San Bernardino Family Court Records
San Bernardino family court records are maintained by the San Bernardino County Superior Court system. With over 200,000 residents, San Bernardino serves as the county seat where family law cases including dissolution, custody disputes, child support modifications, and domestic violence restraining orders are filed and processed. Residents can search for records using the county's online Court Access Portal or by visiting the courthouse in person. The court offers both electronic access and traditional in-person services for those seeking information about family law proceedings. Records date back many years, though some older files may require special requests. The county provides self-help resources and facilitators who can guide you through the process of finding and obtaining copies of family court documents in San Bernardino.
San Bernardino Quick Facts
San Bernardino County Superior Court
All family court filings for San Bernardino go through San Bernardino County Superior Court. The main family law courthouse sits at 351 N. Arrowhead Avenue in downtown San Bernardino. This location handles most dissolution cases, custody matters, and domestic violence restraining orders for city residents. The clerk's office operates on the first floor where you can file new cases, get copies, and ask questions about pending matters.
| Court | San Bernardino County Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 351 N. Arrowhead Avenue San Bernardino, CA 92415 |
| Phone | (909) 521-3180 |
| Self-Help | (909) 269-8826 |
| Website | sanbernardino.courts.ca.gov |
The courthouse has metal detectors at the entrance. Bring a valid photo ID. Cell phones are allowed but must be on silent in courtrooms. Large bags and backpacks go through security screening. Parking is available in nearby lots and on the street with meters. Public transit options include Omnitrans bus routes that serve downtown San Bernardino.
San Bernardino County also operates the DASH portal at dash.sb-court.org. This online system provides self-help tools, forms, and case information. You can complete some tasks remotely instead of visiting the courthouse. The DASH portal connects to the court's case management system and updates regularly.
Searching Family Court Records Online
The San Bernardino County Court Access Portal lets you search family law cases from home. Go to cap.sb-court.org/search to start. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney name. The system shows basic case information like filing date, case type, and hearing schedule. Full documents are not available online due to privacy rules in California Rules of Court Rule 2.503.
You will see the register of actions for each case. This is a list of all filings and court events. It tells you what papers were filed and when hearings took place. You cannot view the actual documents through the online portal. Those require a courthouse visit. The portal works well when you just need to check case status or find a case number.
The search function is free. No account required. Type in a name and hit search. Results come up fast. If you know the exact case number, that gives the most accurate result. Name searches pull up all matches, so you may need to sort through several cases to find the right one.
For older cases from before electronic filing, records may not appear in the online system. Call the clerk at (909) 521-3180 to ask if they have records for a specific time period. Some historical records are stored off-site and take time to retrieve in San Bernardino.
Getting Records at the Courthouse
To view full case files, visit the clerk's office at 351 N. Arrowhead Avenue. Go to the public counter and give them the case number or party names. Staff will look up the case on their system. If the case file is available, they will let you review it at a public terminal or in a viewing area. You can take notes but cannot use a camera or phone to photograph documents without court permission.
Copies cost 50 cents per page under California law. Certified copies cost an extra $40 per document plus the per-page fee. You pay at the counter. Cash, check, and credit cards are accepted at most locations. Some documents require a court order to access if they are sealed or confidential under family law rules.
If you need records from a case that is very old, the clerk may have to retrieve them from storage. This can take a few days. Call ahead to ask about wait times for archived records in San Bernardino. The self-help center can also assist with record requests if you are not sure what you need.
Filing Family Law Cases
San Bernardino residents file family law cases at the Superior Court. The filing fee for a dissolution petition is $435. This is the state standard fee. You also pay to serve papers on the other party. Service fees vary depending on whether you use the sheriff or a private process server. The sheriff charges less but may take longer.
To file for dissolution in San Bernardino, you must meet California's residency requirement under Family Code Section 2320. One spouse must have lived in California for six months and in San Bernardino County for three months before filing. If you just moved to San Bernardino, you may need to wait until you meet the time requirement.
