Glenn County Divorce Records Search

Glenn County maintains divorce records from 1873 to the present at the Superior Court in Willows. The clerk office keeps all dissolution case files, court orders, and final judgments. You can search for basic case info online through the county case index. The system shows filing dates, party names, and case numbers for family law cases. To get certified copies of divorce decrees or full case documents, contact the clerk at 526 West Sycamore Street in Willows. The phone number is 530-934-6446. Glenn County is a small rural county in the northern Sacramento Valley. The court handles a modest number of divorce cases each year. Records are organized and accessible, though very old files may require extra time to locate. Processing times are usually quick for in-person requests. Mail orders take one to three weeks depending on the workload.

Glenn Superior Court

The Glenn County Superior Court is at 526 West Sycamore Street, Willows, CA 95988. The main phone number is 530-934-6446. The clerk staff handle all court records including family law cases. They can search for divorce cases, make copies, and certify documents. The office is open during regular business hours Monday through Friday. If you need help finding a case or have questions about getting records, call during business hours and speak to a clerk.

Glenn County has an online case index at glenn.courts.ca.gov/online-services/case-index. The index covers cases from recent decades. You can search by party name or case number. The system shows basic info like the filing date, case type, and names of parties. It does not show full document images. To get copies of documents, you must contact the clerk office. The online index is free to use and requires no login.

Older records from the 19th and early 20th century are stored in the courthouse. Glenn County has kept divorce records since 1873. If you need a very old file, the clerk may need extra time to locate it. Some old files are in storage boxes or on microfiche. The clerk will search for the file and let you know if it is available. Processing time for old records can take a few weeks. Most requests for modern cases are filled much faster.

Record Copy Fees

A certified divorce decree costs $15.00 in Glenn County. This is the standard California fee set by Government Code Section 70674. The fee covers the certified copy of the final judgment with the court seal. Extra pages beyond the first few cost $0.50 each. Most divorce judgments are two to four pages, so you pay around $15 to $17 total. The fee is the same whether you request in person or by mail.

Other certified documents cost $40.00 plus $0.50 per page. This applies to custody orders, restraining orders, and other court orders besides the divorce decree. If you just need uncertified copies for your own records, those cost $0.50 per page with no certification fee. Uncertified copies are fine for personal use. If you need to give the document to a government agency or another court, get a certified copy.

Search fees may apply if the clerk has to do a long search. If a search takes more than 10 minutes, the fee is $15.00 per name. Most searches are free because people provide a case number or clear details. If you ask the clerk to search for a common name across many years without specific dates, they may charge the search fee. Provide as much info as you can to avoid the fee. The case number is the best way to skip the search charge. The online case index is free for unlimited searches.

Requesting Divorce Decrees

Start by searching the online case index. Go to glenn.courts.ca.gov and look for the case search tool. Type in a party name or the case number if you have it. Write down the case number once you find your case. That number makes the rest of the process much easier. If you cannot find the case online because it is very old, call the clerk at 530-934-6446 and ask them to search.

To order a certified divorce decree by mail, write a letter to the court. Include the case number, the full names of both parties, and the approximate filing year if you know it. State that you want a certified copy of the final judgment of dissolution. Enclose a check or money order for $15.00 made payable to Glenn Superior Court. Add your mailing address and phone number so the clerk can contact you if there are questions. Mail your request to Glenn County Superior Court, 526 West Sycamore Street, Willows, CA 95988. The clerk will process your request and mail the decree back to you. Allow two to three weeks for mail orders.

In-person requests are faster. Visit the clerk counter at 526 West Sycamore Street during business hours. Bring the case number if you have it. Ask for a certified copy of the divorce decree. The clerk can often print and certify the decree while you wait if the file is readily available. Bring payment in the form of cash, check, or money order. Call ahead to confirm what payment methods they accept. Many people prefer in-person service because they get the document the same day.

Searching the Case Index

The Glenn County case index is a public search tool. Visit glenn.courts.ca.gov/online-services/case-index to access it. No account or login is needed. Type a last name into the search box and click search. The system shows all cases with that name. You can narrow results by adding a first name or filtering by case type. Select family law cases to see only divorce and custody cases.

