Bakersfield Divorce Decree Records

Divorce decree records for Bakersfield residents are maintained by Kern County Superior Court. If you filed for divorce in Bakersfield, your case went through the county court system. The court has all your case documents on file. This includes the petition, financial forms, settlement agreements, and final judgment. You can get copies by visiting the courthouse, sending a mail request, or in some cases searching online. Kern County keeps divorce records permanently, so you can request copies years after your case ended.

Kern County Court System

The main courthouse in Bakersfield handles most family law cases in Kern County. Court records are available at the clerk's office. You can search for cases at the courthouse or online through the court website. The court maintains files for all divorce cases filed in the county.

Visit the courthouse and search for the case yourself at no charge. Or request the clerk to look the case up for a fee. The court website is kern.courts.ca.gov. They have information about how to access records and what fees apply.

Depending on workload, mail requests may take at least 10 working days to process. In-person visits are faster. If you need records quickly, go to the courthouse in person. If time is not urgent, mail requests work fine and you do not have to travel.

Getting Certified Copies

Certified copies of Judgment of Dissolution cost $15. This is the standard fee across California set by state law. The $15 includes certification and all pages of the judgment. If you need other orders or documents certified, those cost $40 plus 50 cents per page.

Plain copies without certification are 50 cents per page. Most people need certified copies for official purposes. Use plain copies only if you just want something for your own records or reference.

The fee structure comes from California statutes. Government Code 70674 sets the $15 fee for certified dissolution records. Government Code 70626 sets the $40 fee for other certified documents.

How to Request Records

For in-person requests, go to the Kern County Superior Court clerk's office. Bring photo ID. Provide your case number if you have it. If not, give the clerk both parties' full names and the approximate date of divorce. They will search for the case.

If your file is on site, you can get copies the same day in most cases. Older files may be in off-site storage. Retrieval from storage adds time. Ask the clerk how long it will take if your case is not immediately available.

For mail requests, write to Kern County Superior Court and include all relevant information. Send the case number, both parties' full legal names, the type of document you need, and payment. Make checks payable to Kern County Superior Court. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail processing takes about 10 business days according to the court.

Some newer cases may be searchable online. Check the court's website for online case access. You can view case information and see what documents exist. However, California law prohibits downloading family law documents remotely. You still need to visit the courthouse or request copies by mail to get the actual decree.

Legal Assistance

Kern County Superior Court has a Self-Help Center. They provide free help with family law forms and court procedures. Staff can answer general questions about divorce processes. They cannot give legal advice but can explain how to fill out forms and what to file.

Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance provides free legal services to eligible low-income residents. They handle divorce cases, custody disputes, and domestic violence matters. Call their office to see if you qualify for their services. They have income limits and other eligibility requirements.

The Kern County Bar Association has a lawyer referral service. They connect you with local attorneys who practice family law. You can get a consultation to discuss your legal needs. Many attorneys offer reduced-rate initial consultations through the referral program.

Privacy and Access Rules

California law restricts how divorce records can be accessed. Courts can provide case information online, but not the full documents. You can see a case summary, filing dates, and list of documents. To view actual divorce papers, you must go to the courthouse.

Some information in divorce files is confidential. Income and expense declarations may be sealed. Child custody evaluations are not public. If your case involved domestic violence, certain details may be protected. Only parties to the case and their lawyers can see sealed information.

California Rules of Court Rule 2.503 governs electronic access to family law records. The rule says courts may not provide remote public access to family law documents. This protects privacy in sensitive cases. You can use public computers at the courthouse to view your case file.

Uses for Divorce Decrees

You need a certified divorce decree to remarry. County clerks will not issue a marriage license without proof your prior marriage ended. The decree serves as that proof. Keep it in a safe place once you get it.

Government agencies use divorce decrees to process name changes. If you changed your name back to your maiden name, the decree is legal proof. Social Security, DMV, and passport offices all accept it. The decree must state the name change for this purpose.

Financial institutions may ask for a copy. Banks use it to update account ownership. Insurance companies need it to change beneficiaries or remove a spouse from a policy. It proves your marital status changed legally.

Get several certified copies when you first request them. Order three to five copies at once. Each costs $15, and it is easier to have extras than to keep ordering more later. You may need to submit copies to multiple agencies at the same time.

Older Divorce Records

Kern County has divorce records going back many decades. Very old files are in archive storage. The court can retrieve them but it takes longer. If your divorce was before 1980, allow extra time for the court to locate and pull the file.

The state Department of Public Health kept limited records from 1962 to June 1984. These are certificates of record, not actual decrees. A certificate just shows names, date, county, and case number. The full decree comes only from the county court. Most people do not need the state certificate since the court has the complete record.

For divorces before 1962, the county court is the only source. Contact Kern County Superior Court Records Division. Give them all the information you can. Full names, approximate year, and any other details help them search older records.

Court Fees Explained

California uses a statewide fee schedule for court services. All counties charge the same fees for most things. The fees are set by the Legislature in the Government Code.

Copy fees are 50 cents per page everywhere in California. One-sided pages are 50 cents. Two-sided pages count as two pages, so one dollar. This applies whether you copy one page or one hundred pages.

Certified copies of dissolution judgments are $15. Other certified copies are $40. The difference exists because the Legislature wanted to make divorce decrees more affordable. They are frequently needed for remarriage and other purposes.

Search fees apply when you do not provide a case number. If a search takes longer than ten minutes, the court charges $15. Most name searches take longer than ten minutes, so expect this fee if you do not know your case number.

Nearby Cities and Counties

Bakersfield is the largest city in Kern County. Other smaller cities in the county also use the same court system. All divorce records for the entire county are at the Superior Court.

If you live near the Tulare County line, make sure you filed in the right county. Tulare County has its own court system. Know which county you live in or filed in. That determines where your records are kept.