Access Modesto Family Court Records

Modesto family court records are handled by the Stanislaus County Superior Court. The courthouse is at 800 11th Street in downtown Modesto. All family law cases for Modesto residents are filed here, including divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, spousal support, and domestic violence restraining orders. Stanislaus County has an online portal for case searches at stanportal.stanct.org. You can search by party name or case number. The system shows basic case info and the register of actions but not actual documents. California law limits remote access to most family law filings to protect privacy. To view filed documents, visit the courthouse in person.

Modesto Family Court Location

Modesto is the county seat of Stanislaus County. The Stanislaus County Superior Court is at 800 11th Street in Modesto. This is the main courthouse for all family law filings in Stanislaus County. The Family Law Facilitator office helps with forms and procedures. The office is in the courthouse. Call (209) 548-6237 for assistance. Services are free and available to all county residents.

The courthouse is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Parking is available on nearby streets and in public lots. Security screens all visitors at the entrance. Bring valid photo ID. Cell phones are allowed but must be silenced. Leave large bags and prohibited items at home.

Search Modesto Family Court Records Online

Stanislaus County offers online case access at stanportal.stanct.org. The portal lets you search by party name or case number. Results show the register of actions. This is a list of all filings and court events in the case. Each line has a date and a brief description. You see when papers were filed and when hearings occurred. The system does not show document images for family law cases. That is a state rule under California Rules of Court Rule 2.503.

To search by name, enter the last name in the search field. You can add a first name to narrow results. The system returns all matching cases in Stanislaus County. Click on a case number to see details. The register of actions lists each document filed and each hearing held. For full documents, visit the Modesto courthouse. Staff can pull files during business hours.

Note: Online searches are free in Stanislaus County, but you cannot view document images remotely for family law cases.

Self-Help Resources in Modesto

The Stanislaus County Superior Court has a Family Law Facilitator office. The office helps people with family law forms and procedures. Staff can explain how to fill out forms, what documents to file, and what deadlines apply. They cannot give legal advice or represent you in court. Services are free. No appointment is needed for brief help. For longer sessions, call (209) 548-6237 to schedule.

California Judicial Council forms are at courts.ca.gov/forms.htm. All family law forms have an FL prefix. Common forms include FL-100 for divorce petitions, FL-300 for requests for order, and FL-150 for income declarations. Download and print forms at home or get them at the courthouse. Forms are free. The facilitator office can review your forms before you file to make sure they are complete.

Self-help services in Modesto:

• Help identifying the right forms
• Instructions on filling out forms
• Info on court procedures and deadlines
• Referrals to legal aid groups
• Access to computers and printers

Free Legal Help in Modesto

Central California Legal Services serves Modesto and Stanislaus County. They offer free legal help to low-income residents in family law cases. Services include advice, brief help, and full representation in some cases. To qualify, you must meet income limits. Call (800) 675-8001 for intake. You can also apply online at centralcallegal.org. CCLS has an office in Modesto and focuses on cases with domestic violence, child custody, and urgent safety concerns.

Stanislaus Family Justice Center provides services for survivors of domestic violence and abuse. The center has advocates, legal help, counseling, and connections to shelters. Services are free and confidential. Walk-ins are welcome. The center is at 1400 I Street, Suite D, in Modesto. Call (209) 558-5170 for more info. Visit stanislausfamilyjustice.org to learn about programs.

Other legal resources in Modesto:

• Stanislaus County Bar Lawyer Referral: (209) 521-2552
• California State Bar Referral Service: 1-800-392-5660
• Legal Services of Northern California: (916) 551-2150

The Stanislaus County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. The first consultation costs up to $50 for 30 minutes. After that, you pay the attorney's regular rate if you hire them. Call (209) 521-2552 for referrals.

Note: Legal aid groups prioritize cases with domestic violence, children, or immediate safety needs.

Filing a Family Law Case in Modesto

To file a family law case in Modesto, complete the required forms. Each case type needs different forms. Divorce cases require a petition, summons, and financial disclosures. Custody cases may need a Request for Order and income declaration. Check the court website or ask the Family Law Facilitator what forms apply to your case. Fill out all forms completely. Sign and date where required. Make at least two copies of each form.

You must meet California residency rules before filing. For divorce, you or your spouse must live in California for six months and in Stanislaus County for three months. If you recently moved to Modesto, wait until you meet the time requirement. The court will reject your filing if you do not meet residency. For custody or support cases without divorce, different rules may apply. Ask at the self-help center if unsure.

File your forms at the clerk window at the Modesto courthouse. Bring the originals and copies. The clerk files the original and stamps your copies. You pay the filing fee when you file. The fee is $435 for a new family law petition. If you cannot afford the fee, file a fee waiver request on form FW-001. The court reviews your income and expenses to decide if you qualify.

After filing, you must serve the other party. You cannot serve the papers yourself. Use a friend over 18, a process server, or the sheriff. The server delivers copies of your filed papers to the other party. The server then completes a Proof of Service form. File the proof with the court. The court cannot proceed until proof of service is on file.

Note: Family law cases in Modesto can take several months to over a year depending on complexity and whether parties agree.

Family Court Fees in Modesto

Family law filing fees in Modesto follow statewide rates. The first filing fee is $435 for a petition. This applies to divorce, legal separation, and parentage cases. Additional motions cost $60. Certified copies cost $40 for certification plus $0.50 per page. Plain copies are $0.50 per page. Fees can change. Call the court at (209) 548-6237 to confirm current rates.

Common fees in Modesto family court:

• Initial family law petition: $435
• Request for Order: $60
• Copy per page: $0.50
• Certification: $40
• Search fee (over 10 minutes): $15

Fee waivers are available for people with low income. Complete form FW-001 and file it with your petition. The court looks at household size, income, expenses, and public benefits. If you receive CalWorks, SSI, Medi-Cal, or food stamps, you likely qualify. If not, the court applies a formula. The judge decides. You usually get an answer in a few days. If approved, the waiver covers most fees.

Access Limits on Modesto Family Court Records

California restricts public access to family law filings. Under California Rules of Court Rule 2.503, the court cannot provide remote access to most family law documents. This includes dissolution, custody, support, and domestic violence cases. You can still see these records at the courthouse but not online.

What you can find online for Modesto family court cases:

• Case numbers and party names
• Filing dates and case types
• Hearing dates and times
• Register of actions

What requires a courthouse visit:

• Petitions and responses
• Declarations and supporting documents
• Financial disclosures
• Settlement agreements
• Custody evaluations
• Final judgments and orders

To view documents, go to the clerk window with the case number. Bring photo ID. The clerk retrieves the file. You can take notes and order copies at $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $40 plus the per-page fee. Some files are sealed by court order. Only parties and attorneys can see sealed files.

Stanislaus County Family Court Records

Modesto is the county seat of Stanislaus County. All family law cases go through the Stanislaus County Superior Court system. For county-wide information, fee schedules, and courthouse details, visit the Stanislaus County family court records page.

View Stanislaus County Family Court Records