Los Angeles County Family Court Records

Family law cases in Los Angeles County are filed with the Superior Court. The court handles dissolution, legal separation, child custody, child support, domestic violence restraining orders, and parentage actions across multiple courthouse locations in LA County. You can search for case information online through the court's public access system or visit any courthouse in person to view records. The court operates self-help centers at several locations to assist people with family law matters and forms.

LA Superior Court Family Division

Los Angeles County operates the largest court system in the United States with over 30 courthouse locations. Family law cases are heard at multiple courthouses depending on where you live in the county. The main downtown courthouse at 111 N. Hill Street handles many family law cases. Other major family court locations include Stanley Mosk Courthouse, Pomona, Long Beach, Pasadena, Van Nuys, Torrance, and Santa Monica.

Each courthouse has a family law department with judges who hear only family law matters. Cases get assigned to specific courtrooms based on case type and filing date. You must file your case at the correct courthouse for your area. The court website at www.lacourt.org/division/familylaw provides information on which courthouse serves your address.

The clerk's office at each location accepts new filings and provides copies of existing case documents. Bring photo ID when visiting the courthouse. Court hours are typically Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Some courthouses close for lunch. Call ahead to confirm hours for the specific location you plan to visit.

Note: Security screening is required to enter all LA County courthouses, so arrive early for hearings.

Finding Cases Online

LA County provides two online systems for searching court records. The Civil Case Name Search allows you to look up cases by party name at www.lacourt.org/paos/v2public/CivilIndex. Enter the first and last name of either party in a family law case. The system shows cases from 1983 to present. You can see basic case details like filing date and case number for free.

LA Court Connect at lacc.lacourt.org offers more detailed case information including party names, case events, and documents filed. This system charges fees for searches and document viewing. A name search costs between $1.00 and $4.75 depending on search type. You can purchase credits through the website using a credit card. The system lets you search by party name or case number.

Both systems have limits on what they show for family law cases. Full case documents cannot be viewed remotely due to California Rules of Court restrictions on family law record access. You can see registers of actions showing what documents were filed and when hearings took place. To view actual filed documents like petitions, declarations, or court orders, you must visit the courthouse in person.

How to File a Family Law Case

Filing a new family law case in Los Angeles County starts with completing the required forms. Forms are available online at the California Courts website or at any courthouse self-help center. For dissolution of marriage, you need form FL-100 (Petition) plus several other forms depending on your situation. Self-help centers can guide you on which forms to use.

Take your completed forms to the clerk's office at the courthouse that serves your area. The filing fee is $435 for the first paper. If you cannot afford the fee, you can request a fee waiver by filing form FW-001. The clerk reviews fee waiver applications and may grant them based on income and expenses. Bring proof of income like pay stubs or benefit statements when requesting a waiver.

After filing, you must serve the other party with copies of all filed documents. The court clerk can explain service requirements. You cannot serve papers yourself. Use a process server, sheriff, or registered mail for service. File proof of service with the court after the other party has been served. The case cannot move forward until service is complete and filed.

Self-Help Legal Access Centers

LA County operates Self-Help Legal Access Centers at multiple courthouses. These centers provide free help with family law forms and procedures. Staff can answer questions about court processes but cannot give legal advice about your specific case. Centers offer computers, printers, and form packets for common family law matters. Services are available in English and Spanish at most locations.

Major self-help center locations include downtown LA at 111 N. Hill Street, Long Beach at 275 Magnolia Avenue, Pomona at 400 Civic Center Plaza, and Van Nuys at 6230 Sylmar Avenue. Hours vary by location but most are open weekday mornings and afternoons. Some centers require you to check in early as they may limit daily visitors. Contact information for all centers is available through the county bar association website at dcba.lacounty.gov/legal-access-centers.

Many centers offer workshops on specific topics like divorce, custody, child support, and restraining orders. Workshops are typically free but may require advance registration. Check the court website or call the self-help center directly for current workshop schedules and registration details. Workshops fill up quickly, especially for popular topics.

Legal Aid for Low Income Residents

Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles serves eligible low-income residents with free legal help in family law cases. LAFLA prioritizes cases involving domestic violence, elder abuse, and urgent child custody matters. Call (800) 399-4529 to speak with an intake worker who will determine if you qualify for services. Income limits apply based on family size.

Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County provides free legal aid in the San Fernando Valley and other areas. Call (800) 433-6251 for intake. Both organizations offer advice, brief services, and full representation depending on your situation and their capacity. Wait times for full representation can be several weeks or months due to high demand.

The Los Angeles County Bar Association operates a lawyer referral service at 1-800-392-5660. This is not free but provides reduced-cost initial consultations with private attorneys. The first 30 minutes costs up to $50. If you hire the attorney for ongoing representation, normal fees apply. The service screens attorneys and matches you with someone who handles family law cases in your area.

Court Fees and Copy Costs

The first filing in a family law case costs $435. This includes the initial petition or response. Additional motions during the case cost $60 per filing. Some documents have no filing fee, like income and expense declarations or requests for temporary orders under certain circumstances. Ask the clerk about fees for specific filings if unsure.

Copies of court documents cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies add $40 to the total regardless of page count. You need certified copies for official purposes like filing with another agency or presenting to another court. Regular copies work for your own records. Some courthouses accept debit or credit cards for copy fees. Others require cash or check.

Service fees are separate from court filing fees. Process servers typically charge $50 to $150 per service depending on distance and difficulty. The sheriff's office charges less but may take longer. Budget for these costs when planning to file a case. Fee waivers cover only court filing fees, not service or attorney fees.

Major Cities in Los Angeles County

Los Angeles County includes many major cities. Each city's residents file family law cases at LA Superior Court courthouses. Select a city below for local courthouse and resource information.

Nearby Counties

If you live near the county border, check which county has jurisdiction for your case.