Shasta County Divorce Decree
Shasta County divorce decree records are maintained by the Superior Court in Redding. The main courthouse is at 1515 Court Street, Redding, CA 96001. Phone is (530) 245-6789. The Civil Division handles family law records including dissolution cases. You can request certified copies in person or by mail. The court maintains files going back many decades. Certified divorce decrees cost $15 under state law. Plain copies are 50 cents per page. Processing times vary based on court workload. In-person requests may be completed within a few days. Mail requests typically take two to three weeks. The courthouse serves all of Shasta County including Redding and surrounding communities.
Shasta County Quick Facts
Civil Division
The Civil Division of Shasta County Superior Court handles family law records. According to shasta.courts.ca.gov, the division processes requests for court documents including divorce decrees. The office is at the main courthouse at 1515 Court Street in Redding.
Staff can help you submit a records request in person or by mail. Hours are typically 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays. Call (530) 245-6789 for information about hours, fees, and processing times. When you visit, bring photo ID and your case number if you know it.
The courthouse is in downtown Redding. Parking is available near the building. If you are driving from out of town, Interstate 5 runs through Redding and provides easy access to the area. The courthouse serves all communities in Shasta County from the valley to the mountain regions.
Requesting Copies
To get a certified copy of your divorce decree, submit a request to the Civil Division. You can make the request in person or by mail. For in-person requests, go to the clerk's office 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 these details:
- Full names of both parties
- Case number or approximate date of divorce
- Document type (divorce decree)
- 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 Shasta County Superior Court. The fee for a certified divorce decree is $15. Plain copies are 50 cents per page. Mail your request to Shasta County Superior Court, Civil Division, 1515 Court Street, Redding, CA 96001.
Include a self-addressed stamped envelope with enough postage for return mail. Processing time for mail requests is typically two to three weeks depending on court workload. In-person requests may be completed faster if your file is readily accessible.
Fee Schedule
Shasta County follows California state fee laws. A certified divorce decree costs $15 under California Government Code Section 70674. This includes the certification seal 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 orders, settlement agreements, or filings other than the final divorce decree. Copies are 50 cents per page in addition to the certification charge. 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. Some courthouses accept credit cards with a processing fee. Confirm payment methods when you submit your request.
Case File Access
You can view your divorce case file in person at the courthouse. Go to the Civil 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 including the petition, response, financial disclosures, 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 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
Shasta 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 and may help you avoid search fees.
Archived Records
Shasta 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 early 1900s or before 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
Shasta 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 (530) 245-6789 for the facilitator's hours and office location.
Legal Services of Northern California serves Shasta 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. They have an office in Redding.
The Shasta 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
Shasta County borders Tehama, Lassen, Modoc, Siskiyou, and Trinity counties.