Fresno Divorce Records Search
Finding divorce records in Fresno requires contacting Fresno County Superior Court. The city does not maintain divorce files. All family law cases for Fresno residents are filed at the Fresno County courthouse. The Family Law division is at 1130 O Street on the second floor in downtown Fresno. The court system has divorce records dating back to 1860, making it one of the oldest collections in California. You can search for basic case information online through the county's public 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 for copies. Very old records may be stored at the Archives office at 1963 E Street. Processing times vary based on whether you visit in person or submit a mail request. In-person requests may be completed the same day if the file is on-site. Mail requests typically take several weeks.
Fresno County Superior Court
Fresno is the county seat of Fresno County. When someone files for divorce in Fresno, the case goes to Fresno County Superior Court. The Family Law division is at 1130 O Street on the second floor. This is in downtown Fresno. You can call the Family Law office at (559) 457-1700. The main courthouse handles all family law cases for the city and the entire county.
Fresno County has one of the longest records collections in California. The court has divorce records dating back to 1860. Very old records are stored at the Archives office. The Archives is at 1963 E Street in Fresno. You can reach the Archives at (559) 457-4903. The Archives is open Monday through Thursday from eight in the morning until three in the afternoon. On Friday, the Archives is open from eight in the morning until noon. If your case is very old, you may need to contact the Archives directly to request records.
Divorce records in Fresno County include all standard family law documents. This includes petitions, responses, financial disclosures, settlement agreements, and final judgments. If the case involved children, the file may have custody orders and parenting plans. Most 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 stores files in different locations based on their age. Recent cases are at the main courthouse. Older cases may be at the Archives. If you are not sure where your file is, call the main Family Law line at (559) 457-1700. The clerk can look up your case and tell you where the file is located. This helps you know which office to contact for your records request.
Using the Online Portal
Fresno County has an online public portal at publicportal.fresno.courts.ca.gov. 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 Fresno 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. Walk-in requests at the courthouse may be completed the same day if the file is on-site and the staff is not busy. Mail requests take longer. Allow several weeks for mail orders. If the file is at the Archives or in off-site storage, add extra time. Some older files can take a month or more to retrieve and process. If you need documents quickly, visit the courthouse in person and ask if same-day service is possible.
You can pay by check, money order, or credit card. Make checks payable to Fresno 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 Fresno County Superior Court, Family Law Division, 1130 O Street, 2nd Floor, Fresno, CA 93721. If your case is very old and you think it might be at the Archives, send your request to Fresno County Superior Court Archives, 1963 E Street, Fresno, CA 93706. 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.
For in-person requests, visit the courthouse during business hours. Go to the Family Law office on the second floor at 1130 O Street. 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 file is on-site and the staff is not busy, you may get copies the same day. If the file needs to be retrieved, the clerk will tell you when to come back or will mail the documents to you.
Note: Some family law records are confidential or sealed. The clerk will tell you if any restrictions apply to your case.
Getting Legal Assistance in Fresno
Fresno 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 visit the facilitator office at the Family Law division or call for information.
Legal aid organizations serve Fresno and the rest of Fresno County. Central California 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 Fresno County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service that connects you with private attorneys who offer consultations at a reduced fee.
The California courts website at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov has extensive 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 Fresno 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.
More About Fresno County Divorce Records
Fresno is the largest city in Fresno County. The county courthouse handles all divorce records for the entire county. If you are looking for divorce records from another part of Fresno County, contact the same courthouse at 1130 O Street. For more information about the court and how to access records throughout the county, visit our Fresno County page.