Mendocino County Dissolution Records

Dissolution of marriage records in Mendocino County are maintained at the Superior Court at 100 North State Street, Room 108, in Ukiah. The court uses the re:SearchCA portal for online case searches. All cases are now electronic with no paper files. You can search for case information through the online portal or request certified copies by contacting the clerk's office. Mendocino County serves communities along California's northern coast. Most dissolution records are public documents accessible through online searches or in-person requests at the courthouse in Ukiah.

Mendocino Superior Court Records

100 North State Street, Room 108, Ukiah, CA 95482. Visit www.mendocino.courts.ca.gov/court-records-requests to learn how to request records. The page tells you what info to include in your request and how long processing takes.

Mendocino County went fully electronic with court files. No paper files exist for new cases. All docs are scanned and stored in a digital system. This makes searching faster and easier. You can access case info through the online portal from anywhere with internet.

Online portal at researchca.tylerhost.net/CourtRecordsSearch is the re:SearchCA system used by several California counties. Enter a party name or case number to search. The system shows results with case numbers, filing dates, and party names. Click on a case to see more details like case type, status, and filed documents.

Some docs are viewable online. Others require a formal request to the clerk's office. If you need certified copies, you must contact the court directly. The online portal is free to use and does not require registration for basic searches.

Fees and Copies

Certified copies cost $15 for the decree. Extra pages add $0.50 each. If staff must search for more than 10 minutes, a $15 search fee applies. The court accepts cash, checks, and money orders. Make checks payable to Mendocino Superior Court. Credit cards may work for some payments at the counter.

Mail requests should include a letter with both spouses' names, the case number if you have it, and the approximate filing date. State what docs you want. Send 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 visits are faster. You can often get copies the same day if the file is readily available in the electronic system.

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

Filing a Dissolution

To file in Mendocino County, live in California for six months and in the county for three months before filing. The filing fee runs from $435 to $450. Fee waivers are available for low-income filers. Fill out a fee waiver application and submit it with your petition. The court reviews your financial info and decides if you qualify.

California uses no-fault dissolution. You do not need to prove fault or wrongdoing. Most petitions cite irreconcilable differences as the grounds. 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 Ukiah courthouse and pay the fee or submit a waiver request. The clerk assigns a case number and stamps your docs.

Serve the petition and summons to your spouse within 60 days of filing. Use a process server, sheriff, or another adult who is not involved in the case. You cannot serve the papers yourself. File a Proof of Service form after your spouse is served. They have 30 days to respond. If they do not respond, you can ask for a default judgment. If they do respond, the case continues with both parties participating.

Both parties must exchange financial disclosures using forms FL-140, FL-141, FL-142, and FL-150. These forms list all assets, debts, income, and expenses. Serve copies to your spouse and file proof of service with the court. California law requires these disclosures in all dissolution cases, even if you agree on everything. 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. These can cover child custody, spousal support, or property use. 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

Mendocino County offers a family law facilitator who can help with forms and procedures. The facilitator does not give legal advice but can explain which forms to use. The office also has info on mediation and other resources. Legal aid groups serve low-income residents with family law issues. Call to see if you qualify. Some groups only take cases involving domestic violence or child welfare.

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

Nearby Counties

Humboldt County to the north. Trinity County to the northeast. Lake County to the southeast. Sonoma County to the south.