Find Trinity County Divorce Decree Records

Trinity County maintains divorce decree records at the Superior Court in Weaverville. All family law dissolution cases filed in Trinity County are kept at this courthouse. The clerk's office handles requests for divorce records. You can get certified copies or plain copies of your divorce decree. Fees follow California state law. Certified dissolution judgments cost $15. Plain copies are 50 cents per page. The court is at 11 Court Street in Weaverville. Phone number is (530) 623-1208. You can request records in person during court hours or send a mail request to the courthouse. County seat is Weaverville. Population is small so the court processes fewer cases than larger counties.

Courthouse Information

Trinity County Superior Court is at 11 Court Street, Weaverville, CA 96093. Call (530) 623-1208 for information. This courthouse handles all case types for the county including family law.

The clerk's office maintains divorce case files. Staff can look up cases by name or case number. If you need documents from your case, visit the clerk's office during business hours. Bring identification. Tell staff which records you need.

Court hours are typically Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Call ahead to confirm hours before you visit. The courthouse serves a rural area with a small population. Staff may be able to help you more quickly than in larger urban courts.

For older cases, files may be in storage. The clerk can retrieve stored files but this may add time to your request. Let staff know if you need records urgently so they can tell you how long it will take.

How to Get Copies

Visit the courthouse in person to request divorce records. Go to the clerk's office. Provide the names of both parties or the case number. The clerk will locate your file.

You can request either plain copies or certified copies. Plain copies work for personal reference. Certified copies have the court seal and are needed for legal purposes. Decide which type you need before you request them.

If you live far from Weaverville, you can request records by mail. Write a letter that includes:

• Full names of both parties
• Date of divorce or filing
• Case number if known
• Type of copies needed (certified or plain)
• Your mailing address and phone number

Include payment with your mail request. Make your check or money order payable to Trinity County Superior Court. Include postage for the clerk to mail copies back to you. Use a large enough envelope with sufficient stamps. Processing time for mail requests varies based on court workload and whether the file needs to be retrieved from storage.

Note: Some courts charge a search fee if staff must look up your case by name and the search takes more than 10 minutes.

Fees for Records

Trinity County uses California state fee schedules. Fees are set by law. Certified copies of dissolution judgments cost $15 under California Government Code Section 70674. This is lower than the fee for other documents.

Copy fees are 50 cents per page. Each side of paper counts as one page. If you need 10 pages copied, the cost is $5 for plain copies. Add the $15 certification fee if you need certified copies.

Certifying other court documents besides the dissolution judgment costs $40. This applies to orders, agreements, and other filings in your case. The $40 fee includes the certification. You still pay 50 cents per page for copies.

Search fees may apply. If the clerk must search for your case by name and it takes more than 10 minutes, the fee is $15 under state law. Provide the case number to avoid search fees when possible. Call the court to confirm current fees before sending payment.

Record Access and Privacy

California limits remote access to family law records. Under California Rules of Court, Rule 2.503, courts may not provide online access to divorce case documents. You must visit the courthouse to view files. This rule protects privacy in family law matters.

Some case information may be available online. Case summaries, filing dates, and hearing schedules might appear on court websites. But the actual documents like petitions, decrees, and financial disclosures are not available remotely. You need to go to the courthouse in person.

If you were a party to the divorce, you have rights to access your case file. You can get copies of documents from your own case. Other people have more limited access. Certain documents may be sealed or confidential. The clerk can explain what is available based on your relationship to the case.

Certified copies serve as legal proof of the divorce. You need certified copies for things like name changes, remarriage licenses, or property transfers. Keep certified copies in a safe place since you may need them for years after your divorce.

State Vital Records Option

California Department of Public Health kept some divorce information between 1962 and June 1984. They do not have full divorce decrees. They have certificates of record. These certificates show the divorce was filed but do not contain the judgment details.

A certificate of record includes names, date, county, and case number. It does not include terms of the divorce or prove the divorce was finalized. The certificate just shows a filing occurred. Processing time for state certificates can exceed six months according to cdph.ca.gov.

For actual divorce decrees, contact Trinity County Superior Court regardless of the year. The court has the official records. State certificates are not substitutes for court-issued divorce decrees. Most legal purposes require the decree itself, not just a certificate showing a divorce was filed.

If your divorce was outside the 1962-1984 date range, the state has no records at all. You must get everything from the Superior Court.

Legal Assistance Resources

Legal help is available for family law matters in California. The state courts website at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov has guides about getting court records. These guides explain the process and what you need to provide.

Legal aid organizations serve low-income residents who need help with family law. These groups offer free or reduced-cost legal services if you qualify. Contact legal aid offices in Trinity County or nearby areas. They can tell you if you meet their eligibility requirements.

The State Bar of California operates a lawyer referral service. They match people with attorneys in their area. Many lawyers offer a first meeting at a lower rate. This consultation lets you get legal advice before you hire someone.

Some courts have self-help centers where staff help people with forms and procedures. Trinity County is small so check if they have such a center. Even if they do not, the clerk's office can direct you to resources. Staff cannot give legal advice but can explain court procedures and requirements.

Nearby Counties

Trinity County is bordered by several other California counties. Each county has its own Superior Court handling divorce records.