Most family law forms are available on the California Courts website at courts.ca.gov/forms. The DASH portal also has forms specific to San Bernardino County. Fill them out completely. Incomplete forms get rejected by the clerk. If you are not sure which forms you need, the self-help center at (909) 269-8826 can guide you through the process in San Bernardino.
After filing, you must serve the other party. They have 30 days to respond. If they do not respond, you can ask for a default judgment. If they do respond, the case moves forward with hearings and possible mediation. Uncontested cases where both parties agree often finish faster than contested ones in San Bernardino.
Note: San Bernardino County requires child support calculations using the state guideline formula for all cases involving minor children.
Self-Help Services in San Bernardino
The San Bernardino County Family Law Self-Help Center provides free assistance to people who do not have lawyers. Staff cannot give legal advice but can help you understand court procedures, fill out forms, and prepare for hearings. The center is located at the courthouse at 351 N. Arrowhead Avenue. Call (909) 269-8826 for hours and appointment information in San Bernardino.
Services include:
- Help filling out family law forms
- Information about court procedures
- Referrals to legal aid organizations
- Notary services for court documents
- Copies of local court rules and forms
The DASH portal at dash.sb-court.org offers online self-help tools. You can watch videos about common family law issues, read guides on filing procedures, and download forms. The portal is available any time, so you can work on your case outside of courthouse hours in San Bernardino.
If you have low income, you may qualify for a fee waiver. File form FW-001 with the court. The judge will review your financial situation and decide if you qualify. This waives filing fees and some other costs. Even if you get a waiver, you still need to pay for copies and service fees in San Bernardino.
Legal Aid in San Bernardino
Several organizations provide free or low-cost legal help to San Bernardino residents. Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino serves low-income individuals with family law matters. They focus on domestic violence cases, custody disputes, and restraining orders. Call (909) 889-7328 to see if you qualify. Their office is in downtown San Bernardino near the courthouse.
Inland Counties Legal Services also helps with family law. They serve San Bernardino County residents. Call (888) 245-4257 for intake. ICLS handles dissolution, legal separation, custody, and support cases for people who meet income guidelines. They can represent you in court or provide limited help with specific parts of your case in San Bernardino.
The State Bar of California operates a lawyer referral service. Call (866) 442-2529 to get a referral to a family law attorney in San Bernardino. The first 30-minute consultation costs up to $25. After that, you and the attorney decide on fees. This service connects you with licensed attorneys who practice in your area.
For domestic violence situations, contact the Family Justice Center. They provide legal help, counseling, and safety planning. Services are free. No appointment needed for initial visits. The center works with law enforcement and social services to help survivors of domestic violence in San Bernardino.
Privacy Rules for Family Court Records
California restricts access to family law records to protect privacy. Under California Rules of Court Rule 2.503, you cannot view most family court documents remotely. Dissolution cases, custody cases, and domestic violence restraining orders fall under this rule. You can see the register of actions and calendars online, but not the actual filed papers in San Bernardino.
To see documents, go to the courthouse. Some records are confidential even at the courthouse. Child custody evaluations, mediator reports, and sealed documents require a court order to access. If you are a party to the case, you can view your own file. If you are not a party, your access may be limited under family law privacy rules.
Certain case types use special confidentiality rules. Parentage cases filed under Family Code Section 7643 have extra privacy protections. Adoption records are sealed permanently. Domestic violence addresses and contact information are protected from public view to keep victims safe in San Bernardino.
If you need a court document that is sealed, file a motion with the court. Explain why you need access. The judge will decide if your reason is good enough to override the privacy rule. This process takes time, so plan ahead if you need sealed records in San Bernardino.
Family Court Records in Nearby Cities
Other cities in San Bernardino County also file family law cases at the county Superior Court. Fontana and Ontario are nearby. Rancho Cucamonga residents also use the county court system. Victorville has a courthouse in the High Desert region of the county. Each location serves different parts of San Bernardino County, but all records are part of the same county system.
San Bernardino County Resources
For more information about family court in San Bernardino County, including additional courthouse locations, fee schedules, local rules, and self-help services, visit the county records page. The county page has details about all family law courts in the region and links to online tools.