Fresno Dissolution Records

Dissolution of marriage records for Fresno residents are maintained at the Fresno County Superior Court. Fresno is the fifth largest city in California with over 530,000 people. All dissolution cases filed by Fresno residents go through the county Superior Court system located at 1130 O Street. The court stores complete case files that include petitions, responses, and final judgments. You can search for these records using the county's online case portal or request copies by visiting or mailing the court records office.

Fresno County Superior Court

Fresno residents file dissolution cases with Fresno County Superior Court. The main courthouse is at 1130 O Street on the second floor. The county, not the city, handles all family law filings. Fresno is part of Fresno County, so all dissolution cases go through the county court system. The court has an archives building at 1963 E Street for older records that go back many years.

Fresno County runs an online public portal for case searches. You can look up dissolution cases by name or case number at publicportal.fresno.courts.ca.gov. The portal shows basic case information like filing dates and status. Some documents may be viewable online. For certified copies, call the court at (559) 457-2100.

The court keeps all dissolution case files. Files include the initial petition, response from the other spouse, financial disclosures, settlement papers, and the final judgment. You can request copies of any document in the file. Most dissolution records in Fresno are public unless a judge has sealed the case. Sealed cases are rare and require a court order.

Filing for Dissolution in Fresno

To file for dissolution in Fresno, you must meet California's residency rules. One spouse must have lived in California for six months before filing. You must also have lived in Fresno County for three months. These requirements apply to all dissolution cases in the state. Once you meet them, you can file a petition with the county court.

The filing fee is around $435 to $450 in Fresno County. You pay when you submit your petition to the clerk. If you have low income, you can ask for a fee waiver. Fill out the waiver forms and file them with your petition. The court will review your finances and decide if you qualify. Many people in Fresno use fee waivers to reduce costs.

California uses standard forms for all dissolution cases. The main form is FL-100, the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. You also need a summons and other forms based on your case. All forms are free on the California Courts website. After filing, you must serve your spouse with the petition. Service means official notice that the case has started. Use a process server, sheriff, or another adult not involved in the case. Your spouse has 30 days to respond once served.

Note: California law requires a six-month waiting period from the date of service before the court can finalize the dissolution.

Legal Help in Fresno

Fresno has legal aid groups that help with dissolution cases. Central California Legal Services offers free help to low-income residents. They handle family law matters including dissolution, custody, and support. Call (559) 570-1200 to see if you qualify for their services. The Fresno County Law Library is located in the courthouse and has forms and legal resources.

The Self-Help Center at the Fresno courthouse provides free help with forms and court procedures. Staff cannot give legal advice, but they can explain the process and assist with paperwork. The center offers workshops on dissolution and other family law topics. Check the court's website for the schedule and location.

For those who need to hire an attorney, the Fresno County Bar Association has a lawyer referral service. They can connect you with a family law attorney in Fresno. Many attorneys offer a reduced-rate initial consultation. Having legal representation can help if your case involves complex property or contested custody issues.

What Dissolution Files Show

Dissolution files in Fresno County include all documents filed during the case. The petition starts the case and states what the filing party wants. The response shows the other spouse's position. Financial disclosures reveal assets, income, and debts. Settlement agreements detail how the parties resolved their issues. The final judgment is the court's order that ends the marriage.

Most people need a certified copy of the final judgment. You use it to change your name with government agencies. You may need it to refinance property or prove your marital status. The court clerk can make certified copies for a fee. In Fresno County, the fee is $15 for the first few pages, plus $0.50 per additional page.

Some information is redacted from public copies. Social Security numbers are removed. Financial account numbers are blacked out. Details about minor children are limited to protect privacy. If you were a party to the case, you can request a full copy without redactions. Third parties receive the public version with sensitive information removed.

Searching Records Online

Fresno County offers an online case portal for searching dissolution records. You can search by party name or case number. The system displays case details like filing date, case type, and status. Some documents may be viewable online. The portal is free to use for basic searches. It helps you confirm that a case exists before you request copies.

The online search gives you basic information. It does not provide certified copies that you can use for legal purposes. For official documents, you must contact the court records department. Recent cases appear in the online system within a few days of filing. Older cases from before computerization may not show up. For those, call the court at (559) 457-2100 or visit the archives at 1963 E Street.

When you find your case online, write down the case number. You will need it to order certified copies. The case number makes the request process faster. Online access saves time by letting you search from home before you visit the courthouse or mail a request for dissolution records in Fresno.

Costs and Wait Times

Fresno County charges fees for certified copies of dissolution records. The standard fee is $15 for a certified judgment, plus $0.50 for each page beyond the first few. If you need multiple documents from the same case, the costs increase. Most people only need the final judgment, which keeps the expense lower.

Processing time depends on how you request records. In-person requests at the courthouse are often processed the same day or within a few days. Mail requests take longer. Expect two to four weeks for a mailed request to be completed and returned. If you need records urgently, visit the courthouse in person.

There is no search fee if you provide a case number. If you ask the clerk to search by name only, and it takes extra time, a search fee may apply. Call (559) 457-2100 to confirm current fees before you submit a request. Fees can change, so it is wise to check in advance when requesting dissolution records in Fresno.

Other Fresno County Cities

Other cities in Fresno County file dissolution cases with the same county court system. Residents of these cities use the Fresno County Superior Court for all family law matters.