San Diego County Family Court Records

San Diego County Superior Court operates one of California's busiest family court systems. The court processes thousands of family law cases annually including dissolution of marriage, legal separation, child custody, child support, domestic violence restraining orders, and parentage actions. Multiple courthouse locations serve the county's diverse regions from downtown San Diego to North County and East County. The court offers online case searches through the Register of Actions portal where you can look up basic case information by name or case number. San Diego County provides extensive self-help services through the Family Law Facilitator program and ACCESS Centers at multiple courthouses. Due to California privacy restrictions, complete family law case files must be viewed in person at the courthouse. The court website at sdcourt.ca.gov provides forms, guides, videos, and contact information for all family law services throughout the county.

Family Court Locations

San Diego County has multiple family court locations. The main downtown courthouse at 1100 Union Street handles many family law cases. The North County Regional Center in Vista serves communities from Oceanside to Escondido. The South Bay courthouse in Chula Vista serves the southern part of the county. The East County Regional Center in El Cajon serves inland communities. Each location has courtrooms, clerk's offices, and self-help services.

Where you file depends on where you live in the county. The court's website at sdcourt.ca.gov/sdcourt/familyandchildren2 helps you find the correct courthouse for your address. Filing at the wrong location can delay processing your case.

Clerk's offices are open Monday through Friday, typically 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Some locations may close for lunch. Call (619) 844-2700 for downtown hours or check the website for other locations. Bring photo ID when visiting any courthouse. Security screening is required at all locations. Arrive early if you have a scheduled hearing.

Online Case Search

San Diego County provides public access to case information through the Register of Actions search. The system allows you to search by party name or case number. Searches are free and do not require registration. The portal shows basic case details and registers of action.

The register of actions lists documents filed in the case and hearing dates. California law restricts what family law documents can be viewed remotely. Full case documents like petitions, declarations, and orders must be viewed at the courthouse. To access complete files, visit the clerk's office with the case number.

Copies of documents cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies add $40 for the certification regardless of page count. The clerk's office accepts cash, check, and credit or debit cards for copy fees. You need certified copies for official purposes. Regular copies work for personal records.

Filing Family Law Cases

To file a family law case in San Diego County, complete the required California Judicial Council forms. For divorce, you need form FL-100 (Petition for Dissolution), a summons, and other supporting documents. The Family Law Facilitator and self-help centers can provide form lists for your case type. Forms are available online or at any courthouse.

Take completed forms to the clerk's office at the courthouse that serves your area. The filing fee is $435 for the first paper. If you cannot pay, file form FW-001 to request a fee waiver. Bring proof of income like pay stubs or benefit statements. The court reviews waiver requests and decides based on financial need.

After filing, you must serve the other party with copies of all documents. 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 filed.

Motions filed later in your case cost $60 each. Some documents have no filing fee. Ask the clerk about fees if unsure about a specific filing.

Family Law Facilitator and Self-Help

San Diego County provides extensive self-help services for family law. The Family Law Facilitator program offers free help with child support and custody issues. The facilitator's website at flf.sdcourt.ca.gov has forms, videos, and guides. Call (619) 844-2200 to reach the facilitator office.

Self-help services are available at multiple courthouse locations. The downtown San Diego courthouse has an ACCESS Center. North County, South Bay, and East County courthouses also offer self-help services. Staff can answer questions about forms and procedures. They cannot give legal advice about your specific case. Services are free and available in English and Spanish.

The court offers workshops on divorce, custody, child support, and restraining orders. Many workshops are free and some require advance registration. Check the court website for current schedules. Workshops fill quickly, so sign up early when registration is required.

Legal Aid Society of San Diego serves eligible low-income residents with free legal help. Call 1-877-534-2524 for intake. The organization prioritizes domestic violence and urgent custody cases. Income limits apply. Wait times can be long due to high demand.

The San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program connects people with attorneys for reduced-cost or free services. Call (619) 235-5656 for information. The Family Justice Center at 707 Broadway in San Diego provides coordinated services for domestic violence cases including legal help, counseling, and advocacy.

Court Fees and Costs

Filing fees in San Diego County match statewide rates. The first filing costs $435. Motions cost $60 per filing. Some documents have no fee. The clerk can tell you if a fee applies.

Copies cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies add $40 for certification. Process servers in San Diego County typically charge $75 to $125 per service. The sheriff offers service at lower rates but may take longer. Budget for service costs when filing 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.

Major Cities in San Diego County

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

Nearby Counties

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