Find Santa Cruz Divorce Decree

Santa Cruz County divorce decree records are kept by the Superior Court in Santa Cruz. The main courthouse is at 701 Ocean Street, Room 110, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Phone is (831) 420-2200. The court maintains all family law case files including dissolution records. You can request certified copies in person or by mail. The Records Division processes all requests for court documents. Certified dissolution judgments cost $15 plus copy fees. Plain copies are 50 cents per page. Processing times vary based on court workload and whether your file is on-site or in storage. The court serves all communities in Santa Cruz County from the ocean to the mountains.

Records Division

The Records Division at Santa Cruz County Superior Court handles all requests for copies of court documents. According to santacruzcourt.org, the division processes requests received in person or by mail. The office is located at 701 Ocean Street, Room 110, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Call (831) 420-2200 for information.

Hours are typically 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays. Staff can help you fill out a records request form and answer questions about fees and processing times. Bring photo ID when you visit. If you need to view your case file before ordering copies, staff can retrieve the file for you.

The courthouse is in downtown Santa Cruz near the county government buildings. Parking is available nearby. The building is accessible by public transit. If you are coming from out of town, Highway 1 and Highway 17 provide access to Santa Cruz.

Requesting Divorce Decrees

To get a certified copy of your divorce decree, submit a request to the Records Division. You can make the request in person or by mail. For in-person requests, go to Room 110 during business hours. Tell staff you need a certified copy of your divorce decree. They will give you a form to complete.

Your request should include this information:

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

For mail requests, write a letter with all required information. Include payment with your request. Make checks payable to Santa Cruz County Superior Court. The fee for a certified dissolution is $15 plus copy fees according to court records. Plain copies are 50 cents per page. Mail your request to Records Division, 701 Ocean Street, Room 110, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.

Include a self-addressed stamped envelope with enough postage for the court to return your documents. Processing time for mail requests is typically two to three weeks. In-person requests may be completed faster depending on court workload.

Fee Schedule

Santa Cruz County follows California state fee laws. A certified dissolution judgment costs $15 plus copy fees under California Government Code Section 70674. Copy fees are 50 cents per page. Most divorce decrees are one to three pages, so total cost is typically $15.50 to $16.50.

Other court documents require a $40 certification fee. That applies to orders, settlement agreements, or filings other than the final divorce decree. Copies are still 50 cents per page on top of the certification charge. Record searches may have a fee if you do not provide a case number and court staff must search by name.

Payment can be made by cash, check, or money order for in-person requests. Mail requests should include a check or money order. Some courthouses accept credit cards with a processing fee. Confirm payment methods when you submit your request.

Case File Access

You have the right to view your divorce case file at the courthouse. Go to the Records Division in Room 110 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 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

Santa Cruz 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.

Older Records

Santa Cruz County has divorce records going back many decades. Older case files may be stored off-site at an archive facility. If your divorce is from many years ago, the court may need extra time to retrieve the file. Call ahead if your case is very old. Staff can check whether the file is on-site or in storage.

Some very old records may be stored in different formats. Files from the 1800s or early 1900s may be handwritten or on fragile paper. Staff will handle these records carefully and make copies as needed. Most divorce decrees are kept permanently, but other case documents may have been destroyed after the legal retention period expired.

Legal Help

Santa Cruz 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 at (831) 420-2200 for the facilitator's hours and office location.

Legal Aid of Santa Cruz 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.

The Santa Cruz 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

Santa Cruz County borders Santa Clara, San Mateo, San Benito, and Monterey counties.