Departments
This independent directory helps residents find public agencies and services serving Santa Clara County. It covers property assessments, tax payments, public records, court services, health care, public benefits, transportation, and other common needs. Use the services column to identify where to start, then use the phone number or official link to contact the appropriate office. This website is not affiliated with county government or the agencies listed.
Finding the Right Office
Property assessment and valuation questions belong with the Assessor. Property tax bills and payments belong with the Department of Tax and Collections. The Clerk-Recorder's Office handles vital records and recorded documents, including birth certificates, marriage licenses, and recorded real estate documents. Court case records, family law matters, traffic cases, and jury service belong with the Superior Court.
For public benefit applications, use the benefits contact in the Social Services entry. IHSS has a separate number for in-home support services. Building permits depend on location: county Building Services handles properties in unincorporated Santa Clara County, while properties within a city generally require contact with that city's building department.
Entries are listed alphabetically and include county offices, court services, and other public agencies serving the area. Property Search, Court Case Search, and Marriage License are service topics rather than separate departments. Phone labels identify general office numbers and dedicated service contacts. For emergencies requiring police, fire, or an ambulance, call 911.
Santa Clara County Departments and Services Directory
| Name | Services | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Services | Animal shelter services, pet adoption, lost-pet assistance, and licensing information within the agency's service area. | (408) 686-3900 |
| Assessor | Property assessments, assessed values, parcel information, and ownership records. Public Service assists with property records; the Real Property Division handles valuation questions. | (408) 299-5500 — Public Service (408) 299-5300 — Real Property Division |
| Board of Supervisors | County policy and public meetings. The Clerk of the Board assists with meeting information, agendas, records, and participation procedures. District offices handle constituent matters. | (408) 299-5001 — Clerk of the Board |
| Building Department | Building permits, inspections, and development inquiries for properties in unincorporated Santa Clara County through the Department of Planning and Development. | (408) 299-5700 |
| Clerk-Recorder's Office | Birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, marriage records, and recorded documents. Court case records are handled separately by the Superior Court. | (408) 299-5688 |
| Consumer Protection | Weights and Measures assistance with pricing, weighing, and measuring complaints, including checkout scanners, scales, and gas pumps. Other consumer complaints may require a different agency. | (408) 918-4601 — Weights and Measures |
| Court Case Search | The court's Case Information Online page provides access to its case information portal and explains court record requests. Online access to information and documents varies by case type. | (408) 882-2700 — Court main number |
| District Attorney's Office | Criminal prosecution and District Attorney program information. Residents seeking defense representation should contact a defense attorney or the Public Defender as appropriate. | (408) 299-3099 |
| Emergency Medical Services | Emergency medical system oversight, coordination, and EMS program information. The administrative office does not dispatch emergency assistance. | (408) 794-0600 — Administrative inquiries |
| Environmental Health | Environmental health inspections, permits, food safety, and regulated environmental health matters. | (408) 918-3400 |
| Family Court | Family law filings and case records through the Superior Court's Family Division. Child custody and visitation mediation is handled by Family Court Services. | (408) 534-5711 — Family Clerk's Office and Records Unit (408) 534-5760 — Family Court Services |
| Fire Department | Fire protection, prevention, and administrative services through the Santa Clara County Fire Department. The responsible fire agency depends on the property's location. | (408) 378-4010 — Administrative headquarters |
| Household Hazardous Waste | Household hazardous waste disposal information, accepted-material guidance, and collection appointment assistance. | (408) 299-7300 |
| Housing Authority | Housing Choice Voucher and affordable housing programs through the Santa Clara County Housing Authority. Its contact page lists assistance for applicants, participants, and landlords. | (408) 275-8770 — Main office |
| IHSS | In-Home Supportive Services for eligible residents who need help with daily activities at home. The county provides IHSS application information for prospective recipients. | (408) 792-1600 — IHSS main line |
| Inmate Locator | The Sheriff's Office online inmate search provides information about individuals currently in custody. | (800) 211-2220 — Sheriff's general number |
| Jail | County jail and custody information. Visiting arrangements and inmate services depend on the facility and may require a specific custody contact. | (800) 211-2220 — Sheriff's general number |
