Access San Bernardino Divorce Decree

San Bernardino County divorce decree records are kept by the Superior Court. The court maintains all family law case files going back decades. You can search for cases online using the Court Access Portal. Full documents must be requested from the court Records Division. The county has multiple courthouse locations serving different areas. The main Family Law Division is in San Bernardino. Other branches are in Rancho Cucamonga, Victorville, Joshua Tree, and other cities. Certified divorce decrees cost $15 for private parties or $10 for public agencies. Copy fees are 50 cents per page. You can request records in person, by mail, or in some cases online through the portal.

Court Locations

San Bernardino County is the largest county in California by land area. The court system has multiple locations to serve residents across this vast region. The main Family Law Division courthouse is in downtown San Bernardino. Additional court facilities operate in Rancho Cucamonga, Victorville, Joshua Tree, and other communities.

Each courthouse can handle records requests for cases filed at that location. If you do not know which courthouse has your file, call the main court information line. They can look up your case and tell you where it is located. The court's Family Law Division website at sb-court.org lists all courthouse addresses and phone numbers.

Processing times vary by location. Busier courthouses like San Bernardino and Rancho Cucamonga may take longer. Smaller branch locations often process requests faster due to lower volume. In-person requests are usually completed within a few days. Mail requests can take two to four weeks.

Online Portal Search

San Bernardino County offers the Court Access Portal for case searches. The portal is at cap.sb-court.org. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney name. The system shows case information for civil, criminal, family law, and other case types. Family law cases are searchable, but full documents are not viewable online.

The portal displays the register of actions, which lists all filings and court events. You can see hearing dates, document titles, and case status. California Rules of Court prevent remote viewing of actual family law documents. You must request copies from the court if you need the divorce decree itself.

No account is needed. Search is free. Use the portal to find your case number, then contact the Records Division to order copies. Having the case number speeds up the request process.

County Clerk Office

The San Bernardino County Clerk-Recorder does not maintain divorce records. According to arc.sbcounty.gov, the Recorder-County Clerk's office does not have court records. If you need a divorce decree, contact the Superior Court where the divorce was filed. The County Clerk handles vital records like birth and death certificates but not court documents.

This is a common source of confusion. People often go to the County Clerk first. The clerk will redirect you to the Superior Court. Save time by contacting the court directly for all divorce record needs.

Requesting Certified Copies

To get a certified copy of your divorce decree, submit a request to the Records Division at the courthouse where your case was filed. You can request in person, by mail, or by phone in some cases. Each courthouse has its own Records window or office. Ask at the clerk's counter for the Records Division.

Your request should include this information:

• Names of both parties
• Case number if known
• Approximate date of divorce
• Certified or plain copy
• Your contact information

Include payment with your request. Checks should be made payable to San Bernardino County Superior Court. The fee for a certified divorce decree is $15 for private parties. Public agencies pay $10. Plain copies cost 50 cents per page without certification.

If you do not have the case number, court staff can search by name. Searches over 10 minutes may incur a $15 fee. Provide as much detail as possible to help staff locate your file quickly.

Fee Schedule

San Bernardino County follows California state fee laws. Under California Government Code Section 70674, certified copies of dissolution records cost $15 for private parties and $10 for public agencies. This covers the divorce decree with certification.

Other court documents require different fees. General certification of documents costs $25 according to the court's fee schedule. This applies to orders, agreements, or filings other than the final decree. Copy fees are 50 cents per page for all documents. If you need several items certified, each has its own certification fee plus copy charges.

Exemplification costs $50 if needed. Record searches over 10 minutes cost $15. These fees are set by state law and apply across all California counties. Payment methods vary by courthouse. Cash, checks, and money orders are accepted. Some locations take credit cards with a processing fee.

Archives and Storage

Older divorce cases may be in off-site storage. San Bernardino County moves inactive files to archive facilities to save space at the courthouses. If your case is several years old, it may be stored off-site. Court staff will need to retrieve it. This adds time to the process.

Call ahead if your divorce is from many years ago. Ask if the file is on-site or in storage. Some courthouses can retrieve files within a few days. Others may take a week or more. There may be a retrieval fee, though it is not listed prominently on the court website. Confirm all fees when you make your request.

Very old records from decades ago may have limited availability. The court can tell you what records still exist for your case. Some documents may have been destroyed after the legal retention period expired. Divorce decrees are usually kept permanently, but other case documents may not be.

Legal Resources

San Bernardino County has a Family Law Facilitator's Office. The facilitator provides free help to people representing themselves in family law cases. Staff can explain forms, procedures, and court rules. They cannot give legal advice or act as your attorney. Visit the courthouse or call to find out the facilitator's hours and location.

Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino offers free legal services to low-income residents. They handle family law matters including divorce. Call (909) 889-7328 to see if you qualify. Services are based on income and case type.

The San Bernardino County Bar Association operates a lawyer referral service. Call (909) 885-1986 to get matched with a family law attorney in your area. Initial consultations are usually $35 for 30 minutes. The bar association can help you find an attorney who practices family law.

Cities in San Bernardino County

San Bernardino County includes several cities over 100,000 population. All residents file for divorce through the county Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

San Bernardino County borders Riverside, Orange, Los Angeles, Kern, and Inyo counties.