Find Irvine Divorce Decree Records

Irvine divorce decree records are handled by the Orange County Superior Court. Irvine is a large city in central Orange County with more than 300,000 people. All dissolution cases for Irvine go through the county court system. You can view case info online and order copies of divorce documents. The main family law records office is at the Lamoreaux Justice Center in Orange. Certified copies of dissolution judgments cost $15. Plain copies are 50 cents per page. You can request records online, in person, or by mail.

Orange County Handles Irvine Divorces

Irvine residents file for divorce at Orange County Superior Court. The court has several courthouse locations across the county. Most family law cases are handled at the Lamoreaux Justice Center at 341 The City Drive South in Orange. This courthouse is about 10 miles northwest of Irvine. It processes dissolution filings, hearings, and records for much of central Orange County.

The Lamoreaux Justice Center has a Family Law Records office on the fourth floor. Call (657) 622-8457 for records questions. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Staff can tell you how to get copies of your divorce decree. The main court website is occourts.org. You can search for case info online before you visit or order copies.

Some older Irvine cases may be stored off-site. If your divorce was finalized many years ago, the file might be in archives. The court charges a records search fee if you do not have a case number. Call ahead to ask about fees and processing time for your specific case. This helps you know what to expect when you request divorce records for an Irvine case.

Online Access to Irvine Divorce Records

Orange County offers online case search for family law records at fampub.occourts.org. You can search by party name or case number. The system shows a summary of case proceedings and a list of documents filed. It does not show the actual documents online. California law prohibits remote viewing of family law documents under California Rules of Court Rule 2.503.

You can view case info like party names, filing dates, and hearing schedules online. If you need to see the documents themselves, you must visit the courthouse or order copies. Online ordering is available for dissolution cases from 1997 to present. You submit a request through the court portal and pay with a credit card. The court mails or emails your copies within a few business days.

The online system has records for Irvine cases going back to 1990. Older cases may have less information available. The court has been adding more records to the online system over time. If you cannot find your case online, call the Family Law Records office at (657) 622-8457. Staff can search for cases that do not appear in the online portal.

Getting Copies of Divorce Decrees

You have several ways to get copies of divorce decrees for Irvine cases. Visit the courthouse in person for same-day service. Send a mail request if you cannot visit. Use online ordering for newer cases. Each method has different fees and processing times.

In-person requests work well when you need records fast. Go to the Family Law Records office at the Lamoreaux Justice Center. Bring a photo ID. Tell staff which documents you need and whether you want certified or plain copies. They will pull the file and make copies while you wait if the file is available. Some files are stored off-site, so call ahead if your case is old.

For mail requests, write to Orange County Superior Court, Family Law Records, 341 The City Drive South, Orange, CA 92868. Include both spouses' full names, case number if known, date of divorce, and which documents you need. State whether you want certified copies. Include a check or money order for fees made out to Orange County Superior Court. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope. Processing takes two to four weeks.

Fees for Irvine divorce records are set by state law. Copies cost 50 cents per page. Certifying a dissolution judgment is $15 under California Government Code Section 70674. Other documents cost $40 to certify. A records search fee is $15 per name if you do not have the case number. Exemplification costs $50 if you need it for out-of-state use.

Note: The $15 certification fee for dissolution judgments includes the copy of the decree itself.

Divorce Filing Requirements for Irvine

Irvine residents must meet California residency rules to file for divorce. One spouse must live in California for six months before filing. The same spouse must also live in Orange County for three months before filing. If you just moved to Irvine from another state or county, you may need to wait before you can file here.

California uses no-fault divorce. The most common ground is irreconcilable differences under California Family Code Section 2310. This means the marriage has problems that cannot be fixed. You do not need to prove fault or blame your spouse.

File your petition at the Orange County Superior Court. The filing fee is about $435. After filing, you must serve your spouse with the papers. You cannot do this yourself. Use a process server, sheriff, or any adult over 18 who is not part of the case. The server completes a proof of service form that goes back to the court.

There is a six-month waiting period under California Family Code Section 2339. The court cannot finalize your divorce until six months pass from the date your spouse was served. During this time, you work out issues like property division, support, and custody. If both parties agree, you file a settlement. If not, the case may go to mediation or trial in Orange County.

Legal Help Resources in Irvine

Several groups offer legal help for family law cases in Orange County. The Orange County Superior Court has a Family Law Facilitator office that helps people with child support and custody issues. They do not give full legal advice, but they can help you fill out forms. Call (657) 622-5526 for info.

Legal Aid Society of Orange County provides free legal services to people with low income. They handle divorce cases for those who qualify. Call (800) 834-5001 or visit legal-aid.com. They have offices in Santa Ana and other locations in Orange County. Income limits apply, so call to see if you qualify for their services.

The Orange County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. Call (949) 440-6700 to get connected with a family law attorney. The first consultation costs $35 for 30 minutes. They can match you with an attorney who practices in Orange County and handles divorce cases.

Public Law Center at (714) 541-1010 offers pro bono legal help for low-income people in Orange County. They may assist with divorce cases that involve domestic violence or other family law issues. Their website is publiclawcenter.org. Human Options at (877) 854-3594 provides services for people dealing with domestic violence in Orange County including legal help.

Irvine and Nearby Orange County Cities

Other large cities near Irvine also use Orange County Superior Court for divorce records. Santa Ana is the county seat. Anaheim is the largest city in the county. Huntington Beach is on the coast.

Orange is home to the Lamoreaux Justice Center where family law records are kept. Fullerton is in the northern part of the county. All these cities file dissolution cases with the same county court system. They all use the Family Law Records office at the Lamoreaux Justice Center for getting copies of divorce decrees.