Family Division
Contact the Family Court
Telephone: Court Telephone Numbers
Email: ssfamilyinfo@scscourt.org
What does Family Court help with?
The following types of Family Law cases are heard in Family Court. Click on the links below to visit our Self-Help pages with more information:
- divorce, legal separation, nullity
- establishing parentage
- restraining orders/domestic violence (see online Ex Parte for information on orders already filed)
- child support/spousal support/family support
- child custody and visitation
- mediation and arbitration
Family Court Services has information about programs and classes offered regarding custody mediation.
Family cases online
If you would like to see information about a particular case or find out about a hearing date, visit our Case Information Portal . However, you will not be able to look up information on confidential cases, including cases involving adoptions, mental health issues and custody petitions for parents who have not married.
Getting help
For help understanding Family Court processes and to learn about Resources that can help you, visit the Court’s family Self-Help pages.
You can get help in person at the Self-Help Center in downtown San Jose.
For more Self-Help information about cases that involve children:
- Guardianship, name change and adoption are in Probate
- Child abuse and neglect cases are in Juvenile Dependency
- Children’s violations of criminal law are in Juvenile Justice
Community Family Resources
See Family Resources in the Self-Help section of our website.
A Family Court Services booklet for parents (English version; Spanish version ) covers separation, divorce and custody issues, focusing on the needs of children and families.
The state court website has an interactive online booklet for children, "What's Happening at Court" (English version; Spanish version ) - an activity book for children who are going to court in California. (There are also print/PDF versions in English and Spanish .)
County resources include the Child Abuse Council, working to prevent and heal child abuse.
The County Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) works with families so that children receive support that meets their financial, medical, and emotional needs.
The Judicial Council of California has videos for children, teens, and parents covering some of the issues involved in going through a divorce. See Families Change - Your Guide to Separation and Divorce.