Divorce Records in Butte County
Butte County stores divorce records at the Superior Court in Chico. All family law cases filed in the county go through this court whether you live in Chico, Oroville, Paradise, or any other city or town in Butte County. The court clerk keeps a complete file for each divorce case with all documents from the initial petition through the final decree. You can search for cases online through the county case portal. Cases from 1988 forward are available in the online system. Older cases exist but you may need to contact the clerk directly to get copies of those files. The online portal lets you find basic case info and see a docket of filings. For full documents and certified copies, you contact the clerk office.
Where to Find the Court
The courthouse is at 1775 Concord Avenue in Chico, CA 95928. The main phone number is (530) 532-7008. Call to ask about a case, request copies, or get info on fees. Staff can answer questions and help you figure out what you need. Hours vary by department so call ahead if you plan to visit.
Butte County has an online case portal at portal-cabutte.tylertech.cloud. This site lets you search for divorce cases by party name or case number. The system has records from 1988 onward. Type in a last name and first name. Pick the case type as family law. Hit search and you get a list of matching cases. Click on a case to see details.
The portal shows the case number, filing date, parties, and status. You can view a docket that lists all the filings in order. Some documents have links to view them. Others do not. If a document is not available online, you need to request it from the clerk. Searching the portal is free. You do not pay to look up cases or view basic info.
Using the Online System
The Butte County portal is easy to use. Go to portal-cabutte.tylertech.cloud. Click on case search. Enter the name of one party. You can search by first name, last name, or both. The more info you give, the better the results. If you know the year the case was filed, add that to narrow it down. Common names return many results so filters help.
Results show as a list. Each entry has the case number, parties, filing date, and case type. Look for dissolution or family law cases. Click on the case number to open the full case view. This shows more details like the judge assigned, case status, and upcoming hearings. The docket tab lists every filing. You can see when the petition was filed, when the response came in, and when the judgment was entered. Some filings have a document icon you can click to view the PDF. Most family law documents do not show online due to privacy rules but the docket gives you a good overview of the case.
If you find the case online, write down the case number. Use that number when you request copies from the clerk. It speeds up the process. The clerk does not have to search by name if you give them the exact case number. That can save you a search fee too.
Requesting Certified Copies
Visit the courthouse at 1775 Concord Avenue in Chico. Go to the clerk office. Tell them you need a divorce record. Give them the case number or the names of both parties and the year. The clerk will pull the file. They can make copies while you wait if the file is on-site. You pay the fees and get your copies the same day. This is the fastest way.
Mail requests work if you cannot visit in person. Write a letter with your request. Include the case number or both party names and the approximate year. Say if you want plain copies or certified copies. Explain which documents you need. Send a check or money order payable to Butte County Superior Court. Mail it to Butte County Superior Court, 1775 Concord Ave, Chico, CA 95928. Processing time for mail requests usually takes one to three weeks. Include your phone number and return address so they can contact you if needed.
You can call first at (530) 532-7008 to ask about fees and confirm the case exists. The clerk can tell you what it will cost and if the file is available. That way you know what to send before you mail your request.
Record Costs
A certified divorce decree costs $15 under California Government Code Section 70674. This fee includes the certification and the pages of the decree. Plain copies without a seal cost $0.50 per page. If you want other documents certified, the fee is $40 plus $0.50 per page for copies per Government Code Section 70626.
If the clerk has to search for your case by name and it takes more than 10 minutes, they can charge a $15 search fee. Government Code Section 70627 allows this fee. Bring the case number to avoid the search charge. You can find the case number by searching the online portal before you order copies.
Payment by check or money order is best for mail requests. If you visit in person, ask what forms of payment they accept. Some offices take cash but not all. Call ahead to confirm.
What Documents Are Available
A divorce file has many papers. The petition starts the case. It lists what the filing party wants. The other spouse files a response. Both sides must file financial disclosure forms showing income, property, and debts. If they settle, they file a marital settlement agreement. If they go to trial, the file includes motions, declarations, and hearing transcripts. The final judgment is the divorce decree. That is the court order ending the marriage and setting terms for custody, support, and property division.
Most people just need the final judgment. This is the certified copy that proves the divorce is done. Banks, employers, and agencies ask for it. You can request just the judgment or you can ask for the whole file if you need all the documents. Tell the clerk exactly what you want so they know what to copy.
Some records may be sealed or confidential. Information about children is protected. Financial account numbers and Social Security numbers get redacted from public copies. If the court sealed part of the case due to domestic violence or safety concerns, you cannot get those papers without a special court order. The clerk will tell you if any documents are restricted.
Note: California Court Rule 2.503 limits remote access to certain family law documents so not all divorce records can be viewed online even if the county has a portal.
State Divorce Rules
California law controls divorce in Butte County. The state is no-fault. You file based on irreconcilable differences or incurable insanity per California Family Code Section 2310. Most people use irreconcilable differences. That means the marriage cannot be fixed. You do not have to prove fault. The court grants the divorce without asking why it failed.
Residency rules apply. One spouse must live in California for six months before filing. That person must also live in Butte County for three months. Family Code Section 2320 sets these limits. Your petition must state that you meet the residency requirements. The court can ask for proof like a lease, utility bills, or a California driver license with a Butte County address.
A mandatory six-month waiting period applies. After the petition is served on the other spouse, at least six months must pass before the judge can sign the final judgment. Family Code Section 2339 creates this rule. Even if both parties agree on all terms, they must wait. The court can issue temporary orders during the waiting period for custody, support, and use of the home.
California divides property equally. All assets and debts from the marriage are community property. Each spouse gets half unless they agree otherwise. Separate property stays with the person who owned it before marriage or received it as a gift or inheritance. The court must classify everything as community or separate before dividing it. This rule applies in Butte County the same as everywhere else in California.
Getting Legal Help
Butte County Superior Court has staff who can help with forms and basic questions. They cannot give legal advice. They cannot tell you what to do in your case. But they can explain how to fill out forms and what procedures to follow. Visit or call the court to ask for help with paperwork.
The California Courts self-help website at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov has all the standard divorce forms. Download them for free. Instructions explain each form. These work in Butte County and every other California county. All counties use the same basic forms.
If you need a lawyer, the State Bar of California runs a referral service at 1-866-442-2529. They connect you with a family law attorney in Butte County or nearby. Legal aid groups help people with low income. Contact a local legal aid office to see if you qualify for free help.
Major Cities in Butte County
Residents of cities in Butte County all file divorce cases at the same Superior Court. The court in Chico handles cases from across the county.
- Chico
- Oroville
- Paradise
- Gridley
Nearby Counties
If your divorce was filed in a different county, contact that county Superior Court.