Lassen Dissolution of Marriage Records

Dissolution of marriage records for Lassen County are stored at the Superior Court at 2610 Riverside Drive in Susanville. The court maintains all case files for dissolution cases filed in this northeastern California county. You can request certified copies by calling (530) 251-8205 or visiting the courthouse during business hours. Lassen County serves a small population spread across a rural area. Court staff can help you locate records and provide copies of documents from your dissolution file. Most records are public unless a judge has ordered the case sealed.

Lassen County Superior Court

The courthouse sits at 2610 Riverside Drive, Susanville, CA 96130. Phone (530) 251-8205 to reach the clerk. Visit www.lassen.courts.ca.gov/general-information/records-information for records details. The page explains what info you need to request case files and how long processing takes.

Lassen County does not offer an online case search portal. Record searches must be done by staff. Call or visit with your case number or party names. Staff can search files and tell you what records exist. The clerk's office keeps all dissolution files. Older cases are on paper. Some newer ones may be electronic. Lassen is a small county in northeastern California, so the office handles fewer cases than urban counties.

To request records, provide both spouses' names and the case number if you have it. If you do not know the case number, give the filing date or approximate year. Staff search through the files and locate your case. You can review docs at the courthouse or request certified copies by mail.

Record Costs

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 speed searches and avoid fees. The court accepts cash, checks, and money orders. Make checks payable to Superior Court of California, Lassen County.

For mail requests, send a letter with both spouses' full names, the case number if known, and the filing date. State what docs you need. Include a check for estimated costs and a stamped return envelope. Staff search for the case, pull the file, make copies, certify them, and mail them back. Wait two to four weeks for mail responses.

In-person visits are faster. Go to the courthouse and ask the clerk for help. Staff can pull the file while you wait if it is on hand. Review the docs to see what you need. Pay for copies and certification at the counter. You can leave with certified copies the same day in most cases.

Public agencies pay $10 for certified copies instead of $15. This discount applies to government offices requesting records for official purposes.

Filing Dissolution Cases

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

California is a no-fault state. You do not need to prove fault. 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, and any children. File it at the Susanville 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, work on property and custody agreements. File motions for temporary orders if needed. 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

Lassen County has limited self-help services due to its small size. Check the court website for forms and basic instructions. The family law facilitator may have limited hours. Legal aid groups in nearby counties sometimes serve Lassen residents. Call to see if you qualify for free or low-cost assistance. Some groups handle cases involving domestic violence, custody, or support issues.

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.

Surrounding Counties

Lassen County is in northeastern California. Modoc County sits to the north. Plumas County is to the west. Shasta County lies to the northwest. Each county keeps its own records.