Santa Maria Family Law Case Access
Santa Maria family court records are handled by Santa Barbara County Superior Court with a branch courthouse located in Santa Maria. Serving over 107,000 residents, Santa Maria processes family law cases including dissolution of marriage, legal separation, child custody arrangements, child support modifications, spousal support orders, domestic violence restraining orders, and parentage determinations through the county court system. The Santa Maria courthouse provides local access to filing services and hearings. Residents can search for case information using the county's online case portal which shows registers of action and hearing schedules. Full document viewing requires in-person visits to the courthouse due to California privacy protections for family law matters. The court offers self-help services including a Family Law Facilitator who provides free assistance with forms, procedures, and answers to common questions about family law cases for Santa Maria residents representing themselves without attorneys.
Santa Maria Quick Facts
Santa Barbara County Superior Court
Santa Maria residents file family law cases at Santa Barbara County Superior Court. The Santa Maria branch courthouse handles family law matters for residents in the northern part of the county. Some cases may also be filed at the main courthouse in Santa Barbara.
| Court | Santa Barbara County Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Santa Maria Location | Cook Street Courthouse Santa Maria, CA |
| Phone | (805) 614-6442 |
| Self-Help | (805) 882-4660 |
| Website | santabarbara.courts.ca.gov |
The courthouse has parking available. Security screens all visitors at the entrance. Bring valid photo ID. Cell phones are allowed but must be silenced in courtrooms.
Santa Barbara County operates an online portal at portal.sbcourts.org. The system shows registers of action and hearing schedules. Full documents are not available online due to California privacy rules.
Online Case Search
Use the Santa Barbara County portal to search family law cases. Enter a name or case number. Results show basic case information. Documents cannot be viewed remotely under California Rules of Court Rule 2.503.
The search is free. No account needed. Call the clerk at (805) 614-6442 for help with searches for Santa Maria cases.
Filing Family Law Cases
Santa Maria residents file at the local courthouse. Bring completed forms and the $435 filing fee. You also pay to serve the other party. California requires one spouse to live in California for six months and in Santa Barbara County for three months before filing under Family Code Section 2320.
Forms are on the California Courts website at courts.ca.gov/forms. Fill them out completely. The clerk rejects incomplete forms. After filing, the other party has 30 days to respond.
Note: Santa Barbara County requires parent orientation classes in cases with minor children.
Self-Help Services
The Family Law Facilitator provides free assistance to Santa Maria residents. Staff help with forms and explain procedures. Call (805) 882-4660 for information. Services include form help, filing information, and legal aid referrals.
For fee waivers, file form FW-001. The court reviews finances and decides eligibility. Waivers cover filing fees but not service or copy costs.
Free Legal Help
Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County serves Santa Maria residents. They handle family law cases for low-income individuals. Call (805) 963-6754 to check eligibility. California Rural Legal Assistance also serves the area at (805) 963-3508.
The State Bar of California lawyer referral service connects people with attorneys. Call (866) 442-2529. First 30 minutes cost up to $25. For domestic violence help, call Domestic Violence Solutions at (805) 564-3696.
Privacy Protections
California protects privacy in family law cases. Under California Rules of Court Rule 2.503, most documents cannot be viewed remotely. Visit the courthouse to see files. Adoption records are sealed. Financial information is confidential except to parties and attorneys.
Nearby Cities
Other Santa Barbara County cities also use the county court system. Santa Barbara is south of Santa Maria. Both cities file family law cases with Santa Barbara County Superior Court.
Santa Barbara County Family Court
For more information about family court in Santa Barbara County, including courthouse locations, local rules, forms, and self-help services, visit the county page.