Filing Hours :

The clerk's office is open from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday in Santa Cruz and Watsonville. A mail slot is provided for filings after 4:00 pm

(Items must be received by 5:00 pm)

Phone Hours:

Phones are answered from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm daily.

The Civil Division in Santa Cruz handles all civil matters, including general civil, civil harassment restraining orders, name change applications, probate and unlawful detainer. The Watsonville court handles limited civil cases, including unlawful detainer. Your court hearing will most likely be heard in the location that you filed your court documents. The clerk's office does not provide forms, nor can the clerks tell you how to proceed in your case. If you choose to represent yourself, you will be responsible for using the correct forms and procedures. Forms are available on a self-help basis in the Law Library in the basement of the Government Center located at 701 Ocean St. Santa Cruz, CA. room 70, and for a nominal cost at several paralegal services. Some forms will be available at the court's Self Help Center located at 1 Second Street, Watsonville, (opening April 7th 2008) see the Self Help Section of this web site for times and hours of the center. Local forms are available on this website.

Please note: all documents presented for filing must have all pertinent trial or hearing dates noted on the document. For return of "file" endorsed copies, a self-addressed, stamped envelope must accompany the documents to be filed. When no such envelope is provided, the copies will be retained in the Clerk's Office.