Riverside Dissolution Records

Dissolution of marriage records for Riverside are maintained by the Riverside County Superior Court. Riverside is the county seat with over 330,000 residents. All dissolution cases filed by Riverside residents go through the county court system. The court maintains complete case files including petitions, responses, and final judgments. You can search for these records online using the county's public access portal or request certified copies from the court records department.

Riverside County Superior Court

Riverside residents file dissolution cases with Riverside County Superior Court. The county court system handles all family law filings. Riverside is part of Riverside County. The county has an online public access portal at epublic-access.riverside.courts.ca.gov where you can search for cases.

The portal shows basic case information like filing dates and status. Some documents may be viewable online. For certified copies, contact the court records department. The court keeps all dissolution case files with petitions, responses, financial disclosures, and final judgments. Most dissolution records in Riverside are public unless sealed by a judge.

Riverside County charges name search fees that range from $1 to $25 depending on the number of names searched. The online portal helps you locate cases before requesting copies. Files remain with the court after the case closes so you can get copies years later.

Filing for Dissolution in Riverside

To file for dissolution in Riverside, you must meet California's residency requirements. One spouse must have lived in California for six months. You must also have lived in Riverside County for three months. 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. 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. Use a process server or sheriff. Your spouse has 30 days to respond once served.

California law requires a six-month waiting period from the date of service before the court can finalize the dissolution. Temporary orders for custody or support can be requested while the case is pending. The final judgment ends the marriage and becomes part of the court record.

Legal Help in Riverside

Riverside has legal aid groups that help with dissolution cases. Legal Aid Society of Riverside County offers free help to low-income residents. They handle family law matters including dissolution, custody, and support. The Riverside County Self-Help Center at the courthouse provides free assistance with forms and court procedures.

Staff cannot give legal advice, but they can explain the process and help you complete paperwork. For those who need to hire an attorney, the Riverside County Bar Association has a lawyer referral service. Many attorneys offer a reduced-rate initial consultation.

The Riverside Public Library has legal resources that can help you understand the dissolution process. Several community organizations in Riverside County offer support for people going through dissolution.

What Dissolution Files Show

Dissolution files in Riverside County include all documents filed during the case. The petition starts the case. 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 government agencies. The court clerk can make certified copies for a fee. In Riverside 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. If you were a party to the case, you can request a full copy without redactions.

Searching Records Online

Riverside County offers an online public access portal for searching dissolution records. You can search by party name or case number. The system displays case details like filing date and status. The portal is free to use for basic searches.

The online search helps you locate cases before you request copies. It does not provide certified copies for legal purposes. Recent cases appear in the online system within a few days of filing. When you find your case online, write down the case number for ordering certified copies.

Costs and Wait Times

Riverside County charges standard fees for dissolution records. A certified copy of a final judgment costs $15 for the first few pages, plus $0.50 for each additional page. Processing time depends on how you request records. In-person requests at the courthouse are often processed faster than mail requests.

Name search fees range from $1 to $25 depending on quantity. There is no search fee if you provide a case number. Check with the court to confirm current fees before you submit a request.

Other Riverside County Cities

Other cities in Riverside County file dissolution cases with the same county court system.