Find Ontario Divorce Decree Records

Ontario divorce decree records are maintained by the San Bernardino County Superior Court. Ontario has about 175,000 residents and sits in the western part of San Bernardino County near Los Angeles County. All dissolution cases for Ontario go through the county court system. The Rancho Cucamonga courthouse serves the western county region including Ontario. You can request copies of your divorce decree there. A certified divorce decree costs $15 for private parties or $10 for public agencies. Plain copies are 50 cents per page.

San Bernardino County Court Serves Ontario

Ontario residents file for divorce at San Bernardino County Superior Court. The Rancho Cucamonga District Court at 8303 Haven Avenue in Rancho Cucamonga handles family law cases for the western part of the county including Ontario. This courthouse is about 5 miles north of Ontario. It processes dissolution filings and hearings for the area.

The Rancho Cucamonga courthouse serves the growing population of western San Bernardino County. Staff can help you file papers and request copies of divorce decrees. The courthouse has public terminals where you can search for case info. Parking is available. Bring photo ID when you visit. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

You can search for case info online. The San Bernardino County court has an online portal at cap.sb-court.org. The system shows basic case details like party names and filing dates. To view actual documents or get copies, you must visit a courthouse or send a written request. California law prohibits remote viewing of family law documents.

How to Get Ontario Divorce Records

You can get divorce records for Ontario cases two main ways. Visit a courthouse in person or send a mail request. Online case search is available, but you cannot view full documents online due to California privacy rules for family law cases.

For in-person requests, visit the Rancho Cucamonga District Court at 8303 Haven Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga. Bring photo ID. Tell staff which documents you need and if you want them certified. If the file is available, they can make copies while you wait. Call ahead to check if your file is on-site or stored elsewhere.

For mail requests, write to San Bernardino Superior Court, Family Law, 8303 Haven Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730. Include both spouses' full names, case number if you know it, date of divorce, and which documents you need. State whether you want certified copies. Include payment by check or money order. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope. Processing takes two to four weeks depending on court workload.

Fees are set by California law. Copy fees are 50 cents per page. A certified divorce decree costs $15 for private parties under California Government Code Section 70674. Public agencies pay $10. Certifying other documents costs $40 or $25 depending on the document type. Always call ahead to confirm current fees.

Filing for Divorce in Ontario

Ontario residents must meet California residency requirements. One spouse must live in California for six months before filing. That same spouse must also live in San Bernardino County for three months before filing. If you just moved to Ontario 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 stated in California Family Code Section 2310. This means the marriage has broken down and cannot be repaired. You do not need to prove fault or wrongdoing by your spouse.

File your petition at the Rancho Cucamonga courthouse or another San Bernardino County courthouse. 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 gets filed with 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, support, and custody. If you agree, you file a settlement. If not, the case may go to mediation or trial.

Note: San Bernardino County may require parents with minor children to attend parenting classes before the divorce can be finalized.

Legal Help for Ontario Residents

Several groups offer help with family law cases in San Bernardino County. The Superior Court Family Law Facilitator office provides free assistance with child support and custody forms. Call the Rancho Cucamonga office to ask about services. They do not give full legal advice but can help with forms and procedures.

Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino serves people with low income throughout the county including Ontario. Call (909) 889-7328 or 1-800-491-3111 for intake. Their website is lasbc.org. They handle divorce cases that involve domestic violence, child custody, and other family law issues for those who qualify based on income.

The San Bernardino County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. Call (909) 885-1986 to get connected with a family law attorney who practices in the area. The first consultation may have a reduced fee. The State Bar of California also has a referral service at 1-866-442-2529.

Inland Counties Legal Services may assist low-income residents. Call (888) 245-4257 or visit icls-law.org. They serve San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Option House in Ontario provides services for people dealing with domestic violence. Call (909) 988-5559 for info and referrals.

Nearby Cities in San Bernardino County

Other cities near Ontario also use San Bernardino County Superior Court for divorce records. Rancho Cucamonga is north of Ontario and home to a district courthouse. Fontana is east of Ontario. Chino is southwest of Ontario.

San Bernardino is the county seat to the east. All these cities file dissolution cases with San Bernardino County Superior Court. Check with the court to see which courthouse location serves your specific area.