Find Marin County Divorce Decree

Marin County divorce decree records are kept by the Superior Court at the Civic Center Hall of Justice. This court handles all family law cases in the county. The main office for court records is in Room 113. You can request copies of your divorce decree at this location. The court provides both certified and plain copies. Certified copies cost $40 per document plus 50 cents per page. Plain copies are 50 cents per page. The courthouse is in San Rafael, the county seat. Staff can help you find your case and order the documents you need. Requests can be made in person, by mail, or by phone at (415) 444-7080. Processing time depends on how busy the court is and whether your file is in storage or active.

Marin Superior Court

The Marin County Superior Court is at the Civic Center in San Rafael. The court records division is in the Hall of Justice, Room 113. This is where all divorce files are kept. Phone number is (415) 444-7080. Hours are Monday through Friday, typically 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Call ahead to confirm hours before visiting.

Marin County has one main courthouse for family law. All divorce cases filed in the county go through this court. There are no branch courthouses for divorce records. Everything is centralized at the Civic Center location.

When you contact the court, have your case information ready. The case number is best. If you do not have it, provide the full names of both parties and the approximate date of the divorce. This helps staff locate your file quickly.

Court staff can confirm if a case is on file. They can tell you what documents exist in the case. They can explain fees and how to get copies. They cannot give legal advice or discuss the details of your case.

The Marin County Superior Court website has information about court records. You can find contact details and basic procedures there. The site explains what services are available and how to request records.

Getting Certified Copies

A certified copy of a divorce decree has an official seal. It is accepted as proof of divorce by government agencies, employers, and other organizations. The fee for certifying documents in Marin County is $40 per document. This is based on California Government Code Section 70626.

In addition to the certification fee, you pay 50 cents per page for the actual copies. So a five-page divorce decree would cost $40 for certification plus $2.50 for copying, totaling $42.50. The clerk can tell you how many pages your decree is before you pay.

To request a certified copy, go to Room 113 at the Hall of Justice or send a written request by mail. State that you need a certified copy, not just a plain copy. Include payment with your request. Processing takes a few days to a few weeks depending on workload.

Plain Copy Requests

If you do not need certification, plain copies are cheaper. They cost 50 cents per page. No certification fee applies. Plain copies work fine if you just need the information for your own records or for informal purposes.

You can get plain copies the same ways as certified copies. Visit the court in person. Send a mail request. Or call and ask if phone orders are accepted. Payment must be included with your order.

Plain copies are just photocopies of the original court documents. They do not have a seal or signature from the clerk. They are not official. But they contain the same information as certified copies. Use them when you do not need an official document.

Mail Requests

You can request divorce decree copies by mail. Write a letter to Marin County Superior Court, Court Records, Civic Center Hall of Justice, Room 113, San Rafael, CA. The zip code for the courthouse is typically in the 94900 range. Check the court website or call to confirm the exact mailing address.

Your letter should include the following details:

• Full names of both parties in the divorce
• Case number if you have it
• Date the divorce was filed or finalized
• Type of copy you need (certified or plain)
• Your contact information and mailing address

Include a check or money order for the fees. Make it payable to Marin County Superior Court. Estimate the cost based on the fees listed above. If you overpay, the court may refund the difference or you can call to get an exact quote first.

Add a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want the records mailed back to you. Processing time for mail requests is usually two to four weeks. It can be longer if the file is in storage or if the court has a backlog.

Search Fees and Information

If you do not have a case number, the court must search for your case. California law allows courts to charge a search fee of $15 if the search takes more than 10 minutes. This is set by state statute. Some counties charge this fee, others do not. Check with Marin County to see if they apply search fees.

To avoid search fees, try to find your case number before requesting records. You may be able to search online or call the court and ask them to look it up. Once you have the case number, include it in your request.

The California Courts website explains public access to court records. It covers fees, search rules, and what types of records are available. Each county may have slight differences in procedures but the basic rules are the same statewide.

Online and Electronic Access

California law limits remote electronic access to family law records. You cannot view full divorce case files online from home. Some basic information like case numbers and hearing dates may be searchable. But the actual documents are only available at the courthouse or by requesting copies.

Marin County may have a case search tool on its website. Check the court site to see what is available. You may be able to confirm a case exists and get the case number. Then you can request copies using the methods described above.

If you need to view documents right away, visit the courthouse in person. Public terminals may allow you to view case files on site. Viewing is usually free. Printing or copying costs the standard per-page fee.

Older Records and Archives

Older divorce cases may be stored off-site in archives. If your case is many years old, the file might not be at the courthouse. The court will retrieve it for you, but this takes extra time. Some counties charge a retrieval fee for archived files. Ask the clerk if this applies in Marin County.

Very old records from decades ago may be harder to access. Some may be on microfilm or stored in special formats. The court can tell you what is available and how to get it. Processing old records can take longer than recent cases.

Family Law Help

If you need legal help with a divorce or family law matter, resources exist. The Marin County Superior Court may have a self-help center. Call (415) 444-7080 to ask. Self-help centers provide free assistance with forms and court procedures. They do not give legal advice but they can guide you through the process.

Legal aid organizations serve people who cannot afford a lawyer. Bay Area Legal Aid may assist Marin County residents. They have income limits. Contact them to see if you qualify. Their website has information on services and how to apply.

The California Courts self-help site at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov has guides and forms. You can download divorce forms. You can read about how to represent yourself. This is a good resource if you do not have a lawyer.

Private family law attorneys practice in Marin County. The State Bar of California has a lawyer referral service. You can get connected to an attorney who handles divorce cases. Consultations may cost a fee. Ask about pricing when you call.

Nearby Counties

Marin County borders other California counties. Each has its own Superior Court system for divorce cases.