Search Mariposa County Family Court Records

The Mariposa County Superior Court handles all family law cases for this rural county in California's Sierra Nevada foothills. Family court matters include divorce filings, legal separation actions, child custody and visitation disputes, child support orders, spousal support proceedings, domestic violence restraining orders, and parentage cases. The courthouse sits in the historic town of Mariposa at 5088 Bullion Street. All family law records are kept at this single location. You can access basic case information in person at the courthouse during business hours. The clerk's office provides public access terminals for searching case indexes. Remote online access to full family court case documents is not available due to California privacy rules for family law proceedings. You may request copies of records from your own case or cases where you are an authorized party.

Mariposa Superior Court

The Mariposa County Superior Court operates from a single courthouse in downtown Mariposa. This small court serves one of California's least populated counties. Family law matters are heard by judges who handle all case types due to the court's size. The address is 5088 Bullion Street, Mariposa, CA 95338. Call (209) 966-2005 to reach the clerk's office.

Court business hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The courthouse closes for lunch from noon to 1:00 PM. Arrive early if you need help from staff before a hearing. Parking is available on nearby streets. The historic courthouse building dates back over a century.

Family law calendars typically run on specific weekday mornings. Check with the clerk's office for your hearing date and time. Judges may hear family law cases along with other civil matters depending on the court's schedule. The clerk's office can tell you which courtroom to report to for your family court hearing.

The court website at www.mariposa.courts.ca.gov provides basic information about court services and hours. Forms and procedural guides are available online through the California Courts website. Staff cannot give legal advice but can explain court processes and direct you to appropriate forms.

File Family Law Documents

New family law cases begin with filing at the clerk's office. Bring completed forms during business hours. The initial filing fee is $435. If you can't pay this, file form FW-001 to request a fee waiver based on low income or public benefits. The clerk reviews your financial information to decide if you qualify for a full or partial waiver.

Forms must be filled out completely and signed. Make at least three copies of every document. The court keeps the original. You get a stamped copy. The other copy goes to the other party through proper service. Use black ink on all forms. Print clearly or type forms if possible.

Staff will date-stamp your documents and assign a case number. Keep your case number for all future filings. You need it to look up your case and file additional papers. Ask questions about procedures before you leave. Once papers are filed, you must serve the other party according to California law. Bring proof of service back to the courthouse within the required timeframe.

Note: Small courts like Mariposa may take extra time to process filings due to limited staff.

Find Case Information

Mariposa County does not offer remote online access to family court records. You must visit the courthouse in person to search for case information. The clerk's office has computer terminals where you can look up cases by party name or case number. This shows basic information like filing dates and hearing schedules. You cannot view full documents on these terminals.

To get copies of case documents, ask a clerk for assistance. They will pull the physical file or print from the electronic system. Copy fees are 50 cents per page. Certified copies cost an additional $40. Bring payment in cash or check. Some California courts now accept cards, but call ahead to confirm payment methods in Mariposa County.

Only parties to a case can view confidential family law documents. You may need to show ID proving you are involved in the case. Registers of actions showing what was filed and when are generally public. Detailed documents like financial declarations or custody evaluations may be sealed or restricted. If you need documents from an old case, the clerk's office can search archived records. This may take extra time for very old files.

Get Help with Forms and Procedures

Mariposa County provides self-help services for people handling family law cases without attorneys. Resources may be more limited than in larger counties. The court offers information packets with instructions and blank forms for common family law matters like divorce, child custody, and child support modifications.

The clerk's office can direct you to appropriate forms but cannot give legal advice about your situation. For legal guidance, contact a private attorney or seek help from legal aid organizations serving rural California. The California Courts website at courts.ca.gov offers statewide self-help resources including form packets and instructional videos.

Consider attending any workshops the court offers on family law topics. Small counties sometimes partner with legal services organizations to provide occasional clinics or workshops. Ask the clerk's office if any programs are scheduled. You can also consult the county law library if one is available, or use online legal resources designed for self-represented litigants.

Free Legal Services

Low-income Mariposa County residents may qualify for free legal help from organizations serving Central California. Central California Legal Services assists eligible individuals with civil legal matters including family law. They serve multiple counties in the region. Call (800) 675-8001 to speak with an intake worker. Eligibility depends on your income and the type of legal issue you face.

Services may include advice, help completing forms, or representation in court depending on available resources and your situation. Wait times for services can be long due to high demand and limited attorney staff in rural areas. Priority often goes to cases involving domestic violence, child safety concerns, or urgent custody matters.

The State Bar of California offers a lawyer referral service that can connect you with private attorneys who practice in Mariposa County. This is not free but provides an initial consultation at reduced rates. Some attorneys offer payment plans or sliding scale fees based on income. Ask about fee arrangements during your first meeting. Legal aid and volunteer attorney programs may also serve the area through county bar associations or nonprofit legal clinics.

Court Costs and Fees

Filing a petition to start a family law case costs $435. The responding party pays the same amount if they file a response. This fee covers the initial paperwork only. Additional filings during your case cost extra. Most motions cost $60 to file. Some documents like income and expense declarations have no filing fee.

Fee waivers are available if you receive public benefits like CalFresh, Medi-Cal, SSI, or Supplemental Security Income. You can also qualify based on low income. File form FW-001 with proof of income or benefit statements. The court may grant a full waiver covering all fees, a partial waiver covering some costs, or deny the waiver if your income exceeds guidelines.

Copy fees are set by California law at 50 cents per page for regular copies. Certification costs $40 per document. If you hire a process server, expect to pay $50 to $100 for service depending on distance and difficulty finding the other party. The sheriff's office may charge less for service but often takes longer. Budget for these additional costs when planning to file a case.

Note: Fee waivers do not cover service costs or attorney fees, only court filing and copy charges.

Nearby California Counties

Mariposa County borders several other California counties. If you live near a county line, verify which county has jurisdiction for your family law case. Jurisdiction typically depends on where you or your spouse reside.