Lancaster Divorce Records
Lancaster residents file divorce cases with Los Angeles County Superior Court. The city does not keep its own family law records. All dissolution paperwork gets processed through the county court system. Lancaster is part of the Antelope Valley District, which has a courthouse located in the city. You can file new cases or request copies of records at the Lancaster courthouse or at the main family law courthouse in downtown Los Angeles. The Stanley Mosk Courthouse handles most family law matters for the county. Each divorce file stays in the court system from the initial filing through the final judgment and beyond. The clerk keeps these records permanently unless a judge orders them sealed.
Los Angeles County Divorce Courts
Lancaster has a local courthouse that is part of the Los Angeles County Superior Court system. This courthouse serves the Antelope Valley area. The address is in Lancaster and handles various case types including family law. For specific family law services, you may need to contact the court to confirm hours and services. Los Angeles County also has the Stanley Mosk Courthouse at 111 North Hill Street in downtown Los Angeles. This is the main family law facility for the county.
The Stanley Mosk Courthouse has several family law offices. The Family Law Clerk's Office is in Room 426 on the 4th floor. Call (213) 633-6363 for help. For new filings, the number is (213) 830-0830. The Family Law Files office is in Room 112 on the 1st floor at (213) 830-0803. This office handles requests for copies of divorce records. The courthouse is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. If you live in Lancaster, you can use either the local courthouse or travel to downtown Los Angeles.
The Archives and Records Center for Los Angeles County is at 222 North Hill Street, Room 212 in Los Angeles. This office stores older case files. If your divorce is from many years ago, the file might be here. Call (213) 830-0803 for information. The Certification Unit is in Room 112C at 111 North Hill Street. They certify divorce decrees and other documents. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:10 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Search Divorce Cases Online
Los Angeles County has multiple online portals for court records. The dedicated divorce judgment search is at lacourt.org/ldosv2. This system lets you search for dissolution judgments by party name or case number. You can view basic case info and purchase copies of documents online. There are fees for searches and downloads. Guest users pay $4.75 per name search. Registered users pay $1.00 for the first ten searches.
Document downloads cost $1.00 per page for the first five pages. Additional pages cost $0.40 each. The max charge for one document is $40.00. These fees apply only to online purchases. If you go to the courthouse in person, you pay different fees. The online system covers family law cases from 1983 forward. Document images are available starting May 1, 2000. Older cases show basic information but no images.
LA Court Connect is another portal at lacc.lacourt.org. The Public Access Online Services portal is at lacourt.org/paos. These systems let you search cases and view some documents online. The portals are useful for finding case numbers and checking case status. If you need certified copies or full file review, you must visit the courthouse or submit a mail request.
How to Obtain Divorce Records
If you know the case number, getting copies is simple. Visit the Family Law Files office at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse. Go to Room 112 on the 1st floor. Give the clerk the case number and tell them which documents you need. They will pull the file and make copies. In-person copy fees are $0.50 per page. Certification costs $25.00 per document. Certified copies have an official stamp and signature. Most people can get same-day service if the file is on-site.
You can also request copies by mail. Write a letter with the case number, both party names, and a description of the documents you want. Include your mailing address and phone number. Send a check or money order for the estimated fees. Mail it to Los Angeles Superior Court, Family Law Files, 111 North Hill Street, Room 112, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Processing times vary. Most mail requests take two to four weeks depending on how busy the court is.
If you do not have a case number, the clerk can search for you. Provide the full names of both spouses and any other info like the year the divorce was filed. The clerk will search the database and let you know if they find a match. Common names can produce many results, so additional details help narrow the search. Once the clerk finds the right case, they will give you the case number and you can proceed with your copy request.
California Divorce Law
To file for divorce in California, you must live in the state for at least six months. You also need to live in the county where you file for three months. These requirements are in California Family Code Section 2320. If you just moved to Lancaster or Los Angeles County, you must wait until you 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 and cannot be saved. The second is incurable insanity, which is rarely used. Most divorces are filed based on irreconcilable differences. California is a no-fault state. You do not need to prove wrongdoing by your spouse. You just state that the marriage has failed. Family Code Section 2310 sets the legal grounds.
After the court grants a divorce, there is a six-month waiting period before it becomes final. The wait starts when the respondent is served or appears in court. This rule is in Family Code Section 2339. You are still married during the six months. Once the time passes, you are legally single and can remarry. The final judgment settles property, support, and custody issues.
Filing for Divorce
All California counties use the same divorce forms. The Judicial Council creates these forms and provides them for free. 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, became available in 2026 for couples who agree on all terms. Download all forms at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/divorce-forms. The site has instructions and videos.
The filing fee in Los Angeles County is $435 to $450 when you start a divorce case. You pay this when you file the Petition. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for a waiver using form FW-001. 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 charges. Many people with low incomes get waivers approved. You must provide proof of your financial situation like pay stubs or tax returns.
Los Angeles 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 represent you, but they can explain forms and procedures. They will review your paperwork before you file to make sure it is complete. This service is free and available during court hours. Wait times vary depending on how many people need help that day.
Free Legal Help in Los Angeles County
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles provides free legal services to low-income residents of Los Angeles County. They handle family law cases including divorce, custody, and domestic violence. Visit lafla.org or call their main number to see if you qualify. They have income guidelines and prioritize cases involving children or abuse. Due to high demand, they may have a waitlist.
The Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law offers free services for family law matters. They help people with low incomes who are dealing with divorce, paternity, or custody issues. Contact them through hbcfl.org or by phone. They provide advice, document preparation, and sometimes representation. Because they serve the entire county, they may have limited availability for new clients.
For general information about California divorce law, visit 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 the divorce process from start to finish.