El Cajon Divorce Decree Records

El Cajon divorce decree records are filed with San Diego County Superior Court. El Cajon is in the east county region of San Diego County. All divorce cases for El Cajon residents go through the county court system. The East County Regional Center at 250 East Main Street in El Cajon handles many family law filings for this area. You can get certified copies of your divorce decree for $15. Plain copies cost 50 cents per page. The court keeps records from all divorce cases filed in the county. You can request copies by mail, in person, or through the courthouse business office.

San Diego County Superior Court

El Cajon residents file divorce cases at San Diego County Superior Court. The court operates four regional centers across the county. The East County Regional Center is at 250 East Main Street, El Cajon, CA 92020. Phone number is (619) 456-4100. This courthouse serves El Cajon and other east county cities. Many local divorce cases are filed and processed at this location.

The other three regional centers are the Central Courthouse in downtown San Diego at 1100 Union Street, the North County Regional Center in Vista at 325 South Melrose, and the South County Regional Center in Chula Vista at 500 3rd Avenue. Each courthouse has a family law division that handles divorce filings, hearings, and records requests. Your case may have been filed at any of these locations depending on where you lived at the time of filing.

For questions about your case or to find out which courthouse has your file, call the Central Courthouse at (619) 844-2777 or the East County Regional Center at (619) 456-4100. Court staff can look up your case and direct you to the right location. The court website at sdcourt.ca.gov has information about hours, services, and forms.

Getting Certified Copies

You can request certified copies by visiting the courthouse in person or by mailing a request to the business office. For in-person requests, go to the records office at the courthouse where your case was filed. Bring a photo ID and payment. Staff can search for your case and prepare copies. Some requests are filled the same day. Others may take a few days if the file needs to be retrieved from storage.

To request copies by mail, send your request to the business office where your case was filed. If you filed at the East County Regional Center, mail to 250 East Main Street, El Cajon, CA 92020. Your request should include the full names of both parties, the case number if you have it, the approximate date of divorce, and which documents you need. State clearly whether you need certified or plain copies.

Include payment with your mail request. Make checks or money orders payable to San Diego Superior Court. A certified divorce decree costs $15 according to information at sdcourt.ca.gov. Copy fees are 50 cents per page. If you want other documents certified, such as support orders or settlement agreements, the certification fee is $40 per document. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope with sufficient postage for the court to mail your copies.

Processing time for mail requests is usually a few weeks. In-person requests are typically faster. If you need copies urgently, visit the courthouse rather than mailing your request.

Online Case Search

San Diego County provides online case search tools. You can look up cases by name or case number at courtindex.sdcourt.ca.gov. The system shows basic case information such as filing date, case type, and current status. You can also view the register of actions, which lists all documents filed and hearings held in the case.

California law prevents courts from providing full remote access to family law documents. You can see case summaries and registers online, but you cannot view or download the actual divorce decree or other documents remotely. You must visit the courthouse to view documents or request copies through the records office.

The online search is free. Use it to find your case number if you don't remember it. The case number helps speed up your request when you contact the court for copies. If you cannot find your case online, call the courthouse for help. Staff can search by name and date to locate your file.

Fees and Costs

San Diego County follows the California statewide fee schedule for court records. Certified copies of divorce decrees cost $15 under California Government Code Section 70674. This fee includes the certification and all pages of the decree. You do not pay extra per page for divorce decree certification.

Plain copies without certification are 50 cents per page. If you need other documents from your case certified, such as custody orders or financial disclosures, the certification fee is $40 per document. This does not include page copy fees, which are added separately.

There are no search fees if you look up your case online or use public terminals at the courthouse. If you ask court staff to search for a case by name and the search takes more than 10 minutes, the court may charge a $15 search fee. Always confirm current fees before submitting payment as costs can change.

Privacy and Access

Family law records have limited public access due to privacy protections. California Rules of Court Rule 2.503 prohibits courts from providing remote electronic access to divorce case documents. The public can view case indexes and calendars online, but actual documents must be viewed at the courthouse. This protects sensitive personal and financial information in family law cases.

Divorce decrees are public records once the divorce is finalized. Anyone can request a copy if they have the case information. However, some documents in the case file may be sealed or confidential. Financial declarations, child custody evaluations, and certain settlement agreements may have restricted access.

If you were a party to the divorce, you have the right to access all non-sealed documents in your case file. Third parties may have limited access to certain records. The court clerk can explain which documents are publicly available.

Legal Resources

San Diego County has several resources for people handling divorce cases. The Superior Court Family Law Facilitator Office provides free help with child support, custody, and visitation issues. The office is at each of the four regional courthouses. Staff can help you complete forms and understand court procedures. They cannot provide legal advice or represent you in court.

Legal Aid Society of San Diego offers free legal services to low-income residents in family law matters. Call (877) 534-2524 to find out if you qualify. They provide representation in divorce cases, help with paperwork, and legal advice. The organization has offices in San Diego, El Cajon, and other locations throughout the county.

The San Diego County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at (619) 231-8585. They can connect you with a family law attorney who handles divorce cases. Many attorneys offer initial consultations at reduced rates. Some lawyers work on payment plans for clients who cannot afford full fees upfront.

Court Locations and Contact

The East County Regional Center in El Cajon is open Monday through Friday, typically from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Hours may vary, so call ahead at (619) 456-4100 to confirm. The courthouse is at 250 East Main Street, El Cajon, CA 92020. Parking is available near the building.

If your case was filed at a different courthouse, you may need to contact that location. The Central Courthouse in San Diego is at 1100 Union Street, 4th Floor, San Diego, CA 92101. Phone is (619) 844-2777. The North County Regional Center is at 325 South Melrose, Vista, CA 92081. Phone is (760) 201-8600. The South County Regional Center is at 500 3rd Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91910. Phone is (619) 746-6200.

All courthouses have public access terminals where you can search for cases for free. Staff at the records office can help you request copies and answer questions about fees and processing times.

Nearby Cities

Other cities in San Diego County also file divorce cases through San Diego County Superior Court.