Modoc County Dissolution Records

Dissolution of marriage records in Modoc County are kept at the Superior Court at 205 South East Street in Alturas. Call (530) 233-6516 to reach the clerk's office. The court provides an online portal for case searches. All case files include petitions, responses, and final judgments. Modoc County is California's second least populated county with fewer than 9,000 residents. Most dissolution records are public documents accessible through online searches or in-person requests. Court staff can help you locate records and provide copies of documents from your dissolution file.

Modoc Superior Court Access

205 South East Street, Alturas, CA 96101. Call (530) 233-6516. Modoc County provides an online portal at portal.modoc.courts.ca.gov/public-portal for case searches. You can search by party name or case number. The system shows basic case info like filing dates, parties, and case status.

The clerk's office is small and serves a rural population. Staff know the community and try to help with record requests. Office hours run weekdays but may vary, so call ahead before visiting. The courthouse is in Alturas, the county seat. Modoc County is remote with few services, so plan your visit if you live far away.

All dissolution files are kept at the courthouse. Older cases are on paper. Some newer cases may be in electronic form. Staff search for cases when you request them. You need to provide at least one party name or the case number. If you have a filing date or year, that helps staff find the file faster.

Fees and Copies

Certified copies cost $15 for the decree. Extra pages are $0.50 each. If staff must search for more than 10 minutes, a $15 search fee applies. The court takes cash, checks, and money orders. Make checks payable to Modoc Superior Court. Mail requests need a check for estimated costs and a stamped return envelope. Processing takes two to four weeks.

For mail requests, write a letter with both spouses' full names, the case number if you know it, and the approximate filing date. State what docs you need. Include payment and return postage. Staff search for the case, make copies, certify them, and mail them back. In-person requests move faster. You can get copies while you wait if the file is on hand.

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

Filing a Dissolution

To file in Modoc County, 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 for low-income filers. Submit a fee waiver application 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 petitions cite irreconcilable differences. Fill out the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage using form FL-100. Include info about both spouses, the marriage date, and any children. File it at the Alturas courthouse with the fee or waiver request. The clerk stamps your docs 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. Your spouse has 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.

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. California law requires these disclosures 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 custody, support, or use of property. Attend hearings if the court schedules them. At the end, the judge signs a final judgment that dissolves the marriage and divides assets and debts.

Self-Help Resources

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

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

Nearby Counties

Siskiyou County to the west. Lassen County to the south. Modoc borders Oregon to the north and Nevada to the east.