Napa County Family Court Records

Family law proceedings in Napa County are handled by the Superior Court located in downtown Napa. The courthouse processes divorce cases, legal separation petitions, annulment actions, child custody and visitation matters, child support orders, spousal support proceedings, domestic violence restraining orders, and parentage cases. The courthouse sits at 825 Brown Street in Napa, CA 94559. This is the only location for family court in Napa County. All filings and hearings take place here. You can access case information in person at the courthouse during business hours. Public terminals allow searches for basic case details like party names and hearing dates. California privacy rules prevent remote online access to full family law case documents. Visit the clerk's office to obtain copies of documents from your case. The court operates a self-help center to assist people representing themselves. Call (707) 299-1130 to reach the clerk's office or (707) 299-1137 for the self-help center.

Superior Court Family Division

The Napa County Superior Court operates from a single courthouse at 825 Brown Street in downtown Napa. Family law cases are heard by judges assigned to the family law department. The phone number for general court information is (707) 299-1130. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The court closes for lunch from noon to 1:00 PM.

Security screening occurs at the courthouse entrance. Prohibited items include weapons, recording devices, and certain electronics. Parking is available in nearby lots and on surrounding streets. The courthouse sits within walking distance of downtown Napa businesses and services. Arrive at least 15 minutes early if you have a hearing scheduled.

Family law hearings are scheduled on specific calendar days. Your notice tells you the date, time, and courtroom. Bring all required documents and any witnesses you plan to call. Dress in business or business casual attire. Address the judge as "Your Honor." Turn off cell phones and other devices before entering the courtroom. The court expects respectful and professional behavior from all parties.

The court website at www.napa.courts.ca.gov/divisions/family provides information about family law services, forms, and procedures. Links to statewide resources help you find additional materials. Staff can answer procedural questions but cannot provide legal advice about your specific situation.

How to File

Begin a new family law case by filing a petition with the clerk's office. Bring completed forms to the courthouse during business hours. The filing fee is $435 for the initial petition. This applies to divorce, legal separation, custody, and other family law matters. Request a fee waiver if you have low income or receive public benefits. Complete form FW-001 and attach proof of income or benefit enrollment.

Make copies of all documents before filing. The court keeps the original. You receive a file-stamped copy. You need another copy to serve on the other party. Prepare at least three copies of everything. Use black or blue ink if filling forms by hand. Typing forms improves legibility. Sign all required signature lines.

The clerk stamps your petition with the filing date and assigns a case number. Write this number on all future filings. After filing, you must serve the other party according to California law. The clerk can explain service requirements. You must file proof of service within the timeframe shown on your forms. Cases cannot proceed without proper service and proof of service on file.

Additional filings during your case also have fees. Motions usually cost $60. Some documents like income and expense declarations or stipulations have no filing fee. Ask the clerk about fees for specific forms if you are unsure.

Finding Case Information

Napa County does not offer remote online access to family law case documents. Visit the courthouse to search for cases. Public computer terminals at the clerk's office allow searches by party name or case number. These systems show basic information like filing dates and hearing schedules. Detailed case documents are not available on these terminals due to California privacy rules.

Request copies of case documents from the clerk's office. Staff retrieve files and make copies as requested. Standard copies cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies add $40 for the certification. Payment methods include cash, check, and cards. Confirm accepted payment types before visiting if unsure.

Confidential family law records require verification that you are a party to the case. Bring photo ID. The clerk checks your connection to the case before releasing documents. Some records may be sealed by court order and cannot be released without additional authorization from the judge. Registers of actions showing what documents were filed are generally public information.

Self-Help Center

Napa County operates a self-help center for people representing themselves in family law cases. The center is located at the courthouse. Call (707) 299-1137 for assistance. Staff can help you identify appropriate forms and explain filing procedures. They cannot provide legal advice about your specific case or tell you what information to include on forms.

Services include form packets with instructions for common family law matters like divorce, custody, child support, and restraining orders. The center offers workshops on various topics. Workshop schedules are posted on the court website. Some workshops require advance registration. Space is limited, so sign up early if you plan to attend.

The center serves walk-in visitors during regular business hours. Wait times vary based on demand. Come prepared with questions and any forms you have already started. The center has computers and printers available for completing forms. Bring a USB drive if you want to save your work for later completion.

Online resources complement in-person services. The California Courts website at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov offers videos, FAQs, and downloadable forms with instructions. These materials help you prepare before visiting the self-help center.

Legal Assistance

Legal Aid of Sonoma County serves low-income residents in Napa County. LASC provides free civil legal help including family law. Services depend on your situation and their available resources. Call (707) 542-1290 for intake. Eligibility is based on income and household size. Priority goes to cases involving domestic violence, child safety, and elder abuse.

Not all applicants receive full representation due to limited staff and high demand. Some may get brief advice or help with forms instead of ongoing attorney services. Wait times vary. LASC may refer you to other resources if they cannot take your case.

The Napa Valley Bar Association can connect you with private attorneys practicing family law. This is not free but may offer reduced-rate initial consultations. Ask about payment plans or sliding scale fees if you cannot afford standard attorney rates. Some lawyers provide limited scope representation where they handle specific tasks while you complete other parts of the case yourself.

Napa Emergency Women's Services offers support and resources for domestic violence survivors at (707) 252-3687. They can help with safety planning and connecting to legal services for restraining orders and family law matters involving abuse.

Court Fees

Filing a new family law petition costs $435. The respondent pays $435 if they file a formal response. Subsequent motions during the case typically cost $60 per filing. Some documents have no fee, including income and expense declarations, stipulations signed by both parties, and certain requests for orders.

Fee waivers are available for qualifying individuals. You may qualify if you receive public benefits like CalFresh, Medi-Cal, SSI, or CalWORKS. Income-based waivers are available if your household income falls below state guidelines. Complete form FW-001 and submit it with supporting documentation. The court reviews your application and issues an order granting full waiver, partial waiver, or denial.

Copy fees are 50 cents per page. Certified copies cost an additional $40. You need certified copies when submitting documents to other courts or government agencies. Regular copies work for your personal files. Payment methods at the Napa courthouse include cash, check, and credit or debit cards.

Service of process costs are separate from court fees. Process servers charge $50 to $150 depending on distance and difficulty. Sheriff service may cost less but can take longer to complete. Budget these costs separately. Fee waivers cover only court filing and copy fees, not service expenses or attorney fees.

Major Cities in Napa County

Napa County includes the city of Napa and several smaller communities. Family law cases for all county residents are filed with Napa County Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

Napa County borders several other California counties. Verify jurisdiction before filing based on residence requirements for family law cases.