Search Pasadena Family Court Cases
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County with about 138,000 residents. All family court records for Pasadena are kept by the Los Angeles County Superior Court. This includes divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, paternity, and domestic violence restraining order cases. Pasadena residents file these cases at the Pasadena courthouse, which is one of many locations in the LA County court system. The courthouse serves the San Gabriel Valley region. Case files from Pasadena become part of the countywide database. You can search for basic case details online through LA County portals. For full case file access, you need to visit the courthouse in person with photo ID and the case number or party names.
Pasadena Quick Facts
Pasadena Courthouse Location
Family law cases for Pasadena residents are filed at the Los Angeles County Superior Court in Pasadena. The courthouse is at 300 East Walnut Street, Pasadena, CA 91101. This location handles family law matters for Pasadena and surrounding cities in the San Gabriel Valley. The self-help center is in Room 300 at the same building. Call (626) 356-5030 for information about filing requirements or to ask questions about your Pasadena family court case.
Court hours run Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Arrive early if you plan to file papers or see the self-help center because lines can be long during peak times. Parking is available in nearby lots and on the street. Public transportation options include Metro Gold Line and several bus routes that serve the Pasadena area. Security screening happens at the courthouse entrance, so bring valid photo ID and avoid bringing large bags or prohibited items.
The Pasadena courthouse is part of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, which is the largest court system in the nation. It operates more than 30 courthouses across the county. Cases filed in Pasadena go into the same countywide database as cases filed at any other LA County courthouse. This means you can search for Pasadena family court records using the same online tools that work for all LA County cases.
LA County uses case numbers that start with letters indicating the case type. Family law dissolution cases start with "BD." Paternity and custody cases use "BF." Domestic violence restraining orders start with "DV." You need your case number every time you file documents, check your case status online, or request copies of records from your Pasadena family court case.
Search Pasadena Family Law Cases Online
Los Angeles County provides online access to basic family law case information. The main portal is at lacourt.org/paos/v2public/CivilIndex. You can search by party name or case number. The system displays the register of actions for each case. This shows every document filed and every court hearing. But you cannot view or download the actual documents online due to privacy restrictions under California Rules of Court Rule 2.503.
Searches cost between $1.00 and $4.75 depending on what information you request. You can pay by credit card. Results appear on screen immediately after you pay. Name searches work best when you know exact spellings. Common names may return multiple results. Adding a first name helps narrow the list. Case number searches give you direct access to one specific Pasadena case if you have that number.
Another option is LA Court Connect at lacc.lacourt.org. This system pulls from the same database but has a different layout. Some users find it easier to navigate. Both portals show the same information for Pasadena family court records. You can use whichever one you prefer.
The online portals show hearing dates, case status, and a list of filed documents. But you cannot see the content of those documents remotely. To view or copy actual court papers from your Pasadena family law case, you must visit the courthouse in person. Go to the clerk's office with photo ID and your case number. The clerk can print copies or let you view documents on a public terminal.
File a Family Law Case in Pasadena
To file for divorce or legal separation in Pasadena, you must meet California residency rules. At least one spouse must have lived in California for six months and in Los Angeles County for three months before filing. Other case types like paternity or restraining orders have different requirements. Domestic violence restraining orders have no residency requirement at all.
Get the correct forms from the California Courts website at courts.ca.gov/forms. A divorce petition is form FL-100. You also need form FL-110 for the summons, plus financial disclosure forms and other papers depending on your situation. The self-help center at the Pasadena courthouse can help you figure out which forms apply to your case. Staff cannot give legal advice but can explain what each form is for.
The filing fee for a first family law petition is $435 statewide. This applies in Pasadena just like everywhere else in California. If you cannot afford the fee, file form FW-001 to request a waiver. You must provide proof of income and expenses. A judge reviews the waiver request and decides if you qualify. If approved, you pay nothing to file your Pasadena family court case.
After filing, you must serve the other party with copies of the petition and summons. California requires personal service by someone over 18 who is not part of the case. You cannot serve papers yourself. The person who serves the papers must fill out a proof of service form and file it with the court. This proves the other party got notice of the case. Your Pasadena case cannot proceed until service is complete and proof is filed.
Legal Assistance for Pasadena Families
Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County provides free legal help to low-income Pasadena residents with family law cases. Call (800) 433-6251 to see if you qualify. NLSLA handles cases involving domestic violence, child custody, and other family law matters. Services are available to those who meet income requirements. The organization has offices throughout LA County including locations that serve the Pasadena area.
The self-help center at the Pasadena courthouse offers free assistance with court forms and procedures. Go to Room 300 during court hours. No appointment needed. Staff can help you complete forms, explain filing procedures, and answer questions about your case. They cannot tell you what to write on your forms or give legal advice. But they can make sure you use the right forms and file them correctly for your Pasadena family court matter.
LA County Self-Help Access Centers operate at multiple courthouse locations. More information is at dcba.lacounty.gov/legal-access-centers/. These centers provide help with family law forms, information about court procedures, and referrals to other resources. Services are free to all Pasadena residents regardless of income.
The State Bar of California runs a lawyer referral service. Call 1-800-392-5660 to connect with a family law attorney in Los Angeles County. Many attorneys offer reduced-fee initial consultations. This lets you discuss your case and get advice before deciding whether to hire a lawyer for your Pasadena family law case.
