Family Court in San Francisco, California

San Francisco sits in San Francisco County, California, so family court is handled at the county level. How and where to file family court papers from San Francisco: the right clerk of court, e-filing, filing fees, and self-help for custody, child support, and divorce.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I file family court papers if I live in San Francisco, California?

San Francisco sits in San Francisco County, California. Family court matters for San Francisco residents are filed with the clerk of court for the San Francisco county. Start with the San Francisco county court resources linked on this page to confirm the family division, courthouse location, hours, and accepted filing formats. FamilyCourtHelp.com is a self-help resource and not a law firm.

Can I e-file my San Francisco family court case online?

California uses No statewide portal; each county superior court chooses its own e-filing providers for electronic court filings. Whether self-represented filers in San Francisco can e-file depends on the court and case type, so confirm with the clerk before you submit. Where e-filing is not open to you, the clerk will accept paper filings in person or by mail.

How much does it cost to file for divorce or custody in San Francisco?

Dissolution filing fee: ~$435-$450. The exact amount is set by the clerk and changes over time, so verify the current schedule before filing. If you cannot afford the fee, California courts let you ask for a fee waiver based on income.

Is there free self-help for self-represented parents near San Francisco?

Yes. California maintains a statewide self-help resource for people without a lawyer, and many clerks run a local self-help center too. Use those official resources for forms and procedure, and use FamilyCourtHelp.com to organize your case, draft documents, and prepare. This page is educational and not legal advice.

Which county court covers San Francisco?

San Francisco is served by the San Francisco county court in California. Divorce, custody, child support, and parenting-plan cases for San Francisco residents are heard in that court's family division.