Vallejo Family Court Records
Family court records for Vallejo are maintained at Solano County Superior Court in Fairfield. The main courthouse is at 600 Union Avenue in Fairfield, about 15 miles from Vallejo. All family law matters for Vallejo residents get filed here. This includes divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, spousal support, paternity actions, and domestic violence restraining orders. The court keeps case files for public access. California privacy rules restrict remote access to most family law documents. You can get basic case information by phone or visit the courthouse to view full files.
Vallejo Quick Facts
Solano County Family Court
Vallejo residents file family law cases at Solano County Superior Court in Fairfield. The courthouse is at 600 Union Avenue. The drive from Vallejo to Fairfield takes about 20 minutes via Interstate 80. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Phone (707) 207-7340 for general questions or (707) 207-7348 to reach the Family Law Facilitator office. Visit solano.courts.ca.gov/divisions/family-law for more information.
Family law hearings take place in courtrooms on the second floor. Check the daily calendar posted at the courthouse entrance or online 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 are subject to search. Phones are allowed but must be turned off in courtrooms. No recording is permitted.
The Family Law Facilitator office provides free help with child custody and support issues. This office cannot help with divorce or spousal support. Staff can explain court procedures and help you fill out forms. They cannot give legal advice about what to do in your case. Call (707) 207-7348 or email flf@solano.courts.ca.gov to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins may be accepted based on availability.
How to Search for Cases
Solano County does not offer full online case access for family law matters. California Rules of Court restrict remote access to most family law documents. You must visit the courthouse or call the clerk's office for case information. Staff can provide basic details like case status and upcoming hearing dates over the phone at (707) 207-7340. For document copies, you must visit in person.
To search for a case, call the clerk's office with the case number or the full names of both parties. Staff will search the system and tell you if a case exists. They can provide basic information like filing dates and next court dates. They cannot read documents to you or give legal advice. For detailed information, plan a visit to the courthouse in Fairfield.
When you visit the courthouse, go to the clerk's office on the first floor. Tell staff you need to view a case file. Bring the case number if you know it. Staff will retrieve the file if it is on-site. Some older files are stored off-site and require advance notice for retrieval. Ask about retrieval times if your case is more than five years old. You can review the file at a table in the public area. You may take notes but cannot remove documents.
The clerk's office makes copies of documents while you wait. Copy fees are 50 cents per page. Certified copies cost $40 for the certification plus 50 cents per page. Bring payment in cash, check, or credit card. Some self-service copiers take only cash or card.
Starting a New Case
Filing a family law case in Vallejo requires submitting papers at Solano County Superior Court in Fairfield. Get the correct forms before you go. For divorce, use form FL-100 (Petition for Dissolution). For custody matters, use form FL-300. For domestic violence restraining orders, use form DV-100. All forms are free and available online at the California Courts website or at the clerk's office.
The filing fee is $435 for most new petitions. This includes divorce, legal separation, and custody cases. Restraining order petitions have no filing fee. If you cannot afford the fee, file form FW-001 to request a 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 all documents. 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 Solano County. The server fills out a proof of service form after delivering the papers. You file this proof with the court. Your case cannot proceed until proof of service is on file.
Residency rules apply to divorce and legal separation cases. One spouse must have lived in California for six months and in Solano 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: Solano County requires parties in custody cases to attend mediation before a hearing.
Legal Resources for Vallejo
Legal Services of Northern California serves Vallejo residents. They provide free legal help to people who meet income requirements. They handle family law cases including divorce, custody, support, and domestic violence matters. Not all cases qualify. Call (916) 551-2150 or toll-free 1-800-622-1316 to check if you meet the requirements. Their website at lsnc.net has more information.
The Family Law Facilitator office at the Solano County courthouse offers free assistance with child custody and support matters. Staff can help you fill out forms and explain court procedures. They cannot help with divorce or spousal support issues. They cannot give legal advice about what action to take in your case. Call (707) 207-7348 or email flf@solano.courts.ca.gov to schedule an appointment.
Bay Area Legal Aid also serves Solano County residents. Call 1-800-551-5554 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 Solano County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. Call (707) 428-2522 to get connected with a local family law attorney. 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 Vallejo 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.
Fee waivers cover only court filing fees. You must still pay for service of process unless you qualify for free service through a legal aid organization. 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 false information on your application.
Solano County Family Court
Vallejo is in Solano County. All family law cases for Vallejo are filed at the Superior Court in Fairfield. For more information on county court procedures, fees, and legal resources, visit the Solano County page.