Tulare County Dissolution Records

Dissolution of marriage records in Tulare County are maintained at the Superior Court at 221 S. Mooney Boulevard in Visalia. Call (559) 730-5000 for court information. The court provides an online portal for case searches. Processing time for records requests is approximately 15 business days. Tulare County serves communities throughout the southern Central Valley including Visalia, Tulare, and Porterville. All case files include petitions, responses, financial disclosures, and final judgments. Most dissolution records are public documents accessible through online searches or by contacting the records office for certified copies.

Tulare Superior Court

221 S. Mooney Boulevard, Visalia, CA 93291. Call (559) 730-5000. Processing takes 15 business days for most record requests. Visit www.tulare.courts.ca.gov/online-services/records-request for the records request page. The page explains how to request case files and what info you need to provide.

The clerk's office handles all record requests for dissolution cases. Staff search for cases by party name or case number. Office hours run weekdays from morning to late afternoon. Call ahead to confirm hours before visiting. Tulare County is in the southern Central Valley and serves a large agricultural region.

Online portal available at online.tulare.courts.ca.gov/ for case searches. Enter a party name or case number. The system shows basic case info like filing dates, parties, and status. Some docs may be viewable online. For certified copies, contact the clerk's office.

The portal is free to use. No registration is needed for basic searches. You can access it 24 hours a day from any device with internet. Results show case numbers and filing dates. Click on a case to see more details like parties, attorneys, and hearing dates.

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. Bring the case number to help staff find the file faster and avoid search fees. The court accepts cash, checks, and money orders. Make checks payable to Superior Court of California, Tulare County.

For mail requests, send a letter with both spouses' full names, the case number if you know it, and the filing date or approximate year. 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 15 business days in most cases.

In-person visits can be faster. Go to the courthouse in Visalia and ask for help at the clerk's office. Staff can pull the file while you wait if it is available. Review the docs and decide what you need. Pay for copies and certification at the counter. You may be able to get copies the same day if the file is readily accessible.

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

Filing a Dissolution

To file in Tulare 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. If approved, you do not pay the filing fee.

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 Visalia 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 with the court. Your spouse has 30 days to respond. If they do not respond, you can request a default judgment. If they 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 income, assets, debts, and expenses. Serve copies to your spouse and file proof of service. California law 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, 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

Tulare 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. Check the court website for office hours. Legal aid groups serve low-income residents with family law issues. Call to see if you qualify for free or low-cost help. Some groups handle cases involving domestic violence, custody, or support disputes.

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

Cities in County

Major cities include Visalia, Tulare, and Porterville. All residents file at Tulare County Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

Fresno County to the north. Inyo County to the east. Kern County to the south. Kings County to the west.