San Joaquin County eviction court is the Superior Court’s unlawful detainer department in downtown Stockton. At San Joaquin County eviction court, your written response is usually due five court days after you are served.
San Joaquin County Eviction Court: Location, Hours, and Case Lookup
Eviction cases in this county are called “unlawful detainer” cases. San Joaquin County eviction court handles them at the main courthouse in Stockton. The court also has branches in Lodi and Manteca. However, the unlawful detainer department itself is listed at the Stockton address below.
Hours are changing this fall, so check before you go. Regular clerk’s office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding holidays. However, shorter hours apply from September 7, 2026 to October 30, 2026. During that time, the counter and phones are open only 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. As a result, plan to arrive early if you are filing in person at San Joaquin County eviction court.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Physical address | 180 E Weber Ave., 2nd Floor, Stockton, CA 95202 |
| Mailing address | Unlawful Detainer / Landlord-Tenant Department, 180 E Weber Ave., Suite 200, Stockton, CA 95202 |
| Phone | (209) 992-5702 |
| Regular hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding holidays |
| Temporary hours | 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., for September 7, 2026 to October 30, 2026 |
| Case lookup | “Search or View Cases” link on the court’s unlawful detainer page |
| Forms | Unlawful detainer form packets |
| Fee waiver | Form FW-001, if you cannot afford court fees |
To find your case, use the case number printed on your summons. If you cannot find it online, call the number above. For example, you can ask whether the landlord has filed proof of service yet. Keep in mind that clerks at San Joaquin County eviction court cannot give legal advice.
Your Deadlines After You Are Served
Your case starts when you get the Summons (form SUM-130) and the Complaint (form UD-100). A process server or deputy sheriff typically delivers them. The landlord cannot serve you personally. San Joaquin County eviction court says tenants usually have five court days to file a response, such as an answer.
Court days do not include weekends or court holidays. However, the exact deadline can depend on how you were served. Read your summons closely. Then confirm the count with San Joaquin County eviction court or legal aid. In most cases, filing early is the safest move.
A default is hard to undo. As a result, do not wait for the landlord to call you. If you are unsure you were properly served, get legal advice right away. Once you file an answer, the landlord asks the court to set a trial. San Joaquin County eviction court then mails the trial date to you. The court says this often happens within about one week.
What Happens on Your Court Date at San Joaquin County Eviction Court
Plan to arrive a few minutes early. Several cases may be set for the same time, so you may need to wait. The clerk at San Joaquin County eviction court calls the calendar to see who is present. You must appear in person unless the judge gives written permission to appear remotely. To ask, file a Notice of Remote Appearance (form RA-010) at least 5 court days before the hearing.
The court’s pages do not describe a mediation or settlement program for eviction cases. Ask the clerk or the Pro Per Clinic whether San Joaquin County eviction court offers one. Typically, you and the landlord can still talk and settle. For example, a deal may be written up on a Stipulation for Entry of Judgment (form UD-115). Never sign anything you do not understand.
At trial, the judge usually hears the landlord first, then you. Bring three copies of every document. That includes your lease, receipts, letters, photos, and any inspection reports. The judge at San Joaquin County eviction court often decides at the end of trial. If the landlord wins, a sheriff’s deputy later gives you five days to move out. Even then, the landlord cannot remove you personally. Ask legal aid right away about a stay or appeal, because those deadlines are short.
Free Help in This Courthouse
San Joaquin County eviction court points renters to its Self-Help/Pro Per Clinic. Clinic staff can help you find forms and understand the steps. However, they are not your lawyer. Check the court’s unlawful detainer page for current clinic hours before you go.
If court fees are a problem, you may qualify for a fee waiver using form FW-001. For language help, the court’s forms page says you can request an interpreter with form INT-300. However, the unlawful detainer page says the court does not provide interpreters for these cases. As a result, file the INT-300 request early. Also plan to bring someone who can interpret for you.
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, the court can help. Sign language interpreters and listening devices may be available. Make your request at least three days before your court date. For an active eviction, contact a local legal-aid office or a tenant attorney as soon as possible. Many tenants facing San Joaquin County eviction court can get free advice if they call early enough.
📨 Get Free Tenant Rights Guides Alerts
Free · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file my answer online at San Joaquin County eviction court?
The court says to watch its eFiling site for when it starts accepting eviction filings online. Until you confirm that, file in person at the clerk’s window or by mail. Call (209) 992-5702 to check your current options.
What if I cannot pay the filing fee?
You may be able to get a fee waiver by filing form FW-001. San Joaquin County eviction court lists this form in its fee waiver packet. Ask the Pro Per Clinic if you need help filling it out.
Can my landlord change the locks after winning?
No. Only the Sheriff can remove you, and only after a writ of possession. A deputy gives notice first, and you then have five days to leave. If a landlord locks you out without a court order, call a local legal-aid office right away.
Protect your stuff while you sort this out
A landlord’s insurance does not cover your belongings — renters insurance does, often for a few dollars a month. Compare options before your next move.
Find Your State’s Exact Rules
Notice periods, deposit caps, and the eviction timeline all change from state to state. Pick your state to see the exact days, dollar limits, and steps that apply where you live.
See Tenant Rights in All 50 States →
Sources & How to Verify
The rules on this page are drawn from official government and legal-aid sources. Tenant law changes, so always confirm the exact rule with your state’s statute or a local legal-aid office.
- HUD: hud.gov — federal renter protections and fair housing
- Legal Services Corporation: lsc.gov — find free legal aid in your state
- Cornell Legal Information Institute: law.cornell.edu/wex — plain-English legal definitions
- Your state statute & court self-help portal: search “[your state] landlord tenant act” and “[your state] court self-help eviction” for the exact law and forms
Content last reviewed September 2026. If you notice outdated information, please contact us.
California Renter Guides
- California Eviction Process
- California Tenant Rights
- California Security Deposit Law
- California Rent Increase Laws
- California Repairs and Habitability
- Breaking a Lease in California
Related Guides
- Tenant Rights by State (50-State Guide)
- More in This Category
- Tenant Scenarios — What to Do When…
- Notices, Letters & Documents
- Comparison Guides
- Tenant Rights Legal Glossary
Informational only — not legal advice. Tenant Rights Info is an independent educational resource, not a law firm, and this page does not provide legal advice. Landlord-tenant law varies by state and city and changes over time, so always verify the exact rule with your state’s statute, your local court’s self-help portal, or a legal-aid office. For urgent situations like an active eviction, contact a local legal-aid office or a licensed tenant attorney in your state right away.