San Diego Probate Court Records

Probate cases in San Diego are processed by the county court, not the city. San Diego does not operate a municipal probate court. All estate matters, including wills, trusts, conservatorships, and guardianships, go through San Diego County Superior Court. The probate division is located downtown at 1100 Union Street. This courthouse handles cases for anyone who lived in San Diego when they passed away. It also covers estates where the deceased owned property in San Diego County, even if they lived out of state. The county court system is the only legal venue for probate proceedings in the city of San Diego and throughout the county.

San Diego County Probate Court

California assigns probate to county courts. Cities have no role in these cases. San Diego County Superior Court handles all probate filings for city residents and anyone else in the county when death occurs.

The downtown courthouse at 1100 Union Street houses the probate division. Call 619-844-2676 for general information. The clerk window is open for filings and questions during regular business hours.

San Diego County uses Tyler Odyssey for case management. Search cases online at sdcourt.ca.gov. The portal lets you look up cases by name or case number. You can view filed documents, court orders, and hearing dates. Public access does not require an account.

Electronic filing is available for probate cases in San Diego County. Many law firms use the e-filing system. Self-represented parties can also file electronically or bring documents to the clerk window in person. Mail filing is another option.

Filing Probate Cases

Start with form DE-111, the Petition for Probate. Download it from the California Courts forms page. Fill in all required sections. You need the decedent's full legal name, date of death, last address, and information about heirs.

Attach a certified death certificate to your petition. Include the original will if one exists. Take these documents to the downtown courthouse. File at the probate clerk window. Pay $435 when you file. The court accepts cash, money orders, and credit cards.

After filing, the court sets a hearing six to eight weeks out. You must publish notice in a newspaper. The San Diego Union-Tribune is widely used. Mail notice to all heirs and anyone named in the will. File proof of publication and mailing before your hearing.

Attend the scheduled hearing. Bring photo ID. The judge reviews your petition and supporting papers. Most unopposed petitions take just a few minutes. If approved, you receive Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration. These give you authority to act on behalf of the estate.

Within four months of receiving letters, file an Inventory and Appraisal. Use form DE-160. List all estate assets and their values. A court-appointed referee may appraise certain assets like real estate or business interests.

Finding Legal Help in San Diego

The San Diego Law Library is at 1100 Union Street on the fourth floor of the courthouse. The library has probate forms, practice guides, and legal research materials. Staff help you find resources but cannot give legal advice.

Several organizations provide free or reduced-cost legal assistance:

• Legal Aid Society of San Diego at 877-534-2524 for low-income residents
• Elder Law and Advocacy offers free probate help for anyone over 60, regardless of income
• San Diego County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service at 619-231-8585
• Court Self-Help Center on the first floor of the courthouse

The Self-Help Center has staff who answer procedural questions and help with forms. They cannot represent you in court or advise about strategy. Walk-in help is available during court hours. Some services are also available by phone.

Note: Estates valued under $208,850 may use simplified procedures instead of full probate. Check the small estate limit on form DE-300. For personal property, use form DE-310. For real property, use form DE-305. These shortcuts save time and avoid court hearings.

Death Certificates for Probate

You must have certified death certificates to file probate cases. Get them from the San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk or the California Department of Public Health. County service is faster for recent deaths.

The county office is at 1600 Pacific Highway, Suite 260. You can order in person, by mail, or online. Call 619-237-0502 for information. Certified copies cost about $28. Processing takes one to two weeks for mail orders. In-person orders are often ready the same day or next day.

The state vital records office is in Sacramento. Mail orders to P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento CA 95899-7410. Phone 916-445-2684. State processing takes three to four weeks. Online ordering available at cdph.ca.gov.

Other San Diego County Cities

Nearby cities that also use San Diego County Superior Court for probate include Chula Vista, Oceanside, Escondido, Carlsbad, El Cajon, and Vista. All residents in these cities file cases at the downtown San Diego courthouse.

Adjacent counties are Orange County, Riverside County, and Imperial County.

Searching for Cases Online

Use the online portal to search by last name. Try different spellings if common results don't appear. Some records use middle initials while others have full middle names. Women may be listed under maiden names or married names.

If you have a case number, enter it exactly as it appears on documents. Include all letters, numbers, and dashes. The system is format-sensitive.

The online database includes cases from recent decades. Older probate files may not be digitized. For estates from the 1980s or earlier, contact the clerk office. They can search paper archives, but retrieval takes extra time.

Not every death creates a probate case. Small estates use simplified procedures that don't generate court files. Assets with designated beneficiaries pass outside probate. Living trusts avoid probate entirely. If no case appears in the system, one may not exist.