Colusa County Divorce Records
Colusa County stores all divorce records at the Superior Court in the city of Colusa. Every family law case filed in this county goes through the same courthouse. The clerk office maintains complete files for each divorce case from the initial petition through the final judgment. Colusa County has an online case index where you can search for cases by name or number. This tool helps you find basic case information before you request copies. For certified copies or full documents, you need to contact the clerk directly. The court handles all divorce cases from across the county no matter what city or town you live in.
Contact Information
The Superior Court is at 532 Oak Street in Colusa, CA 95932. Call (530) 458-5149 to reach the clerk office. Staff can answer questions about cases, fees, and how to get records. Ask about business hours before you visit. The office is open weekdays but hours may vary.
Colusa County has an online case index at cms.colusa.courts.ca.gov. Use this site to search for divorce cases. Enter a party name or case number. The system shows matching results with basic case info. You can see the case number, parties, and filing date. This helps you confirm the court has the case before you request copies.
The online index is a search tool only. You cannot download documents or view full case files online. For actual copies of divorce papers, contact the clerk. They can provide copies in person or by mail. The index is free to search. You do not pay to look up cases.
How to Request Records
Visit the courthouse at 532 Oak Street in Colusa. Go to the clerk office. Tell them you need a divorce record. Give them the case number or both party names and the year. The clerk will search the files. If they find the case, they can make copies while you wait. You pay the fees and get your copies the same day. In-person requests are fast.
Mail requests work if you cannot visit. Write a letter asking for the records you need. Include the case number or both names and the approximate year. Say if you want plain copies or certified copies. Send a check or money order payable to Colusa County Superior Court. Mail it to Colusa County Superior Court, 532 Oak Street, Colusa, CA 95932. Include your return address and phone number so the clerk can contact you if they have questions. Processing time varies but most mail orders get handled within one to three weeks.
Call first to ask about fees and availability. The clerk can tell you if they have the case and what it will cost. That way you know before you send money or drive to Colusa. Have the case number or party names ready when you call.
Costs for Divorce Records
A certified divorce decree costs $15. This is the standard fee set by California Government Code Section 70674. The fee includes certification and the pages. Plain copies without a seal cost $0.50 per page. If you need other documents certified, the fee is $40 plus $0.50 per page under 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 per Government Code Section 70627. Bring the case number to avoid this fee. You can find the case number by searching the online index before you request copies. That saves time and money.
Payment by check or money order works best for mail requests. If you visit in person, ask what forms of payment the office accepts. Some take cash but not all. Call ahead to confirm.
What Is in a Divorce File
Every divorce case creates a file with many documents. The petition starts the case. It says 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 orders. The final judgment is the divorce decree. This court order ends the marriage and sets terms for custody, support, and property division.
Most people just need the final judgment. That 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 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 safety concerns, you cannot get those papers without a special court order. The clerk will tell you if any documents are not available to the public.
State Divorce Law
California is a no-fault state. You file based on irreconcilable differences or incurable insanity. California Family Code Section 2310 sets out these grounds. Almost everyone uses irreconcilable differences. That means the marriage cannot be fixed. You do not have to prove your spouse did something wrong. 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 Colusa 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 or utility bills showing a Colusa County address.
A mandatory six-month waiting period applies after you serve the petition. The divorce cannot be final until at least six months pass. Family Code Section 2339 creates this rule. Even if both parties agree on everything, the judge must wait six months to sign the final judgment. The court can issue temporary orders during the wait for custody, support, and who stays in the house.
California divides property equally. All assets and debts from the marriage are community property. Each spouse gets half unless they agree otherwise. Separate property belongs to 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. Colusa County follows the same community property rules as all other California counties.
Legal Help Resources
Colusa 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. Call or visit the court to ask for help with paperwork.
The California Courts website at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov has all the standard divorce forms. Download them for free. Instructions explain each form. These forms work in Colusa County and every other California county. All courts use the same basic forms.
If you need a lawyer, the State Bar of California offers a referral service at 1-866-442-2529. They connect you with a family law attorney in your area. Legal aid groups help people with low income. Contact a local legal aid office to see if you qualify for free help with your divorce.
Nearby Counties
If your divorce was filed in a different county, contact that county Superior Court.