Search Kings County Divorce Records

Divorce records in Kings County are kept by the Superior Court clerk office in Hanford. The courthouse is at 1640 Kings County Drive. All divorce cases filed in Kings County get stored in the court record system. You can ask for copies of divorce decrees, final judgments, and case documents. The clerk office helps people who come in person or send requests by mail. They also have an online portal where you can search for case information. A certified divorce decree costs $15 for most people or $10 if you are a public agency. Other documents with certification cost $40. Copying fees are $0.50 per page. The office handles divorce records going back many years and can retrieve older files from storage if needed.

Kings County Superior Court

The Superior Court of Kings County handles all divorce cases for the county. The main courthouse is located at 1640 Kings County Drive in Hanford. This is where you file for divorce and where all the case records are kept. The clerk office maintains files for every divorce case. Some older files are stored off-site but the clerk can retrieve them if you need copies.

When you want a divorce record, you should contact the clerk office. You can call them at (559) 582-1010 during business hours. They can tell you how to request documents and what fees apply. If you know your case number, have it ready when you call. If you do not have the case number, you will need to give the full names of both parties and an approximate date when the divorce was filed. The clerk can search for the case using this information.

You can visit the courthouse in person to request records. Bring ID and be ready to pay fees. The clerk can help you fill out a request form and tell you when your documents will be ready. Some requests can be filled the same day if the file is on-site. Others may take a few days if the file needs to be retrieved from storage. You can also mail your request. Send a letter with the case number or party names, a description of what documents you need, and a check for the fees. Mail your request to Kings County Superior Court, 1640 Kings County Dr., Hanford, CA 93230.

The court records page on the Kings County Superior Court website has information about how to request documents. The website is at kings.courts.ca.gov. You can find forms, fee schedules, and contact information for the clerk office. The website also has a link to the online case portal where you can search for divorce cases by name or case number.

Online Case Search

Kings County has a public case portal where you can look up divorce records online. The portal is at portal.kings.courts.ca.gov. You can search by party name or by case number. The system will show you basic information about the case such as the filing date, case type, and parties involved. You can see a list of documents filed in the case and a summary of court events.

The online portal does not charge you to search or view case information. It is free to use. However, you cannot download or print full documents from the portal. If you need copies of actual divorce decrees or other case papers, you must request them from the clerk office and pay the copy fees. The portal is useful for finding the case number and confirming that a divorce case exists before you pay for copies.

To use the portal, go to the website and enter the search terms. You can search by last name and first name of one of the parties. The system will return a list of cases that match. Click on a case to see more details. The case summary shows when the case was filed, what hearings have been held, and what the current status is. Write down the case number so you can use it when you request documents from the clerk.

Not all documents are available online. Some records may be confidential or sealed. The portal shows you what is public but it does not give access to sealed files. If a document is marked as confidential, you will not be able to see it through the online system. Contact the clerk if you have questions about what is available in a particular case.

Costs and Fees

Kings County charges $15 for a certified copy of a divorce decree. This is the standard fee set by state law under Government Code 70674. If you are a public agency, the fee is $10. For other types of certified documents, the fee is $40 plus the cost of copies. Copy fees are $0.50 per page.

If you need the clerk to do a search for your case and it takes more than ten minutes, there may be a search fee. The clerk can tell you if a search fee applies to your request. Most searches are quick if you provide good information like the case number or the exact names and year.

You can pay by cash, check, or money order. Make checks payable to Kings Superior Court. Do not mail cash. If you mail a request, include a check with your letter. The clerk will process your request and mail the documents back to you. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want to make sure your documents get back to you safely.

Divorce Requirements in California

California uses a no-fault divorce system. You can file for divorce based on irreconcilable differences. This is covered in Family Code Section 2310. You do not need to prove that your spouse did something wrong. You just need to say that you cannot get along and the marriage should end.

To file in Kings County, you must meet the residency requirement in Family Code Section 2320. One spouse must have lived in California for six months and in Kings County for three months before filing. If you do not meet this requirement, you cannot file in Kings County. You would have to file in the county where you do meet the time limits.

There is a six-month waiting period after you file for divorce. The judgment cannot become final until six months have passed from the date the other spouse was served or filed a response. This rule is in Family Code Section 2339. Once the six months are up and the judge signs the judgment, both people are legally divorced. The court will issue a final decree at that time.

How Long Records Are Kept

Divorce records are permanent in California. The court must keep them forever under Government Code Section 68152. This means you can always get a copy of your divorce decree no matter how old it is. The Kings County Superior Court has records going back many decades. Older records may be stored off-site or on microfilm but they are still available.

If you need a divorce decree from a case that was filed a long time ago, contact the clerk office. Tell them the approximate year and the names of the parties. The clerk can search the archives and locate the file. It may take extra time to retrieve old files from storage but the clerk will find them for you. There may be an additional retrieval fee for files that are stored off-site.

Public Access to Records

Divorce records are public. Anyone can request a copy. You do not need to be a party to the case. The clerk will provide copies to anyone who pays the fee. This applies to most divorce records. Some documents may be sealed by the court if they involve sensitive issues like child abuse or domestic violence. Sealed records are not available to the public.

If you are requesting your own divorce record, you can get it at any time. If you are requesting someone else's divorce record, you can also get it as long as it is not sealed. The clerk does not ask why you need the record. You just need to pay the fee and provide enough information to locate the case. Bring ID if you visit in person, though it may not be required for all requests.

Getting Help with Divorce

Kings County Superior Court offers self-help services for people who are handling their own divorce. The court website has forms and instructions. You can also visit the self-help center at the courthouse to get assistance with filling out forms. The staff can answer questions about procedures but they cannot give legal advice.

If you need a lawyer, you can contact the State Bar of California lawyer referral service at 1-866-442-2529. Legal aid may be available for people with low income. Contact your local legal aid office to see if you qualify for free legal help. The California Courts website at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov has all the standard divorce forms and instructions. These resources can help you understand the process and complete your case.

Cities in Kings County

The county seat of Kings County is Hanford. Other cities include Lemoore, Corcoran, and Avenal. All divorce cases for these cities are handled by the Kings County Superior Court in Hanford. There are no separate city courts for divorce. No matter where you live in Kings County, you file at the courthouse in Hanford at 1640 Kings County Drive.

Surrounding Counties

Kings County is bordered by several other counties. To the north is Fresno County. To the east is Tulare County. To the south is Kern County. To the west is Monterey County and San Luis Obispo County. If your divorce was filed in one of these counties, you need to contact that county's Superior Court to get records. Each county keeps its own records and has its own fees and procedures.