Divorce records in California are court records, and like most court records they are presumptively public — accessible to anyone who requests them from the court clerk. However, specific documents within a divorce file may be sealed, and the rules around access vary depending on what type of record you are seeking. Understanding what is public, what is sealed, and how to access California divorce records is useful whether you are researching your own case history or need to verify another person's marital status.
Are Divorce Records Public in California?
Are divorce records public in California? Generally yes. The California Rules of Court provide that court records are presumptively open to public inspection unless a specific statute or court order requires sealing. A divorce judgment, the divorce petition, the response, and filed motions are generally available to anyone who visits the courthouse and pays the copying fees or submits a written request.
However, financial declaration documents — the Schedule of Assets and Debts (FL-142) and Income and Expense Declarations (FL-150) — are required to be kept confidential under California Rules of Court Rule 2.401. These documents contain detailed financial information that the courts protect from general public disclosure. Additionally, documents related to minor children — including custody evaluations, therapist reports, and child protective services records — may be sealed or redacted in public copies.
How to Access Divorce Records in California
To access divorce records in Orange County, you can visit the Lamoreaux Justice Center clerk's office at 341 The City Drive South, Orange, CA 92868, or submit a written request to the court. You will need the case number if you have it, or the full names of both parties and the approximate year of filing. The Orange County Superior Court also provides online case access for some records through its public portal.
For Riverside County divorce records, including cases filed at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta, you can contact the Riverside County Superior Court clerk or visit the courthouse. Copies of public divorce records typically cost a per-page fee plus a certification fee if you need a certified copy.
How to Find Out If Someone Is Divorced in California
To find out if someone is divorced in California, you can search court records using the California Courts public case search portal, contact the superior court in the county where the divorce was likely filed, or hire a research service. California does not maintain a centralized statewide divorce registry accessible to the public — records are held at the county court level where the divorce was filed.
The California Department of Public Health Vital Statistics branch maintains statistical records of divorces but does not provide individual record lookup for the general public. A certified copy of a divorce decree can be obtained from the court that issued it.
Sealing Divorce Records in California
Either party can ask the court to seal specific documents in a divorce file. The standard for sealing requires the court to find an overriding interest that overcomes the right of public access, that the proposed sealing is narrowly tailored, and that no less restrictive means exist. Courts are reluctant to seal entire divorce files but may seal specific sensitive documents — particularly those involving children, medical information, or trade secrets — when the statutory standard is met.
Furubotten Law, APC handles post-judgment proceedings, record access issues, and divorce matters throughout Orange County and Riverside County. Call (714) 795-3862 for a complimentary case evaluation.