Chico Divorce Records

Divorce decree records for Chico are maintained by Butte County Superior Court. All family law cases filed in Chico go through the county court system. The main courthouse is at 1775 Concord Avenue in Chico. Your divorce file includes all documents from your case: the petition, response, financial disclosures, any agreements, and the final judgment of dissolution. The court keeps these permanently. You can request copies in person or by mail. Certified divorce decrees cost $15. Plain copies are 50 cents per page. Processing times vary but in-person requests are usually faster than mail.

Butte County Court System

The Butte County Superior Court is located at 1775 Concord Avenue in Chico, CA 95928. The main phone number is (530) 532-7008. This courthouse handles all family law cases for the county, including divorces filed in Chico.

Court hours are typically 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM on weekdays. The clerk's office can answer questions about records and tell you how to get copies. You can visit in person or call ahead to ask about your specific case.

The court website is butte.courts.ca.gov. They provide information about family law procedures, forms, and record access. You can check the website for current contact information and office hours.

Requesting Your Divorce Decree

To get a certified copy of your divorce decree, start by locating your case number. If you do not have it, contact the clerk's office with both parties' names and the approximate date of divorce. They can search for your case.

For in-person requests, go to the courthouse at 1775 Concord Avenue. Bring photo ID. Tell the clerk you need a certified copy of your divorce decree. Provide the case number or party names. If your file is on site, you can usually get copies the same day.

For mail requests, write to Butte County Superior Court, 1775 Concord Avenue, Chico, CA 95928. Include the case number, both parties' full names, what documents you want, and payment. Send a check or money order payable to Butte County Superior Court. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Allow two to three weeks for processing.

Fees and Costs

Certified copies of dissolution judgments cost $15. This fee is set by state law in Government Code Section 70674. The $15 includes all pages of the judgment and the certification stamp.

Other certified documents cost $40 plus 50 cents per page under Government Code Section 70626. This applies to orders, agreements, and other documents that are not the final judgment.

Plain uncertified copies are 50 cents per page. Use these for your own records. Get certified copies when you need official proof for agencies like DMV, Social Security, or for remarriage.

If you do not have a case number and the clerk must search by name, there may be a search fee. Most searches that take more than ten minutes cost $15 per name searched. This is separate from copy fees.

Case Access and Privacy

California law restricts how divorce records can be accessed. You can search for case information but cannot view full documents online. California Rules of Court Rule 2.503 prohibits remote electronic access to family law documents.

You can visit the courthouse to view your case file. Public access computers are available. Court staff can help you locate your case in the system. You can view all public documents in the file.

Some information in divorce files is confidential. Financial declarations may be sealed. Child custody evaluations are not public. Domestic violence restraining orders may seal certain information. Only parties to the case and their attorneys can view sealed documents.

Legal Help in Chico

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

Legal Services of Northern California serves low-income residents in Butte County. They provide free legal help for family law matters including divorce, custody, and support cases. Eligibility is based on income. Contact their office to see if you qualify.

The Butte County Bar Association can refer you to local family law attorneys. Many attorneys offer initial consultations at reduced fees. This gives you a chance to discuss your situation and get legal advice.

Uses for Your Divorce Decree

You need a certified divorce decree to remarry in California or any other state. County clerks require proof your previous marriage ended before issuing a new marriage license. The decree provides that proof.

If you changed your name through the divorce, the decree is legal proof of the name change. Use it to update your driver license at DMV. Social Security and the passport office also accept it. The decree must specifically state the name change.

Banks and other financial institutions may request a copy. They use it to verify your marital status and update account records. Insurance companies need it to process beneficiary changes or remove a former spouse from policies.

Order multiple certified copies at once. Get three to five copies when you make your initial request. Each costs $15. Having extras is convenient when you need to submit copies to multiple agencies simultaneously.

Older Divorce Records

Butte County maintains divorce records from many decades past. Older files may be in archive storage. The court can retrieve them but it takes extra time. If your divorce was before 1980, allow additional processing time for your request.

The California Department of Public Health kept limited records from 1962 to June 1984. These are certificates of record, not full decrees. A certificate shows only names, date, county, and case number. The actual divorce decree must come from the county court.

For divorces before 1962, the county court is the only source. Contact Butte County Superior Court with all the information you have. Full names, approximate date, and any other details help staff search historical records.

Online Information

Butte County may offer online case search through their website. Check butte.courts.ca.gov for current online services. You can typically see case summaries and registers of action.

California law prevents viewing actual divorce documents remotely. You can see what documents exist in the file. To view or get copies of the documents, you must visit the courthouse or submit a mail request.

Online search is free if available. You only pay fees when you request physical copies or certified documents. Use online tools to gather information before making a records request.

Northern California Context

Chico is the largest city in Butte County. Other smaller cities and towns in the county also use the same courthouse. All divorce records for the entire county are maintained at the Superior Court in Chico.

If you are near other Northern California counties, make sure you filed in Butte County. Neighboring Glenn County, Tehama County, and Shasta County have separate court systems. Know which county handled your case. That determines where your records are kept.