Imperial County Divorce Decree Access

Imperial County divorce decree records are kept at the Superior Court. The county has two court locations. The main El Centro Courthouse at 939 West Main Street handles most cases. The Winterhaven Court at 2124 Winterhaven Drive serves that area. The Superior Court of California, County of Imperial is a unified court served by ten judges. All divorce cases filed in Imperial County go through this court system. You can get copies of your divorce decree from the courthouse. Certification of documents costs $40 per document. Copy fees are 50 cents per page. You can request records in person or by mail. The El Centro Courthouse phone number is (760) 482-2200.

Court Locations

Imperial County Superior Court has two courthouse locations. The main courthouse is in El Centro. The address is 939 West Main Street, El Centro, CA 92243. The phone number is (760) 482-2200. This is where most divorce cases are filed and processed.

The second location is the Winterhaven Court at 2124 Winterhaven Drive, Winterhaven, CA 92283. The phone number is (760) 336-3500. This court serves the eastern part of the county near the Arizona border. Check with the court to find out which location handles your specific case.

According to imperial.courts.ca.gov, the Superior Court of California, County of Imperial is a unified Superior Court served by ten judges. The court handles all case types including family law. Divorce records are maintained by the court clerk at these locations.

Court hours are typically Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Hours may vary on holidays or for special closures. Always call ahead to confirm hours before visiting. This is especially important if you are traveling from out of town.

Requesting Divorce Records

To get a copy of your divorce decree, you need to request it from the court. You can do this in person at either courthouse location or by mail. In-person requests are usually processed faster. The clerk can search for your case and tell you what documents are available.

When requesting records, provide as much information as possible. This includes the full legal names of both parties, the date the divorce was finalized or filed, and the case number if you know it. The case number is the most important piece of information for locating your file quickly.

If you visit in person, bring photo identification. The court may require ID to verify your identity, especially if you are requesting your own divorce records. Once the file is located, you can specify which documents you need copied.

For mail requests, write to Imperial County Superior Court at the El Centro address unless you know your case was filed at Winterhaven. Include all case details, specify what documents you need, state whether you need certified or plain copies, and include your contact information and payment.

Fees for Copies

Imperial County uses the standard California fee structure for most records. However, the county charges $40 for certification of any court document. This is the fee set by California Government Code Section 70626.

Note that Imperial County does not use the reduced $15 fee for dissolution judgments. All certifications are $40. This includes divorce decrees. Copy fees are 50 cents per page. These copy fees are in addition to the certification fee if you need a certified copy.

If the court must search for your case and the search takes more than 10 minutes, a $15 search fee may apply. You can avoid this by providing the case number when you request records. Search fees are separate from certification and copy fees.

Payment can be made by check or money order payable to Imperial County Superior Court. Some courthouses accept credit or debit cards for in-person payments. Ask the clerk's office about accepted payment methods before visiting or mailing your request.

Always confirm current fees before submitting payment. Fees can change, and different types of documents may have different costs.

Mail Request Instructions

To request divorce records by mail, send a written request to the court. Use this address: Imperial County Superior Court, 939 West Main Street, El Centro, CA 92243. Address your letter to the Clerk's Office or Records Department.

Your written request should include:

• Full legal names of both parties
• Date of divorce or filing date
• Case number if available
• Which documents you need
• Whether you need certified or plain copies
• Your mailing address and phone number

Include payment with your request. Calculate fees based on what you are requesting. If you are unsure of the total, call the court first to ask. Enclose a check or money order made out to Imperial County Superior Court.

Add a self-addressed stamped envelope with sufficient postage for the court to return your documents. Processing time for mail requests varies depending on the court's workload. It may take several weeks to receive your copies.

What is in a Divorce Decree

A divorce decree is the final court order that ends a marriage. In California, it is officially called a Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage. The decree states that the marriage is dissolved and gives the date when the dissolution becomes final.

The decree may include terms about property division, spousal support, child custody, and child support. If the parties agreed on all issues, the decree may be short. If there were disputes, it may be longer with detailed provisions.

You need a certified copy for most official purposes. Government agencies, financial institutions, and other organizations usually require the court seal. A certified copy is a legal document. A plain copy is fine for personal reference but may not be accepted for official transactions.

The divorce case file contains more than just the decree. It may include the petition, response, financial disclosures, settlement agreements, and other filings. You can request any public documents from the file. Some documents may be confidential or sealed to protect privacy.

Privacy and Access Laws

California law protects certain information in family law cases. Under the California Rules of Court, Rule 2.503, courts may not provide remote electronic access to divorce case files. This means you cannot view full case documents online from home.

Courts may provide limited information online such as case numbers and hearing dates. But actual court documents are only available at the courthouse or by ordering copies through the clerk's office. This rule protects privacy in sensitive family matters.

Some documents in divorce files are confidential. Financial disclosures and certain declarations may be sealed or restricted. The court clerk will tell you if any documents in the case you are requesting have limited access.

If you were a party to the divorce, you have full access to your own records. If you are not a party, you may still be able to get copies of public documents, but confidential information may be redacted.

California Divorce Requirements

California law requires a six-month waiting period before a divorce can become final. This is set by California Family Code Section 2339. The six months start from when the respondent is served with papers or appears in court, whichever comes first.

Every divorce decree must state the date it becomes final. This requirement is in California Family Code Section 2340. This date is important for legal purposes like remarriage or changing your name.

The court clerk must maintain all divorce judgments in the court records. The clerk must also notify both parties when a judgment is entered. These duties are outlined in California Family Code Section 2338. This ensures proper record keeping and notice to all parties.

Imperial County follows all California state laws for divorce. The procedures are the same as in other California counties. But fees and local court rules may vary.

State Records Limitations

The California Department of Public Health keeps limited divorce information. According to cdph.ca.gov, they only have records for divorces filed between 1962 and June 1984. They do not have actual divorce decrees.

What the state provides is a Certificate of Record. This certificate shows names, filing date, county, and case number. It does not show if the divorce was finalized or include any terms of the divorce. It is not the same as a divorce decree.

For actual divorce decrees, you must contact the Superior Court in the county where the divorce took place. For Imperial County divorces, that means contacting the courthouse in El Centro or Winterhaven. The court has the complete file including the final judgment.

Processing time for state vital records can exceed six months. It is much faster to get records directly from the county court.

Legal Help Resources

If you need help with divorce records or family law matters, resources are available. The California Courts website at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov has guides on getting copies of court records. This is a free resource with forms and instructions.

Legal aid organizations may offer free services if you meet income requirements. Imperial County Legal Aid Society or similar organizations may assist with family law matters for eligible clients. Contact local legal aid to see if you qualify.

The State Bar of California operates a lawyer referral service. You can find a family law attorney in Imperial County through their website or phone line. Private attorneys can provide legal advice and representation for a fee.

The Imperial County Superior Court may have self-help information available. Ask the clerk's office what resources they offer to help people navigate the court system.

Nearby Counties

Imperial County is in the far southeast corner of California, bordering Arizona and Mexico. It borders several California counties.