San Benito County Court Records

Under California Rules of Court, Rule 2.502. San Benito County court records are any documents, exhibits, or papers filed in a proceeding, any judgment or order of the court, and some items stated in Government Code section 68151(a). These records contain the case number, file date, party’s name, active attorney’s name, case type, status, events, and hearing time and date. All this information is available to the public. This public access ensures that courts operate openly, allowing citizens to know how justice is being administered. It holds the courts accountable and helps prevent misconduct, corruption, or bias in judicial decisions.

Are Court Records Public in San Benito County?

Yes. Court case documents are public records and subject to public inspection according to the California Public Records Act (PRA). Specifically, the California Rules of Court, rule 2.400(a), permits the public to inspect court records in the office of the clerk. Rule 2.550(a) also states that all court records are presumed open unless confidential or sealed by law. The following court records are confidential by statute and may not be revealed to the public:

• Sealed records
• Medical records
• Arrest reports
• Criminal history information
• Social Security numbers
• In Forma pauperis application
• Paternity cases, except judgments
• Criminal exhibits without a court order
• Juvenile court records
• Jury identification information
• Adoption proceeding records
• Grand jury proceedings records
• Subpoenaed records and expert reports
• Mentally disordered prisoners report
• Termination of parental rights proceedings records
• Search warrants and affidavits until the return of service or ten (10) days after the issuance date (whichever occurs first).

San Benito County Court Records Search

Below are some ways to conduct a court record search:

• Visit the Superior Court and ask to obtain copies of paper court records.
• Visit the Superior Court and look at electronic case records.
• Use the Public Portal to access court records
• Mail a Request for Records Search and/or Copies Form to the courthouse
• View or download court records from third-party sites

San Benito County Courts

The only court in San Benito County is the Superior Court. This Court has several divisions like Juvenile, Civil, Criminal, Family Law, Probate, Traffic, and Small Claims. It is located at:

San Benito County Superior Court
450 Fourth Street
Hollister, CA 95023
Phone: (831) 636-4057

San Benito County Criminal Records

The easiest way to find San Benito County criminal records is to fax a completed Criminal History Request Form to the Superior Court at (831) 636-1416. The fax should be sent during business hours (Monday to Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). Individuals who want to obtain copies of San Benito County arrest records can call the Correctional Facility at (831) 636-4060.

Get San Benito County Civil Court Records

The Civil Division of San Benito County Superior Court is the custodian of all civil records involving general civil, name change, small claims, unlawful detainers, probate (non-guardianship), and civil appeals. The Division specifically issues limited and unlimited civil case records, where limited civil cases include $25,000 or less, except small claims cases. Civil court records are available to members of the public via the following means:

• Online: Create an account on the Public Portal and log in with an email and password. Afterward, click the Case Search tab at the top of the page and enter a case number and any other information necessary to pull up the desired case. Then press enter to see the results below the search button. Only case parties and their attorneys can access images of civil court records via the portal.
• By mail: Complete a Request for Records Search and/or Copies Form and mail it alongside the necessary fees to the court. The Clerk charges a search fee of $15 per name for each search over 10 minutes and a copy fee of $0.50 per page. Certified copies of civil court records cost $40 per document, and offsite records cost $15.
• In-person: Requesters can visit the courthouse from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., to obtain copies of civil court records. The staff will provide a form or just ask for a name or case number to locate the desired record on the system. Afterward, the record will be printed out and issued to the requester after payments have been made.

San Benito County Marriage Records

The San Benito County Clerk makes certified authorized and informational copies of marriage records available upon request. Interested persons can submit requests for public or confidential marriage certificates online, by mail, or in person at the office. Certified copies of San Benito County marriage certificates cost $17 per copy, but government agencies can pay $12 per copy. Those requesting confidential marriage records by mail should indicate the number of certified copies they want in their request. The mail package should include the accurate fees in the form of a postal or bank money order or personal check and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The package should be mailed to:

San Benito County Clerk
440 Fifth Street
Room #206
Hollister, CA 95023

San Benito County Divorce Records

Certified copies of divorce records are available at the San Benito County Superior Court’s Family Law Division. The Division attends to requests made from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The requester will have to pay a search fee of $15 per name (if the search is over 10 minutes) and a copy fee of $0.50/per page. Certified copies cost $40 per document, but those located in an offsite location cost $15. Those who cannot visit the court can mail a completed Request for Records Search and/or Copies Form and the appropriate fees to the court. Another option would be to use the Public Portal to view divorce records for free. However, users have to create an account to search for information about divorce.

San Benito Birth and Death Records

San Benito County vital records are available at the Clerk Department from 1874 to the present. The Clerk issues authorized and informational copies of birth and death records to its customers. According to the California Health & Safety Code Section 103526, only the following individuals can access authorized copies of birth or death certificates:

• The registrant (this applies to San Benito County birth records)
• a funeral establishment’s agent or employee
• A parent, sibling, legal guardian, child, grandchild, grandparent, domestic partner, or spouse of the registrant.
• An attorney, a person with a court order, or a licensed adoption agency seeking a San Benito County birth certificate
• A law enforcement officer or a representative of another governmental agency
• Anyone or agency authorized to act on behalf of the registrant or the registrant's estate.
• A lawyer representing the registrant or the registrant's estate.
• The registrant’s surviving next of kin.

Individuals can complete the Birth or Death Certificate Authorized Copies Form online to request copies of birth or death records. The Clerk charges $29 for copies of birth certificates, but government agencies can get them for $22, and death certificates cost $24.

San Benito County Probate Court Records

The Probate Division of San Benito County Superior Court handles all estate, conservatorship, and living and testamentary trusts disputes. Individuals can view records maintained by this Division on the Public Portal for free. Users need to create an account to log in to the portal. Those who want copies of probate court records should mail a completed Request for Records Search and/or Copies Form to the court or visit the courthouse in person from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The record staff will collect a search fee of $15 per name for each search over 10 minutes. Copy fees cost $0.50 per page, and certified copies cost $40 per document.

San Benito County Property Records

The Recorder's Department makes property documents part of its San Benito County public records. These documents include liens, contracts, deeds, maps, judgments, affidavits, and military discharge certificates. Record seekers can obtain copies of property records online through the Official Records Search - Web or in person. Portal users can click the Document Search - Web, Map Search - Web, Advanced Search - Web, or Application for Official Records NOT Searchable - Web link to access property information. Copies of property records cost $5 for each first page and $2 for each additional page of the same document. Certified copies cost $20 per page and $3 for each additional page. Copies of maps cost $12.95 per page for size 22 x 34, while size 11 x 17 costs $3.95 per page. In-person requesters can visit the Department from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at:

San Benito County County Recorder
1601 Lana Way
Hollister, CA 95023
Phone: (831) 636-4046
Fax: (831) 636-2939
Email: cclerk@sanbenitocountyca.gov

The San Benito County Assessor also issues residents' property records online and in person. Online requests can be made using the Parcel Search tool available on the website. The search parameters are parcel number, house number, Dir, street name, unit, or suffix. Individuals can visit the office during business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at:

San Benito County Assessor
1131 San Felipe Rd
Hollister, CA 95023

San Benito County Court Records Online

Most third-party platforms, like californiacourtrecords.us, provide access to records maintained by state and county courts. Some sites require users to create an account, while others just have a search field where users can enter a name or case number to access court records. After conducting the search, users can view or download their desired records for a fee. Some sites charge a nominal fee for each search or document, while others offer a subscription or a 7-day unlimited access fee.