Divorce Records in San Francisco

All divorce records for San Francisco are kept at the San Francisco County Superior Court. The courthouse is at 400 McAllister Street in the Civic Center area. When someone files for divorce in San Francisco, the case goes through the county court system. San Francisco is both a city and a county, so there is only one court that handles all local divorce cases. The Records Department in Room 103 processes requests for divorce records. You can search for cases online through the county's case search portal. The system shows basic case information but does not let you download full documents due to California privacy rules for family law cases. To get certified copies of divorce decrees or other court filings, you need to contact the Records Department or visit the courthouse in person.

San Francisco County Superior Court

San Francisco is a combined city and county. The San Francisco County Superior Court handles all court matters in the city. For family law and divorce cases, the main courthouse is at 400 McAllister Street, San Francisco, CA 94102. The Records Department is in Room 103. Call 415-551-3802 for records assistance. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with a break from noon to 1:00 p.m. The court processes thousands of divorce cases each year from San Francisco residents.

San Francisco County has an online case search at webapps.sftc.org. You can search for cases by party name or case number. The search is free. The system shows basic case information including parties, case type, and filing dates. However, California Rules of Court 2.503 restrict remote access to family law documents. You can see that a divorce case exists but cannot download the decree or other filings online. For copies of actual documents, you must contact the Records Department or visit the courthouse.

The court charges $0.50 per page for copies. Off-site retrieval costs an additional $6.00 if the file is in storage. Processing time varies. Requests for less than five pages may be done the same day. Requests for six or more pages take 12 to 15 court days. Off-site files take 15 business days to retrieve. A certified copy of a divorce decree costs $15 for the certification plus copy fees. Payments can be made by cash, check, or money order at the courthouse.

Filing for Divorce in San Francisco

To file for divorce in San Francisco, you must meet California's residency requirements. California Family Code Section 2320 requires you to live in California for six months and in San Francisco County for three months before filing. Once you meet residency, you can file at the courthouse at 400 McAllister Street. The filing fee is $435 to $450. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for a waiver using form FW-001.

California uses the same divorce forms statewide. Form FL-100 is the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. Form FL-110 is the Summons. After filing, you serve these on your spouse. Your spouse has 30 days to file a Response using form FL-120. If your marriage is short, you have no children, limited assets, and both spouses agree, you might qualify for summary dissolution using form FL-700.

All divorces require 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 even if you agree on how to divide everything. The court uses this information to approve settlements or make decisions about property and support.

California law has a six-month waiting period. Your 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 uncontested cases with full agreement must wait six months. Most divorces take longer due to paperwork, negotiations, or court scheduling. When all requirements are met and the six months pass, the court issues a final judgment that dissolves the marriage.

Obtaining Divorce Records

To get a copy of a San Francisco divorce decree, visit the courthouse at 400 McAllister Street. Go to the Records Department in Room 103. 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 small requests under five pages, you may get copies the same day. Larger requests take 12 to 15 court days. Files in off-site storage take 15 business days.

You can also request records by mail. Write to San Francisco Superior Court, Records Department, 400 McAllister Street, Room 103, San Francisco, CA 94102. You can also email CCCRecordsDepartment@sftc.org with your request. Include the case number or the names of both parties and the year the divorce was filed. Send a check or money order payable to Superior Court of California for $15 plus copy fees. Provide your return address and phone number. Processing time varies based on the size of the request and file location.

Only certain people can get divorce records. The two parties in the case can always obtain their own records. Attorneys representing either side 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 access to court records.

Legal Assistance and Resources

San Francisco Superior Court has self-help services for people representing themselves in family law cases. The court offers information about forms and procedures. Call 415-551-3802 and ask about self-help for family law. Staff can answer questions about the process and direct you to the right forms. They cannot give legal advice but can help you understand what the court needs.

Legal Assistance to the Elderly provides free legal help to San Francisco residents age 60 and older. They handle family law matters including late-life divorce. Visit lae-ca.org or call their office. Bay Area Legal Aid also serves low-income residents in San Francisco. Visit baylegal.org to see if you qualify for free legal help with divorce, custody, or support cases.

The San Francisco County Bar Association has a lawyer referral service. They can connect you with local attorneys who practice family law. Many lawyers offer reduced-fee initial consultations. You can hire a lawyer for your entire 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, and going to court. All divorce forms are available for free 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 happened. 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 when needed.

San Francisco County keeps divorce records permanently. Even very old cases remain on file, though they may be in off-site storage. If you need a divorce record from many years ago, contact the Records Department and provide as much information as you can. The clerk can search historical records, but files from decades past may take extra time to locate and retrieve.