Access Sonoma Divorce Decree

Records Division

The Records Division at Sonoma County Superior Court handles all requests for copies of court documents. According to sonoma.courts.ca.gov, the division processes requests received in person or by mail. The office is at 600 Administration Drive, Room 110-J, Santa Rosa, CA 95403. Call 707-521-6670 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 Santa Rosa, which is the county seat. Parking is available near the building. Santa Rosa is located north of San Francisco in California's wine country. Highway 101 runs through the city and provides access from north and south.

Requesting Dissolution Judgments

To get a certified copy of your dissolution judgment, 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-J 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 Sonoma County Superior Court. The fee for a certified dissolution judgment is $15. Plain copies are 50 cents per page. Mail your request to Records Division, 600 Administration Drive, Room 110-J, Santa Rosa, CA 95403.

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

Fee Schedule

Sonoma County follows California state fee laws. A certified dissolution judgment 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 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-J 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

Sonoma 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.

Court Locations

Sonoma County Superior Court has multiple courthouse locations throughout the county. The main courthouse and Records Division are in Santa Rosa. Other courthouse locations serve different areas. For records requests, contact the Records Division in Santa Rosa. Staff there can retrieve files from any courthouse location.

If you are filing new court documents or attending a hearing, you must go to the appropriate courthouse for your case. For records requests only, the Records Division in Santa Rosa is your main contact point.

Legal Assistance

Sonoma County Superior Court has a Family Law Facilitator who provides free help to people representing themselves. The facilitator can assist with forms, explain procedures, and answer general questions. They cannot give legal advice or represent you in court. Call the courthouse at 707-521-6670 for the facilitator's hours and office location.

Legal Aid of Sonoma County offers free legal services to low-income residents. They handle family law matters including divorce. Call (707) 542-1290 to see if you qualify. Services are based on income and case type. They have offices in Santa Rosa and other locations.

The Sonoma County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. You can get connected with a family law attorney in your area. Initial consultations are typically $35 for 30 minutes. Contact the bar association for referral information.

Cities in Sonoma County

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

Nearby Counties

Sonoma County borders Mendocino, Lake, Napa, Marin, and Contra Costa counties.