Access Orange County Divorce Decree

Orange County divorce decree records are maintained by the Superior Court. The main family law records office is at Lamoreaux Justice Center, 341 The City Drive South, Orange, CA 92868. Phone is (657) 622-8457. The court handles all family law cases for Orange County residents. You can view case summaries online for cases from 1990 to present. Full documents are not available online due to California privacy rules. But you can order copies through the court's online system for dissolution cases from 1997 forward. Certified copies of dissolution judgments cost $15. Other documents cost $40 to certify. Plain copies are 50 cents per page. Records search fees are $15 per name if you do not have a case number. Hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The court offers in-person requests, mail requests, and online ordering for eligible cases.

Family Law Records Division

Orange County Superior Court family law records are handled at Lamoreaux Justice Center. The address is 341 The City Drive South, Orange, CA 92868. Phone is (657) 622-8457. This is the main location for family law records in the county. Hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

The court maintains files for all divorce cases filed in Orange County. You can view case summaries online. You can request copies in person, by mail, or online for some cases. Staff can help you find your case and explain how to get the documents you need.

When you contact the court, have your case number ready if you have it. If not, provide the full names of both parties and the approximate date of the divorce. The clerk can search for your case. Be aware that search fees of $15 per name apply when you do not have a case number.

The Orange County Superior Court website has detailed information about family law records. You can find contact details, procedures, and links to online services there.

Online Case Search and Ordering

Orange County offers online case search for family law cases from 1990 to present. You can view a summary of proceedings, list of documents filed, party information, and hearing information. The system is available through the court's website. California Rules of Court prohibit viewing the actual family law documents online except at a courthouse computer. You can only see case summaries remotely.

For dissolution, legal separation, and nullity cases from 1997 to date, you can order copies online through the court's family law portal at fampub.occourts.org. The system allows you to request specific documents. You pay online and the court processes your order. This is faster than mail requests for eligible cases.

To use online ordering, you need to create an account on the portal. Follow the instructions on the website. You will need a credit card for payment. The court delivers copies by mail or electronic delivery depending on the options available.

In-Person Requests

To request records in person, visit Lamoreaux Justice Center at 341 The City Drive South, Orange, CA 92868. Go during business hours, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Bring photo ID. Tell the clerk what documents you need. Provide your case number or the information needed to look up your case.

If you do not have a case number, the clerk will search for your case. This triggers a search fee of $15 per name searched. To avoid this fee, use the online case search to find your case number before you visit. Then provide the case number to the clerk.

Pay the fees. If your file is available, you may get copies the same day. Processing time depends on how busy the court is. The clerk can give you an estimate when you submit your request.

Mail Requests

You can request divorce decree copies by mail. Write to Orange County Superior Court, Family Law Records, Lamoreaux Justice Center, 341 The City Drive South, Orange, CA 92868. Your letter should include:

• Case number if you have it
• Full names of both parties to the divorce
• Date the divorce was filed or finalized
• What documents you need
• Whether you need certified or plain copies
• Your contact information and mailing address

Enclose payment by check or money order made payable to Orange County Superior Court. Do not send cash. You can call ahead to get a cost estimate. Or estimate based on the fees listed below. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope if the court requires it.

Processing time for mail requests is usually two to four weeks. It can be longer if the file is in storage or the court has a backlog. The court will mail the copies to you when ready.

Fee Schedule

Orange County charges the following fees for family law records according to occourts.org:

Copies: 50 cents per page. Certification of dissolution judgment: $15. This is set by California Government Code Section 70674. Certification of any other document: $40. Exemplification fee: $50. Records search fee: $15 per name searched.

The certification fee for dissolution judgments is lower than for other documents. A five-page divorce decree would cost $15 for certification plus $2.50 for copies, totaling $17.50. If you need other documents certified, such as a support order, that costs $40 plus copy fees.

Search fees apply when the court must look up your case without a case number. Use the online case search to avoid this fee. Once you have the case number, include it in your request.

Payment can be made by cash, check, money order, or credit card depending on the request method. For in-person requests, cash and cards are accepted. For mail requests, send a check or money order. For online orders, use a credit card.

What Records Include

A divorce decree is the final court order ending a marriage. It states the names of both spouses. It gives the date the divorce became final. It may include terms about property division, child custody, child support, and spousal support. The content depends on what was decided in your case.

Orange County family law case categories include divorce, separation, annulment, parentage, child custody, and child support. You can request documents from any of these case types. Common documents include petitions, responses, settlement agreements, custody orders, and support orders. Each document can be copied separately.

Tell the clerk exactly what you need. They can pull specific documents from your file. Or you can request the entire file if you want all documents. The clerk can tell you how many pages are in the file so you know the cost.

Privacy and Access Rules

California law protects certain information in family law cases. Social security numbers, addresses of protected parties, and details about minor children may be redacted. The court provides copies with appropriate privacy 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 records may be restricted. The clerk can explain what is available based on your relationship to the case.

California Rules of Court prohibit viewing full family law documents online remotely. You can see case summaries and indexes online. But actual documents require a formal request or viewing at a courthouse computer. This protects privacy while still allowing access to public records.

County Clerk Note

The Orange County Clerk-Recorder's Office does not maintain divorce records. According to ocrecorder.com, you must visit the Superior Court for divorce records. The Clerk-Recorder handles birth, death, and marriage records. But divorce decrees are court records only. All requests must go through the Superior Court at the address listed above.

Legal Help Resources

If you need help with a family law matter in Orange County, resources are available. The Superior Court has a self-help center. Call (657) 622-8457 to ask about services. Self-help centers provide free assistance with forms and procedures. They cannot give legal advice but they can guide you through the court process.

Legal aid organizations serve low-income people. Legal Aid Society of Orange County helps with family law cases. They have income limits. Contact them to see if you qualify for free or low-cost legal help. Their website has information on services and how to apply.

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 practice throughout Orange County. The State Bar of California has a lawyer referral service. You can get connected to an attorney who handles divorce cases. The Orange County Bar Association also has a referral service. Initial consultations may have a fee. Ask about costs when you contact them.

Cities in Orange County

Orange County includes many cities with population over 100,000. Residents of these cities file for divorce at Orange County Superior Court. Select a city below for local information.

Nearby Counties

Orange County borders several other California counties. Each has its own Superior Court system.