Santa Clarita Family Law Record Access
Santa Clarita family court records are processed through Los Angeles County Superior Court at the North Valley District courthouse. With over 210,000 residents, Santa Clarita handles family law matters including dissolution of marriage, legal separation, child custody and visitation, child support orders, spousal support, domestic violence restraining orders, and parentage actions through the county court system. The nearest courthouse serving Santa Clarita is in nearby Valencia. Residents can search for case information using Los Angeles County's online case access system which provides limited details like case numbers, party names, and hearing schedules. Full document viewing requires in-person courthouse visits due to California privacy laws that protect sensitive family law information. The court offers self-help resources including a Family Law Self-Help Center with staff who provide free assistance with forms, filing procedures, and referrals to legal aid organizations for Santa Clarita residents representing themselves without attorneys in family law matters.
Santa Clarita Quick Facts
Los Angeles County Superior Court
Santa Clarita residents file family law cases at Los Angeles County Superior Court. The North Valley District courthouse in Chatsworth serves Santa Clarita. This location handles dissolution, custody, and support cases for residents in the northern part of Los Angeles County.
| Court | Los Angeles County Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Courthouse | North Valley District (Chatsworth) |
| Phone | (213) 633-6363 |
| Self-Help | (213) 830-0600 |
| Website | lacourt.org |
The courthouse has parking lots available. Security screens all visitors at the entrance. Bring valid photo ID. Cell phones are allowed but must be silenced in courtrooms. No weapons permitted inside.
Los Angeles County provides online case search at lacourt.org. The system shows basic case information. Full documents are not available online due to California privacy rules for family law cases.
Searching Cases Online
Los Angeles County offers limited online access to family law case information. Visit the court website and use the civil case index search. Enter a party name or case number. Results show filing dates, case status, and hearing schedules. Documents require courthouse visits per California Rules of Court Rule 2.503.
The search system charges fees for some searches. Basic name searches cost $1.00 to $4.75 depending on the search type. Case detail views may have additional costs. Family law records from 1983 to present are available in the online system for Santa Clarita cases.
Filing Family Law Cases
Santa Clarita residents file at the North Valley District courthouse. Bring completed forms and the $435 filing fee. You also pay for service of process. California requires one spouse to live in California for six months and in Los Angeles County for three months before filing under Family Code Section 2320.
Forms are on the California Courts website at courts.ca.gov/forms. Los Angeles County also has local forms. Fill out all forms completely. The clerk rejects incomplete submissions. After filing, the other party gets 30 days to respond.
Note: Los Angeles County requires parent education classes in all cases involving minor children before final orders can be entered.
Self-Help Services
Los Angeles County operates Self-Help Legal Access Centers throughout the county. The nearest center to Santa Clarita provides free assistance with forms, procedures, and referrals. Staff cannot give legal advice but can help you understand court processes. Call (213) 830-0600 for location and hours.
Services include:
- Form completion help
- Filing procedure information
- Legal aid referrals
- Computer and printer access
- Notary services
For fee waivers, file form FW-001 with your petition. The court reviews your financial information and decides if you qualify. Waivers cover filing fees but not all costs.
Free Legal Help
Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County serves Santa Clarita residents. Call (800) 433-6251 for family law assistance. They handle dissolution, custody, domestic violence, and support cases for low-income residents.
The State Bar of California lawyer referral service can connect you with a private attorney. Call (866) 442-2529. The first 30 minutes cost up to $25. After that, negotiate fees with the attorney.
For domestic violence help, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-7233. They provide crisis counseling and referrals to local resources for Santa Clarita residents.
Privacy Protections
California protects privacy in family court cases. Under California Rules of Court Rule 2.503, most family law documents cannot be viewed remotely. You must visit the courthouse. This applies to dissolution, custody, and domestic violence cases.
Adoption files are sealed permanently. Parentage cases are confidential per Family Code Section 7643. Financial information is not public. Only parties and attorneys can view tax returns and bank statements filed in family law cases.
Nearby Los Angeles County Cities
Other cities in Los Angeles County file family law cases through the county court system. Lancaster and Palmdale are north of Santa Clarita. All use Los Angeles County Superior Court for family law matters.
Los Angeles County Family Court
For more information about family court in Los Angeles County, including all courthouse locations, local rules, forms, and self-help services, visit the county page.