Child Support in Pasadena Cases
Child support in Pasadena follows a statewide formula set by California law. The court calculates support based on both parents' income, how much time each parent has with the child, and other factors like health insurance costs and tax filing status. Courts use computer programs called DissoMaster or XSpouse to calculate the guideline amount. You cannot agree to zero support even if both parents want that. The court must approve any support amount.
When you file a custody or support case in Pasadena, both parents must complete income and expense declarations. These forms show the court how much each parent earns and what they spend each month. The court uses this information to calculate support. If one parent is unemployed or underemployed, the court can impute income based on what that person could earn with reasonable effort.
Support orders include a base amount plus add-ons for child care costs, health insurance premiums, and uninsured medical expenses. The court can also order payment of school costs or other expenses related to the child. Support typically continues until the child turns 18 or graduates high school, whichever comes later. If the child is still in high school at age 19, support continues until graduation for Pasadena cases.
You can modify support if there is a substantial change in circumstances. This might include job loss, significant income increase or decrease, or changes in the parenting schedule. File a motion to modify with the Pasadena courthouse. The court will hold a hearing to decide whether to change the support amount. Bring proof of the changed circumstances like pay stubs, tax returns, or other financial documents.
Note: Child support orders are enforceable statewide and can include wage garnishment if payments are not made voluntarily.
Custody and Visitation Orders
Custody decisions in Pasadena are based on the best interest of the child. California law requires the court to look at factors including the health and safety of the child, any history of abuse by either parent, the nature and amount of contact with both parents, and the child's ties to home, school, and community. The judge has discretion to craft custody orders that fit each family.
Legal custody means the right to make decisions about the child's health, education, and welfare. Physical custody means where the child lives. Parents can share both types of custody or one parent can have sole custody. Joint legal custody is common in Pasadena even when one parent has primary physical custody. This lets both parents participate in major decisions about the child.
The court can order a detailed parenting plan with a specific schedule. This might alternate weeks, split the week, or give one parent most of the time with the other getting visits. The court tries to give the child frequent and continuing contact with both parents unless that would harm the child. Holidays, school breaks, and vacations can be divided between parents according to the parenting plan.
Los Angeles County requires parents to attend child custody recommending counseling before a contested hearing. This happens at the courthouse on the hearing date or by appointment before the hearing. A counselor meets with both parents to try to reach an agreement. If parents agree in counseling, the judge typically approves that agreement. If not, the hearing proceeds and the judge decides custody for Pasadena families.
Domestic Violence Restraining Orders
Pasadena residents can file for domestic violence restraining orders at the Pasadena courthouse. These orders protect against abuse or threats from a spouse, former spouse, dating partner, person you live with, or parent of your child. There is no filing fee for domestic violence restraining order requests.
Fill out form DV-100 and related forms. Take them to the clerk's office. A judge reviews the request the same day or next business day. If the judge finds reasonable proof of abuse and danger, a temporary order issues immediately. It lasts until a hearing, which must happen within 21 days. You must have the other party served with the temporary order and hearing notice before the hearing date.
At the hearing, both sides can testify and present evidence. The judge decides whether to issue a restraining order for up to five years. The order can require the restrained person to stay away from you, your home, your work, and your children's schools. It can order the person to move out of a shared home. It can also grant you temporary custody and set visitation for the restrained parent in Pasadena cases.
Violating a restraining order is a crime. If the restrained person contacts you or comes near you in violation of the order, call police right away. Keep a copy of the order with you at all times. Give copies to your workplace, your children's schools, and anyone else who needs to know about the order to help keep you safe in Pasadena.
Represent Yourself in Pasadena Court
Many Pasadena residents handle family court cases without hiring a lawyer. This is called self-representation or appearing in pro per. It works best when both parties agree on all terms and there are no complex issues with property or businesses. Contested cases with disputed custody often benefit from legal help.
The California Courts self-help website at courts.ca.gov/selfhelp has guides for common family law cases. You can find step-by-step instructions for filing divorce, responding to petitions, modifying orders, and enforcing support. Each guide lists the forms you need and explains how to fill them out for your Pasadena case.
All California court forms are free at courts.ca.gov/forms. Download the forms you need and fill them out carefully. Read all instructions before you start. Mistakes can delay your case or cause the clerk to reject your filing. If you are not sure how to answer a question, ask the self-help center staff for guidance.
When you go to court in Pasadena, dress appropriately and arrive early. Turn off your phone before entering the courtroom. Address the judge as "Your Honor." Speak only when asked a question. Bring copies of all documents you want the judge to see. Answer questions honestly and briefly. Self-represented litigants must follow the same rules as lawyers in Pasadena courtrooms.
Other San Gabriel Valley Cities
Several cities near Pasadena also file family court cases at Los Angeles County courthouses. These cities are part of the same county court system and follow the same procedures.
Los Angeles County Family Court Records
Pasadena is in Los Angeles County. All family law filings for Pasadena residents go through the Los Angeles County Superior Court. For more information about the county court system, courthouse locations, online portals, and legal resources, visit the Los Angeles County page.