Napa County Divorce Records

Napa County Superior Court maintains all divorce records. The Family Law division is at 825 Brown Street, 1st Floor, in Napa. You can call 707-299-1140 for family law matters. The clerk's office can provide copies of divorce decrees and other court documents. For a certified copy of a divorce judgment, the fee is $15 plus 50 cents per page for extra pages. If the clerk needs to search for a case by name only and the search takes over 10 minutes, there may be a $15 search fee. Other certified documents cost $40 plus copy fees. The court does not currently have a fully public online portal for viewing scanned documents, so you need to request copies from the clerk in person or by mail. Walk-in hours and contact details are on the court website at napa.courts.ca.gov.

Getting Divorce Records from Napa County

The Family Law division at 825 Brown Street, 1st Floor, in Napa is where you get divorce records. Walk in during business hours to request copies or view files. Bring the case number if you have it. If not, give the clerk the full names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce. The clerk will search the case index. If the search takes over 10 minutes, that may add a $15 fee under state law. Most searches are quick if you have a case number.

A certified divorce decree costs $15 under Government Code Section 70674. The first page is included. Extra pages cost 50 cents each. A certified copy has the court seal and the clerk's signature. You need this for legal purposes like remarriage, name changes, or Social Security benefits. If you just need a plain copy for your own records, you can get non-certified copies at 50 cents per page. Those do not have the seal and cannot be used for official purposes.

Payment at the counter can be by cash, check, or money order. Make checks out to Napa Superior Court. Some credit or debit cards may be accepted. Call ahead to confirm payment methods. If you request records by mail, include a written request with the case number or party names, your contact info, and a check or money order for the fees. Do not send cash. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want the documents mailed back. Otherwise the clerk will notify you when they are ready for pickup.

How to Request Records by Mail

Send your written request to Napa County Superior Court, 825 Brown Street, 1st Floor, Napa, CA 94559. 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 you give, the faster the clerk can find the case.

Include payment for the fees. A certified divorce decree is $15 plus 50 cents per page for extra pages. If you want other documents from the file, list them in your request. The clerk will calculate the total cost and process your order. If the file is stored off-site, it may take extra time to retrieve. Processing times vary depending on workload and whether the file needs to be pulled from archives. Allow at least two to three weeks for mail orders. The clerk will contact you if there are any issues or if more payment is needed.

Napa County does not have a fully public online document viewing portal at this time. You cannot download divorce records from the internet. All document requests must go through the clerk's office. Some California counties have moved to online portals, but Napa still uses traditional methods. This may change in the future as the court adopts new technology. Check the court website at napa.courts.ca.gov for updates on online services.

Filing for Divorce in Napa County

To file a divorce in Napa County, one spouse must have lived in California for at least six months and in Napa 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 at 825 Brown Street. 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. You do not have to prove that your spouse did something wrong. 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. The earliest the court can enter a final judgment is six months from the date the other spouse was served with the petition. Even if you and your spouse agree on everything, you must wait the full six months.

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 Napa County clerk will accept these statewide forms. Some local rules may apply, so check with the court or visit their website for details.

Self-Help and Legal Aid

Napa County may have a self-help center for people representing themselves in family law cases. Contact the court at 707-299-1140 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. This service is free.

If you need a lawyer but cannot afford one, look into legal aid. Organizations serving the Napa 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 for a reduced fee or sometimes free. Ask about payment plans if cost is a concern.

Who Can Get Divorce Records

Divorce judgments are public records. Anyone can request a copy from the court. You do not have to be a party to the case or show a reason. This is part of California's public records policy. But some documents in a divorce file are confidential by law. Financial disclosure forms, child custody evaluations, and certain settlement agreements may be sealed by court order. The clerk cannot release sealed records without permission from a judge.

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 sealed documents are off-limits. If you think you need a sealed document for a legal purpose, 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 about how to do that. The court must protect children's privacy and follow California family law confidentiality rules.

Divorce Record Fees

Here are the main fees for Napa County divorce records:

• Certified divorce decree: $15
• Copies: $0.50 per page
• Certification of other documents: $40 plus copy fees
• Name search (over 10 minutes): $15 per name

If you are a public agency like another government office, the certified copy fee may be lower. Ask the clerk about agency rates. Fee waivers are available if you cannot afford to pay. You need to fill out a form and show proof of low income. The clerk can provide the fee waiver application form FW-001. If approved, you can get copies at no charge. This applies to parties in the case, not to third parties requesting records.

Napa County Court Contact Details

The Family Law division is at 825 Brown Street, 1st Floor, Napa, CA 94559. Phone is 707-299-1140. Office hours are posted on the court website at napa.courts.ca.gov. Parking is available near the courthouse. Bring ID if you plan to view records or pick up copies. The clerk can tell you 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 nearby county, you need to contact that county's court. Napa County is in the North Bay. Sonoma County to the west has its court in Santa Rosa. Solano County to the south has its court in Fairfield. Yolo County to the east has its court in Woodland. Lake County to the north has its court in Lakeport. Each county keeps its own records and sets its own fees. Links to all California county courts can be found on the counties page.