Del Norte County Family Court

Family court cases in Del Norte County are filed and heard at the Superior Court in Crescent City. The court handles dissolution, legal separation, child custody, child support, spousal support, domestic violence restraining orders, and parentage actions. Del Norte is located in the far northwest corner of California near the Oregon border. This small coastal county has limited court resources compared to urban areas. An online public portal provides access to basic case information for searches by name or case number. Full family law documents cannot be viewed remotely due to California privacy restrictions. You must visit the courthouse to review complete files and obtain copies of court documents. The clerk's office can answer basic procedural questions about filing requirements and court processes.

Del Norte Superior Court

The Del Norte County Superior Court is located at 450 H Street, Room 209, in Crescent City. This is the only courthouse in the county. All case types including family law are handled at this location. Call (707) 464-8115 for general information about court procedures and hours. The clerk's office operates Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Confirm hours before visiting as schedules may vary.

Family law cases are heard by judges who also handle other case types in this small county. Calendar days for family law matters are scheduled periodically. When you file a request for order or motion, the clerk assigns a hearing date based on the court's calendar. Arrive early for hearings to allow time for security screening and finding the correct courtroom. Bring valid photo identification when visiting the courthouse.

The court website at www.delnorte.courts.ca.gov/divisions/family provides information about family law services and procedures. Forms are available through the California Courts website. The clerk's office can answer questions about which forms to use and where to file them. Staff cannot give legal advice about your specific case or tell you what arguments to make.

Public Case Portal

Del Norte County provides an online case portal at cmsportal.dncourt.com/public-portal. The portal allows searches by party name or case number. Basic case information appears in search results including filing date, case type, and status. You can view the register of actions which lists filed documents and hearing dates. California Rules of Court limit what family law information can be accessed remotely.

Full court documents like petitions, declarations, financial disclosures, and orders cannot be viewed through the portal. Only limited case data and the register of actions appear online. To view actual filed documents, visit the courthouse in person. The clerk's office maintains case files and can provide copies for a fee. Bring the case number if you know it to help staff locate the file quickly.

Some older case files may be archived off-site. Retrieving archived files can take several days. Call ahead if you need records from closed cases that are several years old. The clerk can tell you if a file is on-site or requires retrieval from storage. This saves you an unnecessary trip to the courthouse.

Filing a Family Law Case

To start a family law case, complete the required California Judicial Council forms. Divorce cases require form FL-100 (Petition for Dissolution of Marriage) plus summons and other documents. Child custody cases without divorce use form FL-300. Download forms from www.courts.ca.gov/forms.htm. You can also request printed forms from the clerk's office.

Bring completed forms to the clerk's office at 450 H Street, Room 209, in Crescent City. File the original and bring at least two copies. The clerk files the original and stamps your copies. The filing fee is $435 for the first document. If you cannot afford the fee, file form FW-001 to request a fee waiver. Include proof of income like pay stubs or benefit statements. The court reviews fee waiver applications and approves or denies them based on financial need.

After filing, you must serve the other party with copies of all filed documents. You cannot serve papers yourself. Use a process server, the sheriff, or registered mail for certain documents. The person completing service fills out a proof of service form. File this proof with the court. The case cannot proceed until service is complete and proof is filed. Service fees typically range from $50 to $150.

Subsequent filings may require additional fees. Motions cost $60 to file. Some documents have no filing fee. Ask the clerk about fees for specific documents before filing.

Legal Assistance Resources

Del Norte County has limited local legal aid resources due to its small size and remote location. The clerk's office can answer basic procedural questions but cannot give legal advice. For legal help, contact Legal Services of Northern California. Their phone number is (916) 551-2150. They serve rural counties including Del Norte and provide free legal aid to eligible low-income residents in family law matters.

Legal Services of Northern California provides advice, brief services, and representation in some cases. Priority goes to urgent matters involving domestic violence or child safety. Wait times for services vary based on demand and available staff. They may be able to provide limited assistance even if you do not qualify for full representation. Intake staff ask about your income and case to determine eligibility.

Private attorneys who practice family law in Del Norte County are limited. You may need to hire an attorney from a nearby area. Some attorneys in Humboldt County or southern Oregon may accept Del Norte County cases. Ask about travel fees and whether the attorney is familiar with Del Norte County procedures. The State Bar of California lawyer referral service at 1-866-442-2529 can help you find attorneys who practice in rural areas.

The California Courts website has extensive self-help resources at www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp.htm. This site includes instructions for common family law procedures, video guides, and form completion tips. Resources are free and available 24 hours a day. You can watch videos about filing for divorce, requesting child support, or responding to restraining order petitions.

Court Fees

First paper filing costs $435. Motions cost $60. Copy fees are 50 cents per page. Certification adds $40. Service fees depend on the method. Process servers charge $50 to $150. The sheriff may charge less but takes longer. Fee waivers cover court filing fees but not service or attorney costs.

Nearby Counties

Del Norte County borders several other counties. Verify jurisdiction if you live near a border area.