Mendocino County Family Court Records

All family law cases in Mendocino County go through the Superior Court of California. This includes dissolution of marriage, legal separation, annulment, child custody disputes, child support orders, spousal support proceedings, domestic violence restraining orders, and parentage actions. The main courthouse is in Ukiah at 100 N. State Street. The court also operates a branch location in Fort Bragg. Family law matters are primarily handled at the Ukiah courthouse. You can search for case information in person at either location. Staff can direct you to public access terminals. Court records follow California privacy rules that limit remote access to family law case details. You may request copies of documents from your own case by visiting the clerk's office.

Family Law Division

Mendocino County Superior Court handles all family law filings for the county. The main courthouse sits at 100 N. State Street in Ukiah. Most family law hearings take place here. The phone number is (707) 463-4664. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The building has security screening at the entrance.

A second courthouse operates in Fort Bragg to serve the coastal area. Some hearings may be scheduled there depending on where parties live and court availability. Check your hearing notice for the correct courthouse. If you need to transfer your case between locations, ask the clerk's office about local procedures.

Judges at Mendocino County Superior Court hear multiple types of cases. Family law matters get scheduled on specific calendar days. Show up at least 15 minutes early for your hearing. Bring all required documents and any witnesses you plan to call. Dress appropriately. The court expects respectful behavior from all parties. Turn off cell phones before entering the courtroom.

The court website at www.mendocino.courts.ca.gov provides information about court services, locations, and hours. You can download local forms and find links to statewide family law resources. Staff cannot provide legal advice but can answer procedural questions about filing requirements and court processes.

How to File Documents

Start a family law case by filing a petition at the clerk's office in Ukiah. Bring your completed forms during business hours. The filing fee is $435. You can request a fee waiver if you have low income or receive public benefits like CalFresh or Medi-Cal. Complete form FW-001 and attach proof of income or benefit letters.

Make copies before you file. The court keeps the original. You get a stamped copy for your records. You need another copy to serve on the other party. Most family law cases require at least three copies of initial filings. Use clear, legible handwriting or type your forms. Sign where indicated.

The clerk stamps your papers with the filing date and assigns a case number. Write this number on all future filings. You cannot proceed without serving the other party properly. California law requires specific service methods depending on the type of case. The clerk's office can explain service rules. Bring proof of service back to the court within the deadline shown on your forms.

Additional filings during your case also have fees. Motions typically cost $60. Some documents like financial declarations or child custody attachments have no filing fee. Ask the clerk if unsure about fees for specific forms.

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

Search for Cases

Mendocino County does not provide remote online access to detailed family law case documents. You can search for basic case information at the courthouse using public terminals. These show party names, case numbers, filing dates, and hearing schedules. Full documents are not viewable on these systems due to privacy rules under California Rules of Court.

To obtain copies of case documents, visit the clerk's office. Staff will retrieve the file. You can request specific documents or the entire case file. Copy fees are 50 cents per page. Certified copies add $40 to the total cost. Payment methods may include cash, check, or card. Call ahead to confirm accepted payment types.

Only parties to a case or their attorneys can access confidential family law records. Bring photo ID. The clerk may ask you to verify your connection to the case. Some documents like mediation reports or sealed records cannot be released even to parties without a court order. Registers of actions showing what documents were filed are generally available to the public.

For historical cases, ask about archived records. Older files may be stored off-site. Retrieval can take several days or weeks. Plan ahead if you need documents from a case that closed years ago.

Self-Help Resources

The court offers resources for people representing themselves in family law cases. Form packets with instructions are available at the courthouse or online through the California Courts website. These packets cover common matters like divorce, custody modifications, and child support enforcement. Follow the instructions carefully.

Clerk's office staff can direct you to appropriate forms and explain filing procedures. They cannot give legal advice about your specific situation or tell you what to write on forms. For questions about strategy, legal rights, or how laws apply to your case, consult an attorney.

The State Bar of California maintains online resources for self-represented litigants at www.calbar.ca.gov. These include videos, FAQs, and guides on family law topics. County law libraries may also have reference materials and computers for legal research. Ask the clerk's office if Mendocino County operates a law library open to the public.

Free Legal Help

Legal Services of Northern California serves low-income residents of Mendocino County. LSNC provides free legal assistance in civil matters including family law. Services may include advice, document preparation, or court representation depending on your situation and their available resources. Call (916) 551-2150 or toll-free at 1-800-952-5253 to request intake.

Eligibility is based on income and the nature of your legal issue. LSNC prioritizes cases involving domestic violence, elder abuse, child custody safety concerns, and other urgent matters. Wait times for services vary. High demand and limited staff mean not everyone who qualifies can receive full representation. Some individuals may get brief advice or form preparation help instead.

The California Courts website offers a legal aid directory at courts.ca.gov where you can search for organizations serving your area. Local bar associations sometimes operate volunteer attorney programs that match low-income clients with lawyers willing to provide free or reduced-fee services. Ask about sliding scale payment arrangements if you earn too much for free legal aid but cannot afford standard attorney rates.

Filing Fees and Costs

The initial petition in a family law case costs $435 to file. This applies whether you file for divorce, legal separation, custody, or another family law matter. The responding party also pays $435 if they choose to file a formal response. Not all respondents file responses, but those who do must pay this fee.

Additional filings during the case cost extra. Motions usually cost $60. Orders to show cause may have different fees. Some forms are free to file, like income and expense declarations or requests for continuances. Ask the clerk about fees for specific documents.

California offers fee waivers for qualifying individuals. You may qualify based on receipt of public assistance programs or household income below certain limits. Complete form FW-001 and submit it with your initial filing or at any time during your case. Include proof of income or benefit enrollment. The court reviews your application and issues an order granting or denying the waiver.

Copies cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies add $40 for the certification regardless of page count. You need certified copies for official purposes like filing with other agencies or courts. Regular copies work fine for your personal records.

Service of process costs vary. Process servers charge $50 to $150 depending on distance and difficulty. The sheriff may serve papers for a lower fee but often takes longer. Budget for these costs in addition to court fees. Fee waivers do not cover service expenses.

Nearby Counties

Mendocino County shares borders with several other California counties. Make sure you file in the correct county based on where you or your spouse reside.