Napa County Dissolution Records

Dissolution of marriage records for Napa County are kept at the Superior Court at 825 Brown Street, 1st Floor, in Napa. Call (707) 299-1140 to reach the clerk's office. The court serves the wine country region including the city of Napa and surrounding communities. All case files include petitions, responses, and final judgments. Most dissolution records are public documents accessible through in-person requests. You can visit the courthouse to request certified copies or send a mail request to the clerk's office. Anyone can search for these records if they have basic info like party names or case numbers. Staff at the first floor office can guide you through the process and explain what docs are in each file.

Napa Superior Court

825 Brown Street, 1st Floor, Napa, CA 94559. Call (707) 299-1140. Visit www.napa.courts.ca.gov/research-records to learn about getting records. The research and records page tells you what info you need to find a case. The clerk's office handles all record requests for civil and family law matters.

When you visit the office, bring a list of what you want. Staff pull files from the system. They check the case number or search by party names. You can review the file at a public terminal or desk area. The court does not let you take files out of the building, but you can ask staff to make copies. Processing times vary based on how busy the office is. Most requests take less than one hour if the file is easy to find.

For mail requests, send a letter with all case details. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate filing date, and the case number if you have it. Staff search for the case and send copies back. You must prepay for copies and include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Processing by mail takes two to four weeks.

What Dissolution Files Include

A dissolution file has many docs. The petition is the first filing. It names both spouses and states the grounds for dissolution. California only needs irreconcilable differences, so most petitions cite that. The file also has a summons, which tells the other spouse about the case. A response comes next if the other spouse files one. Financial disclosures list assets, debts, income, and expenses. These forms go in the file too.

Some files have declarations or motions about temporary orders. These cover child custody, spousal support, or use of property during the case. Proof of service shows the petition was delivered to the other spouse. At the end, the file has a final judgment or decree. That doc ends the marriage and divides property and debts. Some cases also have settlement agreements that both parties signed. Those agreements become part of the final order.

Fees

Certified copies cost $15. Extra pages $0.50. Search fees $15 if over 10 minutes. Accept cash, checks, money orders. Mail requests need check plus stamped envelope. Processing two to four weeks. Public agencies pay $10 for certified copies instead of $15. Make checks out to Napa Superior Court. For in-person visits, you can pay and get copies right away if the file is on hand. Credit or debit cards may work for some payments at the counter.

If you need multiple certified copies, the $15 fee applies to each one. Uncertified copies are cheaper but not accepted by most agencies. Certification adds an official stamp and signature from the clerk. That stamp proves the copy is real and unaltered.

Filing for Dissolution

Live in California six months and Napa County three months. Filing fee about $435 to $450. Fee waiver available if you meet income limits. No-fault dissolution means you do not have to prove wrongdoing. File on irreconcilable differences. Serve papers to your spouse using a process server, sheriff, or another adult. File Proof of Service with the court. Six-month wait from service before the court can finalize the dissolution.

Start by filling out the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. Use form FL-100 from the California judicial council. File it at the Napa County courthouse along with the filing fee. The clerk will stamp your docs and give you a case number. Serve the petition and summons to your spouse within 60 days of filing. After service, your spouse has 30 days to file a response. If they do not respond, you may ask for a default judgment.

Both parties must exchange financial disclosures. Use forms FL-140, FL-141, FL-142, and FL-150. These forms list all income, assets, and debts. You must serve these to your spouse and file proof of service with the court. If you have kids under 18, you must also file a declaration about child custody and support. The court uses state guidelines to set child support amounts.

Self-Help and Legal Aid

Napa County offers a family law facilitator who can help with forms. The facilitator does not give legal advice but can tell you which forms to use. The office also has info on mediation services. Mediation can help you reach agreements on custody, support, and property division without a trial. Many cases settle through mediation, which saves time and money.

Legal aid groups in Napa County offer free or low-cost help for people who qualify. These groups can assist with restraining orders, child custody issues, and property disputes. Call ahead to see if you meet the income requirements. Some groups only take cases that involve domestic violence or child welfare concerns.

Cities in Napa County

Napa County includes Napa. All residents file at Napa County Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

Sonoma County to the west. Solano County to the south. Yolo County to the east. Lake County to the north.