Butte County Dissolution of Marriage Records

The Superior Court of California in Butte County keeps all dissolution of marriage records for residents who file in this jurisdiction. The main courthouse sits at 1775 Concord Avenue in Chico. Court staff maintain comprehensive files that include petitions, financial disclosures, settlement agreements, and final judgments. Butte County serves communities like Chico, Oroville, Paradise, and other areas throughout the county. You can search for case information online through the court's website or visit the clerk's office in person to request certified copies of dissolution records.

Contact Butte County Superior Court

Call (530) 532-7008 to reach the clerk's office at the Chico courthouse. Staff answer questions about dissolution records during regular business hours. The court maintains an online case search portal where you can look up information about filed cases. Visit www.butte.courts.ca.gov/online-services/case-information to access the public search system.

The online portal lets you search by party name or case number. Enter the information you have and the system will display matching cases. You can see filing dates, case status, and basic details about each case. The portal does not provide full copies of documents, so you still need to request certified copies from the clerk if you need official records for legal purposes.

In-person requests can be handled at the courthouse in Chico. Bring identification and the case number or names of both parties. Staff can search for your case and make copies while you wait if they are not too busy. Most simple requests are completed the same day. Complex searches or requests for older files may take additional time.

Cost of Dissolution Records

Certified copies of dissolution judgments cost $15 in Butte County. This fee includes the certification and the first few pages of the document. Additional pages cost $0.50 each. Copies of other documents from your case file are charged at the same per-page rate. The court accepts cash, checks, and money orders at the clerk's window.

If staff must spend more than 10 minutes searching for your case, a $15 search fee applies. Bring as much detail as possible to avoid this fee. Case numbers make searches much faster. Mail requests take longer to process than in-person visits. Include a check or money order with your written request. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope so the clerk can return your copies. Processing time for mail requests ranges from two to four weeks.

Search Cases Online

Butte County provides free online case searches through its court website. You do not need to create an account or pay a fee to use the search function. Go to the case information page on the court's site. Enter a party name or case number. The system will show results that match your search terms.

Online results include the case number, filing date, and current status. Some details about parties and case type are also displayed. You can use this information to verify that you have the right case before you request copies. The online system is updated regularly, but it may not show same-day filings. Allow a few days for new cases to appear in the search results.

Use the case number from your online search when you contact the clerk's office. This speeds up the process and ensures accuracy. Online searches are available 24 hours a day from any location with internet access. This tool saves time and lets you research cases without visiting the courthouse.

Note: Online case information is not certified and cannot be used as official legal documents.

Filing for Dissolution

Butte County residents must meet California's residency requirements before filing for dissolution. You or your spouse must have lived in California for six months and in Butte County for three months. These rules are set by state law and apply to all counties. Once you meet the residency requirement, you can file your petition at the courthouse in Chico.

The filing fee is approximately $435 to $450. This fee is standard across California. Pay the fee when you submit your petition. If you cannot afford it, ask the court for a fee waiver. Fill out the required forms and provide details about your income and expenses. The judge will review your application and decide if you qualify. Many people in Butte County receive fee waivers based on financial hardship.

California is a no-fault state. You do not need to prove that your spouse did anything wrong. Most people file based on irreconcilable differences. This ground means that you and your spouse cannot get along and the marriage cannot be saved. The court does not consider fault when dividing property or deciding support issues in Butte County.

After you file, serve the papers on your spouse. Use a process server, sheriff, or any adult who is not part of the case. The server must give the papers to your spouse in person. Once service is complete, file the Proof of Service with the court. California requires a six-month waiting period from the date of service before the court can finalize your dissolution. This waiting period gives both parties time to work out agreements on property, support, and custody.

Cities in Butte County

Butte County includes several communities. The largest city is Chico, which has a population over 100,000. Other areas in the county include Oroville, Paradise, and smaller towns. All residents file dissolution cases at the Butte County Superior Court regardless of which city they live in. The courthouse in Chico handles all family law matters for the entire county.

Surrounding Counties

Butte County is located in Northern California. Several neighboring counties may be relevant if your dissolution was filed elsewhere. Glenn County sits to the west. Tehama County is to the northwest. Plumas County lies to the northeast. Yuba County borders Butte to the south. Each county maintains its own court system and records. Contact the appropriate county court if your case was filed in one of these jurisdictions.