San Bernardino County Family Law Cases

San Bernardino County Superior Court processes family law cases across the largest county by area in the United States. The court handles dissolution of marriage, legal separation, child custody, child support, domestic violence restraining orders, paternity actions, and other family matters. Multiple courthouse locations serve different regions of the vast county including San Bernardino, Fontana, Victorville, Joshua Tree, and Rancho Cucamonga. The court provides online case access through the Court Access Portal where you can search for basic case information by party name or case number. The DASH self-help portal offers forms, videos, and legal information for people representing themselves in family law cases. Due to California privacy rules, full family law documents cannot be viewed remotely and require an in-person courthouse visit to access complete case files.

Courthouse Locations

San Bernardino County operates multiple family court locations. The main San Bernardino courthouse at 351 N. Arrowhead Avenue handles many family law cases for the western valley. The Fontana courthouse at 17780 Arrow Boulevard serves the Fontana area. The High Desert Courthouse in Victorville at 14455 Civic Drive serves northern desert communities. Other locations include Joshua Tree, Rancho Cucamonga, and Barstow.

Where you file depends on where you live in the county. The court assigns cases based on residence. Check the court website at sanbernardino.courts.ca.gov/divisions/family-law to find the correct courthouse for your address. Filing at the wrong location can delay your case.

Clerk's offices at each location are open Monday through Friday. Hours vary by location but typically run 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Some offices close for lunch. Call ahead to confirm hours. The main San Bernardino office number is (909) 521-3180. Bring photo ID when visiting. All courthouses require security screening.

Court Access Portal

San Bernardino County offers online case searches through the Court Access Portal at cap.sb-court.org/search. You can search by party name or case number. The portal is free to use and does not require registration. The system shows basic case information including filing dates and party names.

The portal displays registers of action showing documents filed and hearing dates. Due to California Rules of Court restrictions on family law records, full documents are not available online. To view actual petitions, declarations, financial disclosures, or orders, you must visit the courthouse in person.

The DASH self-help portal at dash.sb-court.org provides a different service focused on helping people represent themselves. DASH offers form packets, instructional videos, and step-by-step guides for common family law issues. This portal does not show case information but helps you complete forms and understand procedures.

Filing Procedures

Filing a family law case requires completing California Judicial Council forms. For a divorce, you need form FL-100 (Petition for Dissolution of Marriage), a summons, and additional forms based on your situation. The DASH portal and self-help centers provide lists of required forms for each case type.

Bring completed forms to the clerk's office at the courthouse that serves your area. The first filing costs $435. If you cannot afford the fee, file form FW-001 to request a fee waiver. Bring proof of income and expenses. The court reviews fee waiver requests and decides based on financial need.

After filing, you must serve the other party. Service must be done by someone over 18 who is not a party to the case. Use a process server or the sheriff. You cannot serve papers yourself. File proof of service with the court after service is complete. The case cannot proceed until service is done and proof is filed.

Motions filed during the case cost $60 each. Some documents have no filing fee. The clerk can tell you if a fee applies to your filing.

Self-Help Services

San Bernardino County provides self-help services at multiple courthouse locations. The San Bernardino office offers help at 351 N. Arrowhead Avenue. Call (909) 269-8826 for services. The Fontana office at 17780 Arrow Boulevard also has self-help staff. Call the same number for Fontana services. The Victorville courthouse offers self-help at (760) 241-7073.

Self-help staff can answer questions about court procedures and forms. They cannot give legal advice about your specific case. Services are free. Staff can help you figure out which forms to use and how to complete them. Computers and printers are available at self-help centers.

The DASH portal at dash.sb-court.org offers online self-help resources. The site has form packets for common family law issues. Videos explain how to complete forms. Step-by-step guides walk you through filing procedures. DASH is available 24/7 from any computer or mobile device.

Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino serves eligible low-income residents with free legal help. Call (909) 889-7328 for intake. Income limits apply. The organization prioritizes cases involving domestic violence and urgent custody matters. Wait times can be long due to high demand.

Inland Counties Legal Services also operates in the region. Call (888) 245-4257 for assistance. This organization serves Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Services are free for eligible clients. Expect wait times for full representation.

Court Fees

The first filing in a family law case costs $435. Motions cost $60 per filing. Some documents have no fee. Ask the clerk if unsure about a specific filing.

Copies cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies add $40 for the certification seal. You need certified copies for official purposes. Regular copies work for personal records. Most courthouses accept cash, check, and credit or debit cards.

Service fees are separate from court fees. Process servers in San Bernardino County typically charge $75 to $150 depending on location and difficulty. The sheriff offers service at lower rates. Fee waivers cover court filing fees but not service fees unless you qualify for free sheriff service.

Note: San Bernardino County is large, so service costs may be higher in remote desert areas due to travel distance.

Major Cities in San Bernardino County

San Bernardino County includes several large cities. Family law cases are filed at Superior Court locations based on where you live. Find local information for your city below.

Nearby Counties

If you live near the county border, verify which county handles your case. Residency determines where you file.