Each search result shows the case number, filing date, case type, and party names. Click on a case to see more details. The detail page may show a list of documents filed in the case or just basic info. The system does not provide full document downloads. If you see a document you need, contact the clerk and request a copy. They can print it and mail it to you or have it ready for pickup.

The index updates regularly. New cases appear within a few days of filing. If you recently filed for divorce, check back in a week or two. The case has to be entered into the system first. Once it is in, you can track new filings and court dates online. This is a helpful way to stay informed without calling the clerk constantly.

California Divorce Law

California uses a no-fault divorce system. You do not need to prove your spouse did anything wrong. The legal basis for divorce is irreconcilable differences. This is stated in California Family Code Section 2310. You file a petition saying the marriage has broken down. The court does not ask why. This system reduces conflict and makes divorce simpler.

Residency requirements must be met before filing. One spouse must live in California for six months. That spouse must also live in Glenn County for three months. This rule is in Family Code Section 2320. If you moved to Glenn County recently, wait three months before filing. If you do not meet the residency rule, the court cannot hear your case. Both the state and county residency periods must be satisfied.

A six-month waiting period applies to every California divorce. After you serve the divorce papers on your spouse, you must wait six months before the court can finalize the divorce. This requirement is in Family Code Section 2339. The earliest the divorce can be final is six months and one day after service. Even if both parties agree on everything, the court will not sign the final judgment until this time has passed. There are no exceptions to the waiting period in California.

Divorce Forms and Fees

All California courts use the same divorce forms. The Judicial Council creates these forms and updates them each year. The main forms are FL-100 (Petition for Dissolution of Marriage), FL-110 (Summons), FL-120 (Response), and FL-180 (Judgment). You can download these forms free at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/divorce-forms. The website includes instructions that explain how to fill out each form. Read the instructions before you start.

The filing fee in Glenn County is around $435 to $450. This is the standard California fee set by state law. You pay this when you file your petition. If you cannot afford the fee, apply for a fee waiver using form FW-001. The court reviews your income and expenses. If you qualify, the court waives most or all of the fees. You still have to file the required forms. The waiver just means you do not pay the filing fee. Many people in California qualify for fee waivers. Do not skip filing because of cost. Ask for the waiver first.

After filing, you must serve the papers on your spouse. California requires personal service. Someone over 18 who is not you must hand the papers to your spouse. That person fills out a proof of service form. You file the proof with the court to show service happened. Once service is done, the six-month waiting period starts. Your spouse has 30 days to respond. If they do not respond, you can ask for a default judgment.

Historical Divorce Files

Glenn County divorce records date back to 1873. The court has kept files from all periods. Early records are handwritten on paper. Later records are typed. Modern records are digital. If you need an old record, contact the clerk and explain that the case is from many decades ago. They will search the old indexes and see if the file exists. Some very old files may be damaged or missing due to age, but the court has preserved most of its records.

The California Department of Public Health kept divorce certificates for cases from 1962 through June 1984. If your Glenn County divorce happened during those years, you can order a Certificate of Record from CDPH. This certificate shows the names, filing date, county, and case number. It is not the actual divorce decree. For the full decree, you still need to contact Glenn Superior Court. After June 1984, CDPH stopped tracking divorces. All records after that date are only available from the county court.

Nearby Counties

Glenn County borders several other counties. Tehama County is to the north. Butte County is to the east. Colusa County is to the south. Lake County is to the west. If you are not sure where your divorce was filed, check the neighboring counties. Each county has its own Superior Court. Divorce records are kept in the county where the case was filed. If you filed in Tehama or Butte County, contact those courts for records. The same applies to Colusa and Lake Counties.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find my case number? Use the online case index at glenn.courts.ca.gov. Search by party name to find the case number.

How much does a certified divorce decree cost? The fee is $15.00 plus $0.50 per page for extra pages. Most people pay around $15 to $17 total.

Can I get my divorce decree the same day? Yes, if you visit the clerk office in person and the file is available. The clerk can print and certify the decree while you wait. Mail orders take longer.

How far back do Glenn County records go? Divorce records date back to 1873. The clerk can search for very old files, though processing may take extra time.

Is the online case index free? Yes. You can search the index as many times as you want at no charge. No login is required.

Can anyone get a copy of my divorce decree? Yes. Divorce decrees are public records in California. Anyone can request a copy of the final judgment. Some parts of the case file may be confidential, but the decree itself is public.