Clovis Divorce Decree Access

Divorce decree records for Clovis are maintained by Fresno County Superior Court. All family law cases filed in Clovis go through the county court system. The courthouse is in Fresno, and the Archives Division holds over one million cases dating back to 1860. Your divorce file includes the petition, response, financial disclosures, settlement documents, and the final judgment of dissolution. The court keeps these records permanently. You can request copies in person or by mail. Certified divorce decrees cost $15. Plain copies are 50 cents per page. The Archives Department is at 1963 E Street in Fresno.

Fresno County Court System

Fresno County Superior Court handles all family law cases for the county, including those filed by Clovis residents. The main courthouse is in Fresno. The Archives Department is at 1963 E Street, Fresno, CA 93706. The phone number is (559) 457-4903.

According to fresno.courts.ca.gov, the Archives houses over 1 million cases with some recorded as early as 1860. Members of the public may receive a copy of their non-confidential files by visiting the Archives Department. A picture ID is required to receive any file folder.

Hours for the Archives are Monday through Thursday 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM and Friday 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. If you need records, call ahead or visit during these hours.

Requesting Your Divorce Decree

To get a copy of your divorce decree, visit the Archives Department in Fresno. Bring a photo ID. Provide your case number if you have it. If not, give both parties' full names and the approximate date of divorce. Staff will search for your case.

You can also request records by mail. Write to Fresno County Superior Court, Archives Department, 1963 E Street, Fresno, CA 93706. Include the case number, both parties' full legal names, what documents you want, and payment. Send a check or money order payable to Fresno Superior Court. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Processing times vary depending on workload. In-person requests are typically faster. Mail requests may take a few weeks. Call ahead at (559) 457-4903 to ask about current processing times.

Fees and Costs

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

Other certified documents cost $40 plus 50 cents per page under Government Code Section 70626. This applies to orders, stipulations, 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 remarriage, name changes, or government agencies.

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

Online Case Information

Fresno County may offer online case search through their website. Check fresno.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 themselves, 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.

Legal Assistance

Fresno 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.

Central California Legal Services provides free legal help to low-income residents in Fresno County. They assist with divorce, custody, support, and domestic violence cases. Eligibility is based on income. Contact their office to see if you qualify.

The Fresno County Bar Association operates a lawyer referral service. You can find family law attorneys who practice in the area. Many offer initial consultations at reduced fees.

Privacy and Access Rules

California law restricts how divorce records can be accessed. California Rules of Court Rule 2.503 prohibits remote electronic access to family law documents. Courts can show case indexes online. The actual documents must be viewed at the courthouse.

Some information in divorce files is confidential. Financial declarations may be sealed. Child custody evaluations are not public. Domestic violence cases may have additional privacy protections. Only parties to the case and their attorneys can view sealed documents.

You can visit the courthouse to view your case file. Public access is available during regular business hours. Bring photo ID. Staff can help you locate your case in the system.

Using Your Divorce Decree

You need a certified divorce decree to remarry. 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, Social Security card, and passport. The decree must specifically state the name change for this purpose.

Banks and financial institutions may request a copy. They use it to verify marital status and update accounts. Insurance companies need it to process beneficiary changes. Retirement accounts use it to verify eligibility for benefits.

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 different agencies simultaneously.

Historical Records

Fresno County maintains divorce records going back to 1860. The Archives Department houses these historical files. Older records may take extra time to retrieve. If your divorce was many decades ago, allow additional processing time.

The California Department of Public Health kept certificates of record for divorces from 1962 to June 1984. These are not full decrees. They show only names, date, county, and case number. The actual decree comes from the county court.

For any divorce processed in Fresno County, contact the Archives Department with all the information you have. Full names, approximate date, and any other details help staff search their extensive records.

Central Valley Context

Clovis is adjacent to Fresno. Both cities are in Fresno County and use the same court system. All divorce records for both cities are at the Fresno County Superior Court.

If you live near other Central Valley counties, make sure you filed in Fresno County. Neighboring counties like Madera County, Tulare County, and Kings County have separate court systems. Know which county handled your case.