Fontana Divorce Decree Records

San Bernardino County Court

Fontana residents file divorce cases at San Bernardino County Superior Court. The Fontana courthouse is at 17780 Arrow Boulevard, Fontana, CA 92335. This courthouse handles family law cases for the western part of the county. The main family law courthouse is in San Bernardino city, but Fontana residents can access services at the local courthouse.

San Bernardino County is geographically the largest county in California. The court system operates multiple courthouses across the vast county area. Each location serves its region. Your divorce case may have been filed at the Fontana courthouse, the San Bernardino courthouse, or another county location depending on where you lived at the time of filing.

For general court information, visit sb-court.org. The website has forms, filing instructions, and information about court services. The online Court Access Portal at cap.sb-court.org allows you to search for cases and view basic case information. Court staff at any county courthouse can help you locate your case file.

Getting Certified Copies

You can request certified copies by visiting a courthouse in person or by mailing a request to the records office. For in-person requests, go to the courthouse where your case was filed. If you filed in Fontana, visit 17780 Arrow Boulevard. Bring photo ID and payment. Staff can search for your case and make copies. Processing time depends on whether the file is on-site or in storage.

To request copies by mail, send your request to the courthouse where your case was filed. Include full names of both parties, the case number if known, approximate divorce date, and which documents you need. State if you need certified or plain copies. Include your contact information and return address.

Payment should be included with mail requests. Make checks payable to San Bernardino Superior Court. A certified divorce decree costs $15 for private parties or $10 for public agencies. Copy fees are 50 cents per page. Certification of other documents costs $25. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope with sufficient postage.

Processing time for mail requests varies. In-person requests are typically faster. Call the courthouse if you need copies urgently.

Online Case Search

San Bernardino County provides online case search through the Court Access Portal at cap.sb-court.org. You can look up cases by name or case number. The system shows basic case information, filing dates, and case status. You can view registers of action showing documents filed and hearings held.

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 online, but you cannot view or download sensitive documents remotely. You must visit the courthouse to access documents or request copies through the records office.

The online search is free. Use it to find your case number if you don't have it. The case number helps speed up copy requests.

Fees and Payment

San Bernardino County follows California's fee schedule with some county-specific variations. Certified divorce decrees cost $15 for private parties or $10 for public agencies under California Government Code Section 70674. Plain copies are 50 cents per page.

Certification of other documents costs $25 per document in San Bernardino County. Copy fees are added separately. If court staff must search for a case and it takes over 10 minutes, a search fee may apply. Always confirm current fees before submitting payment.

The court accepts checks and money orders. Credit cards may be accepted for in-person payments.

Privacy Rules

Family law records have restricted public access under California law. California Rules of Court Rule 2.503 prohibits remote electronic access to divorce case documents. The public can view case indexes online, but actual documents must be viewed at the courthouse. This protects sensitive information in family law cases.

Divorce decrees are public records once finalized. Anyone with case information can request a copy. However, some documents may be sealed or confidential. Financial disclosures, custody evaluations, and certain settlement agreements may have restricted access.

If you were a party to the divorce, you can access all non-sealed documents from your case. Third parties may have limited access.

Legal Resources

San Bernardino County Superior Court has a Family Law Facilitator Office that provides free help with child support and custody matters. The office has staff at courthouses throughout the county. They can help with forms and procedures but cannot provide legal advice or represent you in court.

Inland Counties Legal Services provides free legal help to low-income residents. They handle family law cases including divorce. Call to find out if you qualify for services. They provide legal advice, document preparation, and court representation for those who meet income guidelines.

The San Bernardino County Bar Association may offer lawyer referral services. They can connect you with a family law attorney in the Fontana area. Many attorneys offer initial consultations at reduced rates.

Court Contact Information

The Fontana courthouse is at 17780 Arrow Boulevard, Fontana, CA 92335. The courthouse is open Monday through Friday during business hours. Call ahead to confirm hours and services. The main county court website at sb-court.org has contact information for all county courthouses.

The courthouse has public terminals where you can search for cases for free. Staff at the records office can help with copy requests and answer questions about fees.

Nearby Cities

Other cities in San Bernardino County and nearby areas also file divorce cases through their local Superior Courts.