Long Beach Dissolution Records

Dissolution of marriage records for Long Beach residents are maintained by the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Long Beach is the seventh largest city in California with over 460,000 people. All dissolution cases filed by Long Beach residents are processed through the county court system. The court has a courthouse location in Long Beach as well as other locations throughout Los Angeles County. Case files include petitions, responses, financial documents, and final judgments. You can search for these records online through the county's case access portal or request certified copies from the court records department by visiting in person or sending a mail request.

Los Angeles County Superior Court

Long Beach residents file dissolution cases with Los Angeles County Superior Court. The county has a courthouse in Long Beach at 275 Magnolia Avenue. You can also file at other Los Angeles County courthouses. The county, not the city, processes all family law filings. Long Beach is part of Los Angeles County, so all dissolution cases go through the county court system.

Los Angeles County uses an online case access portal. You can search for dissolution cases by name or case number at lacourt.org. The portal shows basic case information like filing dates and status. Some documents may be viewable online. For certified copies, call the court records department at (213) 830-0803.

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 Long Beach are public unless a judge has sealed the case. Sealed cases are rare and require a court order based on privacy or safety concerns.

Filing for Dissolution in Long Beach

To file for dissolution in Long Beach, you must meet California's residency requirements. One spouse must have lived in California for six months before filing. You must also have lived in Los Angeles County for three months. These rules 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.

Fee waivers are available for people with low income. 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 Long Beach use fee waivers to reduce costs. California uses standard forms for dissolution cases. The main form is FL-100, the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. 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 after being served. California law requires a six-month waiting period from the date of service before the court can finalize the dissolution.

Note: Temporary orders for custody or support can be requested while the dissolution case is pending.

Legal Help in Long Beach

Long Beach has legal aid groups that help with dissolution cases. Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County serves Long Beach residents. They offer free help to low-income people for family law matters including dissolution, custody, and support. Call (562) 595-0361 to see if you qualify for their services.

The Long Beach Courthouse has a self-help center that provides free assistance with forms and court procedures. Staff cannot give legal advice, but they can explain the process and help you complete 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 Long Beach Bar Association has a lawyer referral service. They can connect you with a family law attorney in Long Beach. Many attorneys offer a reduced-rate initial consultation. Having legal representation can help if your case involves complex property or contested custody issues.

The Center for Community Solutions in Long Beach offers help for people dealing with domestic violence. They provide legal advocacy and support services. The Long Beach Public Library also has legal resources and free access to legal research databases that can help you understand the dissolution process.

What Dissolution Files Show

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

A certified copy of the final judgment is what most people need. You use it to change your name with Social Security or the DMV. You may need it to refinance property or prove your marital status. The court clerk can make certified copies for a fee. In Los Angeles County, the fee is typically $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

Los Angeles County offers an online case summary system. You can search for dissolution cases by entering a party name or case number. The system shows case details like filing date, case type, and current status. It does not always show full documents, but it gives you enough information to decide if you need to request copies. The online portal is free to use for basic searches.

The online search helps you locate cases and confirm details before you request copies. It does not provide certified copies that you can use for legal purposes. For official documents, 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 records department at (213) 830-0803.

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 Long Beach.

Costs and Wait Times

Los Angeles 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 Long Beach 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 (213) 830-0803 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 Long Beach.

Other Los Angeles County Cities

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