Compton Family Court Case Access
Family court records for Compton are handled by Los Angeles County Superior Court. All divorce, child custody, child support, and domestic violence cases filed by Compton residents go through the LA County court system. Compton is a city of about 97,000 people in south Los Angeles County. The main courthouse serving Compton is the Compton Courthouse right in the city at 200 West Compton Boulevard. This location handles family law filings and hearings for the area. California law restricts remote access to family court documents to protect privacy. You can check basic case information at the courthouse or through limited online tools, but full documents require an in-person visit. Court staff can help you locate your case and get copies of records when you need them.
Compton Quick Facts
Filing Family Cases in Compton
Compton residents file family law cases at the Compton Courthouse. It sits at 200 West Compton Boulevard in Compton. You can file new cases there. You can attend hearings there. You can get copies of your records there. The courthouse handles all types of family law matters for Compton and surrounding areas.
The family law self-help center is located at the courthouse. Staff can help you with forms and answer questions about court procedures. They cannot give legal advice, but they can show you which forms to use and where to file them. Call the self-help line at (424) 349-7610 for assistance with your family law case.
| Court | Los Angeles County Superior Court - Compton Courthouse |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 West Compton Boulevard Compton, CA 90220 |
| Phone | (213) 633-6363 |
| Self-Help | (424) 349-7610 |
| Website | lacourt.org/division/familylaw |
The courthouse is in central Compton near the corner of Compton Boulevard and Willowbrook Avenue. Public parking is available nearby. Metro Blue Line stops at Compton station, which is a short walk from the courthouse. Security checks all bags at the entrance. Bring valid photo ID. Leave large bags at home if you can. The self-help center can direct you to the right department when you arrive.
How to Search Compton Family Court Records
Family court records for Compton cases are stored at the Los Angeles County courthouse. You can search for basic 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 Compton 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.
Divorce Filing Process in Compton
To file for divorce in Compton, 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. Almost all divorces in Compton 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 Compton 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 Compton typically take six to nine months when both parties agree on all terms.
Family Court Fees in Compton
Family court fees for Compton 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 Compton Residents
Legal aid is available for Compton residents who need help with family court cases. Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles provides free legal help to people who qualify based on income. They handle divorce, custody, support, and domestic violence cases. Call (800) 399-4529 to see if you qualify. Their website is lafla.org.
Community Legal Aid SoCal also serves the area. Call (800) 834-5001 for more information. The Los Angeles County Self-Help Legal Access Centers offer free assistance at courthouses throughout the county. The Compton location can help with forms and procedures. 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 Compton
You can represent yourself in family court. This is called filing pro se or in pro per. Many Compton 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 Compton 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
Compton is part of Los Angeles County. All family law cases for Compton 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.