Mono County Divorce Records Search

Mono County Superior Court handles all divorce records. The main courthouse is at 100 Thompson Way in Mammoth Lakes. You can reach the clerk by phone at 760-924-5444 or by email at searches@mono.courts.ca.gov. There is also a branch in Bridgeport at 760-932-5239. Office hours and walk-in availability vary by location, so call ahead. If you need a certified copy of a divorce decree, Mono County charges $15 plus $1 per page. This is slightly higher per-page than most California counties, which charge 50 cents per page. Other certified documents cost $25 plus $1 per page. Processing times range from one to four weeks depending on how old the case is. Recent cases are usually faster. Older files may be archived and take more time to retrieve. You can request records by mail or in person.

Getting Divorce Records from Mono County

Mono County has two courthouse locations. The main office for most family law cases is in Mammoth Lakes at 100 Thompson Way. The county seat is Bridgeport, which also has a courthouse. For divorce records, contact the clerk at searches@mono.courts.ca.gov or call 760-924-5444 for Mammoth Lakes or 760-932-5239 for Bridgeport. Tell them which case you need. Provide the case number if you have it. If not, give the full names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce.

Mono County has special fees for divorce records that differ from most California counties. A certified dissolution decree costs $15 plus $1 per page. Most counties charge 50 cents per page, but Mono charges double that. Other certified documents cost $25 plus $1 per page. This applies to orders, agreements, and other court filings. These fees are set by the court and apply to all requesters. Payment can be by check or money order made out to Mono Superior Court. Ask the clerk if they accept credit or debit cards at the counter.

Processing times depend on how old the case is. Recent cases from the last few years can usually be processed within one week. Cases from five to ten years ago may take two to three weeks. Very old cases may take up to four weeks if the file is in archives. The clerk will tell you an estimated time when you place your order. If you need records urgently, ask if expedited service is available. Some courts offer rush processing for an extra fee, but availability varies.

Requesting Records by Mail

Send your written request to Mono County Superior Court, 100 Thompson Way, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546. Include the case number or the full names of both parties. If you do not have the case number, provide as much detail as you can: the year of filing, any children's names if relevant, and any other identifying info. The more detail you give, the easier it is for the clerk to find the case.

Include payment with your request. For a certified divorce decree, the fee is $15 plus $1 per page. If you do not know how many pages the decree is, you can estimate. Most divorce judgments are two to five pages. The clerk will calculate the exact amount and refund any overpayment or contact you if more is needed. Send a check or money order. Do not send cash. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want the documents mailed back to you. Otherwise the clerk will hold them for pickup or notify you by phone or email.

Mail orders take one to four weeks depending on the age of the case and the current workload. If the file is stored off-site, it takes longer to retrieve. The clerk will let you know if there are delays. If the case cannot be found, the clerk will notify you and explain the next steps. You may need to provide more info or correct the spelling of a name. Mono County has records going back many decades, but very old records may be harder to locate.

Filing for Divorce in Mono County

To file a divorce in Mono County, one spouse must have lived in California for at least six months and in Mono County for at least three months before filing. This residency rule is in Family Code Section 2320. If you meet that requirement, you can file your petition at the courthouse in Mammoth Lakes or Bridgeport. 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 is a no-fault divorce state. The only grounds for divorce are irreconcilable differences or incurable insanity under Family Code Section 2310. Most people 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.

Divorce Forms and Self-Help

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 Mono County clerk will accept these statewide forms. Some local rules may apply, so check with the court or visit their website at mono.courts.ca.gov for details.

The California courts self-help site at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov has step-by-step guides and videos. The site explains how to fill out forms, serve papers, and prepare for hearings. This is useful if you are representing yourself without a lawyer. Mono County may have a self-help center or family law facilitator. Contact the clerk to ask about available help. The clerk cannot give legal advice but can provide information on forms and procedures.

If you need a lawyer, the California State Bar at calbar.ca.gov has a lawyer referral service. Many attorneys offer initial consultations at reduced rates. Ask about payment plans if cost is a concern. Legal aid organizations may offer free or low-cost help if you have low income. Check with groups that serve rural Eastern California to see if you qualify.

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.

Mono County Court Contact Details

The main courthouse is at 100 Thompson Way, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546. Phone is 760-924-5444. Email for record searches is searches@mono.courts.ca.gov. The Bridgeport courthouse is also available at 760-932-5239. Office hours vary by location. Call ahead to confirm hours and whether walk-in service is available. Parking is available near both courthouses. 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 Mono County Superior Court website is at mono.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. Check the website for court holidays and closures before planning a visit.

Nearby County Courts

If your divorce was filed in a neighboring county, contact that county's court. Mono County borders Inyo County to the south, Tuolumne County to the west, and Madera County to the southwest. 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.