Irvine Family Court Records
Irvine family court records are managed by the Orange County Superior Court. All family law matters for Irvine residents, including divorce, child custody, support cases, and domestic violence orders, are handled through the county court system. The court maintains electronic records from 1990 forward. Most family law documents are not available for remote public access per California Rules of Court. You can view case indexes and calendars online, but full filings require a visit to the courthouse. The Lamoreaux Justice Center in Santa Ana is the main filing location for Irvine family law cases.
Irvine Quick Facts
Where Irvine Cases Are Filed
Irvine is in Orange County. All family court cases for Irvine residents go to the Orange County Superior Court. The court operates several justice centers across the county. The Lamoreaux Justice Center in Santa Ana is the main location for family law filings. This courthouse handles new divorce petitions, custody cases, support modifications, and other family law matters for Irvine and surrounding cities.
Orange County Superior Court uses an electronic case management system. Many documents from Irvine family law cases are in the system going back to 1990. The court limits remote access to family law records under Rule 2.503 of the California Rules of Court. You can see basic case info like party names and hearing dates online. To view filed documents or get certified copies, you visit the courthouse in person with valid photo ID.
| Court | Orange County Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Filing Location | Lamoreaux Justice Center |
| Address | 341 The City Drive Orange, CA 92868 |
| Phone | (657) 622-8457 |
| Self-Help | (657) 622-5500 |
| Website | occourts.org/divisions/family-law |
The Lamoreaux Justice Center is on The City Drive in Orange, about 15 minutes north of Irvine. Take the I-5 to The City Drive South exit. Parking is available in the multi-level garage. The family law department is on the third floor. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Arrive early if you need help at the self-help center. Security checks all visitors at entry.
Finding Irvine Family Court Records Online
Orange County offers online case access for family law matters. The portal at occourts.org lets you search by party name or case number. Results show basic case details like filing date, case type, and next hearing. The system does not show document images for family law cases. That is a state rule, not a local one.
If you know the case number, type it in the search box. If not, use the party name search. You need at least a last name to run a search. The system shows matches from all Orange County family law cases. Once you find your case, the portal displays the register of actions. This is a list of all filings and court events in the case. Each line tells you what was filed and when.
Under California law, some records stay confidential even at the courthouse. Adoption files, juvenile dependency cases, and certain parentage actions are sealed. If a case involves domestic violence, the court may restrict access to protect the parties. Most divorce and custody cases are public, but you still need to go in person to see the actual papers filed in Irvine family law cases.
Self-Help for Irvine Residents
Orange County Superior Court has self-help kiosks and staff at each justice center. The Lamoreaux Justice Center offers in-person help Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Call (657) 622-5500 to reach the self-help center. Staff can explain court procedures and point you to the right forms. They cannot give legal advice or tell you what to do in your case. That kind of help comes from a lawyer or legal aid group.
California Judicial Council forms are standard across the state. You file the same forms in Irvine as you would in any other California city. Download forms at courts.ca.gov/forms.htm. Look for forms with an FL prefix for family law cases. Common forms include FL-100 for a divorce petition, FL-300 for a request for order, and FL-150 for income and expense declarations. Fill them out carefully. Mistakes can delay your case.
Key forms for Irvine family law cases:
- FL-100: Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
- FL-110: Summons (Family Law)
- FL-120: Response to Petition
- FL-300: Request for Order
- FL-150: Income and Expense Declaration
- FL-155: Financial Statement (Simplified)
- FL-180: Judgment (Family Law)
Note: All forms must be filed at the courthouse or by mail, and you pay the filing fee when you submit the petition.
Legal Help in Irvine
Several groups in Orange County offer free or low-cost legal help to Irvine residents. These groups focus on family law cases for people with low income. They can help with divorce, custody, support, and restraining orders. Some offer full representation. Others give advice and help with forms. You must meet income limits to qualify for free services.
Community Legal Aid SoCal serves Orange County and nearby areas. They handle family law cases for people who qualify. Call (800) 834-5001 to ask about services. Their main office is in Santa Ana. The group also has walk-in hours for brief advice. Check clsocal.org for the schedule. They can help Irvine residents fill out forms, understand court rules, and prepare for hearings.
Public Law Center in Santa Ana offers family law clinics. The clinics are free and open to Orange County residents. You meet with a volunteer lawyer who reviews your case and helps with next steps. Call (714) 541-1010 to sign up for a clinic. The center also runs a domestic violence project. If your family law case involves abuse, this project may be able to help. Visit publiclawcenter.org for more details.
