Torrance Family Court Case Access
Family court records for Torrance are handled by Los Angeles County Superior Court. The Torrance Courthouse is at 825 Maple Avenue. Torrance residents can file family law cases here including divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, spousal support, paternity actions, and domestic violence restraining orders. The court maintains case files for decades. You can search for basic case information using the county's online system or visit the courthouse to view complete files. California privacy rules restrict remote access to most family law documents. Registers of actions and calendars are available online, but full case files require an in-person visit.
Torrance Quick Facts
Torrance Courthouse
The Torrance Courthouse at 825 Maple Avenue handles family law cases for Torrance and surrounding communities in the South Bay area. The self-help center is in Room 160. Court hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The clerk's office processes new filings and provides copies of existing documents during these hours. Phone (310) 222-8801 for general information or visit www.lacourt.org/division/familylaw for more details.
Family law hearings take place in several courtrooms at the Torrance location. Check the daily calendar posted at the courthouse entrance or online to find your assigned courtroom. Arrive at least 20 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 are subject to search. Phones are allowed but must be turned off in courtrooms. No recording devices are permitted.
The Self-Help Legal Access Center (SHLAC) at the Torrance Courthouse 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 action to take in your case. Services are available in English and Spanish. The center has computers, printers, and form packets at no charge. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours.
Searching Cases Online
Los Angeles County provides several online tools for case searches. The Public Access Online System at www.lacourt.org/paos/v2public/CivilIndex allows searches by party name. Enter at least one party's last name to search. The system shows basic case information like case numbers and filing dates. Due to California Rules of Court restrictions on family law records, you cannot view actual documents remotely. Full case files are only available at the courthouse.
LA Court Connect at lacc.lacourt.org provides additional case information if you have a case number. You can view registers of actions that list all filed documents and upcoming hearings. The system does not show document content. For copies of documents, visit the clerk's office at the Torrance Courthouse. Search fees may apply for some online searches. Check the website for current fee information.
If you cannot find your case online or need help, call the clerk's office at (310) 222-8801. 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 or copies, visit the courthouse. 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 File a Case
Starting a family law case in Torrance begins 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 $150 in Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 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: Los Angeles County requires all parties in custody cases to attend mediation before a hearing.
Free Legal Help in Torrance
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) provides free legal services to low-income residents in Torrance. They handle family law cases including divorce, custody, support, and domestic violence matters. Not all cases qualify. Income limits apply. Call (800) 399-4529 to check if you meet the requirements. LAFLA has multiple offices throughout Los Angeles County. More information is at lafla.org/who-we-are/locations.
Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County also serves Torrance residents. Call (800) 433-6251 for intake. They prioritize cases involving domestic violence and urgent child safety issues. Wait times for full representation can be several weeks due to high demand. They can provide brief advice and help with restraining orders even if you do not qualify for full representation.
The Self-Help Legal Access Center at the Torrance Courthouse 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 to do in your case or represent you. Services are available in English and Spanish. The center has computers, printers, and form packets at no charge. Call ahead or walk in during business hours.
The Los Angeles County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at (213) 243-1525. They connect you with local family law attorneys. The first consultation is $35 for 30 minutes. After that, you and the attorney decide on fees for continued work. This service helps if you need advice but cannot afford full legal help.
Court Fees and Costs
Filing fees in Torrance follow California statewide rules. A new petition costs $435. Responses also cost $435. Motions filed after the case starts cost $60 each. Some documents have no filing fee, including income and expense declarations and certain emergency requests. Check with the clerk's office if you are unsure about fees for a specific filing.
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.
Online searches in Los Angeles County may have fees. Name searches typically cost between $1.00 and $4.75 per search. Check the website for current fee schedules. 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.
Los Angeles County Family Court
Torrance is in Los Angeles County. All family law cases for Torrance are filed at the Torrance Courthouse. For more information on county court procedures, fees, and legal resources, visit the Los Angeles County page.