Tehama County Divorce Records Access

Tehama County maintains divorce records at two locations in Red Bluff. The Superior Court at 1740 Walnut Street handles all divorce filings and court proceedings, while the County Clerk's office at 633 Washington Street, Room 11, can assist with some record inquiries. For certified copies of divorce decrees and complete case files, contact the Superior Court clerk's office at 530-527-3350. The court keeps divorce case records dating back many decades and can provide copies for a fee of fifteen dollars for certified divorce judgments plus fifty cents per page for additional photocopies. All record requests should include the case number or both party names along with the approximate year of the divorce to help the clerk locate the correct file in the system.

Where to Find Divorce Records

The Superior Court is at 1740 Walnut Street in Red Bluff. This is where all divorce cases are filed and court records are kept. For certified copies of divorce decrees, contact the court clerk's office. The County Clerk's office at 633 Washington Street, Room 11, may assist with basic inquiries, but complete divorce files are maintained at the courthouse. Call 530-527-3350 for questions about how to obtain records.

Red Bluff is the county seat and the only location where Tehama County Superior Court operates. All family law cases in the county are handled here. Residents from other parts of the county, such as Corning or Los Molinos, must contact the Red Bluff courthouse for divorce records.

Office hours are typically Monday through Friday, with a lunch break around midday. Call ahead to confirm hours before making a trip. Bring photo ID if you're requesting records in person. The courthouse is in downtown Red Bluff with street parking available nearby.

How to Request Divorce Decrees

Start by gathering the information you have. The case number is best. If you don't have it, you'll need both party names and the year the divorce was filed. Call the clerk's office at 530-527-3350 to confirm what they need and how much it will cost.

In person, go to the courthouse at 1740 Walnut Street. Fill out a record request form at the clerk's window. Pay the fee. If the file is readily available, you may get the copy the same day. Older files may need to be retrieved from storage, which takes longer.

By mail, send a written request with the case number or party names and year. Include a check for fifteen dollars plus fifty cents per page made payable to Tehama Superior Court. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for return mailing. Address your request to Tehama County Superior Court, 1740 Walnut Street, Red Bluff, CA. Processing time for mail requests is usually two to four weeks.

Certified copies have an official court stamp and signature. You need certification for legal purposes like changing your name, remarrying, or proving marital status for benefits or property matters. Regular copies are fine for personal records but won't work for official transactions.

Divorce Record Fees

Tehama County charges standard California fees for divorce records. A certified copy of a divorce decree costs fifteen dollars. This fee includes certification and all pages of the judgment. Regular photocopies cost fifty cents per page if you don't need certification. If the clerk 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. Tehama County can't charge more or less than these amounts.

Payment can be by check or money order. Make checks payable to Tehama Superior Court. Write the case number on the memo line if you have it. The court may accept credit cards in person, but call ahead to confirm payment options. Do not mail cash.

California Divorce Law

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

Residency requirements are in Family Code Section 2320. One spouse must live in California for six months and in Tehama 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.

Older Divorce Cases

Tehama County has divorce records going back many decades. Recent cases are in the computer system. Older cases may be in physical files or on microfilm. The clerk's office can retrieve archived files, but it takes longer. Allow extra time if your divorce is from the 1980s or earlier.

The California Department of Public Health kept basic divorce records from 1962 through June 1984. These are not full court files, just a Certificate of Record showing party names, county, date, and case number. If your divorce falls in that window, you can order a certificate from CDPH Vital Records at P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento, CA 95899-7410. The fee is eighteen dollars. Processing takes many weeks, sometimes over six months. After June 1984, CDPH has no divorce records. You must go through the county court.

When requesting old records, give as much detail as you can. Include both party names, maiden names if known, and the year or decade of the divorce. The more info you provide, the easier it is for the clerk to locate the file.

Help with Divorce Matters

Tehama County Superior Court may offer a Family Law Facilitator who provides free assistance to self-represented parties. Contact the clerk's office at 530-527-3350 to ask about the Facilitator's schedule and services. They can help with forms, answer procedural questions, and explain 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 step-by-step instructions.

Legal aid organizations may offer free or low-cost help to low-income residents. Contact legal services in Tehama County or nearby areas 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 Tehama County.

Surrounding Counties

Tehama County borders several other counties. If your divorce was filed elsewhere, contact that county's court. Shasta County to the north has its courthouse in Redding. Butte County to the south is in Chico. Glenn County to the southwest is in Willows. Plumas County to the east is in Quincy. Each has its own court system and record procedures.

Make sure you know which county handled your divorce. The county where the petition was filed keeps the records. This may not be where you live now. If you're unsure, call the Tehama County clerk's office and ask. They can sometimes check or point you in the right direction.

You can find contact information for all California courts at courts.ca.gov/find-my-court. The directory lists addresses, phone numbers, and websites for every county court.