Tuolumne County Divorce Records

Tuolumne County Superior Court in Sonora maintains all divorce case files at the Justice Center located at 12855 Justice Center Drive. The building is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., while clerk services are available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and phone assistance runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 209-533-5555. The court provides an online records portal at records.co.tuolumne.ca.us where you can search for divorce cases and request copies of court documents. For certified copies of divorce decrees, the court charges the standard fifteen-dollar fee plus fifty cents per page for photocopies, and processing times vary depending on whether the file is readily available or needs to be retrieved from storage.

Contact Tuolumne Superior Court

The Justice Center is at 12855 Justice Center Drive in Sonora. The building is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Clerk services are available 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phone hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 209-533-5555 for questions about divorce records or court procedures.

Sonora is the county seat and the only location where Tuolumne County Superior Court operates. All divorce cases filed in the county are handled here. Residents from other parts of the county, such as Jamestown or Twain Harte, must contact the Sonora courthouse for divorce records.

When you call or visit, have your case number ready if possible. If you don't have it, provide both party names and the year the divorce was filed. The clerk will search for your case and tell you what records are available and what the cost will be.

Search Records Online

Tuolumne County has an online records portal at records.co.tuolumne.ca.us. You can search for divorce cases and other court records. The portal allows you to look up cases by name or case number and request copies of documents online.

To use the portal, enter a party name or case number. The system shows matching cases. You can view case details and see what documents are available. Some records may be viewable online, while others require a formal request to the clerk's office. If you need certified copies, you'll need to request them and pay the appropriate fees.

The online portal is convenient for finding your case number and checking what records exist. If you can't find your case online, call the clerk's office at 209-533-5555. They can search manually for older cases that may not be fully digitized yet.

How to Get Divorce Decrees

Start by using the online portal to find your case number. Once you have it, you can request a certified copy of the divorce decree. In person, go to the Justice Center at 12855 Justice Center Drive during clerk service hours. Bring photo ID and the case number. Fill out a request form at the clerk's window. Pay the fee. Processing time depends on whether the file is on-site or in storage.

By mail, send a written request with the case number, a check for fifteen dollars plus fifty cents per page, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Make the check payable to Tuolumne Superior Court. Address your request to Tuolumne County Superior Court, 12855 Justice Center Drive, Sonora, CA 95370. Processing time for mail requests is typically one to three weeks.

If you don't have the case number, include both party names and the year the divorce was filed. The clerk may charge a fifteen-dollar search fee if it takes over ten minutes to find your case. To avoid this fee, use the online portal first to get the case number.

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

Divorce Record Fees

Tuolumne 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 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.

Payment can be by check or money order made payable to Tuolumne 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 Laws

California is a no-fault divorce state. The only grounds are irreconcilable differences or incurable insanity, as stated in Family Code Section 2310. Nearly all divorces cite irreconcilable differences. You don't have to prove wrongdoing by either spouse.

Residency requirements come from Family Code Section 2320. One spouse must live in California for six months and in Tuolumne County for three months before filing. Once you file and serve papers, there's a mandatory six-month waiting period before the divorce can be finalized. That's under Family Code Section 2339.

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

Help with Divorce Matters

Tuolumne County Superior Court offers a Family Law Facilitator who provides free assistance to self-represented parties. Contact the clerk's office at 209-533-5555 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 Tuolumne 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 Tuolumne County.