Merced County Dissolution Records

Dissolution of marriage records for Merced County are stored at the Superior Court at 2260 N Street in Merced. Call (209) 725-4117 to reach the clerk's office. The court maintains complete case files for all dissolution cases filed in this Central Valley county. You can request certified copies by visiting the courthouse or sending a mail request. Merced County serves a diverse population throughout the agricultural region. Court staff can help you locate records and provide copies of documents from your dissolution file. Most records are public unless sealed by court order.

Merced Superior Court

2260 N Street, Merced, CA 95340. Call (209) 725-4117. Visit www.merced.courts.ca.gov/self-help/records-search for info on how to request records. The records search page explains what info you need and how to submit a request.

The clerk's office handles all record requests for dissolution cases. Staff search for cases by party name or case number. You can visit in person during business hours or send a mail request. Office hours run from early morning to mid-afternoon on weekdays. Call ahead to confirm hours before you drive to the courthouse.

Merced County keeps dissolution files in the court records system. Newer cases may be electronic. Older ones are on paper and stored in file rooms or archives. Staff pull the file when you request it. You can review docs at the courthouse or ask for certified copies. Processing times depend on how busy the office is and whether the file is easy to find.

Getting Copies

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

For mail requests, send a letter with the full names of both spouses, the case number if known, and the filing date or approximate year. State which 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. This takes two to four weeks, sometimes longer if the office is busy or the file is in archives.

In-person visits are faster. Go to the clerk's office and ask 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 a reduced fee of $10 for certified copies instead of $15. This applies to government offices requesting records for official use.

Filing a Dissolution

To file in Merced County, you must live in California for six months and in the county for three months. The filing fee is about $435 to $450. Fee waivers are available if you meet income guidelines or receive public benefits. Fill out a fee waiver request 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 have to prove your spouse did anything wrong. Most people file based on irreconcilable differences. Fill out the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage using form FL-100. Include info about both spouses, the marriage date, separation date, and any children. File it at the Merced courthouse with the fee or waiver request. The clerk stamps your petition and gives you a case number.

Serve the petition and summons to your spouse within 60 days of filing. You cannot serve it yourself. Use a process server, the sheriff, or another adult who is not involved in the case. After service, file a Proof of Service form with the court. Your spouse has 30 days to file a response. If no response is filed, you can request a default judgment. If they respond, the case moves forward with both parties.

Both parties must exchange financial disclosures. Use 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 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, you can file motions for temporary orders on child custody, support, or use of property. Attend any hearings the court schedules. At the end, the judge signs a final judgment that ends the marriage and divides property and debts.

Self-Help and Legal Aid

Merced 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 and how to fill them out. Check the court website for office hours. Legal aid groups serve low-income residents in Merced County. These groups can help with dissolution cases involving custody, support, or property issues. Call to see if you qualify for free or low-cost help.

Cities in Merced County

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

Nearby Counties

Stanislaus County to the west. Madera County to the south. Mariposa County to the east.