Divorce Records in Stanislaus County

Stanislaus County Superior Court in Modesto maintains all divorce case files and provides copies of divorce decrees to the public. The Family Law Division at 1100 I Street handles record requests through mail, phone, or email at FamLaw.Requests@stanct.org. Office hours run from 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m., and you can reach them by phone at 209-530-3100 for questions about how to obtain records. The court offers an online case portal at stanportal.stanct.org where you can search for divorce cases by party name or case number without charge. Note that the County Clerk-Recorder's office does not maintain divorce records in Stanislaus County, so all requests must go directly to the Superior Court.

Contact Stanislaus Superior Court

The courthouse is at 1100 I Street in Modesto. The Family Law Division handles all divorce record requests. Call them at 209-530-3100. Email FamLaw.Requests@stanct.org for questions about record requests. Office hours are 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

It's important to note that the Stanislaus County Clerk-Recorder does not maintain divorce records. Some people mistakenly contact the Clerk-Recorder for divorce decrees, but those records are only at the Superior Court. If you need a divorce decree, go directly to the court at 1100 I Street or email the Family Law Division.

Modesto is centrally located in Stanislaus County, making it accessible from cities like Turlock, Ceres, Riverbank, and Oakdale. The courthouse is in downtown Modesto with public parking nearby. If you visit in person, bring photo ID and know your case number or the full names of both parties.

Search Cases Online

Stanislaus County has a public case portal at stanportal.stanct.org. You can search for divorce cases by name or case number. The portal shows basic case information like filing dates, case status, and hearing schedules. It's free to use and you don't need to register.

To search, enter a party name or case number. The system returns matching cases. Click on a case to see details. Some documents may be viewable online, but not all files are fully digitized. If you need official certified copies, you must request them from the Family Law Division and pay the copy fees.

The online portal is useful for finding your case number and checking case status. If your case doesn't appear online, it may be too old or not yet entered into the system. Call or email the Family Law Division and they can search manually.

How to Get Divorce Decrees

Start by using the online portal to find your case number. Once you have it, email your request to FamLaw.Requests@stanct.org. Include the case number, state that you want a certified copy of the divorce decree, and provide your mailing address. The court will respond with payment instructions. After you pay, they'll process the request and mail the decree to you.

You can also mail a written request. Send it to Stanislaus County Superior Court, Family Law Division, 1100 I Street, Modesto, CA. Include the case number, both party names if you don't have the case number, your contact info, and a check for fifteen dollars payable to Stanislaus Superior Court. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for return mailing.

In-person requests can be made at the courthouse during office hours. Go to the Family Law Division at 1100 I Street. Fill out a request form, pay the fee, and they'll provide the copy. Processing time is usually same day for recent cases, but older cases may take longer if the file needs to be retrieved from storage.

Certified copies have an official court stamp and signature. You need certification for legal purposes like name changes, remarriage, or proving marital status. Regular copies are fine for personal use but won't work for official transactions.

Divorce Record Fees

Stanislaus County charges standard California fees for divorce records. A certified copy of a divorce decree costs fifteen dollars. Regular copies cost fifty cents per page. If the court needs to search for your case because you don't have a case number, they may charge fifteen dollars for searches that take over ten minutes.

These fees are set by state law. Government Code Section 70674 establishes the fifteen-dollar fee for certified divorce decrees. Section 70627 covers copy fees and search fees.

Payment can be by check, money order, or credit card. Make checks payable to Stanislaus Superior Court. Write the case number on the memo line. For email or mail requests, the court will tell you how to pay once they confirm the cost. Do not send cash through the mail.

California Divorce Law

California is a no-fault state. The only grounds for divorce are irreconcilable differences or incurable insanity, per Family Code Section 2310. Most divorces cite irreconcilable differences. You don't have to prove wrongdoing.

Residency requirements are in Family Code Section 2320. One spouse must live in California for six months and in Stanislaus County for three months before filing. After filing and serving papers, there's a six-month waiting period before the divorce can be finalized. That's under Family Code Section 2339.

Divorce judgments are permanent records. Government Code Section 68152 requires courts to keep divorce decrees forever. Anyone can request a copy unless the case is sealed, which is rare.

Divorce Records in Stanislaus County Cities

Stanislaus County includes the city of Modesto, which is also the county seat. All divorce cases in Stanislaus County are filed and maintained at the Modesto courthouse. There are no separate city courts for divorce matters. Residents of Modesto, Turlock, Ceres, and other cities in the county must contact Stanislaus County Superior Court for divorce records.

If you live anywhere in Stanislaus County and need divorce records, use the online portal or contact the Family Law Division at 209-530-3100 or FamLaw.Requests@stanct.org. You can visit the courthouse in person at 1100 I Street in Modesto or mail your request.

Help with Divorce Matters

Stanislaus County Superior Court offers a Family Law Facilitator who provides free assistance to self-represented parties. Contact the Family Law Division at 209-530-3100 to ask about the Facilitator's schedule and services. They can help with forms, procedures, and questions about divorce requirements.

The California Courts website at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov has guides on filing for divorce, responding to a petition, and handling custody and support issues. You can download forms and read instructions.

Legal services organizations may offer free or low-cost help to low-income residents. Contact legal aid in Stanislaus County to see if you qualify for assistance with family law matters.

If you need a private attorney, the State Bar of California has a lawyer referral service at calbar.ca.gov. You can search for licensed attorneys who practice family law in Stanislaus County.