Stockton Probate Court Records
Probate cases for Stockton residents are processed by San Joaquin County Superior Court. The city of Stockton does not operate its own probate court. All estate administration, will validation, conservatorships, and guardianships go through the county court system. As of February 2025, the probate division moved to a new location at 315 West Elm Street in Lodi. This court handles all cases for people who lived in Stockton or anywhere else in San Joaquin County when they died. It also has jurisdiction when the deceased owned property in the county, regardless of where they resided. The county Superior Court is the exclusive legal venue for all probate proceedings involving Stockton residents and their estates.
Stockton Probate Information
San Joaquin County Superior Court
Probate is a county function under California law. Cities have no role. San Joaquin County Superior Court handles all probate filings for Stockton residents and everyone else in the county.
The probate division recently moved to a new location. The new address is 315 West Elm Street in Lodi. Phone 209-992-5696 for information. Email probateorders@sjcourts.org with questions. This is a recent change as of February 2025.
San Joaquin County provides online case access. Search at cms.sjcourts.org. Enter a name or case number to find cases. The portal shows filed documents, hearing schedules, and court orders. You can view public information without creating an account.
Electronic filing is available for probate documents. You can file online, in person at the Lodi courthouse, or by mail. Many attorneys use e-filing. Self-represented people often file in person at the clerk window.
Filing Estate Cases
Start with form DE-111, the Petition for Probate. Download it from courts.ca.gov. Complete all required sections. Include information about the deceased, their assets, and the proposed personal representative.
Gather a certified death certificate. If a will exists, obtain the original. Take these documents to the courthouse in Lodi. File at the probate clerk window. Pay $435 when you file. The court accepts checks, money orders, and credit cards.
After filing, the clerk assigns a case number and schedules a hearing six to eight weeks out. You must publish notice in a local newspaper. The Stockton Record or Lodi News-Sentinel are options. Mail notice to all heirs and beneficiaries. File proof of publication and mailing before your hearing.
Go to the hearing at the scheduled time. Bring photo ID. The judge reviews your petition and attachments. If everything is proper, the judge issues an Order for Probate and Letters. These letters authorize you to manage estate assets, pay debts, and distribute property to heirs.
Legal Help for Stockton Residents
The San Joaquin County Law Library has resources for probate cases. The library has forms, legal guides, and research materials. Staff help you find resources but cannot give legal advice.
Free and low-cost legal assistance is available through:
- Legal Services of Northern California at 209-948-0766
- San Joaquin County Bar Association Lawyer Referral at 209-948-0125
- Court Self-Help Center for procedural questions
- Senior Legal Services for people over 60
The Self-Help Center has staff who answer questions about court procedures and help complete forms. They cannot represent you or give legal advice about your case. Services are available during court hours.
Note: Estates valued under $208,850 may use simplified procedures instead of full probate. Check form DE-300 for current thresholds. For personal property, use form DE-310. For real estate, use form DE-305. These procedures avoid lengthy court processes.
Obtaining Death Certificates
You need certified death certificates to file probate. Get them from the San Joaquin County Clerk-Recorder or the California Department of Public Health. The county office processes recent deaths faster.
The county clerk office is at 44 North San Joaquin Street in Stockton. Call 209-468-2350 for information. Online ordering is available 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 at cdph.ca.gov. State processing takes three to four weeks.
Other San Joaquin County Areas
All San Joaquin County residents use the same probate court, now located in Lodi. This includes Stockton and all other cities in the county.
Adjacent counties include Sacramento County, Stanislaus County, Calaveras County, Amador County, and Contra Costa County.
Nearby cities in other counties include Sacramento, Elk Grove, Modesto, Tracy, and Antioch.
Finding Cases Online
When using the online search, try searching by last name only. Then narrow results by adding first name. Some records use middle initials while others spell out middle names. Women may be listed under married names or maiden names.
If you have a case number, enter it exactly as shown on documents. Include all letters, numbers, and dashes. The system is format-sensitive.
The online database covers recent years. Older probate records may exist only on paper. Contact the clerk office to request searches of archived files. Retrieval of old cases can take weeks.
Not every death creates a probate case. Small estates use simplified procedures that don't generate court files. Assets with beneficiaries pass outside probate. Living trusts avoid probate. If no case appears, one may not exist.