Madera County Dissolution Records

Dissolution of marriage records for Madera County are maintained at the Superior Court. Call (559) 416-5599 to reach the clerk's office. The court provides an online portal for case searches at the eCourt system. Search fees cost $5 per name for a five-day search period. All case files include petitions, responses, financial disclosures, and final judgments. Most dissolution records are public documents that anyone can access unless a judge has sealed the case. You can search for records through the online portal or visit the courthouse to request certified copies in person.

Madera Superior Court Information

Call (559) 416-5599 to reach the clerk. Visit the family law court page at www.madera.courts.ca.gov/divisions/family-law-court for information on family law procedures and resources. The page explains how dissolution cases work and what forms you need.

The clerk's office handles all dissolution filings and record requests. Staff can search for cases by party name or case number. Office hours run weekdays from morning to mid-afternoon. Call ahead to confirm hours before visiting. Madera County is in the Central Valley between Fresno and Merced.

Madera County provides an online portal at madera-prod-portal.ecourt.com/public-portal. Search by party name or case number. The system shows basic case info like filing dates, parties, and case status. Some docs may be viewable online. For certified copies, contact the clerk's office.

The portal is free to use. No registration is required for basic searches. You can access it 24 hours a day from any device with internet. Results show case numbers and filing dates. Click on a case to see more details.

Record Fees

Search fees are $5 per name for a five-day period. This fee applies when staff search through records for you. Certified copies cost $15 for the decree. Extra pages are $0.50 each. If staff must search for more than 10 minutes beyond the basic search, an additional $15 search fee may apply. The court accepts cash, checks, and money orders. Make checks payable to Superior Court of California, Madera County.

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. Wait two to four weeks for processing.

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 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

Live in California for six months and Madera County for three months before filing. The filing fee is about $435 to $450. Request a fee waiver if you have low income or receive public benefits. 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 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 Madera 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. 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

Madera 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. 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.

Cities in Madera County

Madera County includes Madera. All residents file dissolution cases at Madera County Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

Fresno County sits to the south. Mariposa County is to the east. Merced County lies to the northwest.