Contra Costa Divorce Records
Contra Costa County keeps divorce records at the Superior Court in Martinez. All family law cases in the county go through this court system. Residents from Richmond, Concord, Antioch, and every other city in Contra Costa County file their divorce cases here. The clerk office stores complete files for each case including petitions, responses, financial forms, settlement agreements, and final judgments. You can search for cases online through the county case portal. This portal shows basic case information and lets you confirm a case exists before you request copies. For certified copies or full documents, contact the clerk in person or by mail. The court is open weekdays from 8 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon.
Court Location and Contact
The main courthouse is at 725 Court Street, Room 103, Martinez, CA 94553. Call (925) 608-1000 for general info. Hours are 8 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon Monday through Friday. The clerk office handles all record requests. You can visit in person, call with questions, or send requests by mail.
Contra Costa County has an online case portal at odyportal.cc-courts.org. Use this site to search for divorce cases. Type in a party name or case number. The system shows matching results with case numbers, parties, filing dates, and status. Click on a case to view more details including a docket of filings. Some cases show document links but most family law papers are not available for online viewing due to privacy rules under California Court Rule 2.503.
Searching is free. You do not pay to look up cases online. Write down the case number when you find your case. Use that number when you request copies from the clerk. It speeds up the process and helps you avoid search fees.
Using the Online Portal
Go to odyportal.cc-courts.org and click on case search. Enter the name of one party. You can search by last name, first name, or both. Add filters like case type or year to narrow results. Common names return many cases so filters help. The system searches and shows a list of matching cases.
Each result shows the case number, parties, filing date, and case type. Look for dissolution or family law cases. Click on a case number to see full details. The case view shows the judge, status, and next hearing date if any. The docket tab lists all filings in order. You can see when papers were filed and what type they are. Some filings have a view link but most do not due to privacy rules. The docket gives you a timeline of the case even if you cannot view all documents online.
The portal is a great way to confirm a case exists before you order copies. It also helps you find the exact case number which you need when requesting records from the clerk. Searching is free and you can use it as many times as you want.
Requesting Certified Copies
Visit the courthouse at 725 Court Street in Martinez. Go to Room 103 where the clerk office is. Tell them you need a divorce record. Give them the case number or both party names and the year. The clerk will pull the file. If the file is on-site, they can make copies while you wait. You pay the fees and get your copies the same day. This is the fastest way to get records.
Mail requests work too. Write a letter with your request. Include the case number or both names and the approximate year. Say if you want plain copies or certified copies. List which documents you need. Send a check or money order made out to Contra Costa Superior Court. Mail it to Contra Costa Superior Court, 725 Court St, Room 103, Martinez, CA 94553. Include your return address and phone number. Processing time usually takes one to three weeks for mail orders.
Call first at (925) 608-1000 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 before you send money or make a trip to Martinez. Have the case number or party names ready when you call.
Costs and Fees
A certified divorce judgment costs $15 in Contra Costa County. This fee is set by state law under California Government Code Section 70674. The fee includes the certification and copies of the judgment. Plain copies without certification 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 portal before you request copies. That saves you time and money.
Payment by check or money order works best for mail requests. If you visit in person, ask what forms of payment they accept. Most offices take cash and checks. Call ahead to confirm if you want to use a different payment method.
Documents in a Divorce File
A divorce file holds all papers from the case. The petition starts it. That paper says what the filing party wants. The other spouse files a response. Both sides must file financial disclosure forms. These list income, property, and debts. If they settle, they file a marital settlement agreement. If they go to trial, the file has motions, declarations, and orders from the judge. 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 a certified copy of the final judgment. That is the paper that proves the divorce is done. Banks, employers, and government agencies ask for it. You can request just the judgment or you can order the whole file if you need all the documents. Tell the clerk exactly what you want so they know what to copy.
Some documents may be sealed or confidential. Information about minor children is protected. Financial account numbers and Social Security numbers get redacted from public copies. If the court sealed part of the case for safety or privacy reasons, you cannot get those papers without a special court order. The clerk will tell you if any documents are restricted.
Note: Contra Costa County provides both the divorce judgment certification for $15 and the option to certify other documents for $40 plus copy fees.
State Divorce Laws
California is a no-fault state. You do not have to prove your spouse did something wrong. 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 saved. The court grants the divorce without asking for details about what went wrong.
Residency rules apply before you can file. One spouse must live in California for six months. That person must also live in Contra Costa County for three months. Family Code Section 2320 sets these requirements. Your petition must state that you meet the time limits. The court can ask for proof like a lease or utility bills showing a Contra Costa County address.
A mandatory six-month waiting period applies after the petition is served. The divorce cannot be final until at least six months pass. Family Code Section 2339 creates this rule. Even if both parties agree on all terms, the judge must wait six months to sign the final judgment. The court can issue temporary orders during the wait for custody, support, and use of the home.
California divides property 50-50. All assets and debts from the marriage are community property. Each spouse gets half unless they agree to a different split. Separate property belongs to the person who owned it before marriage or got it as a gift or inheritance. The court must classify everything as community or separate before dividing it. Contra Costa County follows the same community property rules as the rest of California.
Getting Legal Help
Contra Costa County Superior Court has a self-help center. Staff can provide forms and explain how to fill them out. They cannot give legal advice. They cannot tell you what to do in your case. But they can help you understand the process and what forms you need. Visit the court or check their website for self-help center hours and contact info.
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 Contra Costa County and all other California counties. Every court uses 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 Contra Costa County. Legal aid groups help people with low income. Contact Bay Area Legal Aid or another local legal aid office to see if you qualify for free help with your divorce.
Major Cities in Contra Costa County
Residents of cities in Contra Costa County file divorce cases at the Superior Court in Martinez. The court serves all cities in the county.
Nearby Counties
If your divorce was filed in a different county, contact that county Superior Court.