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Services at Family Court
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Drawing of a woman and baby standing at a counterThis section tells you about:

  1. Services at Family Court

    Family Court is part of the Santa Clara County Superior Court. We created this web site to answer common questions about family law procedures.

    The Court has five offices that help people with family law cases:
     
    1. Family Law Facilitator/Family Court Clinic (FLF):
      The Family Law Facilitator (FLF) Office helps people to understand how family law cases are processed. They can also help you fill out your family law forms, calculate support and explain court procedures. You can learn more on the Family Law Facilitator page at this website.
       
    2. Family Court Services (FCS):
      The judge may send you to the FCS Office for child custody mediation. You may also have to go to the Family Court Orientation Class, "Kids, Court & You."
       
    3. Self-Service Center (SSC):
      The Self Service Center can help you fill out your family law forms and explain court procedures. They can also provide help or referrals for non-Family law questions
       
    4. Restraining Order Help Center (ROHC)
      The Restraining Order Help Center helps people to file for restraining orders and answer restraining orders. They can also provide referrals to other agencies that can help you.
       
    5. CourtMobile
      The CourtMobile travels to different locations in Santa Clara County to help people with legal issues. Click here for more information and a schedule. It can help with Family and non-Family Law issues.

    2.  

  2. What happens at Family Court at Park Center Plaza

    Here’s what’s inside the Family Court building in downtown San Jose:

    1st Floor (Plaza) Courtrooms 73 –76, Security, telephones, copy machine, meeting areas for clients and their lawyers.
    2nd Floor (Mezzanine) Family Court Services (public) and the Judges’ Chambers (No public access).
    Basement (Garage) Courtrooms 71 and 72, Family Law Facilitator Office, Restraining Order Help Center, Clerk’s Office and Calendar Office. Also, Restrooms, water fountain, telephones.

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    Phone numbers: Go to the Family Court page of this website to see phone numbers. When calling the Family Court, listen carefully to the recording and pick the office (Clerk, Court Services, Restraining Order Help Desk, etc.) that you want.


  3. Family Court Services waiting room policy
    You must have an appointment with FCS to use our waiting room.

    If you do not have an appointment, please wait on the main floor.

    Please try not to bring children. If your children are with you, we will ask one parent to wait with them on the main floor.

     
  4. How to get to the Family Court buildings

    Family Court/Park Center Plaza:
    Santa Clara County Superior Court
    170 Park Center Plaza
    San Jose, CA 95113
    (corner of Park Avenue and Almaden Blvd.)
    Family Court web page

    By Light Rail: Stop at the Convention Center. It is one block from the Courthouse.

    By car: From all freeways, take the Highway 87 Guadalupe Parkway.

    If you are traveling north on Guadalupe Parkway, take the Santa Clara Street off ramp and go right. Turn right on Almaden Blvd. The Courthouse will be on your left at Park Avenue.

    If you are traveling south on Guadalupe Parkway, take the Park Avenue exit and turn left. The Courthouse will be on your left at Almaden Blvd.

    Click here for alternate transportation links

    Parking:
    It costs $25 per day to park in the garage next the Courthouse. The Superior Court cannot validate your parking.

    For lower-cost parking, you can go to:
    corner of Woz Way and Almaden Blvd., about 1-1/2 blocks from the Courthouse, across from the Hilton hotel and behind the Children's Discovery Museum.

    Come early. You may need time to find parking.
    Notre Dame Courthouse
    99 Notre Dame Avenue
    San Jose, CA 95113
    (corner of Notre Dame and West St. John, 2 blocks north of Santa Clara St.)
    Notre Dame Courthouse web page

    By car: From all freeways, take the Highway 87 Guadalupe Parkway.

    If you are traveling north on Guadalupe Parkway, take the Santa Clara Street off ramp and go right. Turn left at Notre Dame Avenue. The Courthouse is at the corner of Notre Dame Ave. and W. St. John St.

    If you are traveling south on Guadalupe Parkway, take the Park Avenue exit and turn left. Turn left again at Almaden Blvd. Almaden Blvd. becomes Notre Dame Ave. when it crosses Santa Clara St. The Courthouse is at the corner of Notre Dame Ave. and W. St. John St.

    Parking: There are several lots close to the courthouse.
     

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  5. Services and hours at Family Court

    Click on the service you need below:
     


    Schedule an appointment for child custody mediation or Family Court orientation

    Go to Family Court Services at the Family Court/Park Center Plaza, upper level
    8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
    Or call, (408) 534-5600 and listen for the Family Court Services option.

    File your completed court papers

    Family Court/Park Center Plaza
    Go to the Clerk's Office, Room 103, lower level
    Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
    Telephone: (408) 534-5600 and listen for the Clerk's Office option.

    Bring copies of papers you want to file. If the Clerk copies them for you, you will have to pay fifty cents ($.50) per copied side.    		 Notre Dame Courthouse
    Go to the Clerk's Office
    8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday
    Telephone: 408-882-2900 and listen for the Clerk's Office option.

    Bring copies of papers you want to file. If the Clerk copies them for you, you will have to pay fifty cents ($.50) per copied side.

    See your court file
     
    Family Court/Park Center Plaza
    Go to the Clerk's Office, Room 103, lower level
    Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

    Your file may be stored at another location. If so, the clerk may send you there to read your file.    		 Notre Dame Courthouse
    To see your Department of Child Support Services child support files, go to:
    Clerk's Office
    Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.,
    Your file may be stored at another location. If so, the clerk may send you there to read your file.

    Schedule your court hearings
     
    Family Court/Park Center Plaza
    Bring your completed court papers to the Calendar Clerk, Room 103, lower level
    Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
    Telephone: (408) 534-5600 and listen for the Calendar Clerk option    		 Notre Dame Courthouse
    Bring your completed court papers to the Clerk’s Office
    8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday
    (408) 882-2900 (listen for Clerk's Office option)


    File a Domestic Violence Protection Act Restraining Order (DVPA)
     
    Family Court/Park Center Plaza
    Go to the Restraining Order Help Center, lower level
    Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
    Closed: 12:30 – 1:30
    If you already filled out your forms, take them directly to the Document Examiner, lower level
    Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
    Telephone: (408) 534-5600 and listen for the Document Examiner option    		 Notre Dame Courthouse
    We recommend you first go to the Restraining Order Help Center at Family Court/Park Center Plaza for one-on-one help.
    You can also find sample forms at the
    Restraining Order Help Center  and CourtMobile.

     

    To reach the Restraining Order Help Center by phone, call (408) 534-5600
    and listen for the Restraining Order Help Center option.


    Get Help at the Family Law Facilitator’s Office
    Go to the Notre Dame Courthouse.
    Monday – Thursday 8:15 am – 4:00 pm
    Closed: 12:30 – 1:30
    First-come, first-served. Come early.
    Friday: Only open for already scheduled appointments and judges’ referrals
    Telephone: (408) 882-2900 and listen for the Facilitator option


    Get Help at the Self-Service Center
    Monday – Thursday 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
    Closed: 12:30 – 1:30
    First-come, first-served. Come early.
    Friday: Only open for already scheduled appointments and quick questions
    Telephone: (408) 882-2900 and listen for the Self Service option


    Get Help at the CourtMobile
    The CourtMobile travels four weeks each month. The schedule varies by location. Click here for more information and the schedule.
    Telephone: (408) 882-2900 and listen for the Self Service option


     Family Court Hours
     
    Family Court/Park Center Plaza

    Building is open
    Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m

    		 Notre Dame Courthouse
    Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

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