Family Court Records in Anaheim
Anaheim family court records are kept by Orange County Superior Court. All divorce, child custody, child support, and domestic violence cases filed by Anaheim residents go to the Orange County court system. Family law filings happen at the Lamoreaux Justice Center in Orange, which serves the central county area. Records in family cases are limited to courthouse access only. You cannot see full family court records from home online. You can check basic case info like hearing dates and party names using the court's portal, but documents require a trip to the courthouse. Anaheim has more than 345,000 people, making it the largest city in Orange County and one of the largest in California.
Anaheim Quick Facts
Where to File Family Court Cases in Anaheim
Anaheim residents file family law cases at Orange County Superior Court. The main filing location for people in Anaheim is the Lamoreaux Justice Center. It sits at 341 The City Drive in Orange. You file new family law cases there. You also pick up copies of your case file there.
The Lamoreaux Justice Center handles all types of family cases. This includes divorce, legal separation, nullity of marriage, paternity, child custody, child support, spousal support, and domestic violence restraining orders. Family law hearings for Anaheim cases take place at this courthouse as well. The self-help center is on the second floor and assists people who are filing without a lawyer. Call the family law self-help line at (657) 622-5500 if you have questions about your case or need help with forms.
| Court | Orange County Superior Court - Lamoreaux Justice Center |
|---|---|
| Address | 341 The City Drive South Orange, CA 92868 |
| Phone | (657) 622-8457 |
| Self-Help | (657) 622-5500 |
| Website | occourts.org/divisions/family-law |
The Lamoreaux Justice Center is at the corner of The City Drive and Main Street. Parking is free in the lot behind the building. You can enter from either The City Drive or Main Street. The self-help kiosk on the second floor has computers for online case access and form preparation. Staff can point you to the right department when you walk in. Security checks bags at the entrance, so leave items at home if you can.
Searching Anaheim Family Court Records
You can search for basic case info online. Full case files require a visit to the courthouse. California Rules of Court limit remote access to family law records. You can see a case index online. You can see hearing dates and party names. But to read documents or get copies of filings, you must go to the courthouse in person.
The Orange County Family Law Case Access portal at occourts.org lets you search by name or case number. Results show the case type, filing date, and next court date. This tool works for divorce and custody cases filed in Anaheim. It does not show documents. Documents are at the courthouse only. The case access portal does not charge a fee. You can search as many times as you want.
To get documents from your Anaheim family court case, visit the Lamoreaux Justice Center during business hours. The clerk office is on the first floor. Bring photo ID and the case number if you have it. The clerk can pull the file and make copies for you. Copy fees are 50 cents per page. Certified copies cost more. If your case is sealed or confidential, the clerk may ask you to prove you are a party to the case before releasing records.
Filing for Divorce in Anaheim
Anaheim residents follow California state law when filing for divorce. You must meet residency rules. At least one spouse must have lived in California for six months. And that spouse must have lived in Orange County for three months. If you meet these rules, you can file in Orange County.
California is a no-fault divorce state. You do not need to prove wrongdoing. You simply state that you have irreconcilable differences. This means the marriage cannot be saved. The court does not ask why. Most divorces in Anaheim use this ground. Other options exist for cases involving incurable insanity, but those are rare.
Start by filling out a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. This is form FL-100. You also file a Summons, which is form FL-110. If you have children under 18, you need form FL-105. You file these at the Lamoreaux Justice Center. The filing fee is $435 for the first paper. After you file, you must serve your spouse with copies. You cannot serve the papers yourself. You can hire a process server or ask the sheriff to do it. Proof of service goes back to the court within 60 days.
California has a six-month waiting period. The court cannot finalize your divorce until six months pass from the date your spouse was served. During that time, you can file motions for temporary orders. These cover child custody, spousal support, and use of property while the case is pending. If both spouses agree on all terms, you can file a stipulated judgment after six months. If you do not agree, the case may go to trial in Anaheim.
Once the judge signs the final judgment, the divorce is complete. The judgment becomes part of the public record. You can get certified copies from the clerk office at any time. The judgment includes orders on property division, custody, and support. These orders remain in effect unless you file a motion to modify them later.
Note: Uncontested divorces in Anaheim often take six to nine months from start to finish.
Orange County Family Court Fees
Family court fees in Anaheim are set by Orange County. The first filing fee for a divorce or legal separation is $435. Additional filings cost less. A motion to modify custody or support costs $60. Default judgment motions also cost $60. Fee schedules are online at occourts.org.
Copy fees are standard across the county. Plain copies cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies cost $25 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. If you need a copy of your full case file, ask the clerk for an estimate of the total cost. Large files with many documents can add up quickly.
You can ask for a fee waiver if you have low income. Fill out form FW-001. The court reviews your income and decides if you qualify. If approved, the court waives filing fees and copy fees for your case. You still have to pay for service of process and other costs not controlled by the court. The fee waiver form is at courts.ca.gov.
Legal Help for Anaheim Residents
Several groups offer free or low-cost legal help for family law cases in Anaheim. Community Legal Aid SoCal serves Orange County residents with family law needs. They focus on cases involving domestic violence, child custody, and restraining orders. Call (800) 834-5001 to see if you qualify for free help. Their website at communitylegalsocal.org has more details on what they offer.
The Public Law Center in Santa Ana provides free legal help to low-income people in Orange County. They run family law clinics and help with divorce, custody, and support cases. Call (714) 541-1010 or visit publiclawcenter.org to get on the waiting list. The Orange County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at (714) 564-8160. The first meeting with a lawyer costs a small fee.
The City of Anaheim Human Services Division offers links to legal aid and family support services. They do not provide legal advice, but they can point you to groups that do. Visit anaheim.net for a list of local resources. The court self-help center at the Lamoreaux Justice Center also has staff who can answer questions about forms and procedures. They cannot give legal advice, but they can help you find the right forms and tell you where to file them.
Filing Without a Lawyer in Anaheim
You can file your own family court case in Anaheim. This is called filing pro se. Many people do it when both parties agree on all terms. It works best in simple cases with no property disputes or custody battles. The court does not give legal advice, but resources exist to help you do it yourself.
California Courts has a self-help website at courts.ca.gov/selfhelp. It has step-by-step guides for divorce, custody, and support cases. All forms are free to download. The site also has videos that walk you through each form. Orange County has local forms that you may need in addition to state forms. Check the court website for local rules.
The self-help center at the Lamoreaux Justice Center has computers and staff to help. Staff cannot fill out forms for you, but they can show you which forms to use. They can also review your forms to make sure you filled them out correctly. The center is open Monday through Friday during court hours. No appointment is needed. Arrive early if you want help before filing your case that day.
Orange County Family Court Records
Anaheim is part of Orange County. All family law cases filed by Anaheim residents are heard at Orange County Superior Court. The county court system serves 34 cities and over 3 million people. For more on the county court locations, fee schedules, and family law resources, visit the Orange County family court records page.