Find Kern County Family Court Records

Kern County Superior Court processes all family law cases in this Central Valley county. The court handles divorce, legal separation, child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support, and domestic violence restraining orders for Bakersfield and surrounding communities. The main courthouse is located at 1215 Truxtun Avenue in downtown Bakersfield. Additional court locations serve other parts of the county but most family law matters are filed and heard in Bakersfield. Court staff provide self-help services including form assistance and procedural information. Call (661) 610-6700 for general courthouse information. Family law records are maintained at the courthouse with limited online access due to California privacy rules for family court cases.

Kern Superior Court Family Law

The Superior Court of Kern County has its main location at 1215 Truxtun Avenue in Bakersfield. This courthouse handles the majority of family law filings and hearings for the county. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The clerk's office may close briefly for lunch so call ahead if visiting during midday.

Family law cases are assigned to specific departments within the courthouse. Check your court papers for the department number and judge assigned to your case. Arrive at least 20 minutes early for hearings to get through security and locate your courtroom. Bring photo ID and your case number. Cell phones must be silenced in courtrooms.

The court website at www.kern.courts.ca.gov provides information about locations, hours, and general procedures. Forms are available through links on the site. The clerk's office accepts filings in person during business hours. File your documents at the civil filing window. Bring originals and copies for all filings.

Note: Kern County also has courthouses in Delano, Ridgecrest, and Mojave but most family law matters are processed in Bakersfield.

Filing a Family Law Case

Filing a new family law case starts with completing the correct forms. Divorce requires form FL-100 and a summons. You also need other documents depending on whether you have children, property, or debts. The California Courts website has all judicial council forms at www.courts.ca.gov/forms.htm. You can also get forms at the courthouse self-help center.

Fill out forms completely. Do not leave required fields blank. Make at least three copies of everything. The court keeps the original. You need copies for service and your own records. Take your completed forms to the clerk's filing window at the Truxtun Avenue courthouse. The filing fee is $435 for the first paper in most family law cases. This covers your initial petition or response.

If you cannot afford the filing fee, submit a fee waiver request using form FW-001. Include proof of income such as pay stubs, benefit statements, or tax returns. List your monthly expenses. The court reviews waiver applications and grants them to people who qualify under state income guidelines. Fee waivers cover court filing fees but not costs for service of process or attorneys.

After filing, you must serve the other party with all filed documents. Service means official delivery by someone other than you. Use a process server, sheriff, or an adult friend or relative. The person serving papers must be over 18 and not involved in the case. Complete service within 60 days of filing. File proof of service form FL-115 after service is done. The case cannot proceed without filed proof of service.

Self-Help Services

Kern County Superior Court operates a Family Law Self-Help Center at the Bakersfield courthouse. The center provides free assistance to people representing themselves without lawyers. Staff can help you complete forms, explain court procedures, and answer questions about requirements for different case types. They cannot give legal advice or tell you what action to take in your case.

Services include help with divorce forms, child custody paperwork, child support calculations, and restraining order applications. The center has computers you can use to access forms and type information. Bring details about your case including names, dates, addresses, income, and assets. Staff can review completed forms before you file them.

The self-help center also provides referrals to legal aid organizations and private attorneys. They have information about community resources for domestic violence victims and other family law issues. Services are available in English and Spanish. Call ahead for information about hours and whether you need an appointment.

Accessing Case Records

Family law case records for Kern County are stored at the courthouse. California Rules of Court restrict online access to most family law documents. You can view registers of actions which show what documents were filed and hearing dates. Full case documents must be viewed in person at the courthouse. Visit the clerk's office to request access to a case file.

You need the case number or names of both parties to request records. The clerk can search by name if you do not have the case number. Some records are confidential or sealed. Adoption files, juvenile records, and documents sealed by court order cannot be viewed without special permission. The clerk will tell you if a record is restricted.

Copies of documents cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies add $40 for the certification fee. Certified copies are required when you need official proof of court orders or judgments for things like remarriage or school enrollment. Request copies at the clerk's window. Pay when you receive the copies. The court accepts cash, checks, money orders, and some credit cards for copy fees.

Legal Assistance Resources

Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance provides free civil legal services to low-income Kern County residents. GBLA handles family law cases including divorce, custody, and domestic violence matters. Call (661) 325-5943 for intake. Staff will ask about your income and legal issue to determine if you qualify. Income limits are based on federal poverty guidelines.

Central California Legal Services also serves Kern County. Call (800) 675-8001 for information about family law assistance. Both organizations prioritize cases involving domestic violence, child safety, and urgent custody matters. Wait times for services can be several weeks due to high demand.

The Kern County Family Justice Center provides help for domestic violence victims. Located at 1100 Commerce Drive in Bakersfield, the center offers safety planning, restraining order assistance, and connections to legal services. Call (661) 868-5150 or visit kcfjc.org for more information. Services are free and confidential. Advocates can accompany you to court hearings for support.

The State Bar of California lawyer referral service at 1-866-442-2529 can connect you with private attorneys who practice family law in Kern County. Initial consultations cost up to $50 for 30 minutes. Regular attorney fees apply if you hire the lawyer for ongoing representation.

Major Cities in Kern County

Kern County includes several cities that file family law cases with the Superior Court. Select a city for local courthouse and resource information.

Nearby Counties

Check which county has jurisdiction if you live near the Kern County border. Residency requirements apply for filing.