Find Alpine County Divorce Records
Alpine County keeps divorce records at the Superior Court in Markleeville. This is the smallest county in California by population so the court handles far fewer cases than big counties like Los Angeles or San Diego. Every divorce case in Alpine County goes through this one courthouse. The clerk office stores all the documents from each case including the petition, response, financial forms, and final decree. If you need a divorce record from Alpine County, you contact this court directly. They do not have an online portal like larger counties but you can call or visit in person to get copies of your records.
Contact the Court
The Superior Court sits at 14777 State Route 89 in Markleeville, CA 96120. The phone number is (530) 694-2113. Hours are 8 in the morning to noon, then 1 in the afternoon to 4:30 in the afternoon. The office closes for lunch. Plan your visit around these hours if you are going in person.
Alpine County does not have an online case portal. You cannot search for cases on the web. To find a divorce record, call the clerk or visit the courthouse. Give them the names of both parties and the year of the divorce if you know it. If you have the case number, that makes it faster. The clerk will search their files and tell you if they find the case.
Because Alpine is so small, the staff knows the files well. They can usually find your case quickly if you give them good info. Be ready to pay fees for copies. Bring cash or a check. The clerk can tell you the exact cost once they find your case.
Record Fees
Alpine County charges a $15 search fee per name. This fee applies when the clerk has to search for a case by name instead of case number. If you know the case number, you may avoid the search fee. Copies cost $0.50 per page. Certification of a document costs $40. That is the standard fee for certifying court documents in California under Government Code Section 70626.
A certified divorce decree costs $15 total under California Government Code Section 70674. That fee includes the certification and the pages. If you want other documents certified, you pay $40 plus $0.50 per page for copies. Ask the clerk what the total will be before they make the copies so you know what to expect.
How to Request Records
The best way is to visit the courthouse in Markleeville. Walk in during business hours. Tell the clerk what you need. They can search the files while you wait. If they find the case, they can make copies on the spot. You pay the fees and take the copies with you. This is the fastest method.
You can also call at (530) 694-2113. Explain what you need over the phone. The clerk can tell you if they have the case and what the fees will be. If you want to order by mail, send a written request with the case number or both party names and the year. Include a check or money order for the fees. Mail your request to Alpine County Superior Court, 14777 State Route 89, Markleeville, CA 96120. Processing time for mail requests depends on how busy the office is. Allow at least a week or two.
Note: Alpine County does not accept email requests for court records and does not have online payment options for record copies.
Documents in a Divorce Case
A divorce file contains all papers from the case. The petition is the first filing. It starts the case and says what the person filing wants. The other spouse files a response. Both sides must fill out financial disclosure forms. These list all income, property, and debts. If they settle, they file a marital settlement agreement. That agreement says how they will divide everything and handle custody if they have kids.
The final judgment is the divorce decree. This is the official court order that ends the marriage. It includes terms for child custody, child support, spousal support, and division of assets and debts. Most people need a certified copy of this judgment to prove their divorce is final. Banks, employers, and government offices ask for it.
You can request any document from the file. Tell the clerk which papers you want. If you just need the decree, say that. If you need the whole file, they can copy everything. Keep in mind you pay per page so a big file costs more. Some documents may be sealed or confidential. The clerk will tell you if any papers are not available to the public.
Divorce Laws That Apply
California is a no-fault state. You do not have to prove your spouse did something wrong. California Family Code Section 2310 lets you file based on irreconcilable differences. That means the marriage cannot be fixed. The court grants the divorce without asking why it failed. This law applies in Alpine County just like every other county in California.
Residency rules say one spouse must live in California for six months before filing. That person must also live in Alpine County for three months. Family Code Section 2320 sets these limits. Your petition must state that you meet the residency requirements. The court may ask you to prove it with a lease, bills, or a driver license showing your Alpine County address.
A six-month waiting period applies after the petition is served. The divorce cannot become final until at least six months pass. Family Code Section 2339 creates this waiting period. Even if both parties agree on all terms, the judge cannot sign the final judgment until the six months are up. The court can issue temporary orders during the wait for things like custody and support.
California divides property equally. All assets and debts from the marriage are community property. Each spouse gets half. Separate property stays with the person who owned it before the marriage or received it as a gift or inheritance. The court must decide what is community and what is separate before dividing anything. Alpine County follows the same community property rules as the rest of the state.
Getting Help
Alpine County Superior Court can provide forms and basic instructions for filing a divorce. The clerk cannot give legal advice. They cannot tell you what to do in your case. But they can help you with the paperwork and explain court procedures. Call or visit the court to ask for help with forms.
The California Courts website at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov has all the state divorce forms. You can download them for free. Instructions come with each form. These forms work in Alpine County and every other California county. Use the same forms no matter where you file.
If you need a lawyer, the State Bar of California offers a lawyer referral service. Call 1-866-442-2529 to get connected with a family law attorney. Legal aid groups help people with low income. Contact a local legal aid office to see if you qualify for free help. Because Alpine County is small and remote, you may need to work with an attorney in a nearby county like El Dorado or Mono.
About Alpine County Location
Alpine County is in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The county seat is Markleeville, a small town on State Route 89. The area is remote and rural. Winter weather can make travel difficult. Roads may close due to snow. Call ahead before you plan a trip to the courthouse in winter months. Summer is easier for travel but the court keeps the same hours year-round.
If you cannot get to Markleeville, consider a mail request. Send your request with payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The clerk will process it and mail the copies back to you. This works well if you live far away or cannot visit in person.
Nearby Counties
Alpine County borders several other counties. If your divorce was filed in one of these counties instead, contact that county court.