Dial 211 from any phone in Orange County to reach a crisis and information line. Operators can connect you to legal services, shelters, counseling, and other resources. The line is free and available all day and night. It is a good first step if you need help but do not know where to turn in Irvine.
Note: Most legal aid groups require an intake appointment before they can take your case.
Family Court Fees in Irvine
Fees for family law cases in Irvine are set by state law and the Orange County court. The first paper filing in a family law case costs $435. This fee applies to divorce petitions, legal separation petitions, and parentage actions. The person who files the case pays the fee. The person who responds does not pay a fee to file the response, but there may be fees later if that person asks for court orders.
Other fees in Orange County family court cases:
- Request for Order (motion): $60
- Appeal filing: varies by case type
- Copy of court document: $0.50 per page
- Certification of document: $40
If you cannot pay the filing fee, you may ask the court to waive it. File form FW-001, the Request to Waive Court Fees. The court looks at your income, expenses, and assets. If you get public benefits like CalFresh or Medi-Cal, you likely qualify. If not, the court uses a formula based on household size and income. The decision is up to the judge. You find out in a few days to a few weeks.
Certified copies of family court records in Irvine cost $40 for the certification plus $0.50 per page. Plain copies are $0.50 per page with no certification fee. You order copies at the clerk window or by mail. Some documents are available the same day. Others take longer if the file is in storage. Call the court at (657) 622-8457 to ask about turnaround time for Irvine family court records.
How to File a Family Law Case in Irvine
To file a family law case in Irvine, you start by completing the right forms. Each case type has its own set of required forms. For divorce, you need at least a petition, a summons, and certain financial disclosures. For custody or support modifications, you use a Request for Order. Check the court website or ask the self-help center what forms your case needs.
You must meet California residency rules to file in Orange County. Under the California Family Code, you or your spouse must have lived in California for six months and in Orange County for three months before filing. If you moved to Irvine recently, check if you meet the time requirement. The court will reject your case if you do not meet residency. Once you meet the rule, you can file at the Lamoreaux Justice Center.
Bring the original forms and two copies to the courthouse. The clerk files the original and stamps the copies. You keep one copy and serve the other on the other party. Service of process is required in almost all family law cases. You cannot serve the papers yourself. Use a friend, a process server, or the sheriff. Proof of service goes back to the court to show that the other party got notice.
After filing, the court sets a case number and schedules hearings if needed. Many family law cases in Irvine go to mediation before trial. The court has mediators on staff who help parents work out custody and visitation. Other issues like property division or spousal support may go straight to a hearing. You get notice of all court dates by mail or through your lawyer if you have one.
Note: Family law cases in California can take several months to over a year depending on the issues and whether the parties agree.
Privacy and Access Limits
California law limits public access to family court records. Under California Rules of Court Rule 2.503, the court may not provide remote access to most family law filings. This rule covers dissolution cases, legal separation, custody, support, and domestic violence restraining orders. The goal is to protect privacy in sensitive family matters.
What you can see online in Irvine family court records:
- Case indexes (party names and case numbers)
- Court calendars and hearing schedules
- Register of actions (list of filings and dates)
What you cannot see online:
- Filed petitions, responses, and declarations
- Financial disclosures and income documents
- Settlement agreements and stipulations
- Custody evaluations and reports
To view these documents, go to the courthouse. Staff at the clerk window can pull the file. You show ID and tell them the case number. They bring the file to a public viewing area. You can take notes or ask for copies. Some files are sealed by court order. If a file is sealed, only the parties and their lawyers can see it. The clerk will tell you if a file is sealed.
Adoption records are always confidential under California Family Code § 9200. Only the parties or someone with a court order can access them. Juvenile dependency cases also have strict limits. Parentage cases may be confidential depending on the circumstances. Ask the clerk if you have questions about access to a specific type of family court record in Irvine.
Orange County Family Court Records
Irvine is part of Orange County. All family law filings for Irvine go through the Orange County Superior Court system. The county court serves over 3 million residents across 34 cities. For more information on the county court system, fee schedules, and courthouse locations, visit the Orange County family court records page.
Nearby Cities in Orange County
Other cities in Orange County with populations over 100,000 include Santa Ana, Anaheim, Huntington Beach, and Fullerton. All use the same county court system for family law cases. If you need to search family court records in these cities, visit their pages for local resources and contact info.