Santa Barbara Divorce Records
Santa Barbara County keeps divorce records at two Superior Court locations. The South County office sits at 118 East Figueroa Street in Santa Barbara. The North County office is at 312-E East Cook Street in Santa Maria. Each office handles records for cases filed at that location. You can call South County at 805-882-4778 or email southcountyrecords@sbcourts.org. For North County, call 805-614-6414 or email northcountyrecords@sbcourts.org. Both offices are open from 8:00 in the morning until 3:00 in the afternoon on weekdays. The clerk provides certified copies of divorce decrees and other family law documents. Processing time for record requests is up to 14 business days. Many people search for divorce cases online first to find the case number, then they contact the clerk to request copies.
Santa Barbara County Quick Facts
Two Court Offices Serve County
Santa Barbara County is split into two regions for court purposes. South County covers the southern part including the city of Santa Barbara. North County covers the northern area including Santa Maria. Each region has its own courthouse and records office. You need to contact the office that handled your case. Check which location filed your divorce before you request records.
The South County Records Office is at 118 East Figueroa Street in Santa Barbara. This courthouse handles cases filed in the southern part of the county. The phone number is 805-882-4778. The email address is southcountyrecords@sbcourts.org. Staff can help with questions about divorce records and other court documents. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on weekdays.
The North County Records Office is at 312-E East Cook Street in Santa Maria. This courthouse serves the northern region. The phone number is 805-614-6414. The email address is northcountyrecords@sbcourts.org. This office handles cases filed in the northern part of the county. Hours are also 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on weekdays. Both offices follow the same procedures and fees for record requests. The main difference is which cases they handle based on where the case was filed.
If you are not sure which location handled your case, call either office. The staff can look up the case and tell you where it was filed. They can also transfer your call to the other office if needed. The court website at santabarbara.courts.ca.gov has more info on court records and contact details for both offices.
Costs for Divorce Records
A certified copy of a divorce decree costs $15 in Santa Barbara County. This is the standard fee set by California law. The $15 fee includes the certification and copies of the decree pages. The fee is $0.50 per page for plain copies without certification. If you need certification for other documents besides the divorce decree, the fee is $40 plus $0.50 per page for copies.
Search fees apply when you do not have a case number. If the clerk has to search for your case by name and it takes extra time, they can charge $15. Having the case number avoids this fee. Most people use the online case search first to find the case number. The online tool is free and helps you get the info you need before you contact the clerk.
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 Santa Barbara Superior Court. Include the total amount for the documents you want. If you are not sure of the exact cost, call or email 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.
How to Get Divorce Documents
Start by finding which courthouse handled your case. If you live in or near Santa Barbara, your case is likely at the South County office. If you live in or near Santa Maria, your case is likely at the North County office. Next, find the case number. You can search online or call the clerk to look it up. Give them the names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce. Write down the case number once you have it.
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, settlement agreement, or financial disclosures. Tell the clerk exactly what you want so they can find the right papers in the file.
For in-person requests, visit the records office at the courthouse that handled your case. Bring the case number. Tell the clerk which documents you want and whether you need certified copies. Pay the fees. Processing takes up to 14 business days. Business days do not include weekends or court holidays. The clerk will give you a receipt and tell you when your copies will be ready. You can come back to pick them up or ask the clerk to mail them to you.
Mail requests work for people who cannot visit the courthouse. Write a letter with 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 the appropriate office: South County at 118 East Figueroa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, or North County at 312-E East Cook Street, Santa Maria, CA 93454. Wait for the clerk to process your request and mail the documents. Total time for mail orders is usually three to four weeks including both legs of mailing and the 14-day processing time.
Email requests are accepted at the addresses listed above. Send an email with the case number and your request details. The clerk will reply with instructions on how to pay and receive the documents. Email can speed up communication but you still need to pay before they send copies. Some people prefer email for simple questions before sending a formal mail request.
Filing for Divorce
To file for divorce in Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara County for at least three months. If you meet these times, you can file at the Superior Court. Decide whether to file in South County or North County based on where you live. 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. If they agree with everything, you may be able to do an uncontested divorce. If they disagree, the case may go to hearings or trial.
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 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
Santa Barbara County Superior Court has a Family Law Facilitator program. The facilitator helps people who do not have a lawyer. They can explain court procedures and help with forms. They cannot give legal advice or represent you in court. The facilitator office is free. You can visit them at either courthouse or call for help. They assist with issues like child support, custody, and filing the correct forms.
The court also has self-help services. Staff provide forms and instructions for divorce and other family law matters. They show you how to fill out forms but they cannot tell you what to do in your case. Check the court website at santabarbara.courts.ca.gov for hours and services at each location.
If you need a lawyer, the Santa Barbara County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. They can connect you with a family law attorney in your area. Legal aid organizations serve low-income residents. Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County 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.
Cities in Santa Barbara County
Santa Barbara County includes several cities and towns. Residents file divorce cases at the courthouse nearest to them. Cities in the south part of the county use the Santa Barbara courthouse. Cities in the north use the Santa Maria courthouse. Major cities in the county include Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Lompoc, Carpinteria, and Goleta. Smaller towns and unincorporated areas also fall under the county court jurisdiction. Check with the clerk to confirm which courthouse handles cases for your specific city or town.
Nearby Counties
Santa Barbara County borders other California counties. If your divorce was filed in a neighboring county, contact that county court for records. Adjacent counties include: