Sacramento County Family Court Records

The Sacramento County Superior Court handles all family law matters for California's capital region. Family court cases include marriage dissolution, legal separation, child custody, child support, spousal support, domestic violence restraining orders, and parentage actions. The court operates a main family law courthouse at 3341 Power Inn Road in Sacramento. Sacramento County stands out for offering free online case searches with no registration required. You can look up basic case information and view some documents at no cost. For full case files, visit the courthouse in person. Self-help services are available to assist people who represent themselves in family law matters. The court provides forms, workshops, and legal information through multiple channels including the website, phone, and in-person centers.

Family Court Locations

Sacramento County family law cases are filed at the William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse at 3341 Power Inn Road. This facility was built specifically for family law matters. All family court hearings take place at this location. The building has multiple courtrooms, clerk's offices, self-help centers, and family law services under one roof.

Clerk's office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The office may close for lunch or on court holidays. Call (916) 875-3400 to verify hours before visiting. Bring a valid photo ID. All visitors go through security screening. Arrive early if you have a hearing scheduled.

The court website at saccourt.ca.gov/family has detailed information on filing procedures, forms, and services. You can access the online case search system directly from the homepage. The site also lists upcoming workshops and self-help center schedules.

Note: Sacramento County is one of the few California counties offering completely free online case access with downloads at no charge.

Free Online Case Search

Sacramento County provides free public case access at services.saccourt.ca.gov/PublicCaseAccess. This system lets you search for cases by party name or case number. No registration is required. No fees apply for searches or viewing documents available online.

The system shows basic case information including filing dates, case type, and party names. You can view registers of action showing what documents were filed. Some documents may be available to view or download for free. California law restricts what family law documents can be shown online, so full case files are not available remotely.

To see all documents in a family law case, visit the courthouse in person. The clerk's office can provide access to the full case file. You will need the case number to request a file. Copies cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies add $40 to the total regardless of page count.

Filing Procedures

To file a new family law case in Sacramento County, start by completing the necessary forms. For a divorce, you need form FL-100 (Petition for Dissolution), a summons, and other supporting documents. Self-help staff can provide a checklist of required forms for your case type. Forms are available online or at the courthouse.

Bring your completed forms to the clerk's office at 3341 Power Inn Road. The filing fee is $435 for the first paper. If you cannot afford the fee, you can request a waiver by filing form FW-001. Bring proof of your income and expenses like pay stubs or benefit statements. The court reviews fee waiver requests and decides based on your financial situation.

After filing, you must serve the other party with copies of all filed documents. Service cannot be done by you. Use a process server, friend, or the sheriff to serve papers. File proof of service with the court after service is complete. The case cannot proceed until service is done and proof is filed.

Later filings in your case may require additional fees. Motions cost $60 each. Some documents have no fee. Ask the clerk if unsure about fees for a specific filing.

Self-Help Legal Services

Sacramento County offers extensive self-help services for family law. The Family Law Facilitator office provides free help with child support and custody issues. The Self-Help Center assists with all types of family law cases including divorce, paternity, and restraining orders. Both offices are located at the Power Inn courthouse.

Call (916) 874-1421 to reach the Self-Help Center. Staff can answer questions about forms and court procedures. They cannot give legal advice about your specific case. The office provides computers, printers, and access to legal information. Services are available in English and Spanish.

The court offers regular workshops on divorce, custody, child support, domestic violence restraining orders, and other family law topics. Most workshops are free. Some require advance registration. Check the court website for current schedules. Workshops fill quickly, so register early.

Legal Services of Northern California serves eligible low-income residents with free legal help. Call (916) 551-2150 for intake. The organization prioritizes cases involving domestic violence and urgent custody matters. Income limits apply. Due to high demand, wait times for full representation can be several weeks or months.

The State Bar of California Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with a private attorney for a reduced-cost initial consultation. Call 1-866-442-2529. The first 30 minutes typically costs no more than $50. Normal attorney fees apply if you hire ongoing representation.

Court Costs

Filing fees in Sacramento County match statewide rates. The first filing costs $435. Motions cost $60 each. Some documents have no filing fee. Copies of court records cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies add $40 for the certification seal regardless of how many pages.

Process servers charge separate fees for serving documents. Typical service costs range from $60 to $125 in Sacramento County depending on location and whether multiple attempts are needed. The sheriff's office offers service at lower rates. Budget for service costs when planning to file a case.

Fee waivers cover court filing fees only. They do not cover service fees or attorney fees. If your fee waiver is granted, you may qualify for free sheriff service. Ask the clerk about this when filing your waiver application.

Major Cities in Sacramento County

Sacramento County includes the state capital and several large cities. All family law cases are filed at the Power Inn Road courthouse. Find local resources for your city below.

Nearby Counties

If you live near the county border, check which county has jurisdiction. Family law cases must be filed where you or your spouse reside.