To search California divorce records online, go to the Superior Court website for the county where the divorce was filed and use that court’s case search tool. California has no single statewide portal covering all 58 counties, so the county is the starting point every time.1Judicial Branch of California. Public Records The Judicial Branch’s directory at courts.ca.gov/find-my-court links out to every county court site, which is the fastest way to land on the right search page.
What You Need Before You Start
A few details sharpen your search and keep you from chasing dead ends:
- Full legal names of both spouses as they appeared on the original court documents, not names adopted after the divorce.
- The county where the case was filed. If you aren’t sure, try the county where the couple last lived together.
- A year or rough date range. This matters most in large counties with heavy caseloads.
A case number helps but isn’t required. Most online portals let you search by party name, and if the online tool returns nothing, the clerk’s office can run a manual search by phone or in person and confirm whether a case exists.2California Courts | Self Help Guide. How to Look Up a Court Case
Using a County Superior Court Portal
Once you’re on the correct county court website, look for a section labeled “Online Services,” “Case Search,” or “Access a Case.” Portals vary a lot between counties. Most will show you a case index: party names, filing date, hearing schedule, and a list of documents in the file. Some larger counties go further. Los Angeles, for example, offers electronic access to certain divorce judgment documents through its court website.3Superior Court of Los Angeles County. Divorce Judgment Documents
Online access to divorce cases is usually more limited than for other civil matters. You may see that a document exists without being able to open it, and you may see the docket but not the pleadings themselves.2California Courts | Self Help Guide. How to Look Up a Court Case Treat the online portal as a locator for the case number and filing details, not as a substitute for the file.
When Online Searches Come Up Short
Older cases are the most common reason an online search fails. Divorces filed before the late 1990s or early 2000s were handled on paper, and many counties haven’t digitized those files. For those, you’ll need to contact the clerk’s office or visit the courthouse. Some older files are kept offsite and take several business days to retrieve.4Superior Court of California | County of Orange. Family Law Records
A record may also be restricted. California courts can seal all or part of a divorce file when a judge finds that a specific privacy interest outweighs the public’s right of access.5Judicial Branch of California. Rule 2.550 Sealed Records Financial pleadings can be sealed on request under Family Code section 2024.6, and Social Security numbers can be redacted under section 2024.5.6California Legislative Information. California Family Code Division 6, Part 1, Chapter 3 If the file is sealed, you won’t be able to view it without a court order or direct involvement in the case.
If You Don’t Know Which County to Search
For divorces finalized between 1962 and June 1984, the California Department of Public Health Vital Records office (CDPH-VR) can help you locate the case. CDPH-VR doesn’t hold the decree itself. What it issues is a “Certificate of Record” showing the names of the parties, the filing date, the county, and the case number.7California Department of Public Health. Vital Records Obtaining Certified Copies of Divorce Records8California Department of Public Health. Vital Records Processing Times
Divorces outside that window aren’t covered by CDPH-VR, so you’ll need to narrow the county some other way, usually by asking the parties or working from where the couple lived.
Getting a Certified Copy
Finding a case online tells you a divorce exists and gives you the case number. It doesn’t give you an official document you can hand to an agency, bank, or consulate. For that, request a certified copy from the court clerk.
California sets court copy fees statewide. As of January 1, 2026, the per-page copy charge is $0.50 under Government Code section 70627(a), and the certification fee is $40 under Government Code section 70626(a)(4).9Judicial Branch of California. Statewide Civil Fee Schedule Effective 01-01-2026 A certified copy of a 10-page divorce judgment runs $45: $5 in page charges plus $40 for certification. The same copy without certification is $5.
Most counties accept copy requests in person, by mail, or through an online request system, usually on a county-specific form.4Superior Court of California | County of Orange. Family Law Records You’ll need the case number, the specific document, and payment. Checks or money orders work for mail; in-person and online channels often take credit cards.
Timing depends on how you ask. In-person requests at the courthouse counter are often filled the same day or within a few business days. Mail and online requests take longer. Orange County estimates 30 to 45 days for documents purchased by mail, phone, or online.4Superior Court of California | County of Orange. Family Law Records If your deadline is tight, going to the courthouse in person is the fastest route.
If You Need the Record Recognized Abroad
To use a California divorce record in another country, say for a foreign remarriage, an immigration filing, or a property matter, you’ll usually need an apostille from the California Secretary of State. The sequence is: get the certified copy from the county Superior Court first, then send that certified copy to the Secretary of State for authentication. The apostille fee is $20 by mail or in person, with an added $6 special handling fee per signature for same-day in-person service in Sacramento or Los Angeles. Only original certified copies are accepted; photocopies are rejected.10California Secretary of State. Request an Apostille Between court processing and apostille mail time, the full round trip can run two months or more. Build that into your timeline.