Alpine County Divorce Decree Records

Alpine County divorce decree records are maintained by the Superior Court in Markleeville. This is California's smallest county by population. The courthouse serves all family law matters for Alpine County residents. You can request copies of divorce decrees at the court office. The court is located at 14777 State Route 89 in Markleeville. Staff handle requests for certified and plain copies of divorce records. Call ahead before visiting, as this is a small courthouse with limited staff. Processing times are usually quick because the court has fewer cases than larger counties. Standard California fees apply to all record requests.

Court Location and Hours

Alpine County Superior Court is at 14777 State Route 89, Markleeville, CA 96120. The main phone number is (530) 694-2113. Call this number to reach the clerk's office and ask about divorce records. The courthouse is in a rural mountain area. Winter weather can affect access, so check road conditions before traveling there.

Court hours are Monday through Friday, typically from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. However, hours may vary and the court may have limited services on some days due to staffing. Always call ahead to confirm the office is open and staff are available to help with records requests. The court may close on county holidays that differ from other California counties.

Markleeville is a small town. There are few services nearby. Plan your visit accordingly if you need to go in person. The court staff are familiar with most cases in the county because there are not many filings each year. This can make it easier to locate your case file, even without a case number.

For general information about California court records, visit selfhelp.courts.ca.gov. This site explains how to request copies from any California Superior Court. The process in Alpine County follows these same statewide guidelines.

Requesting Divorce Records

To request a copy of your divorce decree, contact the clerk's office by phone or in person. Provide the full names of both parties to the divorce. Give the approximate date the divorce was finalized if you know it. If you have your case number, that speeds up the process. Without a case number, court staff must search for your case by name.

Searches that take more than 10 minutes cost $15 according to state law. In a small county like Alpine, most searches are quick. But if your divorce happened many years ago or involves common names, it may take longer to find the right file. Be prepared to pay the search fee if needed.

Tell the clerk whether you need a certified copy or a plain copy. Certified copies have an official court seal. Use these for legal purposes like name changes or remarriage. Plain copies work for personal records. Certified divorce decrees cost $15 plus 50 cents per page under California Government Code Section 70674.

You can request records in person or by mail. For mail requests, write a letter to the court stating what documents you need. Include your contact information and payment. Send a check or money order payable to Alpine County Superior Court. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for the court to return your copies. Mail requests take longer than in-person visits but may be more convenient if you live far from Markleeville.

Record Fees

Alpine County uses the standard California fee schedule for court records. Certified copies of dissolution judgments cost $15. This fee covers the certification and the first page. Each additional page costs 50 cents. If your decree is several pages long, the total fee increases accordingly.

Plain copies without certification are 50 cents per page. There is no base fee, just the per-page charge. For other documents like court orders or settlement agreements, certification costs $40 plus the copy fees. This higher fee applies to all court documents except the final dissolution judgment.

Payment must be by check or money order. The court may accept cash if you visit in person, but call ahead to confirm. Do not mail cash. Write your case number on your payment if you know it. This helps staff match your payment to the correct request.

If staff must search for your case by name, and the search takes over 10 minutes, there is a $15 search fee. This is separate from copy and certification fees. The total cost depends on what you request and how long it takes to find your file. Ask the clerk for a cost estimate before submitting your request if you are concerned about the total amount.

Privacy and Confidentiality

Divorce records contain sensitive personal information. California law protects some parts of these files from public access. Financial records, child custody evaluations, and sealed documents are not available to the general public. If you are a party to the divorce, you have broader access to your own case file than other people do.

When someone requests records, the court reviews what can be released. California Rules of Court limit who can see family law documents and how they can access them. Remote electronic access to divorce records is not allowed for the public. You must go to the courthouse to view files or submit a proper records request to get copies.

In a small county like Alpine, privacy concerns may be different than in large urban counties. Fewer people file for divorce here, so individual cases may be more recognizable to community members. The court still follows all state privacy rules to protect sensitive information in family law cases.

Legal Resources

Alpine County has limited local legal services due to its small population. For legal help with family law matters, you may need to contact organizations in nearby counties. El Dorado County and Mono County have legal aid offices that sometimes serve Alpine County residents.

The California Courts Self-Help Center website at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov provides free information about divorce and family law. You can find forms, instructions, and answers to common questions. This resource is helpful if you are representing yourself in court.

For private attorney referrals, contact the State Bar of California. They can help you find a family law attorney who practices in rural counties. Some attorneys from South Lake Tahoe or Carson City may serve Alpine County clients. Ask about fees and travel costs during your initial consultation.

More information about public records access is available at courts.ca.gov. This page explains your rights to view and copy court records in California.

Historical Records

Alpine County has court records dating back to the 1800s. Very old divorce records may be stored differently than recent cases. If you need records from decades ago, the clerk's office can tell you whether those files still exist and where they are kept. Some historical records may be archived at a separate location or transferred to a county historical society.

Older records might not be as complete as modern files. Record-keeping practices have changed over time. Some documents may have been lost or damaged over the years. If you are researching genealogy or family history, the court can help you understand what records are available for older cases.

For divorces from 1962 through June 1984, the California Department of Public Health kept limited records. CDPH does not have the full divorce decree. They only have a certificate of record with basic information. To get the actual decree from this time period, you must contact Alpine County Superior Court, not CDPH.

Nearby Counties

Alpine County borders several other California counties. Each has its own Superior Court for divorce records. If your divorce was filed in a different county, contact that county's court directly.