Ventura Family Court Case Files
Family court records in Ventura are filed and maintained at Ventura County Superior Court. The main courthouse is in Ventura at 800 South Victoria Avenue. This is the county seat and the primary location for all family law filings. Ventura residents file divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, spousal support, paternity actions, and domestic violence restraining orders here. The court keeps case files for decades. You can search for basic case information online or visit the courthouse to view complete files. California privacy rules restrict remote access to most family law documents, so full case files require an in-person visit.
Ventura Quick Facts
Ventura County Superior Court
The Ventura County Superior Court at 800 South Victoria Avenue handles all family law cases for the county. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Phone (805) 289-8732 for general questions or (805) 289-8760 for the self-help center. Family law hearings take place in courtrooms on the second and third floors. Court staff process new filings and provide copies of existing documents during business hours.
Check the daily calendar posted at the courthouse entrance or online at ventura.courts.ca.gov/family.html 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 devices are permitted.
The self-help 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 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 for Court Cases
Ventura County maintains an online case portal, though access may be limited for family law matters. The portal typically allows searches by party name or case number. Basic case information like filing dates and case status appears in search results. California Rules of Court restrict remote access to full documents in family law cases. You can view registers of actions online, but actual documents like petitions and orders are only available at the courthouse.
To search online when available, enter at least one party's last name and select the family law case type. The system searches and returns matching cases. Click a case number to see more details. The register of actions lists all filed documents by name and date. It does not show document content. For copies, you must visit the clerk's office at 800 South Victoria Avenue in Ventura.
If you cannot find your case online or need help, call the clerk's office at (805) 289-8732. 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, plan a visit to 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.
Public computer terminals in the courthouse lobby provide access to case information. Use these if you do not have internet access at home. Staff at the information desk can help you use the terminals if needed.
How to File a New Case
Starting a family law case in Ventura requires submitting papers at Ventura County Superior Court. 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 self-help center.
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 $150 in Ventura 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 Ventura 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: Ventura County offers payment plans for certain court fees if you do not qualify for a full waiver.
Legal Help in Ventura
Ventura County Legal Aid provides free legal services to low-income residents in Ventura. They handle family law cases including divorce, custody, support, and domestic violence matters. Not all cases qualify. Income limits apply. Call (805) 650-7592 to check if you meet the requirements. Their office is in Oxnard but they serve all of Ventura County. More information is at www.vclegalaid.org.
California Rural Legal Assistance also serves Ventura County residents. Call (805) 483-0083 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 center at the Ventura 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 (805) 289-8760 for current hours.
The Ventura County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at (805) 650-7599. 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. All referred attorneys are screened for experience and good standing.
Court Fees and Costs
Filing fees in Ventura 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.
Ventura County Family Court
Ventura is the county seat of Ventura County. All family law cases for the county are filed at the Superior Court in Ventura. For more information on county court procedures, fees, and legal resources, visit the Ventura County page.