyssey Public Portal for available non-confidential case information and documents.
Does MIDX show full case documents?
No. MIDX provides index information such as case number, party type, case name, filing date, and index source. Use the Odyssey Public Portal for available case data and documents.
Do I need to register for the Odyssey Public Portal?
No. Public portal access does not require registration. Attorney portal access and self-represented portal access have separate requirements.
Which case types are not available online?
Adoption, juvenile, and mental health case information is not available online. If access is allowed by law or party status, the Clerk's Office may provide information.
How do I search if I do not know the exact party name?
Use a wildcard search with an asterisk. For example, a business search can use a shortened name followed by an asterisk to return broader results.
What should I do for a criminal case filed before 1993?
Contact the Criminal Court Clerk's Office at 650-261-5100 option #1 for criminal cases filed before 1993.
Can I view public case files in person?
Yes. Public case files may be viewed at the Records Management Division at the Hall of Justice in Redwood City during posted viewing hours.
How do I request copies by mail?
Send the Records Management Division the case number, party names, approximate filing date or document description, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a blank check payable to "Superior Court" with a not-to-exceed amount.