Choose the exact case type and court before filing. Court self-help information and a referral do not establish an attorney-client relationship.
Court fees, service requirements, response deadlines and exceptions depend on the current procedure. A link is an informational starting point, not a complete filing workflow.
Court branches, clerk windows, telephone assistance and remote appearances may have different instructions. Check the cited official page for the applicable channel.
2 guides with reviewed service links · Santa Clara
Superior Court for Santa Clara County. Court locations and divisions handle different case types; confirm the correct branch and service before visiting.
Official local court information and resources for this specific subject. Confirm the applicable case type, filing channel and current instructions with the court.
Official local court information and resources for this specific subject. Confirm the applicable case type, filing channel and current instructions with the court.
Local Small Claims Division — source-specific information; other procedures and appeals may differ
The small claims court is a special court in which disputes are resolved inexpensively and quickly. The rules are simple. The hearing is informal. Attorneys are not allowed. (However, you may ask your lawyer for advice before you go to small claims court.)
Official local court information and resources for this specific subject. Confirm the applicable case type, filing channel and current instructions with the court.
Local Probate Division — source-specific information; other procedures and appeals may differ
The Probate Division of Superior Court (located at the Downtown Superior Courthouse) handles a wide range of issues involving adults and children. The following is a list of matters heard in the Probate area of our Court. Clicking on the links below will take you to other pages of this website, the California Court's website, or outside agency.
Official local court information and resources for this specific subject. Confirm the applicable case type, filing channel and current instructions with the court.
Local Self-Help Restraining Orders — source-specific information; other procedures and appeals may differ
Provides information on the different types of restraining orders, instructions on how to file or respond to a restraining order, plus links to the forms you'll need.
Local Self-Help Restraining Orders — source-specific information; other procedures and appeals may differ
Provides in-person or phone assistance with restraining orders or for help with form review. The help and the forms are free. Restraining Order Help Center
Court-published links or filing information for this subject. Individual forms and any linked documents require the applicable current instructions.
Local Evictions (Unlawful Detainers) — source-specific information; other procedures and appeals may differ
See Help for Landlords and Tenants in Santa Clara County from the Court's Self-Help Center Email your eviction questions: Complete the online form to submit your questions about either starting an eviction case or getting help with an eviction case here. We will try to respond to emails within 3 business days, however it may sometimes take longer. If you have been served with a notice or an unlawful detainer lawsuit please immediately contact an attorney, a legal services agency, or the Court’s Self-Help Center for help. Do not submit questions through this website in this situation. Effective 1/1/2025, you have 10 days to respond; for cases filed prior to 1/1/2025, you only have 5 days to respond.
Official local court information and resources for this specific subject. Confirm the applicable case type, filing channel and current instructions with the court.
Local Free & Low-Cost Legal Help — source-specific information; other procedures and appeals may differ
Self-Help Center/Family Law Facilitator's Office: Please visit the Self-Help Center's page for information on how to get help from Court legal staff. Additional information can be found on our Self-Help Workshops page and Self-Help Videos page.
Local Free & Low-Cost Legal Help — source-specific information; other procedures and appeals may differ
Restraining Order Help Center: We offer in person assistance with restraining and protective orders at the Restraining Order Help Center. We can also help you in person with other emergencies including emergency requests related to custody and visitation, emergency guardianships, and answers in eviction cases.
The official court page specifically describes this subject and its available information. Consult its current instructions for your situation.
The specifically cited local court subject context; no complete-workflow claim
The process for changing a name can be complicated, and it is somewhat different depending whether the name being changed is for an adult, or a child (minor), although many of the same forms are used. Please see the California Courts Self-Help Guides for Name Change and Gender Recognition. Also, see the Self-Help Center's Name and/or Gender Change Forms & Instructions.
The process for changing a name can be complicated, and it is somewhat different depending whether the name being changed is for an adult, or a child (minor), although many of the same forms are used. Please see the California Courts Self-Help Guides for Name Change and Gender Recognition. Also, see the Self-Help Center's Name and/or Gender Change Forms & Instructions.
Shared California Courts self-help guidance, available for all 58 California county court contexts; local procedures and individual circumstances vary.
Shared California Courts Self-Help Guide. Read the instructions for your situation and check the local court requirements.
Service area: California statewide self-help information; this is one shared guide, not a separate local provider in each county. Area details & sources
Shared statewide guidance; local procedures, case types and exceptions may differ
You probably know what divorce means. In California, the legal word for divorce is dissolution.
Shared statewide guidance; local procedures, case types and exceptions may differ
Dissolution is the legal process to end a marriage or domestic partnership. It includes both divorce and a simpler option called summary dissolution. In some cases, people may choose a different legal process, like legal separation or annulment.
Shared California Courts Self-Help Guide. Read the instructions for your situation and check the local court requirements.
