Orange County Divorce Records

Orange County Superior Court maintains one of the largest family law systems in California. The main Family Law Division is at the Lamoreaux Justice Center, 341 The City Drive South, 7th Floor, in Orange. You can call 657-622-8457 for family law matters. The court also has the Central Justice Center at 700 Civic Center Drive West in Santa Ana, where Records Management handles cases from before 1968. For most modern divorce records, use the online family law portal at fampub.occourts.org to search for cases. Certified copies of divorce decrees cost $15. Other certified documents cost $40 plus 50 cents per page. Copy fees are 50 cents per page. If the clerk needs to search for a case without a case number, that may add a $15 fee. Mail orders take 30 to 45 days to process. Walk-in service is faster if the file is on-site.

Getting Divorce Records from Orange County

The Lamoreaux Justice Center at 341 The City Drive South in Orange is where most family law cases are handled. The Family Law Division is on the 7th Floor. Call 657-622-8457 for help. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The clerk 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.

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 the clerk's signature. You need this for legal purposes like remarriage, name changes, or updating Social Security records. Other certified documents like orders or agreements cost $40 plus 50 cents per page. If you just need non-certified copies for personal use, those cost 50 cents per page. Pay by cash, check, or money order at the counter. Make checks out to Orange Superior Court.

For very old cases from before 1968, contact Records Management at the Central Justice Center, 700 Civic Center Drive West, 1st Floor, in Santa Ana. Call 657-622-6878 for help with historical records. Orange County has divorce records dating back to 1889. Older files may take longer to retrieve if they are in archives. The clerk will give you an estimate of when the records will be ready. Processing time for mail orders is typically 30 to 45 days depending on the age of the case and current workload.

Using the Online Family Law Portal

Orange County has a dedicated family law portal at fampub.occourts.org. This portal is specifically for family law cases including divorce. You can search by party name or case number. The system shows dissolution cases from 1997 forward. For cases before 1997, you need to contact the clerk. Cases from 1990 onward are available on public terminals at the courthouse, but only cases from 1997 forward are viewable online from home.

The portal is free to search. No account or payment is needed for basic case lookups. Results show the case number, parties, filing date, and status. Click on a case to see the docket, which lists 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. Financial disclosures and custody reports are often sealed in family law cases. The clerk can explain what is available and what is restricted.

If you cannot find a case in the online portal, it may be too old or the name spelling may be different. Call 657-622-8457 for help. The staff can search the index manually if needed. For cases before 1990, the clerk may need to pull files from storage. Very old cases may be on microfilm or in paper archives. The clerk can tell you if a file exists and how to request it. Processing times vary depending on the age and location of the file.

Requesting Records by Mail

Send your written request to Orange County Superior Court, 341 The City Drive South, Orange, CA 92868. 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.

Orange County has specific forms for record requests. Use form L-0696 for copy requests or form L-0006 for record searches. You can find these forms on the court website at occourts.org. Include payment with your request. For a certified divorce decree, the fee is $15 plus 50 cents per page for extra pages. Other certified documents cost $40 plus copy fees. If you need the clerk to search for the case, that may add $15. Send a check or money order. Do not send cash. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want the documents mailed back.

Mail orders take 30 to 45 days to process. This is longer than most California counties because Orange County handles a high volume of requests. If the file is stored off-site, it takes even longer. The clerk will contact you if there are delays or if more payment is needed. 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.

Filing for Divorce in Orange County

To file a divorce in Orange County, one spouse must have lived in California for at least six months and in Orange 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 Lamoreaux Justice Center in Orange. 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 Orange County clerk will accept these statewide forms. Some local rules may apply, so check with the court or visit their website at occourts.org for details.

Self-Help and Legal Aid

Orange County has Family Court Services on the 5th Floor of the Lamoreaux Justice Center. Call 657-622-6196 for help. The county also has self-help resources for people representing themselves in family law cases. 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 Orange County 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 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.

Contact Orange County Superior Court

The main Family Law Division is at Lamoreaux Justice Center, 341 The City Drive South, 7th Floor, Orange, CA 92868. Phone is 657-622-8457. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For historical records from before 1968, contact Records Management at Central Justice Center, 700 Civic Center Drive West, 1st Floor, Santa Ana, CA 92701. Call 657-622-6878. Parking is available near both courthouses. Bring ID if you plan to view records or pick up copies.

The Orange County Superior Court website is at occourts.org. The site has local forms, court 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. The family law portal at fampub.occourts.org is available 24/7 for searching cases online.

Major Cities in Orange County

Orange County has several large cities. All divorce records for these cities are kept at the Orange County Superior Court, not at city offices. Major cities include Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, and Fullerton. If you need divorce records for someone who lives in any Orange County city, contact the Superior Court at the addresses listed above. Each city does not have its own court system. All cases are filed with the county Superior Court.