Modoc County Divorce Records

Modoc County divorce decree records are kept by the Superior Court in Alturas. The courthouse is at 205 S East Street, Alturas, CA 96101. This is the only court location in the county. All family law cases are filed here. The court maintains all divorce records for Modoc County residents. You can get copies by visiting in person or requesting them by mail. The phone number is (530) 233-6516. Certified copies of divorce decrees cost $15 under California law. Other documents cost $40 to certify. Plain copies are 50 cents per page. Modoc is a small rural county. Services may be limited compared to larger counties. Call ahead to confirm hours and available services before you visit. Staff can help you find your case and explain how to get the records you need.

Court Location

Modoc County Superior Court is at 205 S East Street, Alturas, CA 96101. Phone is (530) 233-6516. This is the only courthouse in Modoc County. All records are kept here. The court is open Monday through Friday during business hours. Call before you visit to confirm hours and ask about services.

Alturas is a small town in northeastern California. It is remote. If you are traveling from another area, plan ahead. Make sure the court will be open. Ask if the records office has specific hours that differ from general court hours. Some small counties have limited staffing. Certain services may only be available on certain days.

When you contact the court, have your case number if possible. If not, give the names of both parties and the year of the divorce. The clerk can search for your case. They can tell you what records are on file. They can explain the process for getting copies and the fees that apply.

Because Modoc County is small, the court may not have extensive online services. In-person visits and mail requests are the main ways to get records. The staff can guide you through the process when you call or visit.

Getting Copies of Records

You can request divorce decree copies in person or by mail. For in-person requests, go to 205 S East Street in Alturas during court hours. Bring photo ID. Tell the clerk what documents you need. Pay the fees. If the file is available and staff time allows, you may get copies the same day.

For mail requests, write to Modoc County Superior Court at the address above. Include the case number or both parties' names and the divorce date. State whether you need certified or plain copies. Provide your contact information and return address. Enclose payment by check or money order. Do not send cash. The court will process your request and mail the copies to you.

Processing time for mail requests varies. Small counties may be faster because they have fewer cases. But they also have fewer staff members. Ask the clerk for an estimate when you submit your request.

According to selfhelp.courts.ca.gov, you can request court records in person, by mail, and sometimes online. Modoc County primarily uses in-person and mail methods due to its size and resources.

Fees and Costs

Modoc County follows California's statewide fee schedule. A certified copy of a divorce decree costs $15. This is set by California Government Code Section 70674. The $15 fee covers certification of the decree.

Plain copies cost 50 cents per page. If you need copies of other documents from your case file, certification costs $40 per document plus the per-page fee. For example, certifying a three-page support order would cost $40 for certification plus $1.50 for copies, totaling $41.50.

Search fees may apply if the court must look up your case without a case number. California law allows up to $15 for searches over 10 minutes. Check with the clerk to see if Modoc County charges this fee. You can avoid it by providing your case number when you request records.

Payment methods are cash, check, or money order. For mail requests, send a check or money order made payable to Modoc County Superior Court. Never send cash by mail. You can call ahead to get a cost estimate if you want to know the total before paying.

What a Divorce Decree Includes

A divorce decree is the final court order that ends a marriage. It states the names of both spouses. It gives the date the divorce became final. It may include terms about property, debts, custody, and support. The content varies based on what was decided in your case.

Some decrees are short, just one or two pages. Others are longer if the case had many issues to resolve. You can ask the clerk how many pages your decree is. This helps you estimate copy costs.

You can request other documents from your case file too. These might include the petition, response, settlement agreements, or court orders. Each document can be copied separately. Tell the clerk exactly what you need. They can pull those specific items from your file.

Privacy and Public Access

Divorce records are public in California, but some information is protected. Social security numbers, addresses of protected parties, and details about children may be redacted. The court provides copies with appropriate protections in place.

If you were a party to the divorce, you have full access to your case file. If you are not a party, certain records may be restricted. The clerk can explain what is available based on your relationship to the case.

California Rules of Court limit remote online access to family law records. You cannot view full case files over the internet from home. This protects privacy. You can view records at the courthouse or request copies. This rule applies statewide including Modoc County.

Online Access

Modoc County likely has limited online services for court records. Small rural counties often lack the budget for extensive web-based systems. Basic case information might be searchable online through a state or county portal. But full documents usually require an in-person visit or mail request.

Check the California Courts website for a link to Modoc County Superior Court. The court may have a basic website with contact information and forms. Call the court to ask what online services are available for your case.

If online options are not available, traditional methods work well. Phone calls, in-person visits, and mail requests are reliable. Small county courts often provide personal service and faster turnaround on simple requests.

Legal Help

Modoc County residents can access legal help through several sources. The Superior Court may offer self-help services. Call (530) 233-6516 to ask. Self-help centers provide free assistance with forms and procedures. They cannot give legal advice but they can help you navigate the court system.

Legal aid organizations serve low-income Californians. Coverage in rural areas like Modoc County may be limited. Contact California Rural Legal Assistance or other regional legal aid groups to see if they serve your area. They help with family law cases if you meet income requirements.

The California Courts self-help website at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov has guides and forms. You can learn about divorce procedures. You can download forms for free. This resource helps people who represent themselves in court.

Private family law attorneys may practice in nearby counties. The State Bar of California runs a lawyer referral service. You can find an attorney who handles cases in Modoc County. Initial consultations may cost a fee. Ask about pricing when you call.

Note: Legal resources in very rural counties can be limited, so reach out early if you need help.

Nearby Counties

Modoc County borders several other California counties. Each has its own Superior Court for divorce cases.