Find San Diego Dissolution Records

Dissolution of marriage records for San Diego are kept at the San Diego County Superior Court. San Diego is the second largest city in California. More than 1.3 million people live here. All dissolution cases for San Diego residents get filed with the county court. The court keeps case files that include petitions, responses, and final judgments. You can search for these records online using the county's case index system or request copies in person or by mail from the court records office.

San Diego County Superior Court

San Diego residents file dissolution cases with San Diego County Superior Court. The main courthouse is at 1100 Union Street in downtown San Diego. Other branches serve different parts of the county. You file where you live or where your spouse lives. The county, not the city, processes all family law filings.

San Diego County offers a free online case search tool. It is called the Court Index. You can look up cases by name or case number. The tool shows basic case details like filing dates and status. Some documents may be viewable online, but certified copies require a formal request. For questions about records, call the court at (619) 844-2777.

The San Diego County website at sdcourt.ca.gov explains how to access court records. Anyone can view dissolution records unless a judge has sealed the file. Most cases stay public. You do not need to be part of the case to request copies. The court charges fees for certified copies and searches that take extra time.

How to File in San Diego

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

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

California uses standard forms for dissolution. The main form is FL-100, the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. You also need a summons and other forms depending on your case. All forms are free on the California Courts website. After filing, you must serve your spouse with copies. Service can be done by a process server or the sheriff. Your spouse has 30 days to respond once served.

Note: The six-month waiting period starts from the date your spouse is served, not the filing date.

Legal Help in San Diego

San Diego has several legal aid groups that help with dissolution cases. Legal Aid Society of San Diego offers free help to low-income residents. They handle family law matters including dissolution, custody, and support. Call (877) 534-2524 to see if you qualify. Another resource is the Family Law Facilitator's Office at the San Diego County courthouse. They provide free help with filling out forms and understanding the process.

The San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program also assists people who cannot afford an attorney. They handle dissolution cases and other family law issues. Contact them at (619) 231-8585 to learn about their services. If you need to hire a private attorney, the San Diego County Bar Association has a lawyer referral service. Call (619) 231-8585 for a referral to a family law attorney in your area.

Self-help centers are located at courthouses in San Diego County. These centers offer workshops and one-on-one help with forms. Staff cannot give legal advice, but they can explain court procedures and help you complete paperwork. Check the San Diego County Court website for locations and hours of self-help centers near you.

Information in Dissolution Files

Dissolution files in San Diego County hold all documents filed during the case. This includes the initial petition, the response from the other spouse, financial disclosures, and any motions filed. The final judgment is the key document. It shows how property was divided, who has custody of children, and any support orders. People often need this judgment to change their name or prove the dissolution for other legal matters.

Certified copies of the final judgment are available from the court clerk. The fee is $15 for the first few pages, plus $0.50 for each extra page. You can request copies in person at the courthouse, by mail, or through the court's online system. In-person requests are often processed the same day. Mail requests take two to four weeks depending on how busy the court is.

Some information may be redacted from public copies. Social Security numbers and certain financial details are removed to protect privacy. Information about minor children is also limited in public versions. If you were a party to the case, you can request a full unredacted copy. Third parties get the public version with redactions. Most dissolution files in San Diego remain accessible to the public.

Searching Online

San Diego County has a public online portal called Court Index. You can search for dissolution cases by entering a name or case number. The system shows case information like the filing date, case type, and status. It may also show a list of documents filed in the case. You cannot always download full documents, but you can see what exists in the file.

The Court Index at courtindex.sdcourt.ca.gov is free to use. There is no charge for searching. If you find the case you need, write down the case number. You can use that number to request certified copies from the court. Online searches work best for recent cases. Older cases from before computerization may not appear. For those, contact the records department by phone.

Keep in mind that online access is for research only. It does not provide certified copies. If you need an official document for legal purposes, you must order it from the court. The online system helps you locate the right case and confirm details before you pay for copies. This step can save time and money when dealing with dissolution records in San Diego.

Costs and Processing

San Diego County charges standard fees for dissolution records. A certified copy of a judgment costs $15 plus $0.50 per page after the first few. If you need many documents from a case, the total can add up. Most people only need the final judgment, which keeps costs lower. Some may also need settlement agreements or custody orders, which cost extra based on page count.

Processing times vary based on how you request records. Walk-in requests at the courthouse are usually handled the same day or within a few days. Mail requests take longer. Expect two to four weeks for the court to process a mailed request and send the documents back to you. If you need records quickly, visiting in person is the best option in San Diego County.

There is no search fee if you provide a case number. If you ask the clerk to search by name only, and the search takes more than a few minutes, a search fee may apply. Call the court at (619) 844-2777 to ask about current fees before you submit your request. Fees can change, so it is good to confirm them in advance.

Other San Diego County Cities

Other cities in San Diego County file dissolution cases at the same county court. If you live in one of these cities, you use the San Diego County Superior Court for all family law matters.