Lake County Dissolution Records

Dissolution of marriage records in Lake County are kept at the Superior Court at 255 N. Forbes Street, 4th Floor, in Lakeport. The court serves communities throughout the county and maintains complete case files that include all petitions, responses, and final judgments. You can search for case information through the online public portal or call (707) 263-2374 for help. Most dissolution records are public documents accessible to anyone who requests them. The court provides online case searches through a portal that lets you look up cases by party name or case number from any location with internet access.

Lake Superior Court Information

The courthouse is at 255 N. Forbes Street, 4th Floor, Lakeport, CA 95453. Call (707) 263-2374 for the clerk's office. Visit lake.courts.ca.gov/general-information/public-records-media-and-research-requests for records information. The page explains how to request court records and what details you need to provide.

The clerk's office is on the 4th floor of the courthouse in Lakeport. Staff handle all record requests for dissolution cases and other civil matters. Office hours run weekdays from morning to mid-afternoon. Call ahead to confirm hours before visiting. The office serves a small population, so staff can often help right away if they are not busy.

Lake County provides an online portal at portal.lake.courts.ca.gov/public-portal for case searches. The system displays filing dates, case status, and party names. Search by name or case number without logging in. Online searches are free. Some docs may be viewable through the portal. For certified copies, contact the clerk's office.

The portal runs 24 hours a day. You do not need to create an account for basic searches. Results show case numbers, filing dates, and current status. Click on a case to see more details like parties, attorneys, and hearing dates.

Fees for Records

Certified copies cost $15 for the decree. Extra pages are $0.50 each. Search fees of $15 apply if staff spend over 10 minutes looking for your case. Bring the case number to help staff find the file faster and avoid search fees. The court accepts cash, checks, and money orders. Make checks payable to Superior Court of California, Lake County. Credit cards may work for some payments at the counter.

For mail requests, send a letter with both spouses' full names, the case number if you know it, and the filing date or approximate year. State what docs you need. Include a check for estimated costs and a stamped return envelope. Staff search for the case, make copies, certify them, and mail them back. This takes two to four weeks.

In-person requests move faster. Visit the 4th floor clerk's office and ask for help. Staff can pull the file while you wait if it is readily available. Review the docs and decide what you need. Pay for copies and certification at the counter. You can leave with certified copies the same day in most cases.

Filing Process

You must live in California for six months and Lake County for three months before filing. The filing fee is around $435 to $450. Request a fee waiver if you cannot pay. Fill out a fee waiver application and submit it with your petition. The court reviews your financial situation and decides if you qualify. If approved, you do not pay the filing fee.

California uses no-fault dissolution. You do not need to prove wrongdoing. Most people file based on irreconcilable differences. Fill out form FL-100, the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. Include info about both spouses, the marriage date, separation date, and any children. File it at the Lakeport courthouse with the fee or waiver request. The clerk stamps your petition and assigns a case number.

Serve the petition and summons to your spouse within 60 days of filing. Use a process server, sheriff, or another adult not involved in the case. You cannot serve the papers yourself. After service, file a Proof of Service form with the court. Your spouse has 30 days to respond. If they do not respond, you can request a default judgment. If they respond, the case continues with both parties.

Both parties must exchange financial disclosures using forms FL-140, FL-141, FL-142, and FL-150. These forms list all income, assets, debts, and expenses. Serve copies to your spouse and file proof of service. California law requires these disclosures in all dissolution cases. The court cannot finalize the dissolution until six months pass from the date of service. During that time, file motions for temporary orders if needed. Wait six months from service before finalization. Work on property and custody agreements during the wait. Attend any hearings the court schedules. At the end, the judge signs a final judgment that dissolves the marriage and divides assets and debts.

Self-Help Resources

Lake County has a family law facilitator who can help with forms and procedures. The facilitator does not give legal advice but can answer questions about which forms to use. Check the court website for office hours and contact info. Legal aid groups serve low-income residents with family law issues. Call to see if you qualify for free or low-cost help. Some groups handle cases involving domestic violence, custody, or support disputes.

Note: All California courts use the same state judicial council forms for dissolution, which you can download from the court website or get at the courthouse.

Nearby Counties

Mendocino County sits to the west. Glenn County is to the north. Colusa County and Yolo County lie to the east. Napa County and Sonoma County border to the south.