Lassen County Divorce Records

The Lassen County Superior Court in Susanville holds all divorce records for the county. The courthouse is at 2610 Riverside Drive. You can call the clerk office at (530) 251-8205 if you have questions about getting records. The court maintains case files going back many years and can provide certified copies of divorce decrees and other documents. Processing time for records requests is about 10 court days. Fees for a certified divorce decree start at $15 plus $0.50 per page for copies. The court has an online case portal where you can search for divorce cases filed since 1994. Older cases are available through the clerk office. You can request records in person, by mail, or by using the online search to find your case number first.

Getting Divorce Records

Lassen County Superior Court is the only place to get divorce records for cases filed in Lassen County. The courthouse is located at 2610 Riverside Drive in Susanville. The clerk office keeps all the case files. When someone files for divorce in Lassen County, the case goes into the court system and all the documents get stored by the clerk. You can request copies at any time.

To ask for a divorce record, you need to give the clerk some basic info. The case number is best if you have it. If not, you can give the full names of both parties and an approximate year when the divorce was filed. The clerk can search for the case using this information. There is no charge to search if the clerk finds the case quickly. If the search takes more than ten minutes, there may be a $15 search fee.

You can visit the courthouse in person. Bring ID and be ready to pay fees. The clerk can look up your case and tell you what documents are available. Some requests can be filled the same day. Others take about 10 court days to process. You can also mail your request to Lassen County Superior Court, 2610 Riverside Drive, Susanville, CA 96130. Include a letter with the case number or party names, a description of what you need, and a check for the fees.

The court website has information about requesting records. You can visit lassen.courts.ca.gov to read about the process and find contact information. The website also has a link to the online case portal where you can search for cases filed since 1994. Cases before 1994 are in the system but may require help from the clerk to locate.

Online Case Search

Lassen County has an online case portal at lassen.courts.ca.gov. You can search for divorce cases filed from 1994 to the present. The portal lets you search by party name or case number. The system shows basic case information like the filing date, case type, and parties involved. You can see a summary of filings and court events.

The online portal is free to use. There is no charge for searching or viewing case information. However, you cannot download full documents from the portal. If you need copies of the divorce decree or other papers, you must request them from the clerk and pay the copy fees. The portal helps you find the case number and confirm that the case exists before you pay for documents.

For cases filed before 1994, the online portal may not have complete information. You can still search but the results may be limited. The clerk office can help you find older cases if you cannot locate them through the online system. Call (530) 251-8205 and ask the clerk to search for you. Give them the names and any other details you have.

Costs for Copies

Lassen County charges $15 for a certified copy of a divorce decree. This is the standard fee set by California law under Government Code 70674. The fee covers the certification and the decree itself. If the decree has more than a few pages, you also pay $0.50 per page for the extra pages. Most divorce decrees are not very long so the total is often $15 or close to it.

Other documents that need certification cost $40 plus $0.50 per page for copies. This includes things like settlement agreements, custody orders, or property division orders that are separate from the final decree. If you want regular copies without certification, the cost is $0.50 per page. Search fees may apply if the clerk spends more than ten minutes looking for your case. The search fee is $15.

You can pay by check or money order. Make it payable to Lassen Superior Court. You can also pay with cash if you visit in person. Do not mail cash. If you send a request by mail, include a check so the clerk can process your order. The clerk will send your documents once your request is complete. Processing time is about 10 court days for most requests.

California Divorce Requirements

California uses a no-fault divorce system. You can file for divorce based on irreconcilable differences under Family Code Section 2310. You do not need to prove that anyone did anything wrong. You just need to state that the marriage is broken and cannot be fixed.

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

After you file, there is a six-month waiting period before the divorce can be final. This rule comes from Family Code Section 2339. The six months start from the date the other spouse was served or filed a response. Once the six months pass and all issues are resolved, the judge signs the final judgment. Both parties are then legally divorced.

Permanent Record Storage

Divorce records are kept forever in California. Government Code Section 68152 requires that divorce judgments be retained permanently. This means Lassen County Superior Court will always have your divorce decree on file. Older records may be stored in archives or on microfilm but they are still available.

If you need a divorce decree from a case filed many years ago, contact the clerk office. The clerk can search the archives and locate the file. It may take extra time to retrieve old files from storage. The clerk will tell you how long it will take and what the fees are. Even very old cases can be found if you have the right information.

Who Can Get Records

Divorce records are public in California. Anyone can request a copy of a divorce decree. You do not need to be a party to the case and you do not need to explain why you want the record. The clerk will provide copies to anyone who pays the fee. This is true for most divorce records.

Some documents may be sealed by the court. If a case involves sensitive issues like child abuse or domestic violence, the judge may seal certain records to protect privacy. Sealed records are not available to the public. If you request a sealed document, the clerk will tell you it cannot be released. Most basic divorce decrees are public and not sealed.

If you are a party to the divorce, you can get your own records at any time. If you are not a party, you can still get copies as long as the records are public. The clerk may ask for ID if you visit in person but this is not always required for public records requests. Bring ID just in case.

Help with Divorce Cases

Lassen 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 courthouse to get help with paperwork. The staff can answer questions about court procedures but they cannot give legal advice or tell you what to do in your case.

If you need a lawyer, you can contact the State Bar of California lawyer referral service at 1-866-442-2529. They can connect you with a family law attorney in Lassen County. 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 for filling them out.

Cities in Lassen County

Lassen County includes the city of Susanville, which is the county seat. Other communities include Westwood and Herlong. All divorce cases for Lassen County are filed at the Superior Court in Susanville. There are no separate city courts for divorce. No matter where you live in the county, you file and get records at the courthouse in Susanville at 2610 Riverside Drive.

Surrounding Counties

Lassen County borders several other counties. To the north is Modoc County. To the east is the state of Nevada. To the south are Plumas County and Sierra County. To the west is Shasta County and Tehama 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.

Make sure you know which county handled your divorce before you request records. If you are not sure, you can call the clerk offices in the counties where you or your spouse lived at the time. The clerk can search for the case and tell you if they have it on file.