| Jury Duty | Jury service questions through the Superior Court's Jury Commissioner. Follow the jury summons instructions for reporting requirements and service updates. | (408) 808-6666 — Jury Commissioner |
| Library District | Santa Clara County Library District collections, research assistance, borrowing services, and community programs. City-operated libraries may belong to separate systems. | (408) 540-3947 — Ask a Librarian |
| Marriage License | Marriage license applications and related services through the Clerk-Recorder's Office. Applying for a license and requesting a copy of an existing marriage certificate are separate services. | (408) 299-5688 — Clerk-Recorder's Office |
| Medical Examiner-Coroner | Death investigations, autopsy-related information, and inquiries concerning cases handled by the Medical Examiner-Coroner. | (408) 793-1900 |
| Mosquito and Vector Control | Mosquito and vector monitoring, control services, and assistance with vector-related public health concerns. | (408) 918-4770 |
| Office of Education | County Office of Education programs and support for local education. Individual school enrollment and school-specific questions generally belong with the relevant school district. | (408) 453-6500 |
| Parks and Recreation | County park locations, recreation opportunities, facilities, and outdoor programs. City parks are managed separately by their respective cities. | (408) 355-2200 |
| Probation Department | Probation supervision and related adult and juvenile justice programs. Questions about a specific case may require contact with the assigned probation officer. | (408) 435-2000 |
| Property Search | The Assessor's Real Property Search provides parcel and assessment information using a property address or Assessor's Parcel Number. Recorded documents and tax bills use separate services. | (408) 299-5500 — Assessor Public Service |
| Property Tax | Property tax bills, payments, and account inquiries through the Department of Tax and Collections. Questions about assessed property values belong with the Assessor. | (408) 808-7900 — Property tax inquiries |
| Public Defender's Office | Public defense representation for eligible clients in cases handled by the office. Representation depends on eligibility and applicable appointment requirements. | (408) 299-7700 |
| Public Health Department | Disease prevention, public health information, and community health programs. Hospital treatment and patient services are handled through health care providers. | (408) 792-5040 |
| Registrar of Voters | Voter registration, election information, voting assistance, and questions about election services. | (866) 430-8683 |
| Roads Department | County-maintained roads and transportation infrastructure through the Roads and Airports Department. City streets and state highways have separate responsible agencies. | (408) 573-2400 |
| Santa Clara Valley Medical Center | Hospital care, medical services, and patient information. The hospital main number can direct callers to the appropriate department. | (408) 885-5000 — Hospital main number |
| Sheriff's Office | Sheriff's Office inquiries concerning law enforcement and custody services. The responsible law enforcement agency depends on location. | (800) 211-2220 — General office number |
| Social Services | The Social Services Agency provides public benefits, adult services, and family and children's services. Its program contact directory identifies the appropriate office. The phone listed here is for public benefit applications through Employment and Benefit Services. | (408) 758-3800 — Public benefit applications |
| Superior Court | Court proceedings, filings, and case services. Family, traffic, jury, and other divisions have dedicated contacts in addition to the court main number. | (408) 882-2700 — Court main number |
| Tax and Collections Department | Property tax collection and other county collection functions. The department's office and contact information lists separate numbers for property taxes, medical collections, public assistance collections, and legal and general collections. | (408) 808-7900 — Property tax inquiries |
| Traffic Court | Traffic citation, filing, and hearing questions through the Superior Court's Traffic Division. Follow the citation or court notice instructions for the relevant case. | (408) 556-3000 — Traffic Clerk's Office |
| Valley Transportation Authority | Bus and light rail routes, fares, trip planning, and transit customer assistance through the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. | (408) 321-2300 — Customer Service |
| Valley Water | Regional water supply, conservation, flood protection, and watershed programs. Household water billing questions generally belong with the resident's retail water provider. | (408) 265-2600 — Main number |
| Veterans Services | Veterans benefits information and assistance with claims through the county Veterans Services Office. | (408) 918-4980 |
Official Directories and Contact Details
For additional agencies, consult the County of Santa Clara departments directory. The Superior Court maintains a separate telephone directory for its divisions and services. Property owners can confirm county permit services and jurisdiction through the Department of Planning and Development.
Contact information checked against official online directories and agency pages on October 1, 2026.