If someone needs a divorce record for legal documentation, they may be lost as to where to begin. Here is how to find divorce records in California.
People can search and view divorce records online through certain websites. However, if someone needs an official Divorce Record, they must request it through the California Department of Public Health or the Superior Court that oversaw the divorce.
Online
Certain online websites allow people to search up divorce records with the names of both spouses. This is helpful for simply finding records, but if someone needs an official copy of the Divorce Record, they must request it through different agencies.
Related: How to File for Divorce Online in California
Through the California Department of Public Health
The CDPH has Certificates of Record, which are certified copies of the Divorce Record, but not the actual Divorce Record. To get a Divorce Record through the CDPH, these are the steps:
- Determine which type of Divorce Record you need. Both types are certified but have different uses.
- Authorized copy
- Used for official purposes
- Can be obtained by:
- The registrant or legal guardian of the registrant
- Child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or domestic partner of the registrant
- The party authorized to receive the record from a court order
- A member of law enforcement or government conducting official business
- Information copy
- Contains the same information, but is marked as an “Informational Copy” and cannot be used to establish identity.
- Authorized copy
- Obtain a notarized, sworn statement.
- Pay $14 for each copy of the Divorce Record by check. Checks should be payable to “CDPH Vital Records.”
- Download the VS 113-B application from the CDPH and fill it out.
- Mail the application to the following address:
- The California Department of Public Health
Vital Records – MS 5103
P.O. Box 997410
Sacramento, CA 95899-7410
- The California Department of Public Health
- Mail the application to the following address:
Through the Court System
Only the Superior Court of the county where the divorce was filed has the actual divorce record. Contacting the Superior Court in the county in which the divorce was filed is the best way of obtaining a divorce record. To get the Divorce Record through the Superior Court system, these are the steps:
- Determine which court oversaw the divorce.
- Submit an official request to the court and contact the clerk.
- Obtain the form for the Divorce Record and mail it to the court.
- The court should respond within 60 days.
FAQs
Where should I go if I just need to view my divorce records?
Certain online websites allow people to search up divorce records with the names of both spouses. This is helpful for simply finding records, but does not serve as official documentation of the divorce.
What should I do to obtain an official Divorce Record?
However, if someone needs an official Divorce Record, they must request it through the California Department of Public Health or the Superior Court that oversaw the divorce. Only the Superior Court of the county of divorce has the actual Divorce Record. The CDPH has Certificates of Record, which are certified copies of the Divorce Record. Both are considered official legal documentation of the divorce.
Contact Us
If you need help finding divorce records in California, contact us. We’ll get you in touch with the most qualified lawyer to help you find your divorce records. Get your free consultation with one of our California Divorce Attorneys today!