Search San Luis Obispo Divorce Records
San Luis Obispo County divorce records are kept at the Superior Court. The courthouse sits at 1035 Palm Street in San Luis Obispo. Room 385 handles records requests. You can call 805-706-3600 for general questions. If you need help with family law forms or procedures, the self-help office is at 805-706-3617. The clerk provides copies of divorce decrees and other court documents from family law cases. Most people search for divorce records by visiting the courthouse in person or sending a mail request. The county does not currently have an online portal for viewing full case documents. You can call to ask about a case but you need to contact the clerk directly to get copies.
San Luis Obispo County Quick Facts
Superior Court Clerk Office
The clerk office at the courthouse handles all divorce record requests. This office is in Room 385. Staff help people get copies of court documents. You can visit in person or send a mail request. The phone number is 805-706-3600. When you contact the clerk, have the case number ready. If you do not have the case number, give them the names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce.
Processing time depends on how busy the office is. In-person requests often get handled within a few days if the file is on-site. Mail requests may take one to three weeks. If your file is stored off-site, add extra time for retrieval. The clerk will tell you if your case is archived and how long it will take to get the file. Always call ahead if you have a deadline. The clerk can give you an estimate based on the current workload.
The courthouse website at slo.courts.ca.gov has info on getting copies of court files. The page explains the process and fees. Check the website before you visit to make sure you have all the info you need. The website also lists court hours and contact details for different departments.
Costs for Divorce Records
A certified copy of a divorce decree costs $15 in San Luis Obispo County. This follows the standard California fee. The $15 covers the certification and basic pages. Plain copies without certification cost $0.50 per page. If the clerk has to search for your case by name and it takes more than 10 minutes, they can charge a $15 research fee.
Payment can be made by cash, check, money order, or credit card if you visit in person. Mail orders need a check or money order payable to San Luis Obispo Superior Court. Include the total amount for the documents you want. If you are not sure of the exact cost, call the clerk first. They can give you an estimate based on what you need. Send your payment with your request and the clerk will process it.
There are no extra fees for standard processing. If you need expedited service, ask the clerk if that option is available. Some urgent requests can be handled faster for an extra fee. Most people use standard processing because it is cheaper and still reasonably fast.
How to Get Divorce Documents
Start by finding your case number. If you do not have it, call the clerk at 805-706-3600. Give them the names of both parties and the year of the divorce. They can look up the case and give you the case number. Write it down so you have it for your request. Next, decide which documents you need. The divorce decree is the most common request. This is the final judgment that ends the marriage. You can also ask for other documents such as the petition, response, or settlement agreement.
For in-person requests, visit Room 385 at the courthouse. Bring the case number. Tell the clerk which documents you want and whether you need certified copies. Pay the fees. The clerk will give you a receipt and tell you when your copies will be ready. If the file is on-site, you may get your copies within a few days. Come back to pick them up or ask the clerk to mail them to you.
Mail requests require a written letter. Include the case number and the names of both parties. State which documents you need. Say if you want certified or plain copies. Enclose payment by check or money order. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope so they can mail the documents back. Send your request to San Luis Obispo Superior Court, 1035 Palm Street, Room 385, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408. Wait for the clerk to process your request and mail the documents. Total time for mail orders is usually two to four weeks including both legs of mailing.
Some people prefer to call first before sending a mail request. The clerk can confirm that the case exists and tell you what documents are in the file. This helps you avoid sending a request for records that do not exist or are not available. The clerk can also explain the fees so you send the right amount.
Filing for Divorce
To file for divorce in San Luis Obispo County, you must meet California residency rules. One spouse must have lived in California for at least six months. That same person must have lived in San Luis Obispo County for at least three months. If you meet these times, you can file at the Superior Court. The filing fee is $435. This fee starts the case. If you cannot afford the fee, you can ask for a fee waiver by filling out form FW-001. The court reviews your income and expenses to decide if you qualify for free filing.
To start a divorce, you file form FL-100, the petition. The petition tells the court what you want from the divorce. You also file form FL-110, the summons. The summons notifies your spouse that you filed. After filing, someone over 18 who is not you must serve the papers on your spouse. This is called service of process. Your spouse has 30 days to file a response.
California has a six-month waiting period. The divorce cannot be finalized until at least six months pass from the date your spouse was served. This is a state law requirement. During the wait, you and your spouse can work out issues like property division, child custody, and support. If you agree on all terms, you file a settlement agreement. The judge reviews the agreement and signs the final judgment after the six months are up. If you cannot agree, the court holds hearings to decide the issues.
Resources for Divorce Cases
San Luis Obispo County Superior Court has a self-help office. The office provides forms and instructions for divorce and other family law matters. Staff show you how to fill out forms but they cannot give legal advice or tell you what to do in your case. The self-help office is at the courthouse. Call 805-706-3617 for hours and services. You can also visit the courthouse website at slo.courts.ca.gov for info and resources.
If you need a lawyer, the San Luis Obispo County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. They can connect you with a family law attorney in the area. Legal aid organizations serve low-income residents. Legal Services of Central Coast provides free legal help to people who qualify based on income. They handle family law cases including divorce, custody, and domestic violence matters. Call them to ask if you qualify for free legal help.
The California Courts website has statewide resources at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov. This site lists all the standard divorce forms used in California courts. It explains how to fill them out step by step. The forms are free to download. The site covers starting a divorce, responding to a divorce, and what happens after you file.
Cities in San Luis Obispo County
San Luis Obispo County includes several cities and towns. All residents file divorce cases at the Superior Court in San Luis Obispo. The county does not have branch courthouses. Everything happens at the main courthouse on Palm Street. Major cities in the county include San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, Atascadero, Morro Bay, and Pismo Beach. Smaller towns and unincorporated areas also fall under the county court jurisdiction.
Nearby Counties
San Luis Obispo County borders other California counties. If your divorce was filed in a neighboring county, contact that county court for records. Adjacent counties include: