Fontana Divorce Records

If you need divorce records for Fontana residents, you must work with San Bernardino County Superior Court. The city does not maintain divorce files. All family law cases for Fontana are filed at San Bernardino County courthouses. The main courthouse for family law is the San Bernardino Justice Center at 247 West Third Street in San Bernardino. Fontana also has its own courthouse at 17780 Arrow Boulevard, but family law cases are typically handled at the main justice center. The court system maintains records for all dissolution cases filed in the county. You can search for basic case information online through the county's Court Access Portal. To get copies of documents, you need to submit a formal request and pay fees. A certified divorce decree costs fifteen dollars plus fifty cents per page. Certification of other documents costs forty dollars plus copying fees. Processing times vary based on whether you submit your request by mail or in person.

San Bernardino County Family Law Court

Fontana is part of San Bernardino County. When someone in Fontana files for divorce, the case goes to San Bernardino County Superior Court. The main San Bernardino Justice Center is at 247 West Third Street in San Bernardino. You can call the Civil Information line at (909) 708-8678 for questions about records. The Family Law Facilitator office is at (909) 269-8829. The Self-Help Center for family law is at (909) 269-8826. These offices can help you understand how to access divorce records and what documents you need.

San Bernardino County has multiple courthouse locations. Besides the San Bernardino Justice Center, there are courthouses in Rancho Cucamonga and Victorville. The Rancho Cucamonga courthouse is at (909) 350-9764. The Victorville courthouse is at (760) 245-6215. If your case was filed at one of these locations, you may be able to get records there. The county uses a centralized system, so you can often request records from any location.

Divorce records in San Bernardino County include all standard family law documents. This includes petitions, responses, financial disclosures, settlement agreements, and final judgments. If children were involved, the file may have custody orders and parenting plans. Most of these documents are public records. Some may be sealed or restricted by court order. The clerk will tell you what is available when you make your request.

The court keeps records for many decades. Older files may be in off-site storage. If your case is from many years ago, it may take extra time to retrieve the file. The court does not typically charge a separate retrieval fee for off-site files, but processing may take longer. Call ahead to ask about the status of your file if you need records from an older case.

Court Access Portal

San Bernardino County has an online Court Access Portal at cap.sb-court.org. This portal lets you search for cases by party name or case number. The system shows basic case information and a register of actions. The register lists all documents filed in the case with dates. This helps you see what is in the file before you order copies.

To search the portal, enter a last name in the search box. The system returns all cases with that name. If you get too many results, add a first name or narrow the date range. The search results show the case number, parties, filing date, and case type. Click on a case to see more details. The register of actions shows each document that was filed and when. It does not let you view the actual documents in most cases. You need to request copies through the clerk.

Family law documents are usually not available for online viewing. You can see that they were filed, but you cannot read them on the portal. To get copies, you need to contact the court. Write down the case number from your online search. Then call, mail, or visit the courthouse to request copies. Having the case number makes the process faster and helps the clerk locate your file quickly.

Costs and Processing Times

A certified divorce decree costs fifteen dollars in San Bernardino County. This is the standard fee set by California state law. The fee includes the certification and a copy of the judgment. If you need extra pages, the court charges fifty cents per page. For other documents that need certification, like orders or agreements, the court charges forty dollars plus fifty cents per page for copies. Regular uncertified copies are fifty cents per page without the certification fee.

Processing time depends on how you submit your request. Mail requests typically take two to four weeks. The clerks work through requests in the order they arrive. If your file is in off-site storage, add extra time. In-person requests may be completed faster if the file is on-site and the staff is available. Call ahead to ask if same-day service is possible for your case. The Civil Information line is (909) 708-8678.

You can pay by check, money order, or credit card. Make checks payable to San Bernardino County Superior Court. If you mail your request, include a self-addressed stamped envelope so the court can send your documents back. For in-person requests, you can pay at the counter with cash, check, or card. The clerk will give you a receipt and tell you when the documents will be ready.

How to Request Divorce Records

You can request divorce records by mail or in person. For a mail request, write a letter that includes these details:

• Your full name and address
• Phone number or email
• Case number or both party names with year
• Which documents you need
• Payment by check or money order
• Self-addressed stamped envelope

Mail your request to San Bernardino County Superior Court, San Bernardino Justice Center, 247 West Third Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415. The clerks will process your request and mail the documents back to you. If there is a problem, they will contact you by phone or mail. Make sure your contact info is clear.

For in-person requests, visit the courthouse during business hours. Bring a photo ID. Tell the clerk the case number and what documents you need. If you are a party to the case, let them know. You may have easier access to your own records. Some documents may be sealed or confidential. The clerk will tell you what is available. Pay at the counter. If the documents are ready right away, you will get them on the spot. If not, the clerk will mail them to you or tell you when to come back.

Getting Legal Assistance in Fontana

San Bernardino County provides self-help services for people handling their own divorce. The Family Law Facilitator office offers free help with court forms and procedures. They can answer questions about how to fill out forms and what to expect in court. They do not give legal advice about your specific case, but they can explain the general process. You can call the Family Law Facilitator at (909) 269-8829. The Self-Help Center at (909) 269-8826 also provides assistance with family law matters.

Legal aid organizations serve Fontana and the rest of San Bernardino County. Inland Counties Legal Services provides free legal help to low-income residents in family law matters. They handle divorce, custody, and support cases. You must qualify based on income. Apply on their website or call their intake line. The San Bernardino County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service that connects you with private attorneys who offer consultations at a reduced rate.

The California courts website at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov has many resources for people doing their own divorce. The site includes form instructions, videos, and step-by-step guides. All California courts use the same basic forms, so this website applies to Fontana and every other city in the state. If you need to file or respond to a divorce, use these free resources to understand the paperwork and procedures.

Other San Bernardino County Cities

Fontana is one of the largest cities in San Bernardino County. If you need divorce records from another city in this county, check our page for San Bernardino. Both cities use the same Superior Court system. For more information about the court and how to access records throughout the county, visit our San Bernardino County page.