Burbank Family Court Case Search
Family court records for Burbank are handled by Los Angeles County Superior Court. All divorce, child custody, child support, and domestic violence cases filed by Burbank residents go through the LA County court system. Burbank is a city of about 108,000 people in the southeast corner of the San Fernando Valley. The main courthouse that serves Burbank for family law matters is in Pasadena. Some cases may also be filed at the Glendale courthouse. California law restricts online access to family court documents. You can check basic case info at the courthouse or through limited online portals, but full documents and filings require an in-person visit to protect privacy in sensitive family matters.
Burbank Quick Facts
Filing Family Cases in Burbank
Burbank residents file family law cases at Los Angeles County Superior Court. The main courthouse serving Burbank is the Pasadena Courthouse. It sits at 300 East Walnut Street in Pasadena. You can also file at the Glendale Courthouse, which is closer to some Burbank neighborhoods. Both locations handle all types of family law matters for Burbank residents.
The Pasadena Courthouse has a family law self-help center on the third floor in Room 300. Staff there 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. Call the self-help center at (626) 356-5030 for assistance.
| Court | Los Angeles County Superior Court - Pasadena Courthouse |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 East Walnut Street, Room 300 Pasadena, CA 91101 |
| Phone | (213) 633-6363 |
| Self-Help | (626) 356-5030 |
| Website | lacourt.org/division/familylaw |
The Pasadena Courthouse is east of Burbank. You can drive there in about 20 minutes. Public parking is available nearby. Metro Gold Line stops at Del Mar station, which is a short walk from the courthouse. Security screens all visitors at the entrance. Bring valid photo ID. Leave large bags at home if you can.
How to Search Burbank Family Court Records
Family court records for Burbank cases are stored at the Los Angeles County courthouse. You can search for case information online using the LA Court Public Access portal. But full documents are not available remotely. California Rules of Court limit what you can see online for family law cases.
The LA Court Public Access portal at lacourt.org lets you search by case number or party name. The portal shows basic info like hearing dates and case status. It does not show documents. To see filings, orders, and other documents, you must visit the courthouse in person. Some case information may cost a fee. Check the portal for current pricing.
To get documents from your case file, visit the clerk office at the Pasadena Courthouse. Bring the case number if you have it. If you do not have the number, bring both parties' names and the year the case was filed. The clerk pulls the file and can make copies for you. Copy fees are 50 cents per page. Certified copies cost $25 for the first page and $1 for each additional page.
For recent filings, you may be able to check case status using public terminals at the courthouse. These terminals show hearing dates and party names. They do not show documents. To see documents, you must request them from the clerk.
Divorce Filing Process in Burbank
To file for divorce in Burbank, you must meet California residency requirements. One spouse must have lived in California for six months. That same spouse must have lived in Los Angeles County for three months. If you meet these rules, you can file at LA County Superior Court.
California does not require you to prove fault. You can file for divorce based on irreconcilable differences. This means the marriage has broken down and cannot be fixed. You do not have to explain why. The court does not ask for details. Almost all divorces in Burbank use this ground.
Start by filing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage on form FL-100. You also file a Summons, which is form FL-110. If you have minor children, you file form FL-105 as well. These forms go to the clerk office at the Pasadena or Glendale courthouse. The filing fee is $435. After you file, you must serve your spouse with copies. You cannot serve them yourself. Hire a process server or use the sheriff. Proof of service must be filed with the court.
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 on custody, support, or use of property. If both spouses agree on all issues, you can submit a stipulated judgment after the waiting period ends. If you do not agree, the case goes to a hearing or trial.
Once the judge signs the final judgment, your divorce is complete. The judgment is a public record. You can get certified copies from the clerk at any time. The judgment includes all orders on property, custody, and support. These orders stay in effect unless you file a motion to change them later.
Note: Uncontested divorces in Burbank typically take six to nine months when both parties agree on all terms.
Family Court Fees in Burbank
Family court fees for Burbank cases follow Los Angeles County fee schedules. The first filing fee for divorce or legal separation is $435. Motions to modify custody or support cost $60. Default judgment motions also cost $60. Check with the clerk for current fees, as amounts can change.
If you cannot afford the filing fee, you can ask for a fee waiver. Fill out form FW-001 and file it with the court. The judge reviews your income and expenses. If you qualify, the court waives the filing fee and copy fees. You still pay for service of process and other costs outside the court's control. Fee waiver forms are at courts.ca.gov.
Legal Help for Burbank Residents
Legal aid is available for Burbank residents who need help with family court cases. Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County serves the San Fernando Valley and provides free legal help to people who qualify based on income. They handle divorce, custody, support, and domestic violence cases. Call (800) 433-6251 to see if you qualify. Their website is nlsla.org.
The Los Angeles County Self-Help Legal Access Centers offer free assistance at courthouses throughout the county. The Pasadena location can help with forms and procedures. They cannot give legal advice, but they can show you which forms to use. Visit dcba.lacounty.gov for locations and hours.
The Los Angeles County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. Call 1-866-529-2227 for a referral to a family law attorney. The first consultation is often offered at a reduced rate. The California State Bar also has a statewide referral line at 1-800-392-5660.
Filing Without a Lawyer in Burbank
You can represent yourself in family court. This is called filing pro se or in pro per. Many Burbank residents do this when both parties agree on all terms. It works best in simple cases with no disputes over property or children.
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 state forms are free to download. The site also has videos that explain how to fill out each form. Los Angeles County may have local forms you need as well. Check the court website for local rules and forms.
The self-help center at the Pasadena Courthouse can assist you. Staff cannot fill out forms for you, but they can show you which forms to use and review your completed forms for errors. The center is open during court hours. No appointment is needed. Arrive early if you need help before filing your papers.
Los Angeles County Family Court Records
Burbank is part of Los Angeles County. All family law cases for Burbank residents are filed at Los Angeles County Superior Court. The county court system serves 88 cities and over 10 million people. For more on LA County family court locations, fee schedules, and legal resources, visit the Los Angeles County family court records page.