San Bernardino Divorce Records

Divorce records for San Bernardino residents are maintained by the San Bernardino County Superior Court. The San Bernardino Justice Center at 247 West Third Street handles most family law cases in the city. When someone files for divorce in San Bernardino, the petition goes through the county court system. All divorce paperwork from initial filing through final judgment stays on file at the courthouse. You can search for cases online using the county's Court Access Portal. The system shows case numbers and basic information but does not allow you to download full documents. California law protects privacy in family law cases by limiting remote access to sensitive records. To get certified copies of divorce decrees or other filings, contact the clerk's office or visit the courthouse in person.

San Bernardino County Court

San Bernardino is part of San Bernardino County for all court matters. The county Superior Court has several locations, but the main courthouse for San Bernardino city is the San Bernardino Justice Center at 247 West Third Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415. Call 909-708-8678 for civil information. The Family Law Facilitator can be reached at 909-269-8829, and the Self-Help Center for family law is at 909-269-8826. This courthouse processes thousands of divorce and family law cases each year.

San Bernardino County has an online system called the Court Access Portal. You can find it at cap.sb-court.org. This portal lets you search for cases by name or case number. Basic case information shows up for free. You can see the parties, case type, filing date, and a list of documents on file. However, California Rules of Court 2.503 limit what you can view in family law cases. The portal shows the docket but does not let you download divorce decrees, financial disclosures, or settlement agreements. For those documents, you must contact the clerk or visit the courthouse.

Fees for divorce records follow state law. A certified copy of a divorce decree costs $15 under Government Code Section 70674. That fee covers the complete judgment no matter how many pages. For other documents, certification costs $40 plus $0.50 per page for copies. Payment methods at the courthouse include cash, check, or money order. Some online services may accept credit cards with a processing fee.

Filing for Divorce in San Bernardino

To file for divorce when you live in San Bernardino, you must meet California's residency requirements. California Family Code Section 2320 requires six months in the state and three months in San Bernardino County before you can file. Once you meet residency, you can file at the San Bernardino Justice Center. The filing fee is $435 to $450. If you cannot afford the fee, apply for a waiver using form FW-001.

All California courts use the same divorce forms. Form FL-100 is the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. Form FL-110 is the Summons. These start the case. After filing, you serve copies on your spouse. The spouse has 30 days to file a Response using form FL-120. For short marriages with no children and limited assets, you might qualify for summary dissolution using form FL-700 if both spouses agree.

Every divorce requires financial disclosures. Both parties must complete form FL-140, the Declaration of Disclosure, and form FL-142, the Schedule of Assets and Debts. These forms list income, expenses, property, and debts. You serve these on the other party. The court uses this information to divide property and decide on support. You must file disclosures even if you agree on everything.

California has a mandatory six-month waiting period. The divorce cannot be final until at least six months after your spouse was served with the Summons and Petition. This is per Family Code Section 2339. Even if both spouses agree on all terms, the court will not sign the final judgment until six months pass. Most divorces take longer due to paperwork, negotiations, or court schedules. When the judgment is signed, it becomes a permanent court record.

How to Get Divorce Records

To get a copy of a San Bernardino divorce decree, visit the San Bernardino Justice Center at 247 West Third 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 approximate year of the divorce. The clerk can search for the case. For recent files, you may get copies the same day. Older files in off-site storage may take longer.

You can also request records by mail. Write to San Bernardino County Superior Court, 247 West Third Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415. Include the case number or the names of both parties and the year the divorce was filed. Send a check or money order for $15 payable to San Bernardino Superior Court for a certified divorce decree. Add fees for any other documents you want. Provide your return address and phone number. Processing time varies from one to three weeks depending on the court's workload and file location.

Only certain people can obtain divorce records. The two parties in the case can always get their own records. Attorneys representing either party can get copies. Others may need to show a legal interest or provide a court order. The clerk will ask for ID to verify your identity. California protects privacy in family law cases while allowing appropriate public access.

Legal Help and Resources

San Bernardino County Superior Court has a Family Law Facilitator who provides free help to people representing themselves. The facilitator can answer questions about forms, explain procedures, and review paperwork. They cannot give legal advice or represent you in court, but they can help you understand what you need to file. Call 909-269-8829 to reach the facilitator.

The court also has a Self-Help Center for family law at the San Bernardino Justice Center. Call 909-269-8826 for help. The center offers workshops, form assistance, and information about the divorce process. Staff can help you figure out which forms to use and how to fill them out. Services are free.

Inland Counties Legal Services provides free legal help to low-income residents in San Bernardino County. They handle family law cases including divorce, custody, and support. Visit inlandlegal.org or call for an intake interview to see if you qualify. They can help with paperwork, negotiations, and court representation based on income eligibility.

The California Courts Self-Help website at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov has step-by-step guides for divorce. You can find instructions on filing, serving papers, and going to court. All divorce forms are free to download. The site has videos and FAQs that explain California family law.

Other Information

For divorces from 1962 through June 1984, the California Department of Public Health has a Certificate of Record. This is not the actual divorce decree but shows the divorce occurred. It includes names, county, date, and case number. The fee is $18 and processing takes many months. CDPH does not have records after June 1984. Get the application at cdph.ca.gov.

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

San Bernardino County has other courthouse locations including Rancho Cucamonga and Victorville. 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 cases in the county regardless of filing location.