Orange Divorce Decree Records

Orange divorce decree records are maintained by the Orange County Superior Court. Orange has about 139,000 residents and sits in central Orange County. The city is home to the Lamoreaux Justice Center, which houses the county's Family Law Records office. All dissolution cases for Orange go through the county court system. You can view case info online and order copies of divorce documents. Certified copies of dissolution judgments cost $15. Plain copies are 50 cents per page. Records are available online, in person, or by mail.

Orange County Court in Orange

Orange residents file for divorce at Orange County Superior Court. The Lamoreaux Justice Center at 341 The City Drive South in Orange is the main family law courthouse for the county. This location handles most dissolution filings, hearings, and records for Orange County including the city of Orange. The Family Law Records office is on the fourth floor.

The Lamoreaux Justice Center is convenient for Orange residents since it is located within the city. The courthouse has public terminals for case searches, courtrooms for hearings, and clerk offices for filing and records. Call (657) 622-8457 for Family Law Records questions. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Parking is available near the courthouse.

You can search for case info online at fampub.occourts.org. The system lets you search by party name or case number. You see a summary of case proceedings and a list of documents filed. California law prohibits viewing the actual documents online. To see documents or get copies, visit the courthouse or order them through the court portal.

Getting Copies of Orange Divorce Records

You have several ways to get copies of divorce decrees for Orange 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, fourth floor. Bring 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 Orange County 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: Online ordering is available for dissolution cases from 1997 to present through the court portal.

Filing for Divorce in Orange

Orange 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 Orange 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 Lamoreaux Justice Center in Orange. 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 Orange

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.

Nearby Cities in Orange County

Other cities near Orange also use Orange County Superior Court for divorce records. Santa Ana is the county seat just west of Orange. Anaheim is northwest of Orange. Irvine is southeast of Orange.

Fullerton is in the northern part of the county. Huntington Beach is on the coast. 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 in Orange for getting copies of divorce decrees.