San Mateo County Probate Records

San Mateo County probate records are court documents generated when administering a deceased person's estate. Members of the public often seek these records to resolve disputes over estates, understand a deceased person’s financial affairs, verify inheritance claims, or conduct family history research. Like other San Mateo County court records, the Superior Court Probate Division maintains probate records in San Mateo County and makes them available to the public upon request.

Are Probate Records Public?

Yes, all probate records are available for public viewing and copying according to the California Public Records Act (PRA) and California Rules of Court, rule 2.400(a). Therefore, interested persons may query the San Mateo County Superior Court Probate Division to obtain copies of probate records. The Division may restrict access to some records if they are considered confidential according to law. Confidential probate records are only open to the subject of the record, their attorney, and anyone with a court order.

What is Probate Court in San Mateo County?

The San Mateo County Superior Court Probate Division handles conservatorship, decedent's estate, trust, guardianship, elder abuse cases, and other miscellaneous proceedings. The Division conducts business from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the address below:

San Mateo County Superior Court
Probate Division
Hall of Justice
400 County Center,
Redwood City, CA 94063
Phone: (650) 261-5100

Probate Court Case Lookup

The Superior Court Probate Division is the custodian of all probate records in San Mateo County. Inquirers may perform a San Mateo probate case lookup via the following means:

• Online: The Division has a Public Records Index portal where users can look up probate case information for free. Select the case number search, person search, or filing date search tab and enter the appropriate information to locate the desired record.
• By mail: Individuals can mail a written request to the 1st Floor Room A of the San Mateo County Superior Court to obtain copies of probate records. The request must include a case number, the names of the case parties, and the filing date or description of the desired record. The customers must send a self-addressed, postage-paid/stamped envelope and a blank check with the written request. The Records Management Division will respond to the request within 30 days.
• In-person: The San Mateo County Superior Court Records Management Division allows individuals to view probate records on public computers in their lobby during business hours. The requester would need a name or case number to conduct the search. The computers return documents and information for probate cases filed from 2000 to the present. Customers can view up to 5 files at a time and can request only one copy for the same file on the same day. The court can also provide probate case files located in an off-site location to individuals upon request. A pre-paid fee of $10 per file is required for such requests. The records will be available within 72 hours.

Copies of probate records cost $0.50 per side, and certified copies cost $40 per copy. Comparing a copy with an original on file costs $1 per side, while any records that take more than 10 minutes to search cost $15.

How to Find Probate Records Online Free

The Superior Court Probate Division provides two free online databases for accessing probate records. The first is the Public Records Index portal, where users can search by case number, party name, or filing date. For case number searches, a minimum of five alphanumeric characters is required. Name searches require at least two characters in each field, while date range searches are limited to a maximum span of 5 calendar days. The alternative is the Odyssey Portal, which allows users to search by number or name. Users should scroll to the "Case Search Criteria" section and select "Probate" from the Filter by Case Type dropdown. These databases provide limited probate information for free. However, individuals can get certified copies or detailed documentation of probate records by mail or in person at the courthouse.

How Long Does Probate Take in California?

Under California law, a personal representative must complete probate within one year from the date of their appointment. If a federal estate tax return is required, the timeline extends to 18 months. If the probate process is not finalized within the required period, the personal representative must submit a status report to the court outlining the outstanding tasks and providing an estimated completion timeframe. The probate process may take longer if there is a will contest, the estate is large and complex, or locating beneficiaries proves challenging.

Are Wills Public Record?

Yes, Wills are public records in San Mateo County. They become public after they are filed with the court during probate. However, wills are deemed confidential if the probate process has not begun. Confidential wills are usually held by the executor or the deceased person’s attorney.

How to Find Out If Someone Has a Will

Family members can determine if their loved ones have wills by searching their personal belongings. Inquirers may check the deceased’s, including safe deposit boxes, home safes, or filing cabinets. If no will is found, contact their attorney and the probate court in the county where the deceased lived or passed away. Many probate courts offer online search portals, though physical copies of wills are typically available only at the courthouse during business hours.

San Mateo County Family Court Case Search

Individuals can easily find family court case records such as divorce, custody, and paternity at the San Mateo County Superior Court Family Law Division. Some of these records can be inspected online without charges through the Public Records Index portal or Odyssey Portal. The search criteria are number, name, and filing date.

Copies of family court case records can be obtained by mail or in person at the courthouse. Mail requesters must send written requests containing sufficient information about the desired records, a self-addressed, postage-paid/stamped envelope, and a blank check to the Records Management Division. In-person requesters can use the public computers in the lobby area to view family court records by using a name or case number. Copies can also be obtained from the records staff for a fee as low as $0.50 per side. Customers should visit the courthouse from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.