Stanislaus Divorce Decree Lookup

Stanislaus County divorce decree records are kept by the Superior Court in Modesto. The main courthouse is at 800 11th Street, Modesto, CA 95354. The court maintains an online portal at stanportal.stanct.org where you can search for case information. Full documents must be requested from the court. You can request certified copies in person or by mail. Certified divorce decrees cost $15 under state law. Plain copies are 50 cents per page. The court serves all of Stanislaus County including Modesto, Turlock, Ceres, and other communities. Processing times vary based on court workload.

Superior Court Location

Stanislaus County Superior Court is located at 800 11th Street, Modesto, CA 95354. This is the main courthouse for the county. The clerk's office handles records requests for family law cases and other case types. Hours are typically 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays. Call the court's main number for information about hours and services.

The courthouse is in downtown Modesto. Parking is available near the building. Modesto is located in California's Central Valley. Highway 99 runs through the city and provides access from north and south. The courthouse serves all communities in Stanislaus County from the valley floor to the foothills.

Staff at the clerk's office can help you submit a records request. Bring photo ID when you visit. If you know your case number, the process goes faster. If not, staff can search by name. Searches may take a few minutes and could have a fee if they take more than 10 minutes.

Online Portal

Stanislaus County provides an online case search portal at stanportal.stanct.org. You can search for cases by party name, case number, or attorney name. The portal shows case summaries, hearing dates, and register of actions. Family law cases are included in the system.

The portal displays basic information about your case. You can see filing dates, current status, and a list of documents filed. However, you cannot view or download the actual documents online due to California privacy rules. Family law cases like divorce are protected. You must request copies from the court.

Use the portal to find your case number before submitting a records request. Having the case number speeds up processing and may help you avoid search fees. The portal is free to use. No account is needed. Just enter your search information and review the results.

Requesting Certified Copies

To get a certified copy of your divorce decree, submit a request to the clerk's office. You can make the request in person or by mail. For in-person requests, go to the courthouse 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 from online portal or 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 Stanislaus County Superior Court. The fee for a certified divorce decree is $15. Plain copies are 50 cents per page. Mail your request to Stanislaus County Superior Court, 800 11th Street, Modesto, CA 95354.

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 available.

Fee Schedule

Stanislaus 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 clerk's office 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 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.

Archived Records

Stanislaus 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 Assistance

Stanislaus 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 for the facilitator's hours and office location.

Legal Services of Northern California serves Stanislaus County. They provide free legal help to low-income residents in family law cases. Call (209) 529-2560 to see if you qualify. Services are based on income and case type. They have an office in Modesto.

The Stanislaus 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 Stanislaus County

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

Nearby Counties

Stanislaus County borders San Joaquin, Calaveras, Tuolumne, Mariposa, Merced, and Santa Clara counties.