In California, you obtain divorce records from the Superior Court in the county where the divorce was filed. If you do not know the case number, start with the court’s name search or request a records search from the clerk. Then, request a certified copy of the final judgment if you need official proof for the DMV, a lender, Social Security, or similar agencies.
You don’t expect to need proof that your marriage ended. Until the day you do.
Maybe it’s for a name change at the DMV. Maybe you’re refinancing your home, and the lender wants documentation that you’re the sole owner. Or maybe it’s something more personal, a new relationship where questions about your past start coming up. You know you’re divorced. But official records? You’re not sure where they are. Maybe your ex kept them. Maybe they’re buried in a box from the move.
Whatever the reason, here you are, trying to figure out how to get divorce records in California, or whether they’re even public in the first place.
This guide walks you through everything: what qualifies as a divorce record, how to find them (even if you don’t know the case number), where to request copies, and what to do when records are sealed or archived.
Divorce Records in California: What They Are and Who Can See Them
Before you go searching, it’s important to understand what you’re actually looking for.
In California, a “divorce record” might refer to different documents depending on who’s asking. The most common document is the divorce judgment (sometimes called a divorce decree), which is the court’s final order ending the marriage. This is the official proof that your divorce is finalized.
But there’s also the full divorce case file, which might contain financial disclosures, custody orders, and other motions or stipulations filed throughout the case. Then there’s a more limited document called a Certificate of Record, issued by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), but only for divorces between 1962 and June 1984, and even then, it’s just a summary (not a full judgment).
If your divorce was filed during this period and you need the actual divorce judgment or a certified copy, you still get it from the Superior Court in the county where the divorce was filed. The CDPH Certificate of Record can help because it lists the county and case number, which makes it easier for the court clerk to locate your file.
So, are divorce records public in California?
Often, yes. Under California Rules of Court, Rule 2.550, superior court records are presumed open unless confidential by law or sealed by order.
California generally treats court records as public unless a judge has sealed them by court order or a specific rule or statute makes part of the file confidential. Even when a divorce case is public, certain information may be redacted, and certain filings may be restricted.
This means you can request divorce records for yourself or someone else in many cases. But if the case involves protected information (for example, certain child-related evaluations, records tied to abuse allegations, or other filings the court treats as confidential), you may be able to access the judgment while still being blocked from parts of the file. When in doubt, the court clerk can tell you what is available to the public and what requires party access or a court order.
Where Divorce Records Are Stored in California
There’s no “California Divorce Records” central office. The record of your divorce is maintained by the Superior Court of the county where the case was filed. That’s where you go, write, or use the court’s online system to get a copy of your divorce judgment or case documents.
Let’s say you lived in Sacramento when you divorced, but now you’re in San Diego. You’ll still need to contact Sacramento County Superior Court, not your local court. Each county runs its own case records system.
Some counties offer online case searches and online document ordering, while others require in-person or mail requests. The same is true for how far back online records go. Even in counties with strong online portals, older cases may not be digitized.
For older divorces, specifically those finalized between 1962 and June 1984, you can request a Certificate of Record from CDPH. But remember, that certificate is just a brief summary, not the actual judgment.
How to Find Divorce Records in California
Say you’re trying to refinance your house. Your lender asks for a certified copy of your divorce judgment. You know you divorced in Alameda County around 2010, but you don’t have the case number. What now?
Start with the Superior Court website for the county where the divorce was filed and look for the court’s case information search. If the court offers name searches, you may be able to find the case number using the parties’ names and an approximate filing date or judgment year. If the court does not offer public name searches online, call the clerk’s office and ask what their process is for a records search.
If court staff have to do research beyond a minimal lookup, the court may charge a records search fee. Courts also vary on whether they require requests in writing, what ID they require, and whether they will accept email or only mail. Ask the clerk what they accept before you send anything.
Once you have the case number, you can request:
- A plain copy of the divorce judgment (good for personal reference)
- A certified copy, which is what official agencies typically require
You can usually request these:
- In person, at the courthouse clerk’s office
- Online, if the court offers document ordering through its portal
- By mail, by submitting a written request, check or money order, and a self-addressed stamped return envelope (if required by that court)
If you don’t know which county handled the divorce, try to narrow it down using past addresses, where you or your spouse lived at the time, or legal correspondence. Once you find the right court, you’re on the right track.
Can You Look Up Divorce Records Online for Free?
Yes, but with limits.
Many counties allow you to search their divorce case indexes online for free. You’ll usually need the parties’ names and an approximate filing or judgment date. This can confirm whether the case exists and sometimes provide the case number and hearing dates.
But do not assume you will be able to download the judgment for free. Many courts let you view an index, but charge for copies, and may require you to order documents through the clerk. Also, unless you are a party to the case with the right access, you should not expect to view restricted filings online.
