Find San Diego Family Court Records
San Diego family court records are filed and stored at the San Diego County Superior Court downtown location. As California's second-largest city with over 1.4 million residents, San Diego handles thousands of family law matters each year. These records cover dissolution of marriage, legal separation, child custody and visitation, child and spousal support, domestic violence restraining orders, and parentage actions. The court provides both online tools for basic case searches and in-person access at the courthouse for viewing complete case files. Many San Diego residents use the Register of Actions search portal to find case numbers and hearing dates before visiting the courthouse. The Family Law Facilitator's office offers free help with forms and procedures. Records are public unless sealed by court order or protected by privacy laws that apply to sensitive family law matters in San Diego.
San Diego Quick Facts
San Diego Superior Court Family Division
Family law cases for San Diego are handled by San Diego County Superior Court. The main family court location is downtown at 1100 Union Street. This courthouse processes most dissolution and custody cases filed by San Diego residents. The building has multiple floors dedicated to family law matters. Check in at the clerk's office on the first floor when you arrive.
| Court | San Diego Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 1100 Union Street San Diego, CA 92101 |
| Phone | (619) 844-2700 |
| Self-Help | (619) 844-2200 |
| Website | sdcourt.ca.gov |
Public parking is available in nearby lots and garages. Street parking has meters. The courthouse is near the Santa Fe Depot transit station, so you can reach it by trolley or bus. Security screening is required at the entrance. Bring photo ID. No weapons or large bags allowed inside. Cell phones are okay but must be silenced in courtrooms.
The San Diego Family Justice Center at 707 Broadway offers help for domestic violence cases. They work with courts, law enforcement, and social services. Free legal aid is available. Walk-ins are welcome. Services include restraining order help, safety planning, and counseling referrals in San Diego.
Searching Records Online
San Diego County provides online access to the Register of Actions through their portal. The Register of Actions lists all filings, orders, and hearings in a case. You can search by party name or case number. Go to the court website at sdcourt.ca.gov and look for case search tools. The system is free to use.
What you can see online:
- Case numbers and filing dates
- Names of parties and attorneys
- Hearing dates and times
- Types of filings in the case
- Orders issued by the judge
What you cannot see online:
- Actual court documents and filings
- Financial declarations
- Confidential reports
- Sealed records
California Rules of Court limit remote access to family law documents. Under Rule 2.503, dissolution, custody, and domestic violence cases are not available for full online viewing. You must go to the courthouse to read the documents. The online system helps you find case numbers and check status, but full files require an in-person visit in San Diego.
Getting Records at the Courthouse
Visit the clerk's office at 1100 Union Street to view case files. The office is open weekdays. Hours vary by department, so check the court website before you go. Bring the case number or names of both parties. Staff will look up the case and let you review it at a public terminal or viewing area in San Diego.
Copies cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies are $40 per document plus the per-page fee. Payment is due when you order copies. The clerk accepts cash, checks, and cards. If you need many pages, the cost adds up fast. Plan your budget before ordering copies in San Diego.
Some records are not available even in person. Sealed documents require a court order to view. Adoption records are sealed permanently under California law. Confidential reports from custody evaluators or mediators have limited access. If you are a party in the case, you can see your own file. Third parties may have restricted access depending on the type of record in San Diego.
Filing Family Law Cases in San Diego
To file a new family law case in San Diego, you go to the clerk's office at 1100 Union Street. Bring your completed forms and filing fee. The first paper filed costs $435. This is the standard California fee. You also need to serve the other party. Service can be done by sheriff, process server, or mail depending on the type of case.
California requires residency before you can file for dissolution. One spouse must have lived in California for six months and in San Diego County for three months. This rule is in Family Code Section 2320. If you just moved to San Diego, you may need to wait to meet the time requirement.
Forms are available on the California Courts website at courts.ca.gov/forms. The San Diego court also has local forms for certain procedures. Make sure you use current versions. Old forms may be rejected. Fill them out completely. Incomplete forms delay your case in San Diego.
After filing, the other party has 30 days to respond. If they do not respond, you can request a default. If they do respond, the case continues with hearings and possible settlement conferences. Many cases settle before trial. Mediation is required for custody issues in San Diego County.
Note: San Diego County uses mandatory settlement conferences in most family law cases to encourage agreements before trial.
Family Law Facilitator Services
San Diego County provides a Family Law Facilitator to help people who do not have lawyers. The facilitator office is free. Staff help with child support and custody issues. They cannot handle property division or spousal support. Visit the office at the courthouse or go online to flf.sdcourt.ca.gov for resources and appointment information in San Diego.
The facilitator can help you:
- Calculate child support amounts
- Fill out child support forms
- Understand custody laws and options
- Prepare for court hearings
- File enforcement actions
- Modify existing orders
Call (619) 844-2200 to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are available some days but appointments are faster. Bring all your financial documents when you visit. The facilitator needs to see income information to help with support calculations in San Diego.
For issues beyond child support and custody, the Self-Help Center offers general assistance. They have computers, forms, and staff who can answer questions about court procedures. The center is located at the courthouse. Services are free for all San Diego residents.
Free Legal Help in San Diego
Legal Aid Society of San Diego provides free legal services to low-income residents. They handle family law cases including dissolution, custody, domestic violence, and support matters. Call (877) 534-2524 to see if you qualify. Their office is in downtown San Diego near the courthouse. They also have offices in other parts of the county.
The San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program connects people with attorneys who work pro bono or at reduced rates. Call (619) 235-5656 for a referral. The program serves San Diego County residents who meet income requirements. Attorneys handle a range of family law issues from start to finish.
For domestic violence cases, the Family Justice Center at 707 Broadway provides comprehensive services. Legal advocates help with restraining orders, court filings, and safety planning. Services are free. No appointment needed for initial visits. The center also connects clients with counseling, housing help, and other resources in San Diego.
The State Bar of California lawyer referral service can connect you with a private attorney in San Diego. Call (866) 442-2529. The first 30-minute consultation costs up to $25. After that, you negotiate fees with the attorney. This service is good if you do not qualify for free legal aid but still need help.
Privacy Rules for Family Records
Family court records in California have privacy protections under California Rules of Court Rule 2.503. Most family law documents cannot be viewed remotely. You must visit the courthouse in person. This rule protects sensitive information in dissolution, custody, and domestic violence cases in San Diego.
Some records have extra privacy rules. Parentage cases are confidential under Family Code Section 7643. Child custody evaluations are not public. Sealed records require a court order to access. Adoption files are sealed permanently and can only be opened by court order in special circumstances.
Parties to a case can view their own files. Third parties have limited access. The court will not release records to people who are not involved in the case unless they have a valid legal reason. This protects children and families from unwanted disclosure of private matters in San Diego.
Addresses and contact information for domestic violence victims are confidential. The court redacts this information from public documents. If you are a victim, tell the clerk when you file your case. They will mark your address as confidential in the system to protect your safety in San Diego.
Family Court in Nearby Cities
Other cities in San Diego County use the same court system. Chula Vista is south of San Diego near the border. Oceanside is in North County. El Cajon serves East County. All these cities file family law cases with San Diego County Superior Court, though some have local courthouses for hearings.
San Diego County Family Court
For more information about San Diego County family court, including courthouse locations throughout the county, local rules, forms, and self-help resources, visit the county page. The county page covers all family law services available in the region.