Butte County Divorce Decree Search

Butte County maintains divorce decree records at the Superior Court in Chico. The courthouse is at 1775 Concord Avenue, Chico, CA 95928. All family law cases for Butte County are processed here. This includes divorce, legal separation, and nullity matters. The court clerk's office keeps files for all family law cases filed in the county. You can request copies of your divorce decree in person, by mail, or by phone. Certified copies of dissolution judgments cost $15. Plain copies are 50 cents per page. Court staff can help you find your case and determine what documents you need. Call (530) 532-7008 to reach the family law division and ask about records requests.

Courthouse Information

Butte County Superior Court is located in Chico at 1775 Concord Avenue, Chico, CA 95928. This is the main courthouse for all family law matters in the county. The phone number for the family law division is (530) 532-7008. Call this number to ask about divorce records, court hours, and how to request copies of your decree.

The courthouse serves residents throughout Butte County, including Chico, Oroville, Paradise, and smaller communities. All divorce cases filed in Butte County are maintained at this location. Court hours are Monday through Friday, typically from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Hours may vary on court holidays, so call ahead if you plan to visit in person.

For general information about the family law division, visit butte.courts.ca.gov. The website provides details about filing procedures, forms, and services available at the courthouse. You can also find instructions for requesting copies of court documents.

Requesting Divorce Records

To get a copy of your Butte County divorce decree, you need to provide certain information. Start with the full legal names of both parties to the divorce. Include the date the divorce was finalized if you know it. A case number makes the search much faster. If you do not have the case number, court staff can search for your case by name and date.

Name searches that take more than 10 minutes may incur a $15 search fee under California law. This fee is separate from copy and certification costs. In most cases, searches are quick. But if your divorce was many years ago or you have a common name, it may take longer to locate the right file.

Specify whether you need a certified copy or a plain copy. Certified copies have an official court seal and are required for legal purposes like changing your name or getting remarried. Plain copies do not have a seal and cost less. They work for personal records but may not be accepted by government agencies or for legal transactions.

You can request records in several ways. Visit the courthouse in person and ask at the clerk's office. Bring photo identification and payment. For mail requests, send a letter to the court stating what documents you need. Include your contact information, case details, and a check or money order for payment. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for the court to return your copies. Processing time for mail requests depends on court workload and whether your file is easily accessible.

Copy Fees

Butte County follows California state law for court record fees. A certified copy of a dissolution judgment costs $15 according to California Government Code Section 70674. This fee covers the certification and one page. Each additional page costs 50 cents.

Plain copies without certification are 50 cents per page with no base fee. If your divorce decree is multiple pages, the cost increases based on the total number of pages. Other documents in your case file, such as settlement agreements or custody orders, cost $40 to certify plus 50 cents per page for copies.

If court 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. Always provide as much information as possible to help staff locate your case quickly. Having your case number eliminates the search fee.

Payment should be by check or money order made payable to Butte County Superior Court. Cash may be accepted for in-person requests, but call ahead to verify. Do not mail cash. Write your case number on your payment if you have it. This helps staff match your payment to the correct request. Keep a receipt for your records.

Online Case Information

Butte County Superior Court may offer online case lookup for some types of cases. However, California Rules of Court restrict remote access to family law records. You can search for basic case information online, such as case numbers and filing dates. But you cannot view the actual divorce decree or other sensitive documents over the internet.

To see the full content of your divorce file, you must visit the courthouse or submit a records request. The online system shows the register of actions, which lists all filings and court events in your case. This helps you understand what documents exist. Once you know what you need, follow the regular process to order copies from the clerk's office.

California law protects privacy in family law cases by limiting electronic access. This rule applies to all counties. Courts can only show family law documents on computers at the courthouse, not remotely to the public. If you need documents for legal purposes, you must get certified copies directly from the court.

Privacy Protections

Divorce records contain personal and financial information. California law protects some of this information from public disclosure. Financial records, child custody evaluations, and sealed documents are not available to everyone. If you are a party to the divorce, you have more access to your own case file than the general public does.

When someone requests records, the court reviews what can be released. California Rules of Court and state statutes govern who can see family law documents. Confidential information may be redacted from copies provided to third parties. If you believe certain documents should remain private, you can file an objection with the court.

Remote electronic access to family law records is prohibited by California Rules of Court Rule 2.503. This means divorce decrees cannot be viewed online by the public. You must go to the courthouse to see the actual documents or submit a proper records request to get copies by mail.

These privacy rules apply throughout California. They are designed to protect sensitive information in cases involving families and children. If you have questions about what parts of your file are public, ask the court clerk or consult with a family law attorney.

Legal Assistance Resources

Butte County has several resources for people dealing with family law matters. The Superior Court may offer a self-help center where you can get free assistance with court forms and procedures. Staff at the self-help center cannot give legal advice, but they can explain how to fill out forms and what documents you need to file.

Legal Services of Northern California provides free legal help to low-income residents. They have an office in Chico and serve Butte County. Call to see if you qualify for their services. They handle family law cases including divorce, custody, and support matters.

For private attorney referrals, contact the Butte County Bar Association or the State Bar of California. They can connect you with a family law attorney in your area. Initial consultations may be free or low-cost. Ask about fees and payment plans during your first meeting.

The California Courts Self-Help website at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov offers free information about requesting court records. You can find forms, instructions, and answers to common questions about divorce records.

Historical Records

Butte County has court records dating back over 150 years. Very old divorce records may be stored at a separate archive facility or in special storage at the courthouse. If you need records from decades ago, contact the clerk's office to ask about availability. Some historical files may have been damaged in fires or other disasters over the years.

The 2018 Camp Fire destroyed much of Paradise and parts of other communities in Butte County. Some court records may have been affected. If your divorce case was in process during that time or involved property in the burned areas, contact the court to verify that your file is intact and accessible.

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

Nearby Counties

Butte County is located in Northern California. It borders several other counties, each with its own Superior Court for divorce records. If your divorce was filed in a different county, you need to contact that county's court.