Find Family Court Cases in Riverside
Riverside is the county seat of Riverside County with over 314,000 residents, making it one of the largest cities in Southern California. Family court records for Riverside residents are filed at the Riverside County Superior Court. The court system handles divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, paternity, and domestic violence cases. Riverside has a dedicated Family Law Court at 4175 Main Street that serves the city and surrounding areas. Cases become part of the countywide system and can be searched using online portals. The county provides public access to basic case information like registers of action and hearing schedules. Full document viewing requires an in-person visit to the courthouse due to state privacy rules that protect family law matters.
Riverside Quick Facts
Riverside Family Law Court
The Riverside County Superior Court maintains a dedicated Family Law Court in Riverside at 4175 Main Street, Riverside, CA 92501. This courthouse handles family law matters for Riverside and nearby communities. The self-help center is at the same location. Call (951) 777-3147 for general information about filing family court cases in Riverside.
The self-help center phone number is (951) 274-4499. Staff can help you figure out which forms you need and how to fill them out. Court hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Arrive early if you plan to file documents or use the self-help center because wait times can be long during peak hours. Parking is available in nearby structures. Bring valid photo ID for security screening.
Riverside County uses a case management system to track all family law filings. When you file a case in Riverside, the clerk assigns a case number. You need this number for all future filings and searches. The county operates an online portal at epublic-access.riverside.courts.ca.gov/public-portal/ where you can search for case information.
Visit riverside.courts.ca.gov/divisions/family-law for more information about family law services in Riverside. The court website has local forms, filing instructions, and contact information for various court departments.
Search Riverside Family Court Records
Riverside County provides an online case portal for searching family law cases. The portal is at epublic-access.riverside.courts.ca.gov/public-portal/. You can search by party name or case number. The system shows registers of action with a list of every filed document and court hearing. But you cannot view or download actual documents due to privacy rules under California Rules of Court Rule 2.503.
To search by name, enter the last name and first name of at least one party. The search is free. Results appear on screen immediately. If many cases match the name, you may need to look through the list to find the right one. Searching by case number gives you direct access to one specific case.
The online portal shows case filing date, case status, next hearing date, and a list of filed documents by title. But you cannot see the content of those documents remotely. To view or copy actual court papers from your Riverside 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 let you view documents on a public terminal or provide printed copies.
Certified copies cost more than plain copies. Call ahead at (951) 777-3147 to ask about current copy fees for Riverside family court records. The clerk can tell you which documents are in your case file and how long it will take to get copies.
File a Family Law Case in Riverside
To file for divorce or legal separation in Riverside, you must meet California residency requirements. At least one spouse must have lived in California for six months and in Riverside County for three months before filing. Other case types like paternity or restraining orders have different or no residency requirements.
Get forms from the California Courts website at courts.ca.gov/forms. A dissolution petition is form FL-100. You also need form FL-110 for the summons, financial disclosure forms, and other supporting papers. The self-help center at the Riverside courthouse can help you figure out which forms apply to your situation.
The filing fee for a first family law petition is $435 statewide. If you have low income, you can request a fee waiver using form FW-001. Provide proof of income and expenses. A judge reviews the request and decides if you qualify. If approved, you pay nothing to file your Riverside 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 involved in the case. You cannot serve papers yourself. The server must complete a proof of service form and file it with the court. This step is mandatory before your case can proceed. The Riverside County Sheriff can serve papers for a fee, or you can hire a private process server.
Legal Assistance for Riverside Residents
Riverside Legal Aid provides free legal services to low-income residents with family law cases. Call (951) 682-7968 to see if you qualify. They handle cases involving domestic violence, child custody, and child support. Services are available to those who meet income requirements. The organization maintains an office in Riverside at riversidelegalaid.org/legal-assistance.
Inland Counties Legal Services also serves Riverside County. Call (888) 245-4257 for intake. ICLS provides legal help to low-income families with family law matters. Both organizations prioritize cases involving domestic violence or where children are at risk.
The self-help center at the Riverside Family Law Court offers free assistance with forms and procedures. Staff can help you complete forms, explain filing procedures, and answer questions about court rules. They cannot give legal advice. But they can make sure you use the right forms and file them correctly for your Riverside family court case.
The State Bar of California runs a lawyer referral service at 1-800-392-5660. You can get connected with a family law attorney who practices in Riverside County. Many attorneys offer reduced-fee initial consultations. This lets you discuss your case before deciding whether to hire a lawyer.
Child Custody and Support
Child custody in Riverside follows California statewide standards. The court decides custody based on the best interest of the child. Factors include the child's health and safety, each parent's ability to care for the child, the child's ties to school and community, and any history of abuse by either parent. The judge has discretion to make orders that fit each family.
Legal custody is the right to make decisions about the child's health, education, and welfare. Physical custody is where the child lives. Parents can share both types or one parent can have sole custody. Joint legal custody is common even when one parent has primary physical custody. The court can order a parenting plan with a specific schedule for Riverside families.
Child support uses a statewide formula based on both parents' income, time with the child, and other factors like health insurance costs. California courts use computer programs to calculate the guideline amount. You cannot agree to zero support even if both parents want that. The court must approve any support amount for Riverside cases.
Support 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. You can modify support if there is a substantial change in circumstances. File a motion to modify with the Riverside County court.
Note: Riverside County has a local child support agency that can help establish and enforce support orders.
Domestic Violence Protection Orders
Riverside residents can file for domestic violence restraining orders at the Family Law Court. These orders protect against abuse or threats from a spouse, former spouse, dating partner, cohabitant, 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 within 21 days. You must have the other party served with the 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 also order the person to move out of a shared home and grant you temporary custody.
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.
Represent Yourself in Court
Many Riverside residents handle family court cases without hiring a lawyer. This works best when both parties agree on all terms. The California Courts 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, and modifying orders.
All California court forms are free at courts.ca.gov/forms. Download forms and fill them out carefully. Read all instructions before you start. Mistakes can delay your case. If you need help, ask the self-help center staff at the Riverside courthouse.
When you go to court in Riverside, 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 consider. Answer questions honestly and briefly.
Other Riverside County Cities
Several cities in Riverside County also file family court cases at the Riverside County Superior Court. These cities use the same county court system.
Riverside County Family Court Records
Riverside is the county seat of Riverside County. All family law filings for Riverside and other county residents go through the Riverside County Superior Court. For more information about the county court system, visit the Riverside County page.