Long Beach Divorce Records Search
Long Beach does not maintain divorce records. All family law cases for this city are filed with Los Angeles County Superior Court. The county court system handles divorce filings for all cities in Los Angeles County. Long Beach has a local courthouse that processes various case types. For family law matters, many residents use the Long Beach courthouse or the main family law facility in downtown Los Angeles. The Stanley Mosk Courthouse at 111 North Hill Street is the central family law location for the entire county. All divorce files stay with the court from the initial petition through the final judgment. The clerk maintains these records permanently unless a judge seals them.
Los Angeles County Family Law Courts
Long Beach has a courthouse that is part of the Los Angeles County Superior Court system. This courthouse can handle some family law services for local residents. For comprehensive family law matters, the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles serves as the main hub. The address is 111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. The Family Law Clerk's Office is in Room 426 on the 4th floor. Call (213) 633-6363 for assistance. The courthouse is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays.
For new divorce filings, call (213) 830-0830. The Family Law Files office is in Room 112 on the 1st floor. This office handles copy requests for divorce records. The phone number is (213) 830-0803. If you need to look at a file or get copies, this is where you go. The courthouse has self-help services and a Family Law Facilitator to assist people without lawyers. These services are free and available during court hours.
The Archives and Records Center is at 222 North Hill Street, Room 212. This office stores older case files that are not kept at the main courthouse. Call (213) 830-0803 for info. 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. In-person copy fees are $0.50 per page. Certification costs $25.00 per document.
Find Cases Online
Los Angeles County has several online portals for court records. The divorce judgment search portal is at lacourt.org/ldosv2. This tool lets you search specifically for dissolution judgments. Enter a party name or case number to see results. You can view basic case info and purchase copies of documents online. Guest users pay $4.75 per name search. Registered users pay $1.00 for the first ten searches. After that, the price increases.
Document downloads cost $1.00 per page for the first five pages of a document. Pages six and up cost $0.40 each. The max charge for a single document is $40.00. These online fees do not apply if you visit the courthouse in person. The online system covers family law cases from 1983 to the present. Document images are available starting May 1, 2000. Earlier cases show basic information but no images.
LA Court Connect is at lacc.lacourt.org. The Public Access Online Services portal is at lacourt.org/paos. These systems allow you to search cases and view some documents online. The portals are useful for finding case numbers and checking the status of a case. If you need certified copies or want to review a full file, you must visit the courthouse or submit a mail request to the clerk.
Request Divorce Documents
If you have the case number, getting copies is easy. Go to the Family Law Files office at Room 112 in the Stanley Mosk Courthouse. Give the clerk the case number and tell them what documents you need. They will pull the file and make copies. Pay the fee and receive your copies. Most people can get same-day service if the file is on-site. Certified copies have an official seal and signature from the clerk. These are required for many legal purposes like remarriage or changing your name.
You can request copies by mail. Write a letter that includes the case number, the names of both spouses, and a description of the documents you want. Add your mailing address and phone number. Include a check or money order for the estimated fees. Mail everything to Los Angeles Superior Court, Family Law Files, 111 North Hill Street, Room 112, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Processing by mail usually takes two to four weeks depending on the volume of requests.
When you do not have a case number, the clerk can search the database. Provide the full names of both parties and any other details you know, like the year the divorce was filed. The clerk will search and notify you if they find a match. If they find multiple cases with the same names, they will give you a list so you can identify the correct one. Common names like Smith or Garcia can produce many results, so more information helps narrow the search.
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. California Family Code Section 2320 sets these residency requirements. If you just moved to Long Beach 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 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. Family Code Section 2310 lists the legal grounds.
After a judge signs the divorce judgment, there is a mandatory 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. You remain legally married during the wait. Once the six months pass, you are free to remarry. The judgment resolves all issues including property division, spousal support, child custody, and child support.
Divorce Forms and Fees
All California counties use the same divorce forms. The Judicial Council creates these forms and makes them free to download. The main forms are the Petition (FL-100), Summons (FL-110), Response (FL-120), and Judgment (FL-180). In 2026, California introduced a new Joint Petition form, FL-700, for couples who agree on all terms. You can download all forms at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/divorce-forms. The site also has fill-in-the-blank versions and instructions.
The filing fee to start a divorce in Los Angeles County is $435 to $450. This fee is paid 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 review 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 successfully obtain fee waivers. You need to provide proof of your financial situation.
Los Angeles County offers free help through the Family Law Facilitator program. Facilitators work at the courthouse and assist people who are representing themselves. They cannot give legal advice or act as your lawyer, but they can explain forms and procedures. They will review your paperwork to make sure it is complete before you file. This service is free and available on a walk-in basis during court hours. There may be a wait depending on how many people need help.
Legal Help for Long Beach Residents
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles serves the entire county including Long Beach. They provide free legal services to low-income people. They handle family law cases such as 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, there may be a waitlist for services.
The Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law offers free services for family law matters. They focus on helping people with low incomes who are dealing with divorce, paternity, or custody issues. Contact them through their website at hbcfl.org or by phone. They provide advice, document preparation, and sometimes court representation. Because they serve the entire county, they may have limited availability for new clients.
For general questions about divorce law, the State Bar of California has public resources at calbar.ca.gov. The California Courts self-help website at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov has videos, guides, and FAQs for people without lawyers. Both sites are free to use and have information on every step of the divorce process. These resources can help you understand your options before deciding whether to hire an attorney.