El Dorado County Divorce Records
Divorce decree records in El Dorado County are maintained by the Superior Court in Placerville. All family law cases filed in the county go through this court. The courthouse at 2850 Fairlane Court handles divorce filings and keeps permanent records of all judgments. When you need a copy of your divorce decree, you can request it from the court clerk. Certified copies cost $40 plus copy fees. Regular copies are 50 cents per page. You can get records in person at the courthouse or by sending a mail request. The court phone number is (530) 621-5047. Staff can help you locate your case and explain how to get documents.
El Dorado County Quick Facts
Court Location Details
El Dorado County Superior Court is located at 2850 Fairlane Court in Placerville, California 95667. Placerville is the county seat. The courthouse serves all residents of El Dorado County. This is where all divorce cases are filed and processed.
You can reach the court at (530) 621-5047. Court hours are generally Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Hours may vary on holidays or for special court closures. Call ahead to confirm hours before visiting.
The clerk's office handles requests for copies of court records. When you arrive at the courthouse, go to the clerk's office and ask for family law records. Staff will need information about your case to locate the file. Bring photo ID if you are requesting your own records.
Parking is available at the courthouse. The building is accessible to people with disabilities. If you need special accommodations, contact the court in advance to make arrangements.
Fees for Divorce Records
El Dorado County uses a different fee structure than some other California counties. Certification of any court document, including divorce decrees, costs $40. This is the standard certification fee under California Government Code Section 70626.
Note that El Dorado County does not use the reduced $15 fee for dissolution judgments. They charge $40 per certification for all documents. Copy fees are 50 cents per page. These are added to the certification fee if you need a certified copy of a multi-page decree.
If your case file is in off-site storage, there is a retrieval fee. Standard retrieval costs $10. Rush retrieval is available for $40 if you need the file quickly. Retrieval fees are separate from copy and certification fees.
Search fees may apply if the court must look up your case and it takes more than 10 minutes. The standard search fee is $15. You can avoid this by providing the case number when you request records.
Payment can be made by check or money order. Some services may accept credit cards. Ask the clerk's office about payment options before your visit or when sending a mail request.
Requesting Records by Mail
You can request divorce decree copies by mail from El Dorado County Superior Court. Send your request to the court at 2850 Fairlane Court, Placerville, CA 95667. Address it to the attention of the Clerk's Office or Records Department.
Your written request should include the following details:
- Full legal names of both parties in the divorce
- Date of divorce or case filing date
- Case number if you have it
- Specific documents you need
- Whether you need certified or plain copies
- Your mailing address and phone number
Include payment with your request. Calculate the fees based on what you are requesting. If you are unsure of the total cost, you can call the court first to ask. Enclose a check or money order made payable to El Dorado County Superior Court.
Add a self-addressed stamped envelope with enough postage for the court to return your documents. Processing time for mail requests varies. It may take several weeks depending on the court's workload and whether the file needs to be retrieved from storage.
In-Person Record Access
Visiting the courthouse in person is often the fastest way to get divorce records. You can search for your case using public access terminals at the courthouse. This allows you to verify the case number and see what documents are in the file.
Once you locate your case, ask the clerk's office for copies. If the file is on-site, you may be able to get copies the same day. If the file is in off-site storage, you will need to pay the retrieval fee and return another day or wait for the file to arrive.
Bring identification with you. The court may ask for ID to verify your identity, especially if you are requesting your own divorce records. If you are requesting someone else's records, be prepared to explain your reason for the request and your relationship to the case.
California law allows public access to most court records. But some information in family law cases is protected. The clerk will tell you if any documents are restricted or sealed.
File Storage and Archives
Older divorce case files in El Dorado County are moved to off-site storage after a certain period. When a file is in storage, the court must retrieve it before you can access it or get copies. This adds time and cost to your request.
Standard retrieval from storage costs $10. If you need the file urgently, rush retrieval is available for $40. The court can tell you if your case file is on-site or in storage when you call or visit.
If you are planning to visit the courthouse, call ahead to check if the file is available. If it is in storage, you can pay for retrieval and schedule a time to return once the file has been brought back to the courthouse. This saves you a wasted trip.
Very old divorce records may require special handling. Files from many decades ago may be archived differently. The court staff can advise you on how to access very old records if needed.
Understanding California Divorce Law
California requires a six-month waiting period before a divorce can be final. This is set by California Family Code Section 2339. The six months start from when the respondent is served with divorce papers or appears in court, whichever comes first.
The divorce decree must state the date when the judgment becomes final. This is required by California Family Code Section 2340. The effective date is important for legal purposes such as remarriage or changing your name.
The court clerk is required to maintain divorce judgments in the court records. This duty is outlined in California Family Code Section 2338. The clerk must also notify both parties when the judgment is entered. This ensures that both sides receive official notice of the final decree.
State Records vs Court Records
There is an important difference between state vital records and court records. The California Department of Public Health keeps limited divorce information for cases filed between 1962 and June 1984. They do not have actual divorce decrees. What they provide is a Certificate of Record with basic information like names and dates.
For the actual divorce decree, you must contact the Superior Court. This is true for all California divorces, regardless of when they occurred. The state vital records office at cdph.ca.gov can only provide the limited Certificate of Record, and only for that specific time period.
If your divorce was in El Dorado County, the Superior Court in Placerville is the official source for your decree. Do not rely on state vital records for divorce decrees. They do not have them.
Legal Assistance Resources
If you need help understanding divorce records or navigating the court system, resources are available. The California Courts website at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov offers guides on how to get copies of court records. This is a free resource provided by the state court system.
Legal aid may be available if you meet income requirements. Legal Services of Northern California serves El Dorado County. They can assist with family law matters for eligible clients. Contact them to see if you qualify for free legal help.
The State Bar of California operates a lawyer referral service. You can find a family law attorney in El Dorado County through their website or by phone. Private attorneys can provide legal advice and representation for divorce cases and related matters.
The El Dorado County Superior Court may offer self-help services or have information available at the courthouse. Ask the clerk's office what resources are available to help you with your case.
Nearby Counties
El Dorado County is in the Sierra Nevada foothills east of Sacramento. It borders several counties, each with its own court system for divorce records.