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Public Access Policy

Updated 11/22/21 - The listen-only public access lines are no longer in effect; proceedings are open to the public to attend in person.

San Mateo County Superior Court is committed to continuing public access to court proceedings during and after the pandemic emergency. Due to COVID-19 and public health concerns, the Court has shifted to convene some court proceedings remotely in order to eliminate the need for individuals to attend hearings in person. This is to reduce the number of visits by the public to the courthouses, thereby minimizing potential infection of the public and staff.

At this time, members of the public may attend a court proceeding in person. The Court is committed to maintaining a safe workplace for our staff and the public. Each courtroom can accommodate a different number of seats in the audience. You will need to check-in with the bailiff when you enter the courtroom. The bailiff will inform you as to whether or not there is an available seat, or if capacity has been reached. If capacity has been reached, you may remain outside the courtroom until someone leaves. Face coverings are required at all times inside the courthouse.

Zoom may not be used for public access without the approval of the judicial officer.

Did you miss your court date? If you were stopped and cited for a criminal offense and missed your court date, there may be a warrant out for your arrest. To appear in court and have your case heard, check-in at the criminal clerk's office by 8:30 a.m. and you can appear before the judge on the same day. Click this link for more information: https://www.sanmateocourt.org/court_divisions/criminal/

Redwood City and South San Francisco's Clerk's Offices Expansion of Hours on October 18, 2021

Effective 10/18/21, the Traffic Clerk's Office will open fully from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday - Friday. The office is located at the Northern Branch, 1050 Mission Road, South San Francisco, CA. To avoid unnecessary trips to the courthouse, we still encourage you to check out your online options for taking care of your traffic ticket.

Redwood City Civil, Small Claims, Records, Family Law, and Probate will have counter hours from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Monday - Friday. Please click here to schedule an appointment for the clerk's office: In-Person Appointment Phone hours will be open from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Monday - Friday.

The Family Law, and Probate Clerk's Offices will continue to process emergency ex parte matters, domestic violence and elder/dependent adult abuse petitions between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The Civil Clerk's Office will continue to process Ex Partes. Please follow instructions onsite to enter the Clerk's Office in Redwood City outside of office hours.

Redwood City Criminal Clerk's Office will have counter, phone, and Live Chat hours from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday. The South San Francisco Criminal Clerk's Office remains closed.

The Juvenile Clerk's Office in San Mateo hours are 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.