Divorce Records Riverside

Divorce records for Riverside residents are maintained by the Riverside County Superior Court. The court processes all family law cases in the city. Riverside has its own Family Law Courthouse at 4175 Main Street that handles most divorce filings from the area. You can search for divorce cases online through the county's public access portal. The system shows case numbers, filing dates, and basic information. Full documents like divorce decrees and settlement agreements are not available for download due to privacy rules. To get certified copies, you need to contact the court clerk by phone or mail, or visit the courthouse. The clerk's office can provide copies of judgments and other court records for a fee.

Riverside Family Law Courthouse

The city of Riverside is part of Riverside County. All divorce cases go through the county Superior Court system. The main family law courthouse for Riverside is located at 4175 Main Street, Riverside, CA 92501. You can call the family law division at 951-777-3147. Phone hours are 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on weekdays. This courthouse handles divorce filings, custody matters, support orders, and other family law issues for Riverside and nearby communities.

Riverside County uses an online portal for case searches. Go to epublic-access.riverside.courts.ca.gov to access the system. You can search by party name or case number. The portal is free to use but charges fees for name searches. One search costs $1.00. You can buy packages like five searches for $3.50, ten for $5.00, or 75 for $25.00. For heavy users, an unlimited monthly subscription costs $250. These fees apply to name searches only. If you have the case number, the search is free.

The online system shows basic case info. You can see the case number, parties involved, filing date, and a docket of all filings. However, California court rules limit access to actual documents in family law cases. You cannot download divorce decrees, financial forms, or settlement agreements from the portal. The system protects privacy by keeping these documents off the public web. To get copies, you must contact the clerk or visit in person.

How to File for Divorce

Filing for divorce in Riverside requires meeting California's residency requirements. You must live in California for at least six months and in Riverside County for at least three months before you can file. This is per California Family Code Section 2320. Once you meet residency, you can file at the Family Law Courthouse on Main Street. The filing fee is $435 to $450 depending on the type of case. If you cannot afford the fee, you can request a waiver by filling out form FW-001.

California uses the same divorce forms statewide. You start with form FL-100, the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, and form FL-110, the Summons. After filing, you must serve these papers on your spouse. The spouse has 30 days to file a Response using form FL-120. Both sides must exchange financial information on forms FL-140 and FL-142. These forms show income, expenses, assets, and debts. The court uses this information to divide property and decide on support.

For short marriages with no kids and limited assets, you might qualify for summary dissolution. This simpler process uses form FL-700 and has less paperwork. You and your spouse must agree on how to split everything. Most divorces do not qualify for summary dissolution and go through the regular process instead.

California law requires a six-month waiting period before a divorce can be final. The time starts from the date your spouse was served with the Summons and Petition. Even if you and your spouse agree on everything and file an uncontested case, the court cannot issue a final judgment until six months have passed. This rule is in Family Code Section 2339. Most divorces take longer than six months due to paperwork, court schedules, and negotiations over property or custody.

Obtaining Divorce Decrees and Records

To get a copy of a Riverside divorce decree, you can visit the Family Law Courthouse at 4175 Main Street. Bring photo ID and the case number if you have it. If you do not know the case number, provide both party names and the year the divorce was filed. The clerk can search for the case. For recent cases with files on-site, you may get copies the same day. Older cases or files in storage may take a few days.

Mail requests are also accepted. Send a letter to Riverside County Superior Court, Family Law Courthouse, 4175 Main Street, Riverside, CA 92501. Include the case number or the names of both parties and the approximate filing year. Enclose a check or money order payable to Riverside Superior Court. A certified divorce decree costs $15. If you want other documents certified, add $40 per document plus $0.50 per page for copies. Include your return address and a phone number so the clerk can contact you if needed.

Processing time for mail orders varies. Simple requests for recent cases might take one to two weeks. Older cases can take a month or longer, especially if the file is in off-site storage. The court processes requests in the order they are received. You can call the clerk's office to check on the status of your request.

Only certain people can get copies of divorce records. The two parties in the divorce can always get their own records. Attorneys representing either side can obtain copies. Other people may need to show a legal reason or provide a court order. The clerk will ask for ID to verify your identity. This protects sensitive information in family law cases while still allowing appropriate access.

Legal Resources and Assistance

Riverside County Superior Court offers free help through its Family Law Facilitator program. The facilitator can answer questions about forms, explain court procedures, and review your paperwork for completeness. They cannot give legal advice or represent you in court, but they can help you understand the process. Call 951-777-3147 during business hours to reach the family law division and ask about facilitator services.

Legal Aid Society of Riverside County provides free legal help to low-income residents. They handle family law cases including divorce, custody, and support. To see if you qualify, visit legalaidofriversidecounty.org or call their office for an intake appointment. They can help with paperwork, negotiations, and court representation if you meet income guidelines.

If you need to hire a lawyer, the Riverside County Bar Association has a lawyer referral service. They can connect you with local attorneys who practice family law. Many offer reduced-rate initial consultations. You can hire a lawyer for the full case or use limited-scope representation where the lawyer handles specific tasks while you do the rest yourself.

The California Courts Self-Help website at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov has detailed guides for every step of the divorce process. You can find instructions on filing, serving papers, responding to a petition, and attending court hearings. All the statewide divorce forms are available for free download. The site also has videos and FAQs that explain California family law.

Additional Resources

For divorces that occurred between 1962 and June 1984, the California Department of Public Health has a Certificate of Record. This document shows the divorce happened but is not the actual divorce decree. It includes names, date, county, and case number. The fee is $18 per copy and processing can take many months. CDPH does not have records for divorces after June 1984. Visit cdph.ca.gov for the application.

Riverside County has other courthouse locations besides the main family law building. The county serves a large area and has branches in Banning, Blythe, Corona, Indio, Menifee, and Moreno Valley. If your case was filed at one of these locations, you may need to contact that specific courthouse for records. The online portal shows all county cases regardless of where they were filed.

After your divorce is final, you may need to update records with various agencies. If you changed your name, notify the Social Security Administration and the DMV. Update your name on bank accounts, insurance policies, credit cards, and property titles. The court does not automatically send your decree to these places. You must provide certified copies yourself. It helps to get several certified copies of your divorce decree when you first order it so you have them for future needs.