San Luis Obispo Divorce Decree

Divorce decree records in San Luis Obispo County are kept by the Superior Court. The main courthouse is at 1035 Palm Street, Room 385, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408. Phone is (805) 706-3600. The court maintains all family law case files including dissolution records. You can request copies in person or by mail. Copy fees are 50 cents per page. Certified divorce decrees cost $15 under state law. The court serves the entire county including the cities of San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, Atascadero, and other communities. Processing times for records requests vary based on the court's workload and whether your file is on-site or in storage.

Superior Court Location

San Luis Obispo County Superior Court is located at 1035 Palm Street, Room 385, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408. This is the main courthouse for the county. The clerk's office handles records requests for family law cases. Hours are typically 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays. Call (805) 706-3600 for information.

The courthouse is in downtown San Luis Obispo. Parking is available nearby. If you are visiting from out of town, the area is accessible via Highway 101. San Luis Obispo is located on the Central Coast between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The courthouse serves all communities in the county.

For records requests, go to Room 385. Staff at the clerk's office can help you submit a request for copies of your divorce decree. Bring photo ID and your case number if you know it. If you do not have the case number, staff can search by name. Searches may take a few minutes.

Requesting Copies

To request a copy of your divorce decree, you can visit the courthouse in person or send a mail request. For in-person requests, go to Room 385 during business hours. Tell the clerk you need a copy of your divorce decree. They will give you a form to complete. Include all required information such as names of both parties, case number, and date of divorce.

For mail requests, write a letter with these details:

• Your full name
• Other party's full name
• Case number or approximate date of divorce
• Document type (divorce decree)
• Certified or plain copy

Include payment with your request. Make checks payable to San Luis Obispo County Superior Court. The fee for a certified divorce decree is $15. Plain copies are 50 cents per page. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for return mail. Send your request to the courthouse at 1035 Palm Street, Room 385, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408.

Processing times vary. In-person requests may be completed the same day or within a few days. Mail requests typically take two to three weeks depending on court workload.

Fee Schedule

San Luis Obispo County follows California state fee laws. A certified divorce decree costs $15 under California Government Code Section 70674. This includes the certification and all pages of the decree. Plain copies without certification cost 50 cents per page.

Other court documents require a $40 certification fee. That applies to court orders, settlement agreements, or filings other than the final divorce decree. Copies are 50 cents per page in addition to the certification charge. Record searches over 10 minutes may cost $15 if you do not provide a case number.

Payment can be made by cash, check, or money order. Some courthouses accept credit cards but may charge a processing fee. Confirm payment methods when you make your request. All fees are set by state law and apply uniformly across California.

Case File Access

You have the right to view your divorce case file at the courthouse. Go to the clerk's office and ask to see the file. Provide your case number or enough information for staff to locate it. Viewing files is free. You can read through all documents filed in your case including the petition, response, financial forms, and final decree.

If you want copies of specific documents, point them out to the clerk. Staff will make copies for you at 50 cents per page. You cannot remove documents from the file or take the file with you. It must stay at the courthouse. Third parties can also request divorce records in most cases because divorce decrees are public records under California law.

Some documents in a 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 from public access.

Online Resources

San Luis Obispo County may offer online case search. Check the court website for current online services. Many California counties provide case search portals where you can look up cases by name or case number. Search results show basic information like filing dates and case status. Full documents are not viewable online due to privacy rules for family law cases.

If online search is available, use it to find your case number before submitting a records request. Having the case number speeds up processing. If online search is not available, call the courthouse and ask staff to look up your case number by phone.

State Vital Records

The California Department of Public Health has 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, date, county, and case number. It does not prove the divorce was finalized.

For divorces in San Luis Obispo County during that time frame, CDPH can issue a Certificate of Record for $16. Processing time may exceed six months. For the actual divorce decree, you must contact the Superior Court. The court has complete records.

Legal Help

San Luis Obispo County Superior Court has a Family Law Facilitator who provides free assistance. The facilitator can help with forms, explain procedures, and answer questions. Call the courthouse for the facilitator's hours and office location.

Legal Aid Foundation serves San Luis Obispo County. They provide free legal help to low-income residents in family law cases. Call to see if you qualify based on income. Services include advice, document preparation, and representation in some cases.

The San Luis Obispo County Bar Association may offer a lawyer referral service. Contact them to get matched with a family law attorney in your area. Initial consultations are typically $35 for 30 minutes.

Nearby Counties

San Luis Obispo County borders Monterey, Kern, Santa Barbara, and Kings counties.