Tulare County Divorce Decree Records

Tulare County divorce decree records are maintained by the Superior Court in Visalia. The courthouse is at 221 South Mooney Boulevard, Visalia, CA 93291. Court phone is (559) 730-5000. All dissolution cases filed in Tulare County are kept here. You can request copies of your divorce decree from the clerk's office. Certified copies cost $15 for dissolution judgments. Public agency requests cost $10. Plain copies are 50 cents per page. Processing time is typically 15 workdays for record requests. You may request records in person or by mail. County seat is Visalia. The city of Visalia has population over 100,000 and is the largest city in the county.

Superior Court Records

Tulare County Superior Court handles all family law cases in the county. The main courthouse is in Visalia at 221 South Mooney Boulevard. This is where divorce cases are filed and records are stored.

The clerk's office processes requests for divorce records. Staff can search for cases by name or case number. Bring photo ID when you visit. Tell the clerk which documents you need from your case file.

Court hours are Monday through Friday during business hours. The courthouse closes on holidays. Call ahead at (559) 730-5000 to confirm hours before visiting. Court staff can answer questions about your case or the records request process.

Processing time for record requests is about 15 workdays according to research from the court. This is the standard timeline. Some requests may be faster if the file is readily available. Others may take longer if the file is in storage or if there is high demand.

If you need records from an older divorce case, the file may be archived off-site. Archived files take longer to retrieve. Let the clerk know if you have a deadline so they can tell you if they can meet it.

Request Process

You can get divorce decree copies in person or by mail. For in-person requests, visit the courthouse during business hours. Go to the clerk's office on the appropriate floor. Bring identification.

Tell the clerk the names of both parties to the divorce. Provide the case number if you know it. If you do not have the case number, the clerk can search by name. Search fees may apply if this takes over 10 minutes.

Decide if you need certified or plain copies. Certified copies have the court seal. They serve as official proof of the divorce. Plain copies work for personal use but are not accepted for legal transactions.

For mail requests, send a written letter to Tulare County Superior Court at 221 South Mooney Boulevard, Visalia, CA 93291. Your letter should include:

• Full legal names of both spouses
• Date the divorce was filed or finalized
• Case number if available
• Specific documents you need
• Type of copies (certified or plain)
• Your return address and contact phone

Include payment with your request. Make checks payable to Tulare County Superior Court. Include a stamped envelope addressed to yourself with enough postage to return the documents. Allow 15 workdays for processing according to the court's standard timeline.

Fees and Payment

Tulare County uses state fee schedules. Certified copies of dissolution judgments cost $15 under California Government Code Section 70674. This is for private party requesters. Public agencies pay $10 for the same document.

Copy fees are 50 cents per page. This applies to each side of a sheet. If your decree has five pages, plain copies cost $2.50. Add the $15 certification fee if you need certified copies, bringing the total to $17.50.

Other documents from your case cost $40 to certify. This includes orders, agreements, or other filings besides the dissolution judgment. The $40 certification fee is in addition to the per-page copy fee.

Search fees apply when the clerk must look up your case by name. If the search takes more than 10 minutes, the fee is $15 under state law. You can avoid this by providing the case number with your request.

Payment methods include check or money order. Make them payable to Tulare County Superior Court. Some courts accept credit cards for in-person requests. Call ahead to confirm accepted payment methods. Always verify current fees before submitting payment as amounts can change.

Online Access Limits

California law restricts remote access to family law records. Courts cannot provide online access to divorce case documents under California Rules of Court, Rule 2.503. You must visit the courthouse to view the actual documents in your case file.

Some case information may appear on the court's website or portal. You might find case numbers, filing dates, or hearing schedules online. But the documents themselves are not available remotely. This rule protects privacy in family law matters.

At the courthouse, public access terminals may let you search for case information. You can look up your case using these computers. Staff can show you how to use the terminals. Even with these terminals, you cannot view all documents electronically. Some files are only available in paper form.

If you need to see documents before requesting copies, visit the courthouse in person. The clerk can pull the file for you to review. You can then decide which documents to copy. This saves money compared to ordering everything without knowing what is in the file.

State Records Alternative

The California Department of Public Health maintained limited divorce information for 1962 through June 1984. They do not have full divorce decrees. They have certificates of record. These certificates show a divorce filing occurred but do not include the judgment terms.

A certificate of record lists the parties' names, the county where filed, the filing date, and the case number. It does not prove the divorce was finalized. It only shows that a petition was filed with the court. Most people need the actual decree, not just this certificate.

The state office at cdph.ca.gov explains what records they have. Processing time for state certificates can exceed six months. This is much slower than getting records directly from the court.

For actual divorce decrees from any year, contact Tulare County Superior Court. The court is the primary source for all divorce records. Even if your case falls within the state's date range, the court has the complete file while the state has only limited information.

Help and Legal Resources

Several resources are available if you need help with family law matters. The California Courts self-help site at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov provides guides about getting court records. These guides walk you through the request process step by step.

Legal aid organizations offer free legal services to eligible low-income residents. They handle family law cases including divorce matters. Contact legal aid offices serving Tulare County to see if you qualify. They can provide representation or advice depending on your situation and their capacity.

The State Bar of California runs a referral service to connect people with lawyers. Call them to find a family law attorney in Tulare County. Many attorneys offer reduced-rate initial consultations. This first meeting lets you discuss your needs and get advice before hiring them.

Some courts have self-help centers where staff assist people representing themselves. Check if Tulare County Superior Court has a self-help center. These centers provide forms, instructions, and procedural guidance. Staff cannot give legal advice but can explain how the court process works.

Cities in Tulare County

Tulare County includes Visalia, a city with population over 100,000. Residents of Visalia file for divorce at Tulare County Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

Tulare County borders several other California counties. Each has its own Superior Court system for handling divorce cases.