Probate Records for San Mateo

Probate cases in San Mateo are handled by the county court, not by the city. San Mateo does not have a municipal probate court. All estate administration, wills, conservatorships, and guardianships go through San Mateo County Superior Court. The probate division is at 400 County Center in Redwood City, the county seat. This court processes cases for anyone who lived in San Mateo or anywhere else in the county when they died. It also handles cases when the deceased owned property in San Mateo County. The county Superior Court is the exclusive legal venue for all probate matters in the city of San Mateo and throughout the county.

San Mateo County Probate Court

California law assigns probate to county Superior Courts. Cities have no role. San Mateo County Superior Court handles all probate filings for San Mateo residents and everyone else in the county.

The courthouse is in Redwood City at 400 County Center. Call 650-261-5100 for general information. Email probate@sanmateocourt.org with questions. The probate division operates by appointment only. Hours are 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM, Monday through Friday. You must schedule an appointment to file documents or speak with clerk staff.

San Mateo County provides online case access. Search at sanmateocourt.org. Enter a name or case number to find cases. The system shows filed documents, upcoming hearings, and court orders. You can view public information without creating an account.

Electronic filing is available for probate cases. You can file online or by appointment in person. Mail filing is also accepted. Many law firms use e-filing, but self-represented people often prefer in-person service with help from clerk staff.

How to File a Probate Case

Begin with form DE-111, the Petition for Probate. Get it from the California Courts website. Complete all sections. Include details about the deceased, their assets, and who will serve as personal representative.

You need a certified death certificate. If there is a will, obtain the original. Make an appointment to file at the Redwood City courthouse. Take your completed petition, death certificate, and will. Pay $435 when you file. The court takes checks, money orders, and credit cards.

After filing, the clerk assigns a case number and sets a hearing date. Hearings are usually six to eight weeks out. You must publish notice of the hearing in a local newspaper. The San Mateo Daily Journal is often used. Send notice by mail to all heirs and beneficiaries. File proof of these notices before your hearing.

Go to the hearing at the scheduled time. Bring photo ID. The judge reviews your petition and attachments. If approved, you receive an Order for Probate and Letters. These letters give you authority to manage estate assets, pay bills, and handle other estate matters.

Getting Legal Help

The San Mateo County Law Library is at 710 Hamilton Street in Redwood City. The library has probate forms, practice guides, and legal research materials. Staff help you find resources but cannot give legal advice.

Several organizations offer free or reduced-cost legal help:

• Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County at 650-558-0915
• Senior Coastsiders for low-income seniors on the coast
• San Mateo County Bar Association Lawyer Referral at 650-369-4149
• Court Self-Help Center for procedural questions

The Self-Help Center has staff who answer questions about court procedures and help complete forms. They cannot represent you or advise about your case. Services are available by appointment.

Note: Small estates valued under $208,850 may use simplified procedures. Check form DE-300 for the current threshold. For personal property, use form DE-310. For real property, use form DE-305. These shortcuts avoid full probate and save time.

Death Certificates

You must have certified death certificates to file probate. Get them from the San Mateo County Clerk-Recorder or the California Department of Public Health. The county office processes recent deaths faster.

The county clerk office is at 555 County Center in Redwood City. Call 650-363-4500 for information. You can order in person, by mail, or online through the county website. Certified copies cost about $28 each. Processing takes one to two weeks for mail orders.

The state office in Sacramento handles all California deaths. Mail requests to P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento CA 95899-7410. Phone 916-445-2684. Online ordering available at cdph.ca.gov. State processing takes three to four weeks.

Nearby Cities

Daly City is another large city in San Mateo County. All county residents use the same probate court in Redwood City.

Adjacent counties include San Francisco County to the north, Santa Clara County to the south, Alameda County to the east, and Santa Cruz County to the south along the coast.

Searching for Cases

When using the online search, try searching by last name only first. Then add first name to narrow results. Some records use middle initials while others have full middle names. Women may be listed under married names or maiden names.

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

The online database includes cases from recent years. Older probate files may not be digitized. For estates from decades ago, contact the clerk office. They can search archived records, but retrieval takes extra time.

Not all deaths result in probate cases. Small estates often use simplified procedures that don't create court files. Assets with beneficiaries transfer outside probate. Living trusts avoid probate. If you cannot find a case online, one may not exist.