San Benito County Divorce Decree

San Benito County divorce decree records are maintained by the Superior Court in Hollister. The court handles all family law cases for the county including dissolution filings. Records date back many years. You can request copies by visiting the courthouse, sending a mail request, or calling to ask about procedures. The courthouse is located at 450 Fourth Street in Hollister, CA 95023. Phone number is (831) 636-4057. A certified divorce decree costs $15 under state law. Regular copies are 50 cents per page. Small counties like San Benito often process requests faster than larger urban courts due to lower case volume.

Superior Court Location

San Benito County has one courthouse. It sits at 450 Fourth Street in Hollister. All divorce cases are filed and processed at this location. The court clerk's office is on the first floor. Hours are typically 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays. Call ahead to confirm hours before you visit.

Parking is available near the courthouse. The building is in downtown Hollister. If you are driving from out of town, use GPS or a map. Hollister is about 45 miles south of San Jose and 90 miles south of San Francisco. Highway 101 and Highway 156 provide access to the area.

The court handles all types of cases. Family law matters including divorce are a major part of the caseload. Staff at the clerk's office can direct you to the right department for records requests. Bring photo ID when you visit. If you need to view your file, they will ask for identification.

Requesting Records

To get a copy of your divorce decree, ask at the clerk's office. You can make the request in person or by mail. In-person requests are often faster. Walk up to the counter and tell staff you need a copy of your divorce decree. They will give you a form to fill out. Include your name, the other party's name, and the case number if you know it.

If you do not have the case number, staff can search by name. Provide the year of divorce or a range of years. The search may take a few minutes. If it takes longer than 10 minutes, the court may charge a $15 search fee under California law.

For mail requests, write a letter with the following information:

• Your full name
• Other party's full name
• Date or year of divorce
• Case number if available
• Type of copy (certified or plain)

Include a check or money order made payable to San Benito County Superior Court. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail your request to the courthouse at 450 Fourth Street, Hollister, CA 95023. Processing time for mail requests varies. Allow two to three weeks.

Fees and Payments

The fee for a certified divorce decree is $15. This follows California Government Code Section 70674. The $15 includes certification and the first page. Additional pages cost 50 cents each if the decree has multiple pages. Most divorce decrees are one or two pages.

Plain copies without certification cost 50 cents per page. You might want a plain copy if you just need it for your own records. A certified copy is needed if you are using the decree for official purposes like remarriage, name change, or legal proceedings.

Other documents in your case file can be certified for $40 plus 50 cents per page. That fee applies to court orders, settlement agreements, or other filings. The $15 rate is only for the final divorce decree. If you need multiple types of documents, the fees add up separately for each certification.

Payment can be made by cash, check, or money order. Some courts accept credit cards but call ahead to confirm. There may be a processing fee for card payments.

Case File Access

You have the right to view your own divorce case file. Go to the courthouse and ask the clerk to retrieve the file. You may need to wait while staff locates it. Viewing files is free. You can read through all the documents that were filed in your case. This includes the petition, response, financial disclosures, settlement agreements, and the final decree.

If you want copies of specific documents, point them out to the clerk. Staff will make copies for you. Pay the copy fee before you leave. Copies cost 50 cents per page. You cannot take the original file with you. It stays at the courthouse.

Third parties can also request divorce records. California law makes most divorce decrees public. However, some documents in the case file may be sealed or confidential. Financial records and child custody evaluations are sometimes protected. The clerk will tell you if any parts of the file are restricted.

State Vital Records Office

The California Department of Public Health maintains limited divorce information. According to cdph.ca.gov, CDPH only has records from 1962 through June 1984. They provide a Certificate of Record, not the actual decree. The certificate shows names, filing date, county, and case number. It does not prove the divorce was finalized.

If your divorce was in San Benito County during that time frame, CDPH can issue a Certificate of Record for $16. Processing time may exceed six months. For the actual decree, you still need to contact San Benito County Superior Court. The court has the complete records.

Legal Help

San Benito County residents can get help with family law matters from several sources. The court has a Family Law Facilitator who provides free assistance. The facilitator can help you understand forms and procedures. Call the courthouse to ask about the facilitator's schedule and office hours.

Legal aid organizations serve the area. Monterey County Legal Services sometimes assists San Benito residents depending on funding and capacity. Call them at (831) 899-0492 to check if they can help you. Services are free for people who qualify based on income.

The State Bar of California runs a lawyer referral service statewide. You can search for family law attorneys who practice in San Benito County. Call 1-866-442-2529 for the statewide referral line. Initial consultations are typically $35 for 30 minutes.

Nearby Counties

San Benito County borders Monterey, Santa Clara, Merced, and Fresno counties. Each has its own Superior Court.