Sierra County Dissolution Records

Dissolution of marriage records for Sierra County are kept at the Superior Court at 100 Courthouse Square in Downieville. Call (530) 289-3698 for court information. Sierra County is California's second least populated county with about 3,000 residents. The court does not offer an online portal for case searches. All record searches must be performed by court staff. You can request certified copies by visiting the courthouse or sending a mail request. Most dissolution records are public unless sealed by court order. Staff can help you locate records and provide copies of documents from your dissolution file. The small population means fewer cases but also limited staff resources for processing requests.

Sierra Superior Court

100 Courthouse Square, Downieville, CA 95936. Call (530) 289-3698. Visit www.sierra.courts.ca.gov/ for court homepage. No online portal. Staff perform all searches. The clerk's office handles all record requests for dissolution cases.

Sierra County is one of the smallest counties in California. The courthouse is in Downieville, a historic gold rush town. Office hours run weekdays but may vary, so call ahead before visiting. The county is remote with few services. Staff know most people who come in and try to help with questions.

All dissolution files are kept at the courthouse. Older cases are on paper. Some newer ones may be electronic. To request records, provide both spouses' names and the case number if you have it. If you do not know the case number, give the filing date or approximate year. Staff search through the files and locate your case. You can review docs at the courthouse or request certified copies by mail.

Fees and Copies

Certified copies cost $15 for the decree. Extra pages are $0.50 each. Search fees of $15 apply if staff spend over 10 minutes looking for your case. The court accepts cash, checks, and money orders. Make checks payable to Superior Court of California, Sierra County.

For mail requests, send a letter with both spouses' full names, the case number if you know it, and the filing date. 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. Processing takes two to four weeks.

In-person visits may be faster but require travel to Downieville. Go to the courthouse and ask for help. Staff can pull the file while you wait if available. Review the docs and decide what you need. Pay at the counter. You can leave with certified copies the same day in most cases.

Filing a Dissolution

To file in Sierra County, live in California for six months and in the county for three months. Filing fee is about $435 to $450. Fee waiver available 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.

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 Downieville 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. Your spouse has 30 days to respond. If they do not respond, you can request a default judgment.

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. 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. 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

Sierra County has limited self-help services due to its very small size. Check the court website for forms and basic instructions. The family law facilitator may have limited hours. Legal aid groups in nearby counties sometimes serve Sierra residents. Call to see if you qualify for free or low-cost help.

Nearby Counties

Plumas County to the north. Nevada County to the south. Yuba County to the west.