El Cajon Family Court Records
Family court records for El Cajon are kept at the San Diego County Superior Court. El Cajon has about 105,000 people and sits in the east part of San Diego County. All family law cases like divorce, child custody, and support go through the county court system. You can search for these records online or visit the East County Regional Center in El Cajon to see files in person. The court keeps records of all family law filings and makes most of them open to the public. Some records are sealed or limited by law, but you can see case indexes and basic info for most family court cases in El Cajon.
El Cajon Quick Facts
Where El Cajon Family Cases Are Filed
El Cajon residents file family law cases at the East County Regional Center. This is part of the San Diego County Superior Court. The office is at 250 E. Main Street in El Cajon. It is close to downtown. You can walk there from shops and cafes. Parking is on the street or in nearby lots.
The court handles all family law for El Cajon and nearby cities like La Mesa and Santee. You file new cases here. You pick up forms. You get copies of records. Staff can point you to self-help services if you need them. The phone number is (619) 531-3234 for general questions about family court in El Cajon.
| Court | San Diego County Superior Court - East County Regional Center |
|---|---|
| Address | 250 E. Main Street El Cajon, CA 92020 |
| Phone | (619) 531-3234 |
| Self-Help Phone | (619) 844-2200 |
| Website | sdcourt.ca.gov |
The main San Diego courthouse is downtown at 1100 Union Street. Some hearings may be set there instead of El Cajon. Check your notice to see which building to go to. Most El Cajon family law cases start and stay in the East County center. But if your case goes to trial or you need special services, you may visit the downtown site.
Finding Family Court Records in El Cajon
San Diego County has an online portal to search family court records. Go to roasearch.sdcourt.ca.gov to start. The site shows the register of actions for each case. You type a name or case number. The search is free. You can see when a case was filed, what motions were made, and when hearings took place. It covers El Cajon and all other parts of San Diego County.
The system shows basic facts but not full documents. If you need to read a petition or a court order, you must go to the courthouse in El Cajon. Bring ID. Ask the clerk for access to the case file. Some records are restricted under California Rules of Court Rule 2.503. Family law cases are not available for remote online viewing. You can see indexes and calendars online, but the rest stays at the courthouse.
If you go to the El Cajon courthouse, staff will help you find what you need. They can print copies for a fee. Copies are 50 cents per page. Certified copies cost an extra $40 for the seal. Most people want certified copies if they plan to use them in another legal matter. Regular copies work fine if you just want to review the case details in El Cajon.
Self-Help Center in El Cajon
San Diego County runs a Family Law Facilitator program to help people who cannot afford a lawyer. The facilitator gives free advice on child support and custody cases. They do not represent you in court. They teach you how to fill out forms and what steps to take next. Call (619) 844-2200 to ask about services at the El Cajon office.
The main self-help center is downtown at 1100 Union Street. It is open Monday through Friday. You can walk in or call ahead. They have workshops and one-on-one help sessions. You can learn how to file for divorce, how to ask for support, or how to change custody orders. Staff can also tell you where to find legal aid groups in El Cajon. Visit flf.sdcourt.ca.gov for more info.
Forms are on the court site at sdcourt.ca.gov. You can print them at home or get copies at the El Cajon courthouse. Most forms are in English and Spanish. If you need help in another language, call and ask what is available. The court tries to provide interpreters for hearings in El Cajon when needed.
Legal Assistance in El Cajon
Several groups offer help with family law cases in El Cajon. Some serve only low-income people. Others charge a fee but offer the first meeting at a lower rate. These groups can help you understand your rights and what to expect in court.
Legal Aid Society of San Diego is one option. Call 1-877-534-2524 to see if you qualify. They help with divorce, custody, domestic violence restraining orders, and child support cases. Their office is downtown, but they serve all of San Diego County, including El Cajon. Visit lassd.org for details on how to apply.
San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program connects people with attorneys who work for free or at low cost. Call (619) 235-5656 to get on the list. The wait can be a few weeks. They match you with a lawyer based on your case type and income. Most volunteers focus on family law cases in El Cajon and nearby cities.
The Family Justice Center is at 707 Broadway in San Diego. It helps people in cases that involve domestic violence. They work with legal aid lawyers, police, and social workers. Services are free. Call the main number at (619) 533-6000 if you need help with a restraining order or safety planning in El Cajon. More info is at sandiego.gov.
How to File a Family Law Case in El Cajon
You must meet California residency rules before you file. Under state law, you or your spouse must live in California for six months and in San Diego County for three months. You do not need to live in El Cajon itself for that time. Just the county. Once you meet that rule, you can file at the East County center in El Cajon.
Pick the right forms for your case type. Divorce is called dissolution of marriage. You file a petition and pay the $435 fee. That fee is set by the state and is the same across all counties. If you ask for a fee waiver, you fill out form FW-001. The judge looks at your income and may approve the waiver if you qualify. That way you do not pay to file in El Cajon.
After you file, you must serve the other party. You cannot do it yourself. A friend, a process server, or the sheriff can serve the papers. Proof of service goes back to the court in El Cajon. Then the other person has 30 days to respond. If they do not, you can ask for a default judgment. If they do respond, the case moves forward with hearings or settlement talks.
Child custody and support cases follow similar steps. Forms are different, but the process is close to the same. You file. You serve. You wait for a response. The court may set a hearing to decide temporary orders while the case is open. Final orders come at the end when both sides settle or the judge makes a ruling in El Cajon.
Court Fees for Family Law in El Cajon
The first filing fee for family law cases is $435. That is for divorce, legal separation, or annulment. If you file a motion after the case starts, you pay $60. A request for order to change custody or support also costs $60 in El Cajon. These fees help cover court operations across San Diego County.
Copying records has its own fees. Copies are 50 cents per page. If you want a certified copy, add $40 for the seal. Most people ask for certified copies when they need proof for a bank, employer, or another court. Plain copies work for your own files or to review case details in El Cajon.
If the search takes staff more than 10 minutes, there may be an extra $15 fee. Call ahead at (619) 531-3234 to ask what you will pay for copies in El Cajon. Fees can change, so it is smart to check before you go to the courthouse.
Note: Fee waivers are available for low-income individuals under California law.
Nearby Cities in San Diego County
El Cajon shares the San Diego County court system with many other cities. All use the same family law process. If you live near El Cajon or need to search records in a nearby city, these locations may help.
Each city files at a different courthouse, but all records go to San Diego County Superior Court. The rules, fees, and procedures are the same across the county, including El Cajon.
San Diego County Family Court Records
El Cajon is part of San Diego County. All family law filings go through the county court system. The county serves over 3 million people and has courthouses in El Cajon, San Diego, Vista, and Chula Vista. For full details on county procedures, fees, forms, and online portals, visit the San Diego County page.