Access Santa Barbara Divorce Decree

Santa Barbara County divorce decree records are kept by the Superior Court. The county has two main courthouse locations serving different areas. The South County courthouse is at 118 E. Figueroa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Phone is 805-882-4778. The North County location is in Santa Maria. Both courthouses handle family law cases and maintain divorce records. You can request certified copies in person, by mail, or by email. Certified divorce judgments cost $15 plus 50 cents per page. Plain copies are 50 cents per page without certification. Email requests can be sent to SouthCountyRecords@sbcourts.org for cases filed in Santa Barbara. Processing times vary by location and request type.

Court Locations

Santa Barbara County Superior Court operates two main locations. The South County courthouse serves Santa Barbara and surrounding communities. The address is 118 E. Figueroa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Call 805-882-4778. For email requests, use SouthCountyRecords@sbcourts.org. This location handles most divorce cases filed in the southern part of the county.

The North County courthouse is in Santa Maria. It serves the northern part of Santa Barbara County including cities like Santa Maria and Lompoc. Each courthouse maintains records for cases filed at that location. If you are unsure which courthouse has your case, call either location and staff can look it up for you.

According to santabarbara.courts.ca.gov, the Court Records Division processes requests for copies of court documents. Staff can assist with in-person, mail, and email requests. Hours are typically 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays.

Requesting Divorce Judgments

To get a certified copy of your divorce judgment, you can submit a request in person, by mail, or by email. The court refers to divorce decrees as divorce judgments. The documents are the same. For in-person requests, visit the Records Division at your courthouse during business hours. Bring photo ID and your case number if you know it.

Your request should include these details:

• Full names of both parties
• Case number or approximate date of divorce
• Document type (divorce judgment)
• Certified or plain copy
• Your contact information

For mail requests, send a letter with all required information. Include payment with your request. Make checks payable to Santa Barbara County Superior Court. The fee for a certified divorce judgment is $15 plus 50 cents per page according to court records. Mail your request to the courthouse where your case was filed.

Email requests are accepted for South County cases. Send your request to SouthCountyRecords@sbcourts.org. Include all the information listed above. Staff will respond with payment instructions. Some requests may require mailing a check before processing begins.

Fee Schedule

Santa Barbara County follows California state fee laws. A certified divorce judgment costs $15 plus 50 cents per page under California Government Code Section 70674. Most divorce judgments are one to three pages. Plain copies without certification are 50 cents per page.

Other court documents require a $40 certification fee plus 50 cents per page. That applies to orders, settlement agreements, or filings other than the final divorce judgment. Record 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 can be made by cash, check, or money order for in-person requests. Mail requests should include a check or money order. Credit cards may be accepted with a processing fee. Confirm payment methods with the specific courthouse when you make your request.

Processing Times

Processing times vary by courthouse and request type. In-person requests may be completed within a few days if your file is on-site. Walk-in service at the Records Division can sometimes provide same-day copies for simple requests. Mail requests typically take two to three weeks depending on court workload.

Email requests have similar processing times to mail requests. Staff will respond to your email within a few business days to confirm receipt and provide payment instructions. Once payment is received, processing begins. Allow two to three weeks for the complete process from initial email to receiving your documents.

If your file is in off-site storage, add extra time for retrieval. Very old cases may require additional processing time. The court will contact you if there are any delays or issues with your request. Call the Records Division if you have not received a response within three weeks of submitting your request.

Online Resources

Santa Barbara 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 typically show basic information like filing dates and case status.

Full documents are not viewable online due to California privacy rules for family law cases. You must request copies from the court even if you can see the case information online. Use any available online search to find your case number before submitting a records request. Having the case number speeds up processing.

Case File Access

You can view your divorce case file in person at the courthouse. Go to the Records Division and ask to see the file. Provide your case number or enough information for staff to locate it. Bring photo ID. Viewing files is free. You can read through all documents filed in your case.

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

Some documents in a case file may be sealed or confidential. The clerk will tell you if any parts of the file are restricted from public access. Financial records and child custody evaluations are sometimes protected.

Legal Help Resources

Santa Barbara County Superior Court has a Family Law Facilitator who provides free assistance. The facilitator can help 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 office location at each courthouse.

Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County offers free legal services to low-income residents. They handle family law matters including divorce. Call to see if you qualify based on income. Services include advice, document preparation, and representation in some cases. They have offices in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria.

The Santa Barbara 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.

Cities in Santa Barbara County

Santa Barbara County includes one city over 100,000 population. All residents file for divorce through the county Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

Santa Barbara County borders Ventura, Kern, San Luis Obispo, and Los Angeles counties.