Access Monterey County Divorce Records

Monterey County Superior Court keeps all divorce records for the county. The courthouse is at 1200 Aguajito Road in Monterey. You can call 831-775-5400 for general info. The court has an online case portal at portal.monterey.courts.ca.gov where you can search for cases by name or case number. For certified copies of divorce decrees, the standard fee is $15 plus 50 cents per page. If the clerk needs to search for a case without a case number and the search takes over 10 minutes, there may be a $15 search fee. Some files are stored off-site and take seven to ten working days to retrieve. Walk-in requests are usually faster if the file is on-site. Mail orders should allow two to three weeks for processing depending on workload and file location.

Getting Divorce Records in Monterey County

Visit the clerk's office at 1200 Aguajito Road in Monterey. 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. If the search takes over 10 minutes, that may add a $15 fee under Government Code Section 68152. Most searches are quick if you have a case number.

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 records with Social Security. 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 Monterey Superior Court.

Some files are stored off-site at a records facility. If your case is older and the file is not at the courthouse, the clerk will order it. This takes seven to ten working days. Ask the clerk when you can expect the file to be ready. They will contact you once it arrives. Walk-in requests for recent cases are usually handled the same day or within a few days if the file is on-site. Mail orders take longer due to processing time and mail delivery.

Using the Online Case Search

Monterey County has a public case portal at portal.monterey.courts.ca.gov. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney name. The system shows basic info like the case type, filing date, status, and parties. It 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. Results appear in a list. Click on a case to see more detail. You will see a docket, which is a list of all filings in that case. 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 that do not show up online.

If you cannot find a case in the online system, it may be too old or not yet entered into the database. Call the clerk at 831-775-5400 for help with older records. The staff can search paper indexes if needed. Some cases from before the 1990s may not be digitized. The clerk can tell you if a file exists and how to request it. Very old records may be archived at a separate location, which adds to the processing time.

Requesting Records by Mail

Send your written request to Monterey County Superior Court, 1200 Aguajito Road, Monterey, CA 93940. 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 50 cents 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.

Mail orders take two to three weeks on average. If the file is stored off-site, add another week or two for retrieval. 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. Monterey County has records going back many decades, but very old records may be harder to locate.

Filing for Divorce in Monterey County

To file a divorce in Monterey County, one spouse must have lived in California for at least six months and in Monterey 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 Monterey. 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 Monterey County clerk will accept these statewide forms. Some local rules may apply, so check with the court or visit their website at monterey.courts.ca.gov for details.

Self-Help and Legal Aid

Monterey County may have a self-help center for people representing themselves in family law cases. Contact the court to ask about available help. The clerk cannot give legal advice but can provide information on forms and procedures. 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.

If you need a lawyer but cannot afford one, look into legal aid. Organizations serving the Monterey area may offer free or low-cost help for people with low income. They can assist with divorce, custody, and support issues. Contact them to see if you qualify. You can also find a list of family law attorneys through the California State Bar at calbar.ca.gov. Many attorneys offer initial consultations at reduced rates. Ask about payment plans if cost is a concern.

Who Can Request 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.

Contact Monterey County Superior Court

The courthouse is at 1200 Aguajito Road, Monterey, CA 93940. Phone is 831-775-5400. Office hours are posted on the court website at monterey.courts.ca.gov. 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 court website has local forms, calendars, and contact info for different divisions. You can find information on filing fees, payment methods, and courthouse security 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. Monterey County borders San Benito County to the north, Fresno County to the east, and San Luis Obispo County to the south. To the west is the Pacific Ocean. Each California county maintains its own divorce records. Links to all California county courts can be found on the counties page.