Home » Court Divisions »Family
Community Family Resources
See Family Resources in the Self-Help section of our website.
The booklet "Kids, Court & You" (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.
Use the County Mental Health Professional Services Directory to look up local Family Court related counseling and evaluation services.
The County Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) works with families so that children receive support that meets their financial, medical, and emotional needs.
Downtown San Jose Family Courthouse Location
The Family Courthouse is located at 170 Park Ave, San Jose, CA 95113, in the City View Plaza (previously called Park Center Plaza) at the corner of Park and Almaden. Click for Family Courthouse directions and hours.
Family Court also in South County
One Family Law Department, the Family Clerk's Office and the Self-Help Center are open in the South County Courthouse in Morgan Hill. Click for Self-Help Center information and hours .
Click for address and map to the South County Courthouse in Morgan Hill.
Family Court also in Sunnyvale
Three Family Law Departments, the Family Clerk's Office and the Self-Help Center, are now open in Sunnyvale. Click for directions and map to the Sunnyvale Courthouse.
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 Info website . 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. Read about the Children's Waiting Room available there - childcare services for families visiting the Notre Dame Courthouse.
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