San Diego Divorce Decree Records

Divorce decree records in San Diego County are maintained by the Superior Court. The court operates four main family law locations serving different regions of the county. You can get copies of your divorce decree by visiting the courthouse where your case was filed or by mailing a request to that location. The Central Courthouse in downtown San Diego handles many cases. Regional centers in El Cajon, Vista, and Chula Vista serve their respective areas. Certified divorce decrees cost $15. Regular copies are 50 cents per page. Mail requests typically process within two weeks but may take longer during busy periods. Online case search is available but full documents must be ordered from the court due to privacy rules.

Court Locations

San Diego County Superior Court has four regional centers that handle family law cases. The Central Courthouse is at 1100 Union Street, 4th Floor, San Diego, CA 92101. Phone is (619) 844-2777. This location serves downtown San Diego and surrounding communities.

The East County Regional Center is at 250 East Main St., El Cajon, CA 92020. Call (619) 456-4100. This courthouse serves the eastern part of the county including cities like El Cajon and Santee. The North County Regional Center is at 325 South Melrose, Vista, CA 92081. Phone is (760) 201-8600. It serves northern communities including Oceanside, Carlsbad, and Escondido.

The South County Regional Center is at 500 3rd Ave., Chula Vista, CA 91910. Call (619) 746-6200. This courthouse handles cases for Chula Vista and the southern part of San Diego County. Each location processes records requests for cases filed at that courthouse. If you are unsure where your case was filed, call any location and they can look it up for you.

Online Case Index

San Diego County provides an online case index at courtindex.sdcourt.ca.gov. You can search for cases by party name, case number, or attorney. The index shows case summaries and basic information. You cannot view full documents online. Family law cases are in the system, but the actual divorce decree must be requested from the court.

The index is free to use. No account is needed. Search results show the case number, filing date, and parties' names. Use this tool to find your case number before making a records request. Having the case number speeds up processing.

The court also offers a Family Register of Actions search for some cases. This shows a detailed list of all documents filed in a case. It is helpful for seeing what is in your file before ordering copies. Ask court staff about access to the Register of Actions system.

Requesting Copies

To get a copy of your divorce decree, send a request to the business office where your case was filed. According to sdcourt.ca.gov, you should mail your request with payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope with sufficient postage. Specify which documents you need. Include the case number if you know it.

Your written request should have this information:

• Full names of both parties
• Case number or approximate date of divorce
• Document type (divorce decree, orders, etc.)
• Certified or plain copy
• Return address for mailing

Mail your request to the courthouse where your case was filed. Include a check or money order made payable to San Diego Superior Court. The fee for certified divorce decree copies is $15. Plain copies cost 50 cents per page. If you want other documents certified, the fee is $40 per document.

Note: Copy fees are generally 50 cents per copy page according to the court's FAQ.

Fee Schedule

San Diego County follows California's standard fee structure. A certified copy of a divorce decree costs $15 under California Government Code Section 70674. This is a flat fee that includes the certification and all pages of the decree. Most divorce decrees are one to three pages.

If you need a certified copy of any other document in your case file, such as court orders or settlement agreements, the fee is $40. Plain copies without certification cost 50 cents per page for all documents. Search fees may apply if you do not provide a case number and court staff must search by name. Searches over 10 minutes cost $15.

Payment by check or money order is preferred for mail requests. In-person requests can usually be paid with cash, check, or credit card. Some courthouses charge a processing fee for credit card payments. Confirm payment methods with the specific courthouse before you visit.

County Recorder Office

The San Diego County Recorder/Clerk does not have divorce records. The office at sdarcc.gov states they do not hold records for adoptions, wills, or divorces. Visit the Superior Court website if such records were filed in San Diego. All divorce decrees are at the court, not the County Recorder's office.

This is a common mistake. People think the County Recorder has all public records. The Recorder maintains property records, some vital records, and other documents. Court records including divorce decrees are separate. Always contact the Superior Court for divorce record requests.

Processing Times

Processing times vary by courthouse and request type. In-person requests are often completed within a few days if your file is on-site. Walk-in service at the records window may provide same-day copies for simple requests. Mail requests typically take two weeks but can take longer during busy periods. If your file is in off-site storage, add extra time for retrieval.

Very old cases may require additional processing time. Files from decades ago may be in deep storage. The court may need a week or more to retrieve and process those files. Call ahead if your divorce is from many years ago. Court staff can give you an estimate of how long your request will take.

Urgent requests can sometimes be expedited. Ask the court if rush service is available. There may be an extra fee for expedited processing. Plan ahead when possible to avoid rush fees.

Legal Help Resources

San Diego County has a Family Law Facilitator's Office at each courthouse location. The facilitator provides free help to people representing themselves in family law cases. Staff can assist with forms, explain procedures, and answer general questions. They cannot give legal advice or represent you in court. Call the courthouse for the facilitator's hours and location.

Legal Aid Society of San Diego offers free legal services to low-income residents. They handle family law matters including divorce. Call (877) 534-2524 to see if you qualify. Services are based on income and case type. They have offices in downtown San Diego and other locations.

The San Diego County Bar Association operates a lawyer referral service. Call (619) 231-8585 to get connected with a family law attorney. Initial consultations are typically $35 for 30 minutes. The bar association can match you with an attorney who practices family law in your area.

Cities in San Diego County

San Diego County has several cities over 100,000 population. All residents file divorce cases through the county Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

San Diego County borders Orange, Riverside, and Imperial counties in California.