Find Stockton Divorce Decree Records
Divorce decree records for Stockton residents are kept at the San Joaquin County Superior Court. The court holds all files for cases in this city. Stockton is the county seat with roughly 320,000 people. Copies of your decree can be obtained from the Records Management Division at 180 E Weber Ave, Suite 204. Certified copies of dissolution judgments are $15 for public requesters or $10 for public agencies. Plain copies run 50 cents per page for each side. You can ask for records in person, send mail, or email requests to the court. Most mail requests get processed within 20 business days according to the court website.
Stockton Quick Facts
Which Court Handles Stockton Divorces
San Joaquin County Superior Court processes all divorce cases in Stockton. The main courthouse is right in downtown Stockton at 180 E Weber Avenue. This building has been the center of county court operations for many years. Family law matters, including dissolution of marriage, are all handled here.
Records Management is on the second floor in Suite 204. This is where archived public records dating back to 1850 are kept. If you need a copy of a divorce decree from Stockton, this is the office to contact. Staff can look up your case by name or number. They make copies and certify them when needed.
The phone number for Records Management is (209) 992-5697. For general court info, call (209) 992-5695. Hours are 8 AM to 4 PM Monday through Friday. The court is closed on weekends and holidays. If you visit in person, bring valid photo ID and the case number if you have it.
More details about San Joaquin County divorce records can be found at sjcourts.org. The site lists all services, fees, and contact methods. You can also find forms for requesting copies. Stockton residents rely on this resource for most court record needs.
How to Search for a Case
You can search for Stockton divorce cases online through the court portal at cms.sjcourts.org. The system lets you search by party name or case number. You will see basic case info like filing date and status. Some details are limited due to privacy rules for family law cases under California law.
The online search is free. However, viewing full documents may require an in-person visit to the courthouse. California Rules of Court Rule 2.503 restricts remote access to family law records. You can see register of actions and calendars online. To view the actual divorce decree, you need to go to the Records Management office in Stockton or order a certified copy.
If you do not have the case number, staff can search by name. There may be a $15 search fee if the lookup takes more than 10 minutes. Bring as much info as you can: both parties' full names, approximate filing date, or any other details. This speeds up the search and reduces the chance of extra fees.
Request Copies by Mail or Email
Stockton residents can request divorce decree copies by mail or email. Send your request to the Records Management Division at 180 E Weber Ave, Suite 204, Stockton, CA 95202. Include full names of both parties, the case number if known, and the approximate date of divorce.
State clearly whether you need a certified copy or a plain copy. Certified copies are $15 for dissolution judgments or $10 if you are a public agency. Plain copies are 50 cents per page. Include payment by check or money order payable to San Joaquin County Superior Court. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope if mailing.
Email requests go to the Records Management Division. Check the court website for the current email address and any forms they want you to fill out. Email requests still require payment. The court may send you instructions on how to pay by phone or online once they process your request. All requests are handled within 20 business days according to court policy.
Note: Off-site file retrieval may add extra time if your case is very old.
In-Person Requests in Stockton
Visiting the Records Management office in person is often the fastest way to get a divorce decree copy. The office is at 180 E Weber Ave, Suite 204 in downtown Stockton. Hours are 8 AM to 4 PM on weekdays. Go to the second floor and find Suite 204.
Bring valid photo ID and the case number if you have it. If you do not know the number, staff can search by name. Tell the clerk you need a copy of a divorce decree. They will locate the file and prepare copies. You pay at the counter by check, money order, or sometimes credit card. Ask ahead about payment methods if you plan to use a card.
Same-day service is usually available for recent cases. Older cases stored off-site may take longer to retrieve. There is a retrieval fee if staff need to pull the file from storage. Ask about the current fee schedule when you arrive. Most simple requests in Stockton are finished the same day or within a few days.
Parking is available downtown but can be busy during court hours. Street parking has meters. Public lots are nearby. Bring enough change or use a parking app if your city has one. Plan extra time to find parking and go through courthouse security.
Fee Details
San Joaquin County follows state fee rules for divorce records. A certified copy of a dissolution judgment costs $15 for most people. Public agencies pay $10. This is set by California Government Code Section 70674. The fee includes certification and the first page of the decree.
If the decree has more pages, add 50 cents per page per side. A two-sided page counts as $1. Plain copies without certification are just 50 cents per page per side. If you need other documents certified, such as settlement agreements or orders, the cost is $40 per document plus copy fees.
Search fees apply if court staff spend over 10 minutes looking for your case. The fee is $15. You can avoid this by having the case number ready. Off-site file retrieval may cost extra if your case is very old. Always check current fees with the Records Management Division before submitting payment. Fees can change.
Legal Resources in Stockton
Several groups in Stockton offer help with family law. The San Joaquin County Superior Court Self-Help Center provides free assistance to people without lawyers. Staff can help you understand forms and procedures. Call the court at (209) 992-5695 to ask about self-help services.
Legal Services of Northern California has an office that serves San Joaquin County. They offer free legal aid to low-income residents. They handle family law matters including divorce. Call (209) 948-0166 or visit their website to see if you qualify. They can provide advice or representation depending on your situation.
The San Joaquin County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. They can connect you with a family law attorney in Stockton. Call the bar association to get matched with a lawyer who handles divorce cases. Some attorneys offer reduced rates for initial consultations. Ask about fees when you call.
San Joaquin County Divorce Records
Stockton is in San Joaquin County. All divorce filings go through the county Superior Court. The court handles cases for all cities and unincorporated areas in the county. For more info on county court locations, full fee schedules, and related records, see the San Joaquin County divorce records page.
Nearby Cities
Stockton is near several other California cities with over 100,000 residents. Each files divorce cases through their county Superior Court.