San Bernardino County Divorce Records

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San Bernardino divorce records provide documented proof of dissolved marriages within the county. They include legal documents like divorce hearing files, divorce decrees, or divorce certificates. These records contain information that can be used for proof of marital status, visa or immigration purposes, tax purposes, or to enforce support orders in a divorce.

San Bernardino County divorce records generally contain details like:

  • The couple's names
  • The court details
  • The grounds for the divorce
  • The judge's name
  • Filing date
  • Divorce decree or judgment date.

The Clerk of the Superior Court maintains most records. There is a Family Law Division where divorce cases are handled and the court records are archived. Requesters can approach the Clerk's Office with records requests or ask how to find divorce records in San Bernardino County. Other sources for these records include the San Bernardino County Recorder's Office, where Vital Records are maintained. San Bernardino County had a divorce rate of 9.5% which is slightly higher than the state average of 9%.

Are Divorce Records Public in San Bernardino County?

Yes, divorce records are publicly accessible in San Bernardino County according to the California Public Records Act. Anyone can access divorce records through the Clerk of the Superior Court. However, the law places restrictions on certain sensitive records. These records contain redacted or sealed information such as custody reports, protective orders, medical or educational reports of minors, financial information, and more. They can be accessed only by the parties, their legal representatives, or individuals authorized by a court order. Generally, public details include the judgment of dissolution, case number, parties' names, filing date, court docket, and more. Persons who want to access restricted records must provide a valid ID or an attorney's access to the clerk.

How to Find Divorce Records in San Bernardino County

San Bernardino County divorce records are public and can be obtained through the Superior Court Clerk's Office. This office handles records requests sent by mail or submitted in person. These requests must contain details about the divorce, such as the names of the spouses, the filing date, or the case number. Requesters can also use the Court Case Information and Document Sales to look up divorce records in San Bernardino. Here are the steps for obtaining San Bernardino County divorce records:

In-Person Access

Physical access to divorce records is available at the Superior Court.

  • Go to the family law clerk's office where the divorce was filed
  • Submit a request or details about the divorce, such as the names of the parties or the case number, for a search
  • Wait for the documents to be produced by the clerk
  • Pay for copies, if any will be made

Mail-in Access

This method has steps similar to those for in-person requests, except the request is sent via postal service.

  • Prepare a records request in the prescribed format with all relevant documents attached.
  • Provide details of the divorce, like case number or filing date, in the request.
  • Include a self-addressed stamped envelope in the request and seal the package.
  • Submit the package to your preferred postal service for mailing to the family law clerk's office.
  • Wait for the request to be processed to receive the divorce record, which may take weeks.

Online Access

  • Go to the Court Case Information and Document Sales website
  • Read the terms and click on Accept at the bottom
  • You will be redirected to a county-specific case search portal with the options of a Case number search, Citation number search, or name search
  • Input the details of your divorce and click on search.
MethodWhere to GoInfo NeededCostProcessing Time
In-Person AccessSan Bernardino County Superior Court, Family Law DivisionCase number, names of parties, filing dateCertified copies cost between $15 and $40, plus $0.50 per pageSame day access or within two working days
Mail-in AccessCourt Clerk's officeCase number, filing date, names of parties$0.50 per page plus mailing and return postage feesSeveral weeks
Online AccessSan Bernardino County Superior Court Case Information and Document Sales websiteCitation number, names of parties, case numberFree searchImmediate search results

Overview of the San Bernardino County Court System

San Bernardino County's divorce records are available through the Superior Court. This court has jurisdiction over family law matters and handles such cases through the Family Law Division. Aside from divorces, county residents can file cases of child support or visitation, spousal support, annulment, and child custody claims. The primary location for San Bernardino County family court divorce filings is the San Bernardino Justice Center. This court is also the main source of divorce records in the county. San Bernardino County Superior Court Records are maintained by the Clerk's Office where the divorce was filed, and this office provides access to certified and informational copies. Here are the court locations:

San Bernardino Justice Center

351 North Arrowhead Avenue

San Bernardino, California 92415

(909) 521-3136 - Phone

(909) 708-8678 - General Information Line

Victorville District (High Desert)