Service area: California statewide self-help information; this is one shared guide, not a separate local provider in each county. Area details & sources
Shared statewide guidance; local procedures, case types and exceptions may differ
Small claims court allows you to sue a person, business, or government agency that you think owes you money. Generally, you can only sue for up to $12,500 in small claims court (or up to $6,250 if you’re a business). You can ask a lawyer for advice before you go to court, but you can't have one with you in court.
Shared California Courts Self-Help Guide. Read the instructions for your situation and check the local court requirements.
Service area: California statewide self-help information; this is one shared guide, not a separate local provider in each county. Area details & sources
Shared statewide guidance; local procedures, case types and exceptions may differ
Get basic information and links to sample legal documents (like a will or a power of attorney) to have a plan if you or someone you love becomes sick or dies.
Shared California Courts Self-Help Guide. Read the instructions for your situation and check the local court requirements.
Service area: California statewide self-help information; this is one shared guide, not a separate local provider in each county. Area details & sources
Shared statewide guidance; local procedures, case types and exceptions may differ
If you need a restraining order, first find out what type of restraining order you need. Your court's self-help center ↗️ (link opens in a new tab) can help if you're not sure. Once you know, select that type to find the type of protection it offers, how to ask for one, and how to renew or enforce it.
Shared statewide guidance; local procedures, case types and exceptions may differ
If someone asked for a restraining order against you, choose the type of restraining order they asked for below to find out more about your options. The forms you got have the name of the type of restraining order listed on them.
Shared California Courts Self-Help Guide. Read the instructions for your situation and check the local court requirements.
Service area: California statewide self-help information; this is one shared guide, not a separate local provider in each county. Area details & sources
Shared statewide guidance; local procedures, case types and exceptions may differ
If you already changed your name and need a copy of a court order, contact the court where your case was filed.
Shared California Courts Self-Help Guide. Read the instructions for your situation and check the local court requirements.
Service area: California statewide self-help information; this is one shared guide, not a separate local provider in each county. Area details & sources
Shared statewide guidance; local procedures, case types and exceptions may differ
This guide explains the eviction process (called unlawful detainer) for residential evictions only. It includes steps for:
Shared California Courts Self-Help Guide. Read the instructions for your situation and check the local court requirements.
Service area: California statewide self-help information; this is one shared guide, not a separate local provider in each county. Area details & sources
Shared statewide guidance; local procedures, case types and exceptions may differ
There are a number of resources that may be able to help you with free and low-cost legal help
Shared California Courts Self-Help Guide. Read the instructions for your situation and check the local court requirements.
Service area: California statewide self-help information; this is one shared guide, not a separate local provider in each county. Area details & sources
Shared statewide guidance; local procedures, case types and exceptions may differ
In most cases, you have to pay a fee to file papers with the court. If you can’t afford court fees, you can ask the court for a fee waiver.
California Courts referrals to tenant-rights guidance, local legal information, housing resources and the appropriate state agencies.
Service area: Shared California statewide tenant information and official resource referrals; local laws and individual eligibility vary. Area details & sources
California Courts resource referral; confirm the services offered by the actual local court
Each court has a self-help center that offers free legal information. Find out from your local court what type of services they offer.
The California Attorney General’s information about renter protections, habitability, lockouts, discrimination and other landlord/tenant issues. Statutory exceptions and local rules affect protections.
Service area: Shared California statewide tenant information and official resource referrals; local laws and individual eligibility vary. Area details & sources
DOJ guidance on checking additional local tenant protections; no determination that a particular tenancy is covered
In addition to the statewide requirement that landlords have just cause before evicting a tenant, local laws may offer additional protections to residential tenants. Tenants and landlords should consult local resources to see whether their city or county has rules that may offer additional tenant protections.
DOJ referral for unresolved housing-condition concerns; contact the actual local code-enforcement or health authority
If a landlord refuses to make repairs, tenants should contact their local code enforcement office or local health department. Cities or counties may also have their own rent board or rent control program that deals with building health and safety.
As a tenant, knowing your rights is critical. Under California law, residential tenants are protected from certain rent increases and may be protected from certain types of evictions.
The Department of Real Estate’s official landing page for the 2026 California Tenants guide, with English and Spanish document links.
Service area: Shared California statewide tenant information and official resource referrals; local laws and individual eligibility vary. Area details & sources
DRE landing-page description of its informational guide
This guide is intended for informational purposes only and is not legal advice.
California Civil Rights Department information on fair-housing protections, reasonable accommodations, prohibited retaliation and housing-discrimination resources.
Service area: Shared California statewide tenant information and official resource referrals; local laws and individual eligibility vary. Area details & sources
Current Civil Rights Department fair-housing information; the webpage lists the complete protected characteristics and applicable exceptions
The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) is responsible for enforcing state fair housing laws that make it illegal to discriminate against or harass someone because of a protected characteristic, such as their gender, race, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion.