Mono County Dissolution Records

Divorce decree records for Mono County are maintained by the Superior Court in Mammoth Lakes. The mailing address is P.O. Box 1037, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546. The phone number is (760) 924-5444. This court handles all family law cases for Mono County. You can get copies of your divorce decree by contacting this location. Certified copies of dissolution records cost $15 plus $1 per page according to Mono County court information. This is slightly different from some other counties that charge 50 cents per page. Plain copies without certification are $1 per page. The court accepts requests in person, by mail, or by phone. Staff can help you locate your case and explain the process for getting records. Mono County is a small mountain county. Services may be limited. Call ahead to confirm hours and available services before making a trip to the courthouse.

Court Contact Details

Mono County Superior Court is located in Mammoth Lakes. The mailing address is P.O. Box 1037, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546. Phone is (760) 924-5444. All divorce records for Mono County are kept at this location. There is only one courthouse in the county. All family law cases go through this court.

Court hours are typically Monday through Friday during business hours. Call ahead to confirm hours. Small mountain counties sometimes have reduced hours in winter or during holidays. Ask about current hours and whether you need an appointment to view files or request copies.

When you call, have your case number ready if you have it. If not, provide the full names of both parties to the divorce and the year it was filed or finalized. The clerk can look up your case with this information. They can tell you what records are available and what the costs will be.

The Mono County Superior Court website has information about name searches and records requests. You can find details about services and procedures there.

How to Request Copies

You can get divorce decree copies by visiting the courthouse in person, sending a mail request, or calling to ask about phone orders. For in-person requests, go to the courthouse during business hours. Bring photo ID. Tell the clerk what documents you need. Pay the fees. You may get copies the same day if the file is readily available.

For mail requests, write to Mono County Superior Court at P.O. Box 1037, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546. Include the case number or both parties' names and the approximate divorce date. State whether you need certified or plain copies. Provide your contact information and return address. Enclose payment by check or money order made payable to Mono County Superior Court. Do not send cash through the mail.

Processing time varies based on court workload and whether your file is on-site or in storage. Mail requests usually take two to four weeks. In-person requests are faster. Call ahead if you need records urgently to see if they can be ready when you arrive.

Fee Information

Mono County charges $15 for a certified copy of a dissolution record. This fee is based on California Government Code Section 70674. The $15 covers the certification of the divorce decree.

Copy fees in Mono County are $1 per page according to research. This is higher than the typical 50 cents per page in most California counties. So a five-page divorce decree would cost $15 for certification plus $5 for copies, totaling $20.

If you need other documents from your case file certified, such as court orders or agreements, those cost $40 per document to certify. The per-page copy fee of $1 still applies. Plain copies without certification are $1 per page with no certification fee.

Search fees may apply if the court must look up your case without a case number. California law allows courts to charge $15 for searches over 10 minutes. Check with Mono County to see if they apply this fee. Providing your case number avoids search fees.

Payment methods are cash, check, or money order. For mail requests, use a check or money order only. Call the court if you want an exact cost estimate before submitting your request.

What Records Contain

A divorce decree is the final court order ending a marriage. It includes the names of both spouses. It states the date the divorce became final. It may contain terms about property division, child custody, child support, and spousal support. Not all decrees have the same information. It depends on what was decided in your case.

Some divorces are simple. The decree may be just one page. Other cases are more complex. The decree could be several pages with detailed terms. Ask the clerk how many pages your decree is. This helps you estimate the total cost before you order copies.

You can also request other documents from your case file. Settlement agreements show what both parties agreed to. Petitions and responses are the initial filings. Court orders address specific issues. Each document can be copied separately. Tell the clerk exactly what you need.

Online Services and Access

California law limits remote online access to family law records for privacy protection. You cannot view full divorce case files over the internet from home. Mono County may have a case search tool on its website. You might be able to look up case numbers and basic information. But actual documents require a formal request to the court.

The Mono County court website explains the name search and records request process. Check there for current information on what services are available online. The court can tell you if electronic requests or payments are accepted.

If online access is limited, traditional methods still work. Call the court. Visit in person. Send a mail request. Small counties often provide good personal service even if technology is limited. Staff can guide you through the process step by step.

According to selfhelp.courts.ca.gov, you can request court records in person, by mail, and sometimes online. Each county decides what online services to offer based on resources and technology.

Privacy Rules

Divorce records are public court records in California. But some information is protected by law. Social security numbers, addresses of protected parties, and details about minor children may be redacted or sealed. The court provides copies with these protections in place.

If you were a party to the divorce, you have access to your full case file. If you are not a party, some information may be restricted. The clerk can explain what is available based on your relationship to the case. California law balances public access with privacy protections.

Family law cases have special privacy rules. Full case files are not available remotely online. You must visit the courthouse or request copies by mail. This helps protect sensitive information while still allowing legitimate access to court records.

Legal Help and Resources

If you need help with a family law matter in Mono County, several resources exist. The Superior Court may have self-help services. Call (760) 924-5444 to ask. Self-help centers provide free assistance with forms and procedures. They cannot give legal advice but they can help you understand the court process.

Legal aid organizations serve low-income people. Coverage in rural mountain counties like Mono may be limited. Contact California Rural Legal Assistance or regional legal aid groups to see if they serve your area. They may be able to help with divorce cases if you meet income requirements.

The California Courts self-help website at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov has guides and downloadable forms. You can learn about divorce procedures. You can get the forms you need for free. This resource helps people who represent themselves without a lawyer.

Private family law attorneys may practice in Mono County or nearby areas. The State Bar of California has a lawyer referral service. You can get connected to an attorney who handles divorce cases in your area. Initial consultations may have a fee. Ask about costs when you call.

Nearby Counties

Mono County is near several other California counties. Each has its own Superior Court for family law cases.