Riverside County Divorce Records

Divorce decree records in Riverside County are kept by the Superior Court. The court system handles all dissolution filings for residents across the county. You can get copies of your divorce decree from the Family Law Courthouse in downtown Riverside or from other court locations that serve different areas of the county. The records go back many years. Some older files may be stored off-site at an archive facility. Standard fees apply for copies and certifications. A certified divorce decree costs $15 per decree under state law. Regular copy fees are 50 cents per page. If your file is stored off-site, there is a $30 retrieval fee to bring the records back to the courthouse for viewing or copying.

Superior Court System

The Riverside County Superior Court operates multiple locations. The main Family Law Courthouse is at 4175 Main Street in Riverside, CA 92501. Call them at 951-777-3147. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This courthouse processes most dissolution cases for the county.

Other court facilities serve different regions. If you live in the western part of the county near Corona or Murrieta, there are branch locations closer to you. The court website at riverside.courts.ca.gov has a directory of all locations with addresses and phone numbers. Each location can help you with requests for divorce records if your case was filed at that courthouse.

Processing times vary. In-person requests may be completed the same day or within a few days. Mail requests can take two to three weeks. If your file is in off-site storage, add extra time for retrieval.

Online Case Search

Riverside County offers an online portal for searching court cases. The system is called ePublic Access. You can reach it at epublic-access.riverside.courts.ca.gov. Use this tool to look up case numbers and see basic information about your divorce case.

The portal shows case summaries, hearing dates, and parties involved. You cannot view full documents online due to privacy rules under California Rules of Court. Family law cases like divorce are protected. The actual divorce decree and other documents must be requested from the court directly. You can search by party name or case number.

Once you find your case, note the case number. Use that number when you request copies from the court. It speeds up the process. Court staff can locate your file quickly if you provide the full case number.

Requesting Certified Copies

To get a certified copy of your divorce decree, fill out the court's request form. The form is called Request for Records Search and is form RI-MC002. You can download it from the court website or pick one up at any courthouse location.

Include the following on your request:

• Full names of both parties
• Case number if known
• Date of divorce or approximate year
• Type of copy needed (certified or plain)
• Your contact information

Send the completed form with payment to the Family Law Courthouse. Make checks payable to Riverside County Superior Court. The fee for a certified divorce decree is $15. Add 50 cents per page if the decree is more than one page. If you do not have the case number and need staff to search, there may be a search fee.

Note: Off-site file retrieval costs an additional $30 if your case is in storage.

Fees and Costs

Riverside County uses the standard California fee schedule. Under California Government Code Section 70674, a certified divorce decree costs $15. This fee includes the certification stamp and seal. Plain copies cost 50 cents per page.

Other documents in your case file can also be certified. Orders, agreements, or court filings require a $40 certification fee plus 50 cents per page. The $15 rate only applies to the final divorce decree itself. Exemplification of records costs $50 under state law if you need that service.

If your case file is stored off-site, you pay a $30 retrieval fee. This is higher than some other counties. The court must send staff to retrieve the physical file from the archive facility. Rush retrieval may be available for urgent needs but could cost more.

Walk-in requests at the courthouse are free to submit. Mail requests should include a self-addressed stamped envelope with enough postage for return of the documents you requested.

Court Records Office

The Records Division handles all requests for copies of court documents. They process requests received in person, by mail, and online. The staff can answer questions about fees, processing times, and how to fill out the request form. Reach the Records Division through the main court phone number at 951-777-3147.

If you visit in person, bring a photo ID. The court may ask for identification before releasing records. Know your case number if possible. Without a case number, staff will need to search by name. That search may take longer and could have an extra fee if it takes more than 10 minutes.

The court is open Monday through Friday. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Arrive early if you need same-day service. The office may close the request line before 2:00 p.m. to finish processing work from earlier in the day. Holiday closures follow the state court calendar.

Legal Assistance

Riverside County has a Family Law Self-Help Center. The center provides free help to people who are representing themselves in divorce cases. Staff can help you understand court forms and procedures. They cannot give legal advice or represent you in court. The Self-Help Center is located at the main courthouse in Riverside.

Legal Aid of Riverside County offers free legal services to low-income residents. They handle family law cases including divorce. Call (951) 368-2555 to see if you qualify. They have offices in Riverside, Indio, and other locations.

The Riverside County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. You can get connected with a family law attorney who practices in the area. The initial consultation fee is typically $35 for 30 minutes. Call (951) 682-7520 for the referral service.

Cities in Riverside County

Riverside County includes several cities over 100,000 population. All residents file for divorce at the county Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

Riverside County borders San Bernardino, Orange, San Diego, and Imperial counties. Each has its own court system.