Access San Mateo County Criminal Court Records

San Mateo County criminal court records are kept by the San Mateo County Superior Court, which serves the peninsula region south of San Francisco. The court runs a Tyler Odyssey MIDX portal where you can search for criminal cases online at no cost. Whether you need to check a case status, find court dates, or look up charges, the MIDX index is the place to start. San Mateo County handles a wide mix of criminal filings each year. This page explains the best ways to search for and get copies of criminal court records in San Mateo County.

San Mateo County Criminal Records MIDX Portal

The San Mateo County Superior Court operates a Tyler Odyssey MIDX index at web.sanmateocourt.org/midx. MIDX stands for "Master Index." This is the court's main public-facing tool for looking up criminal case information. You can search by defendant name or case number. Results show charges, filing dates, hearing schedule, and case status. The portal is free. No login is needed.

Below is a screenshot of the San Mateo County MIDX portal, available at the court's MIDX page.

The MIDX system is quick to use. Type in a name and it returns any matching criminal cases in San Mateo County. Click through to a case for the detail view, which lists each charge and every court date. Bear in mind that this online data is not the official court record. If you need a certified copy of a San Mateo County criminal court record, the clerk's office handles that. The portal works well as a first step to confirm that a case exists and to get the case number before requesting copies.

Fees for San Mateo Criminal Court Records

Copies cost $0.50 per page at the San Mateo County Superior Court. That is the standard California rate. Certified copies are $40 per document plus the per-page fee. If you need a document with a court seal for legal purposes, you pay the certification charge on top of the copy cost. The clerk can tell you the exact total before you pay.

A $15 search fee may be charged when the clerk needs more than 10 minutes to locate a record. Older files stored off-site carry a $10 retrieval fee. Fee waivers are available if you qualify based on income. Ask the clerk for the form. These fees are set by state law under California Government Code and apply across all 58 counties.

Get Criminal Court Records in San Mateo County

In person is the fastest way. The main courthouse is at 400 County Center in Redwood City. Go to the clerk's office, give them the case number or defendant name, and they will pull the file. You can get copies on the spot. San Mateo County also has a branch courthouse in South San Francisco. Check which location holds your case before making the trip.

Mail requests work too. Write to the San Mateo County Superior Court Clerk, 400 County Center, Redwood City, CA 94063. Include the defendant name, case number, and a list of the documents you need. Send a check or money order for the fees. This method takes a few weeks. For time-sensitive needs, the in-person route is better. You can also reach the court through the San Mateo Superior Court website for additional details on how to make a records request.

For state-level criminal history, the California DOJ record review costs $25 and uses the Live Scan process. That gives you your RAP sheet. This is separate from the court files held in San Mateo County.

Note: Effective January 2026, California law AB 1524 lets you use your own camera or phone to photograph court records you are entitled to view at the courthouse.

Criminal Record Laws in San Mateo County

Criminal court records in San Mateo County are generally public. You can request copies without being a party to the case. No reason is required. The clerk must provide copies to anyone who pays the fee.

Certain records are restricted. Juvenile cases are sealed under California law. Mental health documents within a criminal case are confidential. Some files in domestic violence cases have limited access too. Under Penal Code Section 11105, the DOJ maintains state summary criminal history information, but that is a separate database from the court case records. California Rules of Court Rule 2.503 limits which criminal case documents can be viewed online versus in person at the courthouse. In San Mateo County, registers of action and court calendars are usually available through the MIDX portal. Full case documents typically require a visit to the Redwood City courthouse or the South San Francisco branch.

San Mateo County Record Dismissal

A conviction in San Mateo County may be eligible for dismissal. Under Penal Code Section 1203.4, someone who has completed probation can petition the court to dismiss the conviction. People often call this expungement. The record still exists but shows the dismissal. This matters for background checks and job applications.

You file the petition with the San Mateo County Superior Court. The judge reviews your case and decides whether to grant it. Not every conviction qualifies. Some serious felonies are excluded. Under Penal Code Section 851.8, someone found factually innocent can also have their arrest record sealed and destroyed. Talk to the clerk's office or a legal aid provider for guidance on San Mateo County expungement cases.

State Criminal Record Resources

State tools can supplement what you find in San Mateo County court records. The CIRIS inmate search from CDCR shows anyone currently in state prison. If someone convicted in San Mateo County was sent to state prison, you can look them up here. The tool is free and shows the person's name, CDCR number, location, and admission date.

The California Courts Self-Help Guide explains the process for getting copies of court records and lists fees. Under Penal Code Section 13300, local law enforcement keeps its own criminal offender records. For police reports or arrest records tied to a San Mateo County criminal case, contact the agency that made the arrest. The San Mateo County Sheriff and city police departments each maintain their own records divisions.

San Mateo County Cities

These cities in San Mateo County have populations over 100,000. All criminal cases go through the San Mateo County Superior Court system. Select a city for local details.

Nearby Counties

These counties border San Mateo County. Each runs its own Superior Court for criminal cases.