Search Nevada County Divorce Records

Nevada County Superior Court keeps all divorce records for the county. The court has two main locations: Nevada City and Truckee. Most family law cases are handled at the Nevada City courthouse. The court has an online case portal at nevada-portal.ecourt.com 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 for extra pages. The court also has an online records request form at nccourt.atlassian.net where you can submit a request for copies. Walk-in service is available during regular business hours. Mail orders typically take one to three weeks depending on the workload and whether the file is stored on-site or in archives.

Getting Divorce Records in Nevada County

Visit the clerk's office at the Nevada City courthouse. 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 if you have a case number. If the file is stored off-site or in archives, it may take extra time to retrieve. The clerk will tell you when the file will be ready.

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 Nevada Superior Court.

Nevada County has an online records request form that makes it easy to submit a request without visiting the courthouse. Go to nccourt.atlassian.net and fill out the form. Include the case number or party names, what documents you need, and your contact info. The clerk will review your request and contact you about payment and processing time. This is a good option if you live far from the courthouse or prefer to handle the request online.

Using the Online Case Portal

Nevada County has a public case portal at nevada-portal.ecourt.com. You can search by party name, case number, or date range. 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 using the online form or by visiting in person.

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. Contact the clerk 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.

Filing for Divorce in Nevada County

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

Self-Help and Legal Aid

Nevada 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 Nevada County 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 Nevada County Superior Court

The main courthouse is in Nevada City. Contact info and office hours are on the court website at nevada.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. 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. The online records request form at nccourt.atlassian.net is available 24/7 for submitting requests.

Nearby County Courts

If your divorce was filed in a neighboring county, contact that county's court. Nevada County borders Placer County to the south, Yuba County to the southwest, Sierra County to the north, and Plumas County to the northeast. Each California county maintains its own divorce records. Links to all California county courts can be found on the counties page.