Find Huntington Beach Divorce Records
Huntington Beach does not keep divorce records. All family law cases for this city get processed through Orange County Superior Court. When someone in Huntington Beach wants to file for divorce, they go to a county courthouse. The two main family law locations are the Lamoreaux Justice Center in Orange and the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana. Both courthouses handle divorce cases for all Orange County cities. The court clerk stores every divorce file from the first petition to the final judgment. These files remain in the court system forever unless a judge seals them. You can request copies of any unsealed divorce record by visiting the courthouse or sending a mail request.
Orange County Divorce Courts
The Lamoreaux Justice Center is the main courthouse for family law in Orange County. It sits at 341 The City Drive South in Orange. The Family Law Division is on the 7th floor. Call (657) 622-6457 for family law services. The courthouse is open from 8:00 a.m. to noon, then from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays. You can file new cases, get forms, or ask questions at this location. Family Court Services is on the 5th floor at (657) 622-6196 if you need help with custody or visitation matters.
The Central Justice Center in Santa Ana also handles divorce cases. The address is 700 Civic Center Drive West in Santa Ana. The phone number is (657) 622-6878. This courthouse has a Records Management office on the 1st floor. They keep older case files that are not stored at the main clerk's office. If you need a divorce record from many years ago, you might have to request it from this archive unit. Orange County has records dating back to 1889, so very old cases are available if you know where to look.
Orange County uses standard fees for divorce records. A certified divorce decree costs $15.00. This fee includes all pages of the judgment with an official stamp and signature from the clerk. Other documents that need certification cost $40.00 plus $0.50 per page. Plain copies without certification are $0.50 per page. If you need the clerk to search for a case and you do not have a case number, the search fee is $15.00. Mail requests take about 30 to 45 days to process. In-person requests are much faster.
Use the Online Portal
Orange County runs a public case search portal at fampub.occourts.org. This tool is free for anyone to use. You do not need to create an account or pay a fee to search. Type in a party name or case number to see a list of matching cases. The system shows the case number, filing date, type of case, and current status. Full document images are not available online for most family law files because of privacy laws.
The portal includes cases from 1990 forward. Dissolution cases filed after 1997 have more complete information in the system. Older cases might show only basic details or might not appear at all. If you are searching for a divorce from the 1980s or earlier, you need to contact the clerk directly. They can look through paper files and microfiche that are not digitized. The online portal helps you find the case number, which makes it much easier to order copies later.
To buy certified copies, you must go through the clerk's office. The online portal does not let you download or purchase documents. You can use it to confirm the case exists and get the case number. Then submit a request for copies by mail or in person. Include the case number, the names of both spouses, and a description of the documents you need. Send a check or money order with your request. The court accepts payment made out to Orange County Superior Court.
How to Get Divorce Records
Start by finding the case number if you do not have it already. Use the online portal or call the clerk's office for help. Once you have the case number, you can request copies. Visit the Lamoreaux Justice Center or Central Justice Center in person during business hours. Go to the clerk's office and ask for family law records. Give them the case number and tell them which documents you need. They will pull the file and make copies while you wait or schedule a pickup time.
Mail requests are another option. Write a letter with the case number, both party names, and the specific documents you want. Include your full mailing address and phone number. Attach a check or money order to cover the copy fees. Mail everything to Orange County Superior Court, Records Management, 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana, CA 92701. The court will process your request and mail the copies to you. This usually takes four to six weeks.
If you do not have a case number, you can ask the clerk to search. Fill out Form L-0006, which is the record search form. Provide the full names of both spouses and any other info you have, like the year the divorce was filed. The clerk will search the database and let you know if they find a match. If they find multiple cases with similar names, they will give you a list. You choose which case you want and then proceed with your copy request.
California Divorce Requirements
To file for divorce in California, you must live in the state for six months. You also need to live in the county where you file for three months. These residency rules are set by California Family Code Section 2320. If you recently moved to Huntington Beach or Orange County, you must wait to meet both time periods before you can file here.
California allows two grounds for divorce. The first is irreconcilable differences, which means the marriage is broken beyond repair. The second is incurable insanity, which is almost never used. Most people file based on irreconcilable differences. California is a no-fault state. You do not need to prove your spouse did anything wrong. You just state that the marriage cannot be saved. The grounds are listed in Family Code Section 2310.
After the court grants a divorce, there is a six-month waiting period. The divorce is not final until six months after the respondent was served or appeared in court. This rule comes from Family Code Section 2339. During the wait, you are still married. After six months, you can remarry. The final judgment settles all property, support, and custody matters.
Forms and Filing Fees
California uses standard forms for divorce. All courts in the state use the same set of forms created by the Judicial Council. The Petition is form FL-100. The Summons is FL-110. The Response is FL-120. The Judgment is FL-180. A new Joint Petition form, FL-700, was added in 2026 for couples who agree on all issues. You can download these forms for free at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/divorce-forms. The site also has instructions and videos.
The filing fee to start a divorce in Orange County is $435 to $450. You pay this when you file the Petition. If you cannot afford the fee, you can request a waiver. Use form FW-001 to apply. The court will look at your income and expenses to decide if you qualify. A fee waiver can cover the filing fee, service costs, and other court fees. Many people with low incomes get fee waivers approved. You need to provide proof of your finances like pay stubs or bank statements.
Orange County has a Family Law Facilitator program. These staff members work at the courthouse and help people without lawyers. They cannot give legal advice or be your attorney, but they can explain forms and procedures. They will check your paperwork before you file to make sure everything is filled out correctly. This service is free. Visit the Lamoreaux Justice Center during business hours to meet with a facilitator. There may be a wait depending on how busy they are.
Legal Help in Orange County
The Public Law Center in Santa Ana provides free legal services to low-income Orange County residents. They handle family law cases including divorce, custody, and support. Call (714) 541-1010 or visit publiclawcenter.org to learn about their services. They have income guidelines and other requirements. If you qualify, they can give you advice and sometimes represent you in court.
Legal Aid Society of Orange County also offers free help. Their office serves all cities in the county including Huntington Beach. They focus on family law and domestic violence cases. The phone number is (714) 571-5200. You must meet their financial criteria to get services. Both organizations have limited staff, so there may be a waitlist for appointments or representation.
For general information on California divorce law, check the State Bar website at calbar.ca.gov. They have articles and FAQs on family law topics. The California Courts self-help site at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov has guides, videos, and checklists for people representing themselves. These resources are free and can help you understand what to expect in the divorce process.