Temecula Family Court Records
Family court records for Temecula are handled by Riverside County Superior Court. The Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta serves Temecula residents. This courthouse is at 30755-A Auld Road in Murrieta, just a short drive from Temecula. All family law matters including divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, paternity, and domestic violence restraining orders get filed here. The court maintains case files for public access. California privacy laws restrict remote access to most family law documents. You can view basic case information online but must visit the courthouse to see full files.
Temecula Quick Facts
Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta
Temecula residents file family law cases at the Southwest Justice Center in nearby Murrieta. The courthouse address is 30755-A Auld Road, Murrieta, CA 92563. This location handles all family law matters for the southwestern part of Riverside County. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Phone the main line at (951) 777-3147 or the self-help center at (951) 704-7634 for questions about filing or case status.
Family law hearings take place in several courtrooms at the Southwest Justice Center. Check the daily calendar at the courthouse entrance or online at www.riverside.courts.ca.gov/divisions/family-law to find your assigned courtroom. Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled hearing time. Security screening at the entrance can take several minutes during busy morning hours. Bring valid photo ID. Large bags may be subject to search. Phones are allowed but must be turned off in courtrooms.
The self-help center at the Southwest Justice Center provides free assistance with forms and procedures. Staff can answer questions about court rules, filing requirements, and form completion. They cannot give legal advice about what to do in your case or represent you in court. Services are available in English and Spanish. Call (951) 704-7634 before visiting or check the website for current hours.
The City of Temecula maintains a Law Resource Center that connects residents with legal information and resources. Located at 30875 Rancho Vista Road, Suite 100, the center offers access to legal forms, computers, and referrals to local attorneys. Call (951) 694-6480 or visit temeculaca.gov/508/Law-Resource-Center for more information.
Searching Cases Online
Riverside County provides an online case portal at epublic-access.riverside.courts.ca.gov/public-portal. You can search by party name or case number. The system shows basic case information like filing dates, case status, and upcoming court dates. Registers of actions list all filed documents and hearing dates. California Rules of Court restrict remote access to actual documents in family law cases. You must visit the courthouse to view or copy filed papers like petitions, declarations, and orders.
To use the online portal, go to the website and enter at least one party's last name. Select family law as the case type. The system searches and returns matching cases. Click a case number to see the register of actions. This shows each document filed by name and date but does not provide the actual document content. For copies, visit the clerk's office at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta.
If you cannot find your case online or need help, call the clerk's office at (951) 777-3147. Staff can search by name or case number and provide basic information over the phone. They cannot read documents to you or give legal advice. For detailed information, you must visit in person. The clerk's office makes copies while you wait. Copy fees are 50 cents per page. Certified copies cost $40 plus the per-page fee.
How to Start a Case
Filing a family law case in Temecula starts with getting the correct forms. For divorce, use form FL-100 (Petition for Dissolution). For custody without divorce, use form FL-300. For domestic violence restraining orders, use form DV-100. All forms are free and available at the self-help center, the clerk's office, or online at the California Courts website. Self-help staff can tell you which forms you need based on your situation.
The filing fee is $435 for most new family law petitions. This includes divorce, legal separation, and custody cases. Domestic violence restraining orders have no filing fee. If you cannot afford the fee, file form FW-001 to request a fee waiver. Attach proof of income like pay stubs, tax returns, or benefit statements. The court reviews waiver requests based on household income and size. Approved waivers cover filing fees but not service costs or attorney fees.
After filing, you must serve the other party with copies of your papers. California law requires personal service for most family law cases. You cannot serve papers yourself. Use a private process server or the sheriff's office. Service fees range from $50 to $100 in Riverside County. The server completes a proof of service form after delivering the papers. You file this proof with the court. Your case cannot move forward until proof of service is on file.
Residency rules apply to divorce and legal separation. One spouse must have lived in California for six months and in Riverside County for three months before filing. Custody cases have different requirements. If the child has lived in California for six months, you can file here. Restraining order cases have no residency requirement. You can file in any county where you or the other party lives or works.
Note: Riverside County requires all divorce petitioners to complete a case orientation before the first hearing.
Legal Help in Temecula
Riverside Legal Aid provides free legal services to low-income residents in Temecula. They handle family law cases including divorce, custody, support, and domestic violence matters. Not all cases qualify. Income limits apply. Call (951) 682-7968 to check if you meet the requirements. Their office is in Riverside. More information is at riversidelegalaid.org/legal-assistance.
Inland Counties Legal Services offers free assistance to eligible residents in Riverside County. Call (888) 245-4257 for intake. They prioritize cases involving domestic violence, child safety, and urgent custody matters. Wait times for full representation can be several weeks due to high demand. They also provide brief advice and help with restraining orders.
The self-help center at the Southwest Justice Center offers free help with forms and procedures. Staff can answer questions about filing requirements, service of process, and court rules. They cannot tell you what action to take in your case. Services are available in English and Spanish. The center has computers, printers, and form packets at no charge. Call (951) 704-7634 for current hours.
The Temecula Law Resource Center provides access to legal information and attorney referrals. Located at City Hall, the center has computers, legal forms, and information about local legal services. Staff can help you find forms and connect you with local attorneys. Call (951) 694-6480 or visit during business hours.
Court Fees and Costs
Filing fees in Temecula follow California statewide standards. A new petition costs $435. Responses also cost $435. Motions filed after the case starts cost $60 each. Some filings have no fee, like income and expense declarations and certain emergency requests. Check with the clerk's office about fees for specific filings.
Copy fees are 50 cents per page for regular copies. Certified copies cost $40 for the certification plus 50 cents per page. If you need multiple certified copies of the same document, each copy requires its own certification fee. The clerk's office accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards. Some self-service copiers take only cash or card.
Fee waivers cover court filing fees only. You still need to pay for service of process unless you qualify for free service through a legal aid program. If your income changes during your case, you may need to reapply for a waiver or begin paying fees. The court can revoke a waiver if you provided incorrect financial information.
Riverside County Family Court
Temecula is in Riverside County. All family law cases for Temecula are filed at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta. For more information on county court procedures, fees, and legal resources, visit the Riverside County page.