Madera County Divorce Records

Divorce records for Madera County are held by the Superior Court clerk office. You can contact the court at (559) 416-5599 to ask about getting copies of divorce decrees and other case documents. The court maintains files for all divorce cases filed in Madera County. You can request records in person, by mail, or by searching the online case portal first to find your case number. The court charges a search fee of $5.00 per name if you need the clerk to look up a case. Processing time for search requests is about five business days. Once the clerk locates your case, you can order certified copies of the divorce decree or other documents. Standard fees apply for copies and certification.

How to Request Divorce Records

Madera County Superior Court is the place to get divorce records for any case filed in the county. The courthouse maintains all the case files. When you need a copy of a divorce decree or other court document, you contact the clerk office. You can call (559) 416-5599 during business hours to ask about your case and how to get copies.

If you know your case number, the process is quick. You can call or visit the courthouse and give the clerk the case number. The clerk can tell you what documents are in the file and how to get copies. If you do not have the case number, you can request a search. The search fee is $5.00 per name. The clerk will search the court records for cases matching the name you provide. Processing time for searches is about five business days. Once the clerk finds your case, you can order the documents you need.

You can visit the courthouse in person to request records. Bring ID and be ready to pay fees. The clerk can help you find your case and provide copies. Some requests can be filled the same day if the file is on-site and the clerk is not too busy. Other requests may take a few days. You can also send a written request by mail. Include the case number or the full names of both parties, a description of what documents you need, and a check for the fees. Mail your request to Madera County Superior Court and include return postage.

Madera County has an online case portal where you can search for divorce cases. The portal is at madera-prod-portal.ecourt.com. You can search by party name or case number. The system shows basic case information and a list of filings. The online portal is free to use for searches. You cannot download full documents through the portal but you can view case summaries and get the case number. Use the case number when you request copies from the clerk.

Online Case Search

The Madera County online case portal lets you look up divorce cases without visiting the courthouse. The portal is free to search. You can enter a party name or case number and the system will show matching cases. The case summary includes the filing date, case type, parties involved, and a list of documents filed in the case. You can see when hearings were held and what the current status of the case is.

The portal does not let you download or print full documents. If you need copies of the actual divorce decree or other papers, you must request them from the clerk office and pay the copy fees. The portal is useful for confirming that a case exists and for getting the case number before you pay for documents. Write down the case number from the online search and use it when you contact the clerk.

To use the portal, go to the website and click on the search option. Enter the last name and first name of one of the parties. You can also enter a case number if you have it. The system will return a list of cases that match your search. Click on a case to see more details. The case detail page shows all the public information about the case including filings, court dates, and case status.

Fees for Records

Madera County charges the standard California fees for most divorce records. A certified copy of a divorce decree costs $15 under Government Code 70674. This fee includes the certification and copies of the decree. If the decree has many pages, there may be additional copy fees at $0.50 per page. Most divorce decrees are short so the total cost is often $15 or close to it.

Other documents that need certification cost $40 plus $0.50 per page for copies. This applies to things like settlement agreements, custody orders, or property division documents that are separate from the final decree. Regular copies without certification cost $0.50 per page. If you need the clerk to search for your case by name, the search fee is $5.00. This is lower than the standard $15 search fee used in many other counties. Processing time for searches is about five business days.

You can pay by check, money order, or cash if you visit in person. Make checks payable to Madera Superior Court. Do not mail cash. If you mail a request, include a check for the estimated fees. The clerk will process your request and send the documents back to you. If the actual fees are different from what you paid, the clerk will contact you.

California Divorce Law

California is a no-fault divorce state. You can file for divorce based on irreconcilable differences under Family Code Section 2310. You do not need to prove that your spouse did anything wrong. You just state that the marriage cannot be saved and should end.

To file in Madera County, you must meet the residency requirement in Family Code Section 2320. One spouse must have lived in California for six months and in Madera County for three months before filing. If you do not meet this requirement, you cannot file in Madera County yet. 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 becomes final. This rule is in Family Code Section 2339. The six months start from the date the other spouse was served or filed a response. Once six months pass and all issues are resolved, the judge signs the final judgment. Both parties are then legally divorced.

How Long Records Are Kept

Divorce records in California are permanent. Government Code Section 68152 requires that divorce judgments be kept forever. Madera County Superior Court maintains all divorce records no matter how old they are. Older files may be stored in archives 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 fees apply. Even very old cases can be found if you have the right information like the party names and approximate year.

Who Can Get Copies

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. You do not need to give a reason for wanting 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 court order. 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 and judgments 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.

Self-Help Resources

Madera 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 Madera 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.

Cities in Madera County

Madera County includes the city of Madera, which is the county seat. Other cities include Chowchilla and Oakhurst. All divorce cases for these cities are handled by the Madera County Superior Court. There are no separate city courts for divorce. No matter where you live in the county, you file and get records through the county court system.

Surrounding Counties

Madera County borders several other counties. To the north is Merced County. To the east is Mono County and Mariposa County. To the south is Fresno County. To the west is Merced County and Fresno County. If your divorce was filed in one of these neighboring counties, you need to contact that county's Superior Court to get records. Each county maintains its own records and has its own fees and procedures.

Make sure you know which county handled your divorce before you request records. The residency rules determine where a case can be filed. If you are not sure which county has your case, you can call the clerk offices in the counties where you or your spouse lived and ask them to search.