San Bernardino Dissolution Records

Dissolution of marriage records for San Bernardino residents are maintained by the San Bernardino County Superior Court. San Bernardino is the county seat with over 220,000 people. All dissolution cases filed by San Bernardino residents go through the county court system at 247 W 3rd St. The court stores complete case files including petitions, responses, financial disclosures, and final judgments. You can search for these records online using the county's Court Access Portal or request certified copies from the court records department by visiting in person or submitting a mail request to prr@sb-court.org.

San Bernardino County Superior Court

San Bernardino residents file dissolution cases with San Bernardino County Superior Court. The main courthouse is at 247 W 3rd St in San Bernardino. The county, not the city, handles all family law filings. San Bernardino is the county seat, so the main courthouse is located here. You can email records requests to prr@sb-court.org.

San Bernardino County has an online Court Access Portal at cap.sb-court.org. You can search for dissolution cases by name or case number. The portal shows basic case information like filing dates and current status. Some documents may be viewable online. For certified copies, contact the court records department via email or phone.

The court maintains 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 San Bernardino 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 San Bernardino

To file for dissolution in San Bernardino, 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 San Bernardino 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 in San Bernardino County.

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 San Bernardino 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 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 dissolution case is pending.

Note: The six-month waiting period starts from the date of service, not the filing date.

Legal Help in San Bernardino

San Bernardino has legal aid groups that help with dissolution cases. Inland Counties Legal Services offers free help to low-income residents in San Bernardino County. They handle family law matters including dissolution, custody, and support. Call to see if you qualify for their services. The San Bernardino County Self-Help Center at the courthouse provides free assistance with forms and court procedures.

The Self-Help Center staff cannot give legal advice, but they can explain the process and help you complete paperwork. They offer 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 San Bernardino County Bar Association has a lawyer referral service. They can connect you with a family law attorney in San Bernardino.

Many attorneys offer a reduced-rate initial consultation. Having legal representation can help if your case involves complex property or contested custody issues. The San Bernardino Public Library has legal resources that can help you understand the dissolution process. Several community organizations in San Bernardino County offer support for people going through dissolution.

What Dissolution Files Show

Dissolution files in San Bernardino 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 government agencies like Social Security or the DMV. You may need it to refinance property or prove your marital status for other legal matters. The court clerk can make certified copies for a fee. In San Bernardino 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

San Bernardino County offers an online Court Access 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, contact the court records department via email at prr@sb-court.org. Recent cases appear in the online system within a few days of filing. Older cases from before computerization may not show up online.

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 and more accurate. Online access saves time by letting you search from home before you visit the courthouse or mail a request for dissolution records in San Bernardino.

Costs and Wait Times

San Bernardino 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. 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. You can usually get same-day service if you arrive early.

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. Check the court's website or call to confirm current fees before you submit a request. Fees can change, so it is wise to verify them in advance when requesting dissolution records in San Bernardino.

Other San Bernardino County Cities

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