San Francisco Dissolution Records

Dissolution of marriage records for San Francisco are kept by the San Francisco County Superior Court. San Francisco is unique in California because the city and county are the same entity. Over 800,000 people live in San Francisco. All dissolution cases filed by residents go through the county Superior Court located at 400 McAllister Street. You can search for dissolution records online using the court's case information system or request certified copies in person or by mail from the court records department.

San Francisco County Superior Court

San Francisco residents file dissolution cases with San Francisco County Superior Court. The main courthouse is at 400 McAllister Street in Room 103. San Francisco is both a city and a county. This makes the filing process simpler because there is only one court system. The Civil Records Division handles all requests for dissolution records.

San Francisco County has an online case information portal. You can search for cases by name or case number at webapps.sftc.org. The system shows basic case details like filing dates and status. Some documents may be viewable online. For certified copies, contact the Civil Records Department at (415) 551-3802 or email CCCRecordsDepartment@sftc.org.

The court maintains all dissolution case files. Files include petitions, responses, financial disclosures, settlement agreements, and final judgments. You can request copies of any document in the file. Most dissolution records in San Francisco 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 Francisco

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

The filing fee is around $435 to $450 in San Francisco County. You pay this fee when you submit your petition to the clerk. If you have low income, you can request a fee waiver by filing the proper forms. The court will review your financial situation and decide if you qualify. Fee waivers help many people in San Francisco access the court system.

California uses the same forms statewide for dissolution cases. The main form is FL-100, the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. You also need a summons and other documents depending on your case. All forms are free on the California Courts website. After filing, you must serve your spouse with a copy of the petition. A process server or sheriff can handle service for a fee. Your spouse has 30 days to respond after being served.

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

Legal Help in San Francisco

San Francisco has many resources for people going through dissolution. Legal aid groups offer free help to those who qualify. Bay Area Legal Aid serves San Francisco residents with low income. They handle family law cases including dissolution, custody, and support. Call (415) 982-1300 to see if you qualify for their services.

The San Francisco Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with a family law attorney. Call (415) 989-1616 for a referral. Many attorneys offer a reduced-rate initial consultation. The Family Law Self-Help Center at the 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 San Francisco Public Law Library is located in the courthouse and has legal resources for self-represented parties. You can access forms, books, and online research tools. The library staff can help you find what you need. For domestic violence issues, the San Francisco Domestic Violence Consortium offers support and legal assistance. They can help with restraining orders and safety planning.

What Dissolution Records Show

Dissolution records in San Francisco County include all documents filed in the case. The petition is the first document and states the grounds for dissolution and what the filing party seeks. The response shows the other spouse's position. Financial disclosures reveal assets, income, and debts. Settlement agreements outline 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 for other legal matters. The court clerk can make certified copies for a fee. In San Francisco 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 get a full unredacted copy. Third parties receive the public version with sensitive information removed. Most dissolution files in San Francisco remain public.

Searching Records Online

San Francisco County offers an online case information 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 may also list documents filed in the case. The online portal is free to use for basic searches.

The online system 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, you must contact the Civil Records Department. The online search works best for recent cases. Older cases from before computerization may not appear online. For those, call the records department at (415) 551-3802.

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 Francisco.

Costs and Wait Times

San Francisco 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 total cost increases. Most people only need the final judgment, which keeps the expense lower.

Processing time varies based 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 quickly, visiting the courthouse in person is the best option.

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 extra time, a fee may apply. Call (415) 551-3802 to confirm current fees before you submit your request. Fees can change, so it is wise to check in advance when requesting dissolution records in San Francisco.

Nearby California Cities

These nearby cities are in different counties and file dissolution cases with their respective county courts.