14455 Civic Drive, Suite 100

Victorville, California 91392

(760) 245-6215 - Phone

Rancho Cucamonga District

8303 Haven Avenue

Rancho Cucamonga, California 91730

(909) 350-9322 - Phone

Joshua Tree District (Morongo Basin)

6527 White Feather Road

Joshua Tree, California 92252

(760) 974-3048 - Phone

Online Access to San Bernardino County Divorce Records

San Bernardino County divorce records can be accessed and obtained online through the Superior Court Case Information and Document Sales platform. This website allows requesters to find San Bernardino County divorce records online through the county's court records search portal. Requesters can search for divorce case records using case number, name, parties, or citation number. It is a free online divorce lookup tool for San Bernardino County. This website requires only a mobile device or computer and a good internet connection. Members of the public must note that restricted documents may not be accessible through this website. There are also third-party websites that provide access to informational copies of divorce records. These websites get records from primary sources and provide easier and faster access.

What's Typically Included in a San Bernardino County Divorce Record

Divorce records basically contain information about the couple, the court where the divorce occured, and the post-divorce agreements. The details in these records may contain sensitive information that must be restricted by law. This means you may not get the complete divorce records if you are not the spouses' legal representatives or you don't have a court order.

Restricted records are sealed to protect sensitive information about the couple, a minor, or a victim of domestic violence or abuse. However, a complete San Bernardino County divorce record will contain details such as the names of the parties, the case type, court information, case number, child support orders, names of attorneys, case status, filing date, final judgment, and more.

San Bernardino County Divorce Record InformationAvailable to the Public
Filing dateYes
Case typeYes
Spousal support orderYes
Child support orderYes
Names of attorneys on recordYes
Grounds for the divorceYes
Final judgmentYes
Court detailsYes
Case numberYes
Names of the parties to the divorceYes
Income and expense declarationsSealed
Domestic abuse or violence recordsSealed
Medical or mental health reports of children or their spousesSealed
Adoption or foster case recordsSealed
Victim or minors' medical or psychological recordsSealed
Tax returnsSealed
Identifying information of minorsSealed
Agreements filed under protective orderSealed

How to Get Certified Copies of San Bernardino County Divorce Records

Certified copies of divorce records are official documents from the court with the court seal and the clerk's signature. This document type carries the issuing agency's authority, making it useful for various official purposes. Certified copies can be used to prove marital status, remarriage, government filings, and more. Informational copies are records that are not endorsed with any official emblems. They may contain the same information as certified copies, but without the official seal or signature to show it was obtained from the direct source. They are generally helpful for personal purposes and cannot be used to enforce orders or prove legal status.

Requesters can get official divorce record copies from the San Bernardino County Superior Court Clerk's office. When making a request, they may be required to provide a government-issued ID and some details about the divorce. Informational copies generally do not need any verification to be accessed or obtained. They can also be obtained from third-party websites where records are not endorsed for official use.

Type of CopyUse CaseWho Can RequestLegally Valid?
Certified CopyRemarriage, property transfer. Government filings, social security claims, support or custody order enforcementParties to the divorce, their legal representatives, and anyone authorized by a court orderYes
Informational CopyPersonal records, genealogical research, family historyThe general publicNo

Why People Request San Bernardino County Divorce Records

Divorce records are useful for various tasks, both legally and personally. Here are some reasons to request divorce records in San Bernardino County:

  • For remarriage eligibility
  • Proof of marital status
  • To enforce spousal support
  • For insurance or inheritance purposes
  • For visa or immigration applications
  • Genealogical research
  • For legal filings
  • Tax filings
  • Background checks
  • Fraud prevention

San Bernardino County Divorce Records Summary

CustodianAvailable Record TypeAccess MethodFees & Notes
San Bernardino Superior Court, Family Law Clerk's OfficeDivorce records, including decrees and case documentsIn-person, mail-in, and online access$15 for certified copies
California Department of Public Health, Vital RecordsDivorce records from 1962 to June 1984Mail-in or online request$16 per copy

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