Riverside Divorce Decree Records

Riverside divorce decree records are maintained by Riverside County Superior Court. This city of 330,000 residents serves as the county seat. The Riverside Family Law Courthouse at 4175 Main Street handles divorce cases for Riverside and surrounding areas. All divorce files remain with the Superior Court. You can obtain certified copies from the courthouse. Certified divorce decrees cost $15 per decree. Plain copies are 50 cents per page. Off-site file retrieval costs $30 if your case is stored in archives. You can request records in person or by mail. Court hours are 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Riverside County Courthouse

Riverside is the county seat of Riverside County. The Family Law Courthouse is at 4175 Main Street, Riverside, CA 92501. Phone is (951) 777-3147. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. This courthouse handles family law cases for Riverside city and nearby communities.

Riverside County is large. The court operates multiple courthouse locations throughout the county. The Riverside Family Law Courthouse serves the central area. You file new divorce petitions here. You attend hearings here. When your divorce is final, the court issues your decree from this location.

The court website at riverside.courts.ca.gov provides information about records and online services. The site has forms, fee schedules, and instructions for requesting divorce records. Self-help resources are available online and at the courthouse.

Riverside County offers online case search through the Public Access Portal at epublic-access.riverside.courts.ca.gov. You can search for cases, view registers of actions, and see case summaries. The portal helps you track your case and identify documents you need.

According to court fee schedules, copy fees are $0.50 per page. Certification fee for divorce decrees is $15 per decree. Certification for other documents is $40. Off-site file or record retrieval costs $30. Exemplification fee is $50. These fees follow state law and local schedules.

Getting Divorce Decree Copies

To get a copy of your Riverside divorce decree, contact Riverside County Superior Court. Visit the Family Law Courthouse at 4175 Main Street during business hours. Bring photo ID. Provide your case number or both party names and approximate divorce date.

Fees are set by law. Certified copies of divorce decrees cost $15. Plain copies are 50 cents per page. If your file is stored off-site, add a $30 retrieval fee. These are standard fees for Riverside County.

For in-person requests, go to the records window during courthouse hours. Pay with cash, check, or credit card. If your file is on-site, processing may be completed within days. If your case is older and files are off-site, retrieval takes longer. Staff will tell you when to return or can mail copies to you.

For mail requests, use the Request for Records Search Form available on the court website. Include full names of both parties, case number if known, approximate divorce date, specific documents needed, and your return address. Enclose payment made to Riverside Superior Court. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope with sufficient postage.

Mail your request to Riverside Family Law Courthouse, 4175 Main Street, Riverside, CA 92501. Processing time varies based on file location and court workload. On-site files process faster than off-site files. Plan for one to several weeks for mail requests.

For older cases, files may be in off-site storage. The $30 retrieval fee applies to these cases. Staff must retrieve files before copies can be made. This adds time to the process. Always confirm current fees before sending payment.

Note: Courthouse hours are 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Online Case Search

Riverside County provides online access through the Public Access Portal at epublic-access.riverside.courts.ca.gov. Search for family law cases by party name or case number. The system shows case information including parties, dates, and status.

The portal displays registers of actions showing all filed documents and court dates. You can track case progress and see what documents are in your file. This helps you know what to request from the records department.

California law restricts remote access to family law documents. Under California Rules of Court Rule 2.503, courts may not provide full public remote access to family law case files. You see case summaries online, but actual divorce documents require courthouse visits or formal requests.

If you cannot locate your case online, call the courthouse for help. Staff can search using different name spellings or dates. There may be search fees if staff must conduct extensive searches.

Legal Resources in Riverside

Riverside County offers resources for people handling divorce cases. The Superior Court Self-Help Center provides free assistance. Staff help you understand procedures and fill out forms. They do not give legal advice but provide general information.

Legal Aid Society of Inland Counties serves low-income residents with free legal help. They handle family law matters including divorce. Call to see if you meet income eligibility. Services include advice, document preparation, and representation in some cases.

Riverside County Bar Association operates a lawyer referral service. Call to connect with family law attorneys practicing in Riverside. The service matches you with experienced attorneys. Consultation fees vary by attorney.

Family Law Facilitator services are available at the courthouse. Facilitators help with child support and provide information about family law procedures. Ask at the courthouse about facilitator hours and services.

Riverside City Hall does not handle court records. Municipal offices cannot provide divorce decrees. All divorce records are maintained by Riverside County Superior Court. Contact the court, not city departments, for divorce records.

Many family law attorneys practice in Riverside. Local attorneys know the courthouse and local procedures. Consider consulting an attorney if you need legal advice about your divorce case.

California Divorce Requirements

California is a no-fault state. You do not prove wrongdoing. The grounds are irreconcilable differences or permanent legal incapacity. Most cite irreconcilable differences. This applies to all California divorces.

California has a six-month waiting period. Under California Family Code Section 2339, no divorce is final until six months after service. Even if you agree, you wait six months. The court cannot finalize it earlier.

Residency requirements must be met. One spouse must have lived in California for six months and in Riverside County for three months before filing. New Riverside residents may need to wait to establish residency. The court checks residency at filing.

The court clerk keeps all divorce records per California Family Code Section 2338. The clerk notifies parties when judgment is entered. The clerk maintains files for future copy requests. This ensures proper record keeping.

Clerks report divorce judgments monthly to the State Registrar under California Health and Safety Code Section 103200. The state tracks divorces. However, actual decrees come only from the Superior Court, not state offices.

Nearby Cities

Corona is northwest in Riverside County with about 170,000 residents. Moreno Valley is east with 215,000 residents. Both cities use Riverside County Superior Court for divorce cases.

San Bernardino is north in San Bernardino County with 222,000 residents. Ontario is northwest in San Bernardino County with 180,000 residents. Cities in different counties use their own county courts.

For complete information about Riverside County divorce records, visit the Riverside County page. That page has details about all courthouse locations, online services, fees, and procedures for the entire county including Riverside.