Modoc Divorce Records

Modoc County Superior Court maintains all divorce records for the county. The court is at 205 South East Street in Alturas. You can reach the clerk by phone at 530-233-6516 or by email at Clerk@modoc.courts.ca.gov. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If you need a certified copy of a divorce decree, the fee is $15 plus 50 cents per page for extra pages. The court has a public case portal where you can search for cases by name or case number. This portal shows basic case info like the parties, filing date, and case status. To get copies of actual documents, you need to contact the clerk's office. Walk-in requests are usually handled quickly if the file is on-site. Mail orders may take one to two weeks depending on the workload. Modoc is a small county, so processing times are often shorter than in larger counties.

How to Get Divorce Records

Visit the clerk's office at 205 South East Street in Alturas. The staff can help you request copies or view files. Bring the case number if you have it. If not, give them the full names of both parties and an approximate year. The clerk will search the index. Most searches are quick because Modoc is a small county with fewer cases. If the file is stored off-site or in archives, it may take extra time to retrieve.

A certified divorce decree costs $15 under Government Code Section 70674. This includes the first page. Extra pages cost 50 cents each. A certified copy has the court seal and clerk's signature. You need this for legal purposes like remarriage or updating Social Security records. If you just need a plain copy for personal use, you can get non-certified copies at 50 cents per page. Pay by cash, check, or money order at the counter. Make checks out to Modoc Superior Court.

For mail requests, send a written request with the case number or party names, your contact info, and payment. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want records mailed back. Do not send cash through the mail. The mailing address is Modoc County Superior Court, 205 South East Street, Alturas, CA 96101. Processing times for mail orders are usually one to two weeks. The clerk will contact you if there are any issues or if the file cannot be found.

Using the Online Case Portal

Modoc County has a public case search portal. The site was previously at portal.modoc.courts.ca.gov, but online access may vary. Check with the clerk if the portal is down or if you have trouble finding a case. When the portal is working, you can search by party name or case number. Results show basic info like the case type, filing date, and status. The portal does not display scanned documents. To get actual copies of filings, you must request them from the clerk.

The portal is free to use. No account or payment is needed for basic searches. If you find your case, you will see a docket with a list of all filings. Each entry has a date, document type, and filing party. Some entries may be marked as confidential or sealed if the law restricts access. Family law cases often have sealed financial documents or custody reports. The clerk can explain what is available and what is not.

If you cannot find a case online, call the clerk at 530-233-6516. The staff can search the index manually if needed. Older cases may not be in the online system. The clerk can tell you if a file exists and how to request it. Very old records may be in paper form only. The clerk can retrieve those files and make copies for you. Modoc County has records going back many decades. The retention period for divorce judgments is permanent under Government Code Section 68152.

Filing for Divorce in Modoc County

To file a divorce in Modoc County, one spouse must have lived in California for at least six months and in Modoc County for at least three months. This residency rule is in Family Code Section 2320. If you meet that requirement, you can file your petition at the courthouse in Alturas. The filing fee is about $435 to $450 depending on legislative updates. If you cannot afford to pay, you can apply for a fee waiver using form FW-001.

California does not require fault for divorce. The only grounds are irreconcilable differences or incurable insanity, as stated in Family Code Section 2310. Most divorces cite irreconcilable differences. Once you file and serve the petition, there is a mandatory six-month waiting period before the court can finalize the divorce. This waiting period is required by Family Code Section 2339. Even if both parties agree on all terms, the court cannot enter a final judgment until six months from the date of service. This gives time to settle property, support, and custody issues.

All California counties use the same basic divorce forms. You can download them from the Judicial Council website at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/divorce-forms. The main forms are FL-100 (Petition), FL-110 (Summons), FL-120 (Response), and FL-180 (Judgment). If you and your spouse agree on everything, you can file a joint petition using form FL-700. The Modoc County clerk will accept these statewide forms. Some local rules may apply, so check with the court or visit their website at modoc.courts.ca.gov for details.

Who Can Access Divorce Records

Divorce judgments are public records in California. Anyone can request a copy from the court. You do not need to be a party to the case or show a reason. But some documents in the divorce file may be sealed or confidential by law. Financial disclosures, child custody evaluations, and certain settlement agreements are often restricted. The clerk cannot release sealed documents without a court order.

If you are a party to the case, you have full access to your own file. If you are not a party, you can get the final judgment and most filings, but not sealed records. If you need a sealed document for a legal matter, you must file a motion in court asking the judge to unseal it. The judge will decide if there is good cause. Talk to a lawyer if you need help with that process. The court must protect children's privacy and follow California family law confidentiality rules.

Self-Help and Legal Aid

Modoc County may have self-help resources for people representing themselves in family law cases. Contact the clerk at Clerk@modoc.courts.ca.gov to ask about available help. The clerk cannot give legal advice but can provide information on forms and procedures. For free legal help, look into legal aid organizations that serve rural Northern California. Some groups offer phone or video consultations if in-person help is not available in your area.

The California Judicial Council self-help website at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov has guides, videos, and all the statewide forms you need for divorce. The site is designed for people without lawyers. It explains each step of the process and how to fill out forms correctly. You can download forms for free and file them at the Modoc County courthouse. If you need to talk to a lawyer, the California State Bar at calbar.ca.gov has a lawyer referral service. Many attorneys offer initial consultations at reduced rates.

Contact Modoc County Superior Court

The courthouse is at 205 South East Street, Alturas, CA 96101. Phone is 530-233-6516. Email is Clerk@modoc.courts.ca.gov. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Parking is available near the courthouse. Bring ID if you plan to view records or pick up copies. The clerk can answer questions about fees, processing times, and how to request records by mail. They cannot give legal advice about your case. For legal help, contact a family law attorney.

The Modoc County Superior Court website is at modoc.courts.ca.gov. The site has local forms, court calendars, and contact info for different divisions. You can find information on filing fees, payment methods, and courthouse rules. If you are planning to visit, check the website first to make sure the office is open. Court holidays and closures are listed there. You can also find links to online resources for divorce forms and legal information.

Nearby County Courts

If your divorce was filed in a neighboring county, contact that county's court. Modoc County borders Siskiyou County to the west, Shasta County to the southwest, and Lassen County to the south. To the east is Nevada. Each California county maintains its own divorce records. Links to all California county courts can be found on the counties page.