Search Elk Grove Divorce Records

Elk Grove divorce decree records are filed with Sacramento County Superior Court. Elk Grove is in southern Sacramento County. All divorce cases for Elk Grove residents go through the county court system. The main courthouse for family law is at 3341 Power Inn Road in Sacramento. Certified copies of divorce decrees cost $15. Plain copies are 50 cents per page. You can search for case information online through the court's public portal. Cases filed after November 2007 may have digital records available. Older files from before that date must be accessed through physical case files at the courthouse.

Sacramento County Superior Court

Elk Grove residents file divorce cases at Sacramento County Superior Court. The main family law courthouse is at 3341 Power Inn Road, Sacramento, CA 95826. This building handles most family law filings for the county including divorce, custody, and support cases. The courthouse also has a self-help center that provides free assistance to people representing themselves.

Sacramento County Superior Court has digitized many recent case files. According to information at saccourt.ca.gov, public cases and documents filed after November 13, 2007 can be viewed through the Public Portal online. Cases filed before that date are not available digitally. You must view the physical case file at the courthouse for older records.

For general court information, call the main number or visit the court website at saccourt.ca.gov. The site has forms, filing instructions, and information about court services. The Records Unit can answer questions about requesting copies of divorce decrees and other case documents. Written requests to the Records Unit typically take four to six weeks to process.

Online Case Access

Sacramento County provides online case search through the Public Portal. You can access it at services.saccourt.ca.gov. The system allows you to search for cases by party name or case number. You can view case information, registers of action, and some court documents for cases filed after November 2007.

California law limits remote access to family law documents. Under California Rules of Court Rule 2.503, courts cannot provide full online access to divorce case files. You can see case summaries and filed documents lists online, but you cannot view or download sensitive family law documents remotely. You must visit the courthouse to access these records or request copies through the records office.

The online search is free. Use it to find your case number and see basic case status. If you need copies of documents, you must request them separately from the Records Unit. The case number helps speed up your request.

Requesting Divorce Decrees

You can request certified copies by visiting the courthouse in person or by mailing a request to the Records Unit. For in-person requests, go to the records office at 3341 Power Inn Road. Bring photo ID and payment. Staff can search for your case and prepare copies. Some requests are filled the same day. Others may take longer if the file needs to be retrieved from storage.

To request copies by mail, send your request to Sacramento Superior Court, Records Unit, 720 9th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. 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 whether you need certified or plain copies. Include your contact information and return address.

Payment should be included with mail requests. Make checks or money orders payable to Sacramento Superior Court. A certified divorce decree costs $15. Copy fees are 50 cents per page. If you need other documents certified, such as custody orders or settlement agreements, the certification fee is $40 per document. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope with sufficient postage.

According to court information, written requests take approximately four to six weeks to complete. In-person requests are generally faster. If you need copies urgently, visit the courthouse rather than mailing your request.

Fees and Costs

Sacramento County follows the California statewide fee schedule. Certified divorce decrees cost $15 under California Government Code Section 70674. This applies specifically to dissolution judgments. Other documents require $40 certification under Government Code Section 70626.

Copy fees are 50 cents per page. There is no minimum charge for plain copies. If you ask court staff to search for a case and the search takes more than 10 minutes, the court may charge a $15 search fee under state law. Online searches using the public portal are free if you do them yourself.

Always confirm current fees before submitting payment as costs can change. The court accepts checks and money orders. Credit cards may be accepted for in-person payments.

Record Privacy

Family law records have restricted public access under California law. 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 disclosures, child custody evaluations, and certain settlement documents may have restricted access. The court clerk can explain which documents are publicly available.

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.

Legal Resources

Sacramento County Superior Court has a Family Law Facilitator Office that provides free help with child support and custody matters. The office is at the courthouse. Staff can help you complete forms and understand court procedures. They cannot provide legal advice or represent you in court.

Legal Services of Northern California offers free legal help to low-income residents in family law cases. Call (916) 551-2150 for the Sacramento office. They handle divorce, custody, support, and domestic violence cases. Services include legal advice, document preparation, and court representation for those who qualify.

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

Court Location and Hours

The main family law courthouse in Sacramento is at 3341 Power Inn Road, Sacramento, CA 95826. This is where most Elk Grove residents would file and handle divorce cases. The courthouse has public access terminals where you can search for cases at no charge. The Records Unit is typically open Monday through Friday during business hours.

Parking is available at the courthouse. Arrive early if you plan to visit in person as the courthouse can be busy. Bring photo ID if you plan to request copies of records. Court staff at the public counter can answer questions about services and fees.

For directions, hours, and other information, visit saccourt.ca.gov or call the courthouse. The website has detailed information about court locations, services, and online resources.

Nearby Cities

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