For older cases, “online” may not be an option at all. Some courts have not digitized older judgments, or they only digitized an index. In those situations, you are usually dealing with an in-person request, a mail request, or an off-site archive retrieval.
So while you can often find out that a divorce happened online for free, you’ll likely need to pay for copies of any court-filed documents.
How to Get Certified Copies of Divorce Records
When an agency asks for proof of divorce, they usually mean a certified copy of the final judgment, not just an online printout.
When you finalize your divorce, the court typically provides one certified copy of your decree. If you need additional certified copies later, you’ll need to request them.
What You’ll Need to Request a Copy
To obtain a copy of your divorce decree, you’ll typically need:
- Names of both parties
- The case number (if you have it)
- The date the divorce was finalized (approximate is fine)
- Your identification
- Payment for the copy fee
To get one:
- Contact the Superior Court where the divorce was finalized
- Request the final judgment of dissolution
- Specify that you need a certified copy
- Pay the required fees
Fees vary by county and can change, so treat any number you see online as a starting point, not a guarantee. Most courts charge a per-page copy fee and a separate certification fee. Your court’s fee schedule or the clerk’s office will tell you the current total.
Certified copies come with a court seal or certification page and are generally accepted as official proof by agencies like the DMV, passport offices, Social Security, and financial institutions. If the agency is picky, ask what wording they require (for example, “certified copy of final judgment”) so you request the right thing the first time.
If your divorce was between 1962 and June 1984, and you only need confirmation that it happened (not the full decree), you can order a Certificate of Record from CDPH for $16 using Form VS 113 B. If you need the actual terms of the divorce (property, support, custody), CDPH will not have that. You will need the Superior Court judgment.
Sealed or Archived Divorce Records: What You Need to Know
If a divorce file is sealed, access is limited.
To access a sealed file as a third party, you’ll generally need to file a motion or petition asking the court to unseal or to grant access, and you will need a legally meaningful reason.
Even in open cases, documents like financial disclosures, medical evaluations, and certain custody-related filings may be confidential and will not be released to the public.
Archived files, especially older cases, may be stored off-site. That can add delay and may involve an archive retrieval fee, depending on the county.
Costs and Timelines: What to Expect
- Standard court copy fee: ~$0.50 per page
- Certified copy fee: ~$15–$40 per document
- Search fee (if you don’t have a case number): ~$15 fee per search taking more than 10 minutes
- CDPH Certificate of Record: $16 flat fee
Processing time depends on how you request the record:
- In person: Same day, if the file is available
- Mail: 7–10 business days in many counties
- Online: Varies; 2–5 court days is common for processing, plus mailing time
- CDPH: 5–7 weeks (but may take up to 6 months due to volume)
Actual timing is set by each court and CDPH and can change without notice
Looking Up Someone Else’s Divorce in California
Sometimes you’re not looking for your own divorce records; you’re trying to find out if someone else has been divorced.
So, can you find out if someone has gotten divorced in California?
In many cases, yes. If the case is not sealed, you can often confirm that a divorce case exists by searching the county court index and then requesting a copy of the judgment from the clerk. You typically do not need to be a party to request public records.
But you won’t get everything. Even in public divorce files, certain documents, like detailed financial disclosures, medical records, custody evaluations, or anything restricted to protect minor children, may be confidential or redacted.
So you might be able to obtain the final judgment while still being blocked from attachments, reports, or parts of the case history.
If you believe there’s a compelling reason to access sealed parts of someone else’s divorce case, you’d need to petition the court and provide specific legal grounds, such as a related legal action or another legally recognized need.
For casual searches or curiosity, that usually won’t be enough.
FAQs: California Divorce Records
Where can I get my divorce certificate in California?
From the Superior Court where your divorce was finalized. If your divorce was between 1962 and June 1984, you may request a Certificate of Record from CDPH, but it is not the same as a divorce decree.
How do I get proof that I’m divorced?
Request a certified copy of the final judgment from the Superior Court clerk in the county where your divorce was filed. Tell the clerk you need a certified copy for official proof.
Are California divorce records public?
Usually, yes, unless the judge sealed the file or parts of it are confidential. In many cases, the public can request the judgment, but some attachments or child-related filings may be restricted or redacted.
Is a divorce decree the same as a divorce certificate?
No. A divorce decree is the final court judgment ending the marriage. A CDPH Certificate of Record, available only for divorces from 1962 through June 1984, is a brief summary and does not replace a certified judgment.
How do you find out if someone has gotten divorced?
In many cases, the practical way is to start with the Superior Court in the county where the divorce was filed, because court records are generally presumed open unless confidential by law or sealed by a judge.
Use the court’s case search to find the case by name, then request a copy of the final judgment from the clerk. Sealed cases may be restricted.
