Are Divorce Records Public In California?

By Richard T. Herman Reviewed by Luis C. Villarroel

Get a Divorce Decree

A divorce decree is a legal document issued by the court that outlines the final orders of the divorce such as child custody, property division, and spousal support. There are several ways to get a copy of this document:

Mail-In Request to the Superior Court Clerk
- Write to the Clerk’s Office of the Superior Court where the divorce was filed.
- Include both spouses’ names, the year of the divorce, and the court case number.
- Some courts may require a request form and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
In-Person Request at the Courthouse
- Go to the courthouse where the divorce was filed and submit your request to the court’s records office.
- You may need to provide ID and case details.
Access Electronic Copies at the Courthouse
- Some courthouses have public access terminals where you can view and print electronic copies of available divorce records.
Online Requests
- Some Superior Courts, especially in larger counties like Los Angeles, allow online requests through their website. Check your local court’s website to see if this is an option.

Costs

Costs for divorce records in California vary depending on the type of request and county. Typically:

Per page copy: 50 cents per page.
Certified copy: $15 per document.

Additional fees may apply for search, certification, or authentication. Payment methods and processing times vary by county so check with the court when you submit your request.

Find Your Court

Not sure where to start? The California Judiciary’s “Find Your Court” directory is a great tool. It will help you find the contact information and website for any Superior Court in the state, which is helpful if you’re not sure where your divorce was filed.

Get a Certificate of Record from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH)

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) also has divorce records in the form of a Certificate of Record. This is not the same as a divorce decree but has basic information such as:

Both parties’ names.
Date of filing.
County where filed.
Case number.

This certificate is for divorces filed between 1962 and June 1984. To get a copy from the CDPH:

Download and fill out the application form from the CDPH website (English and Spanish).
Attach a check or money order for $14 (payable to California Department of Public Health).
Mail the form and payment to:
- California Department of Public Health
- Vital Records-MS 5103
- P.O. Box 997410
- Sacramento, CA 95899–7410

For delivery services that require a physical address, send to:

California Department of Public Health
Vital Records-MS 5103
1501 Capitol Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95814

For more information or to check on your request call (916) 445-2684 or email CHSIVitalRecords@cdph.ca.gov.

Who Can Get Divorce Records?

California divorce records are public but there are two types of copies and access depends on your relationship to the case:

Informational Copies: Available to anyone. These do not have sensitive personal information and may be redacted.
Authorized Copies (Divorce Decrees): Only available to:
- The parties in the divorce.
- The attorneys for either party.

Can I Get Divorce Records Online?

California divorce records are not kept in a central database. They are kept by the trial court in each county. While many counties have online case searches, the availability and what’s available varies:

Case Information Portals: Most Superior Courts have online portals where you can search for a case number and see basic case information. However, these portals may not show the full divorce record or if the case is closed.
Certified Electronic Copies: Larger counties like Los Angeles have online options to request certified electronic copies of divorce decrees. These are processed by Government Code Sections 68150 (a), (f), and (g) which allow for certified copies to be issued electronically.

If the county where the divorce was filed does not have online case access you will need to go to the Clerk’s Office in person.

Limitations and Privacy

While divorce records are public, note that these records may have sensitive personal information and financial and custody arrangements. Because of the private nature of this information, many divorce records are sealed or have restricted access, especially for divorce decrees. Also, while third-party websites may have public records, availability varies and these sites are not government-sponsored so accuracy and completeness are not guaranteed.